Many people wonder what the difference between memory care and skilled nursing is. Read on to understand the differences and similarities between memory care vs. nursing homes so you can find the best senior care option for your loved one.
Is Memory Care Considered Skilled Nursing?
Yes, memory care is considered a form of skilled nursing. It can also be administered by a personal care provider. The goal of skilled nursing services is to rehabilitate the patient’s specific needs. Memory care is specifically designed to help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
What Level of Care is Memory Care?
Memory care is generally a higher level of care, but it depends on the patient’s individual needs. These needs are based on things such as what stage of Alzheimer’s or Dementia the patient is in and the severity of their symptoms. Memory care can be provided in-home or in a live-in memory care facility.
What Services Do Memory Care Facilities Offer?
Memory care facilities are similar to both assisted living and nursing home facilities. Caregivers at memory care facilities still help clients with personal care tasks such as bathing, eating, dressing, and using the bathroom and other activities of daily living such as enjoying social activities, going to appointments, going shopping, etc.
What is the Difference Between Memory Care and Skilled Nursing
Memory care facilities offer specialized care for people with diagnoses related to memory loss such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Clients in these facilities will often have more structured activities throughout the day to help keep them on a routine and lessen their stress. The activities also focus more on cognitive stimulation. These specialized facilities can also help those with memory difficulties continue to communicate better than they may in other facilities.
Caregivers also tend to offer more supervision in memory care facilities. Because many people with memory-related diseases have a tendency to wander, memory care facilities can be safer in that they are usually locked, have doors and/or elevators with alarms, and outdoor recreation areas that may be locked and gated. Some even have their residents wear tracking bracelets that set off an alarm to alert staff when a patient strays too far from a specific area of the building.
To determine when to move from assisted living to a memory care facility, be sure to consult with a licensed professional. Utilize their advice and recommendations to find the best memory care facility for your loved one and make the transition smooth.
Is Memory Care Expensive?
Because the level of care and supervision is more intensive, memory care is usually more expensive than other skilled nursing services. If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may be an option to help cover these costs if the facility accepts it. Many people also make use of Long-Term Care insurance to help cover these costs.
When to Consider Moving your Loved One from Assisted Living to Memory Care
It can be difficult to know when your loved one may need memory care rather than just simply assisted living services. Signs it may be time to move them to a memory care facility are:
- A decline in their physical condition.
- A decline in their ability to cook.
- They struggle to manage their home and/or money and bills.
- They become depressed.
- They begin to wander on their own.
- They get lost easily.
- They stop socializing with others.
To make the most informed decision possible, be sure to consult with:
- Family members and friends who are familiar with your loved one.
- Health professionals who are familiar with your loved one’s situation — this can include staff who currently work with them at their current assisted living facility.
- Neighbors or anyone else who interacts with your loved on regularly.
Find Memory Care for Your Loved One Today
At Advanced Nursing + Home Support, we have a professional team of certified Dementia specialists who have completed a special set of courses recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association. They are committed to making this service as convenient to access as possible, by delivering it straight to your loved one’s home. We want our clients to feel well-cared for and empowered each and every day.
If you have a loved one who needs skilled nursing or memory care in Maryland or the D.C. area, give Advanced Nursing + Home Support a call today. We provide unparalleled service from experienced, compassionate, skilled nursing care providers, which includes in-home memory care.
Contact us online or by phone at 240-414-4147 to request more information.
