If your loved one is aging and looking for current or future senior care, how do you know what option will best meet their needs? Is assisted living the right fit, or do they need memory care? This blog post will examine the key differences between the two types of senior care.
Deciding on a senior living community is never easy. By comparing and contrasting assisted living vs. memory care and analyzing the range of services each option offers, you can make the best choice for your loved one.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living is a type of senior living that provides housing and support with activities of daily living. Services can range from help with bathing and dressing to medication management and transportation.
The benefits of assisted living:
- A secure and encouraging environment
- Monitoring of health and well-being by team members
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Social interaction and engagement opportunities
Assisted living is an excellent choice if your loved one needs help with a few ADLs. If an older adult needs socialization or access to better nutrition, assisted living can help. Access to activities, chef-prepared meals, and wellness programs create a more manageable, worry-free environment for older adults.
Assisted living at Sage Oak of Lake Charles is different from other senior care facilities. With personal care plans in place, residents are living with extra confidence. Sage Oak of Lake Charles is a boutique senior living community.
Senior care here is reimagined and resident-focused. The community has smaller homes housing up to 16 residents instead of one large building housing 100 or more. The unique, small-scale style makes for happier team members and residents.
Supervision by licensed nurses and care partners offers:
- Medication delivery, management, and administration
- Mobility assistance
- Diabetic care
- Activities of daily living such as bathing and personal grooming
- 24-hour staff and security
Each resident room includes a private bathroom and area to receive personalized care. Relaxing and comfortable common areas allow residents to socialize and build community spirit while having access to the following:
- 1:5 to 1:8 caregiver-to-resident ratio
- Medication management
- Free medication delivery
- Assistance with Hoyer lifts for persons who use wheelchairs
- Assistance with diabetic care
- Bathing and personal grooming assistance
- Nurse on staff
- Incontinence care
- 24-hour CCTV security
- 24-hour awake associates
What is memory care?
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living that provides care for:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Additional cognitive impairments
Many assisted living communities provide both services. Unlike nursing homes, these care facilities allow older adults to age in place. Having two services under one roof makes the transition easier should your loved one need additional care.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Specialized Support for Dementia
Memory care communities are specifically designed for seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Here are the distinctive benefits:
- Specialized Staff: Memory care communities have trained team members to provide personalized care and support for individuals with memory-related conditions.
- Secure Environment: These communities have secure environments to prevent wandering and ensure residents’ safety.
- Memory-Enhancing Activities: Memory care offers activities designed to stimulate cognitive function and memory retention, helping residents maintain their mental abilities.
- Emotional Support: Caregivers in memory care communities understand the unique emotional needs of individuals with dementia, providing a nurturing and compassionate environment.
It’s important to remember that the choice between assisted living vs. memory care is not always clear-cut. Some individuals may transition from assisted living to memory care as their needs evolve. Effective communication with the team and ongoing assessments can help determine the right level of care for your loved one.
Assisted living and memory care communities strive to enhance the quality of life for seniors, offering peace of mind to families who want the best care for their loved ones. When exploring your options, consider the specific needs of your senior family members and their comfort in the chosen community.
Memory care at Sage Oak of Lake Charles is here to help. Our scientifically-based programs and activities focus on providing enriching lifestyles for our residents.
Our team is dedicated to providing quality care for those with neurocognitive decline. We’re committed to maximizing value for our families. Our dedicated memory care cottages provide the following:
- Purposeful activities
- Personalized attention
- Enriching experiences
- Dementia-friendly exercise
- Chef-prepared nutrition
Assisted Living and Memory Care: Find The Right Senior Living in Lake Charles, LA
Choosing senior living for a loved one is a difficult decision. We hope this article has helped you understand the key differences between assisted living and memory care.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Take a tour and experience the exceptional care available for your family member. We’re here to help!