At Kingsley Senior Living, we recognize how difficult it can be for a family to decide between assisted living and memory care for a loved one with declining health. Seeing them exhibit early symptoms of memory loss leaves them deeply worried about their well-being. They wonder whether to search for memory care facilities Canton or assisted living. If you're facing a similar situation, this article is for you. We’ll cover what each senior care option includes and which option is right for whom.
Core Differences
While both care options are designed to help and support older adults with declining health, they serve different purposes. One is for seniors who begin needing daily living support due to age-related decline, while the other is for seniors with cognitive impairments.
Assisted Living
Designed for seniors who are mostly independent but need help with daily activities like meals, medication management, bathing, and dressing. Here, trained staff assist with all these activities, available 24/7.
Memory Care
Designed for seniors with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia who require a secure, enclosed environment to prevent wandering. Specially trained staff help residents with daily living needs and therapies.
Environment and Safety
While both care options feature senior-friendly design and environmental elements, the specific features can differ. Here’s a brief overview of the environmental and safety features these communities offer.
Assisted Living Communities
Offer apartment-style living with social activities, general health monitoring, and flexible personal support. Entrances and exits are typically unlocked and unalarmed, making navigation easy for residents.
Memory Care Units
Equipped with secure perimeters with alarmed or locked exits, simplified floor plans, color-coded walls to reduce confusion, and lower staff-to-resident ratios that support better quality care. Outdoor areas feature landscaped courtyards, looped walking paths, and sensory gardens.
Staffing and Programming
Memory care residents require more specialized, intensive care than those living in assisted living communities. As a result, staffing and programming differ between the two care options.
Assisted Living
Staff are generally trained in assisting residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) and routine care needs. They help seniors participate in community recreational activities and live a connected, high-quality life.
Memory Care
Staff are trained in managing dementia-specific behaviors. They offer residents structured daily routines and cognitive therapies designed for brain health. Staff provide an added layer of safety and security, keeping a close eye on residents and ensuring they don’t wander.
Costs in Michigan
For many families, cost is a determining factor in deciding which care option they go with, especially if the loved one is at the early stages of dementia.
Assisted Living
The average cost of assisted living nationwide is $6,200 per month. It generally costs 30% to 50% less than memory care, as it doesn’t require specially trained staff or 24/7 availability.
Memory Care
The national average for memory care is around $6,999 per month. Higher costs are linked to higher staffing levels and secure infrastructure.
Insurance/Medicaid
Residents and families generally pay standard room and board charges for both assisted living and memory care out of pocket, as Medicare and standard Medicaid do not cover rent and meals.
Kingsley Senior Living—A Premier Assisted Living and Memory Care Community
At Kingsley Senior Living, we understand that deciding to move a loved one to a professional care setting isn’t easy. While you want the right care and support for your loved one, the key is evaluating which option is truly right for them. The information above covers that and helps you make an informed decision.
Families seeking a compassionate and vibrant senior care option for their aging loved one can contact us at Kingsley Senior Living. With heightened safety & security measures, restaurant-style dining, and a wide range of social and recreational activities, we support residents in living full, meaningful lives. To learn more about our community, schedule a visit today.