What is Assisted Living?

The primary definition of assisted living is a long-term senior care option that offers supportive aid, health services, and housing. Essential services often include transportation, medical management, and 24-hour emergency care. Mom or Dad will be able to ask the staff for assistance with daily tasks.

Depending upon personal preferences, budget, and layout of the specific home, residents in assisted living may enjoy a private room or share space in an apartment. Assisted living centers should be licensed by the state in which they are situated, yet they are not federally regulated.

What is Memory Care?

A memory care facility is intended specifically for patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory disorders. Sometimes these homes are referred to as SCUs – special care units. Typically, memory care units provide supervised services around the clock, and they are often located on a separate floor or area of a residential center. The staff is specially trained and qualified to assist and nurture people with cognitive problems or dementia, often through customized guided activities.

A unique and necessary feature of memory care is the high level of security, which is designed to meet the specific needs of patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Wandering is minimized, and the layout is usually easy for residents to navigate. Another benefit of memory care that is growing in popularity is outdoor gardens, which have been shown to enhance the lives of Alzheimer’s patients dramatically.

The state must license memory care facilities, and they are also regulated in 23 states by SCU disclosure rules, which require them to inform the public about their special services.

Which Basic Services Are Provided by Both Assisted Living and Memory Care?

• Emergency call buttons and systems
• Exercise/health programs
• Medical care access
• 24-hour staff and security
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Social programs
• Daily meals
• Transportation

Do Memory Care and Assisted Living Cost the Same?

A number of factors determine the cost of every senior care facility. The size of the rooms, shared versus private space, geographic location, and available services all play a role in the final expense. However, when comparing the price of memory care versus assisted living, there are additional considerations.

Assisted living is typically charged on a monthly basis, which includes room and board with two or three meals a day. Some of these homes provide laundry and housekeeping in the base rate, while others tack on cleaning services as an additional charge. In comparison, memory care also offers specialized nursing, which makes the cost considerably higher than assisted living. However, the final fee of both places depends upon the patient’s insurance plan or veterans’ benefits.

How to Make Your Final Decision? 

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. How Active Is Mom or Dad? 

Some seniors are very involved in social and physical activities. They regularly participate in golden-age exercise groups, games, and art classes, as well as attend lectures and cultural performances. However, when it comes to bathing, dressing or preparing food, they may not be entirely independent. Sometimes this is because their mobility is impaired due to age or they have mild dementia. In general, these individuals are well suited for assisted living.

2. Does Mom or Dad Have a Memory Problem?

If your mother or father has progressive memory impairment, their needs will typically be more complex and specialized. They may require assistance that goes way beyond help with hygiene and getting dressed, and it can be unsafe for them to live without enough supervision.  In this case, memory care may be the most appropriate living solution.

3. Does Your Loved One Wander?

It is usual for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia to wander off at any hour of the day or night. They are often found walking the halls or streets, lost and confused. This practice increases their risk of injuries due to slips and falls. Memory care homes are designed to address this problem with advanced security systems and staff that keeps an eye on patients at all times.

What is Your Final Step?

There is no substitute for seeing things for yourself. After you contemplate and have answers to the issues above, it is advisable to visit some local facilities that satisfy your parent’s requirements. Prepare in advance by compiling a list of what you want to know; the Alzheimer’s Association has a helpful, comprehensive checklist for choosing residential care, which you can adapt to meet your needs. 

Ideally, you should first visit alone to narrow down the options, and then bring Mom or Dad for a follow-up trip. They may have their own questions and concerns that you didn’t consider. Also, you can observe how they fit in with the crowd, as well as how the staff interacts with them. These are all clues that can help you match your mother or father to the type of senior care that’s best for them.

Last, but not least, no matter which setting you select – do not feel guilty about putting your parent in assisted living or a memory care facility. This decision is challenging and filled with emotion for all children. However, it helps to keep sight of the end goal – to optimize the quality of life for your loved one by keeping them comfortable, safe, and as independent as possible. For more information and assistance with your decision, please contact our friendly and compassionate staff at Lakeside Manor.

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Familiarize Yourself with the Condition 

The more you know about Alzheimer’s, the better you will be able to accommodate your loved one’s needs. The next time you take your loved one to visit their doctor, come prepared with questions and concerns. Your loved one’s doctor should be more than willing to discuss the condition with you in detail. If they are unable or unwilling to give you the time and attention you need, it may be time to find a more accommodating doctor. 

Greet the Person by Name 

Many people who suffer from Alzheimer’s have difficulty maintaining their sense of identity as they lose grasp on their memories. Always greet the person by name and continue to use their name throughout the conversation. Not only will this help them maintain their identity, but it is also just common courtesy and respect. 

Introduce Yourself 

Your loved one may have difficulty remembering who you are. Introduce yourself each time you see them. You may wish to add qualifiers as well, like “your sister Nancy’s son” or “your friend from XYZ University” to help them grasp who you are. Try not to take it personally if your loved one doesn’t remember you, even if you visit frequently. It is not a slight against you; this is just part of the disease. 

Minimize Distractions 

For people with Alzheimer’s, just having a conversation is challenging enough. Try to choose a location that has as few distractions as possible. Turn off the TV and face away from other people nearby when possible. The fewer distractions there are in the environment, the better your loved one will be able to follow the conversation and stay engaged. Keep conversations one-on-one whenever possible. Conversations with multiple speakers are more difficult for those with Alzheimer’s to follow. 

Speak in Short Sentences 

Your loved one’s attention span is likely incredibly short so use short, simple sentences as much as you can. Try to avoid telling long, complicated stories, as your loved one will have difficulty keeping track of the details. Instead, stick with just one main idea per sentence to give them the best chance of understanding. Proceed through the story in a step-by-step manner, stopping regularly to make sure your loved one is following along. 

Be Patient 

When having a conversation with a person with Alzheimer’s, you will probably have to repeat yourself frequently. Don’t get annoyed by this; your loved one is just trying to understand what you are saying. Your loved one will likely repeat themselves often as well, telling the same story over and over. Don’t discourage them, even if you have heard the same story ten times in one day. You don’t want to embarrass the person or make them feel uncomfortable talking to you. 

Ask Direct Questions 

When asking questions, it is best to stick with those that have yes or no answers in order to keep things as simple as possible. Asking open-ended questions may confuse a person with Alzheimer’s and make it difficult for them to work out how to respond. With yes-or-no questions, you can guide the conversation slowly so they are able to follow. 

Avoid Pointing Out Difficulties 

Try to avoid drawing attention to your loved one’s shortcomings. Asking questions like, “Don’t you remember?” can make your loved one feel uncomfortable. The end result is that they may become withdrawn and avoid conversation, which is the opposite of what you want. Instead, do your best to be as accommodating and patient as possible so that your loved one feels comfortable talking to you. The easier the conversation is, the more likely that your loved one will remain engaged and interested. 

Consider an Alzheimer’s Care San Diego Facility

If you start to find that caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s is becoming more difficult than you can manage on your own, it may be time to think about placing them in a home where they can receive the expert care they need. Here at Lakeside Manor, we provide dedicated Alzheimer’s care in San Diego. Our caregivers are highly trained to give your loved one the care and attention they deserve. 

We strive to create an environment that is as home-like as possible, and we encourage friends and family members to come and visit as often as they like. We want our residents to still feel connected to the people who have been a part of their lives. We welcome you to get in touch with us to learn more about our services and to schedule a tour of our inviting facility. Call us today to get started. 

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