TL;DR

Seniors may need to move from assisted living to memory care when cognitive decline increases and safety becomes a concern. Memory care communities provide specialized, secure, 24/7 support with activities that maintain mental function and comfort—ensuring dignity, engagement, and peace of mind for both residents and their families.

Main Points:

  • Assisted living supports seniors needing minimal daily assistance.
  • Memory care offers specialized care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.
  • Memory care includes 24/7 supervision, therapy, and cognitive enrichment.
  • Transition is ideal when memory issues or confusion increase.
  • Memory care facilities prioritize safety, comfort, and meaningful engagement.
  • Summerfield of Roseville provides compassionate, secure memory care options.

When it comes to your elderly loved one, you want the best for them. You hope that each day will be filled with the support, intrigue, and connection they deserve. And rightly, you also hope for a comfortable environment that can offer all of that and more.

As we age, our needs change. Yesterday’s capabilities can sometimes become tomorrow’s hindrances. And so, it stands to reason that your elderly loved one may suddenly find their lifestyle less tenable.

If you have noticed this kind of shift in your loved one’s lifestyle, it may be time to consider a change in living situation. But with so many to choose from, finding the right match can prove challenging.

Assisted living settings are fantastic for seniors with some level of capability. However, they don’t always help support seniors with increasing memory issues. This is where memory care can help.

In this guide, we will shine a light on the differences between memory care and assisted living. We’ll also touch on how to decide when to move from assisted living to a memory care community. We hope these insights will help you make an informed, compassionate decision for your loved one.

Differences Between Assisted Living and Memory Care

Any senior community, regardless of the style, is generally designed around companionship, connection, and compassion. Everything from communal spaces to community events help to foster a sense of involvement and purpose to each day. And often, senior residents love calling these settings home.

But not all senior communities are alike, either in makeup or in the flow of each day.

As you might guess, assisted living and memory services both offer caring, helpful settings designed specifically for seniors. However, the care offered can differ between the two.

Here are some of the ways assisted living and memory services differ:

In assisted living communities, seniors often enjoy the benefit of assistance with activities of daily living (ADL). This could include:

  • Incontinence care,
  • Meal prep and/or feeding,
  • Bathing and/or dressing,
  • Tidying,
  • Mobility support,
  • And more.

The assumption here is assisted living settings are designed for seniors who need some assistance, but are generally capable.

These are not skilled nursing facilities, so generally speaking, complex or specialized medical interventions are not available here. Similarly, advanced therapies are also not common in assisted living settings.

Of course, some assisted living settings are equipped to offer enrichment designed for the early stages of memory loss.

Memory care, on the other hand, is designed as a setting for seniors struggling with memory issues. This could include dementia, Alzheimer’s, and more. These settings offer advanced treatments and interventions designed specifically for cognitive decline.

Programming in these communities is often centered around supporting holistic maintenance of memory problems. Benefits of memory care treatments can include:

  • Fun programming involving puzzles and memory games,
  • Effective therapies including music, touch, painting, and more,
  • Opportunities to connect with objects of personal or nostalgic value,
  • Time spent with visiting family or friends,
  • Community events designed to connect and engage,
  • And more.

Comprehensive memory care offers a safe and enjoyable setting where they may partake in activities that inspire and delight. And full-time memory care is designed to offer that comfort both day and night.

Memory care also offers many advantages for family members hoping to ensure their loved one is safe. While assisted living communities often incorporate some form of security, they are not security-first settings. Full-time memory care residences, on the other hand, are much more equipped to ensure resident safety:

  • Residents are often monitored 24/7,
  • Alarm systems are present to prevent wandering,
  • Medical staff are available at all hours for everything from medication management to medical procedures,
  • And much more.

As you can imagine, memory care settings are designed for those who may harmfully succumb to their confusion.

Find the Best Setting for Your Loved One

If you find your senior struggles with cognition, a move to a memory care treatment setting might be pertinent. These communities can help ensure they are supported, safe, and involved in activities that can keep their mind sharp.

Summerfield of Roseville offers expert and premium memory care for those with memory issues in the Roseville area. Our friendly and secure community involves residents in supportive programming and offers an opportunity for a comfortable lifestyle.

Residents here enjoy connecting programming, a caring staff, and engaging opportunities to tap into the world around them.

Memory care may not be right for every senior. And answering “is memory care necessary for my loved one” is something only you can answer. But if your loved one is struggling to live their life safely, a memory care wing can help. And at Summerfield of Roseville, we will welcome them with an open door and a smile.

Learn about our assisted living and memory care services here.