If you or a loved one is in need of a place to live with a well-trained team to help with day-to-day life, you may have heard of assisted living and memory care. But are these the same thing?
Assisted living and memory care are not the same things. Assisted living focuses on allowing as much independence as possible for the resident while giving assistance for day-to-day things they may struggle with. Memory care is designed for people with memory-affecting conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, with a focus on ensuring the residents are safe and happy.
If you or a loved one is in need of assisted living or memory care, schedule a tour with Auburn Hill Senior Living or download our brochure today!
What Is Assisted Living Memory Care
Assisted living and memory care are two different types of care offered to those in need. While they’re commonly assumed to be the same thing, they have many key differences depending on the needs of the resident.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities exist for seniors who can still handle most of their day-to-day life but require assistance on some tasks that may give them difficulties. The residents have access to all sorts of different amenities and programs on-site and a staff that can help them with their daily needs.
Rather than being a retirement community where the staff handles most day-to-day things, assisted living focuses on making sure residents keep as much autonomy and independence as possible. The team on-site helps to customize a plan tailored specifically for each and every resident to make sure they get exactly what they need, and can still live as independently and comfortably as possible.
There are many programs and amenities offered at assisted living communities to help foster interest and build a sense of community among the residents, and meals are offered on-site. There’s access to medical care and a team of caring professionals who go above and beyond to make sure residents have what they need.
With a strong focus on comfort, independence, and high quality of life, assisted living communities are an excellent idea for seniors who struggle with some aspects of their everyday life but still want to retain their autonomy.
Memory Care
Memory care communities are specifically tailored to help people who struggle with memory-afflicting conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia. Due to these conditions impacting day-to-day life for those affected by it, memory caste care communities focus on keeping their residents comfortable, happy, and safe.
The teams on-site at memory care communities are specially trained to help with the effects of memory-affecting conditions. By working closely with the residents, their families, their physicians, and the community’s own team, these communities specialize in making sure that their residents can have the best quality of life possible.
Memory care communities have a team on hand that is trained to understand and help residents struggling with the complications caused by their memory conditions. Because it’s common for residents to feel frustrated, anxious, or confused, the staff is trained to assist with their needs and make sure that the residents are safe and well cared for.
Due to the nature of these conditions, the communities typically offer additional security measures to make sure that residents are safe and in no danger from themselves or others.
These communities also offer many different amenities and programs for the residents and customize a plan to care for each resident differently depending on their needs. As no two people are exactly alike, the plans address each resident’s state of cognitive aging and ensure that they have the support they need for the best possible quality of life.
These memory care communities are the best choice for seniors struggling with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any memory-affecting condition that’s causing difficulties in their daily life.
How to Pick an Assisted Living Memory Care Community
The most important thing when picking an assisted living or memory care community is to make sure that it’s right for you or your loved one. Look into the programs and amenities available on-site and see what the community is like! See how the teams around interact with the residents and ask any questions you may have.
If you or your loved one is struggling with some day-to-day tasks but still want to remain as independent as possible, assisted living may be the right choice for you.
However, if any memory-affecting condition is a factor, consider looking into memory care communities to make sure you or your loved one get the exact support needed for your specific situation.
If you are in need of an assisted living or memory care community in the Midlothian area, book a tour with Auburn Hill Senior Living today or download our brochure so we can start this next chapter together!