What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living And Memory Care?
Assisted living and memory care are senior living options that suit a broad range of people and their families. If you have cognitive impairments or health issues, you can find the support and services you need in these senior living communities.
However, choosing the best living option for yourself or your loved one is not always easy. This can be particularly true if you’re unsure of the differences and how each living option suits your needs as you progress through life.
Contacting your preferred senior living community provider can be the first step toward choosing your new home outside of independent living. However, you might also find value in learning about the differences between assisted living and memory care below.
Daily Care
You can enjoy a high level of care and autonomy in both assisted living and memory care programs. Both senior living communities thrive with services like help with showering, toileting, and dressing. You also typically benefit from maintenance services, weekly housekeeping, and medication management.
However, memory care teams undergo extra training. This enables them to help their residents with more advanced care. They also learn in-depth information about dementia and the behaviors associated with it. As a result, memory care residents can expect specialized care and 24/7 supervision to ensure safety and comfort.
Activities
Both assisted living and memory care residents enjoy full monthly calendars. There’s never a dull moment in the average senior living community, with activities, classes, and events to attend every day.
However, the types of activities can differ based on residents’ abilities. Memory care resident activities revolve around enrichment, life skills, and therapy. Carers aim to engage residents in purposeful activities to promote independence and success.
A number of activities prove popular in memory care, such as:
- Music therapy
- Strengthening exercises
- Hand massages
- Meditation and breathwork
Assisted living activities are designed with the same goal of enrichment and engagement. However, residents can participate in more independent activities like:
- Puzzles
- Trivia
- Social outings
- Exercise
Meal Times
Both assisted living and memory care residents typically enjoy restaurant-quality meals in shared dining spaces. These meals are prepared by talented chefs who prioritize nutrition and local ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are all something to look forward to! Unique dietary requirements are also taken into account for all senior living community residents.
However, memory care residents might receive more environmental considerations. Lighting, music, and visual menus are often a noticeable difference. The more calming and comfortable the dining environment is, the more relaxed memory care residents can often be.
Living Arrangements
All senior living community residents are encouraged to make their personal space feel like home. This is true of individual rooms, studios, and apartments. Residents can often have their own furnishings and decorations. Many also enjoy safety-equipped bathrooms and kitchenettes. The goal is comfort, autonomy, and safety. However, assisted living promotes safe independence. Memory care residents often require a little extra hands-on help.
Contact Bristol Park at Amarillo Assisted Living & Memory Care
You might understand the differences between memory care and assisted living. However, that doesn’t mean you’re ready to decide for yourself or a loved one. Choosing a senior living community is a big decision to make, and you don’t have to make it alone.
Knowledge is power. Contact Bristol Park at Amarillo Assisted Living & Memory Care today. Our team can answer any questions you might have about our living options and provide a guided tour. You might then feel confident to make a well-informed decision when you’re ready.
