What Is Memory Care, and What Are Its Benefits?
Memory care is specialized care for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other conditions that cause memory loss.
Hospitals and nursing homes may have memory care units or a separate entity dedicated to this service. Memory care provides seniors with meals, opportunities to socialize, mentally stimulating activities, and support for their caregivers.
Hospitals and nursing homes may have memory care units or a separate entity dedicated to this service. Memory care provides seniors with meals, opportunities to socialize, mentally stimulating activities, and support for their caregivers.
Benefits of Memory Care
People living with memory dysfunction need specialized care. Although there is often an expense involved with getting care, the benefits make it worthwhile. Some of the many benefits of memory care may include the following:
- Round-the-clock supervision
- Assistance with medication compliance
- Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments
- A secure environment that allows seniors to remain independent while reducing the risk of wandering
- Access to expert and individualized medical care
Living Options for Seniors Living With Alzheimer’s or Dementia
If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you may be seriously considering what the best next step is for securing their long-term care.
Several living arrangement options exist for seniors living with memory loss concerns. Your loved one’s condition may make one of the following potential housing arrangements a better option than another. Here are some of the choices you may want to explore for memory care:
This may be a suitable option for seniors who have dementia as well as another chronic medical condition.
Facilities, including "wings", marketed as "memory care" usually do not accept Medicaid.
This service is private-pay, so Medicaid will not cover the expense.
While some states include assisted living in their state Medicaid plan, DC, Maryland and Virginia are not among those states.
Medicaid coverage for these services varies by state. Financial assistance may also be available, such as grants or loans.
Several living arrangement options exist for seniors living with memory loss concerns. Your loved one’s condition may make one of the following potential housing arrangements a better option than another. Here are some of the choices you may want to explore for memory care:
- Low-Income Housing
- Nursing Home
This may be a suitable option for seniors who have dementia as well as another chronic medical condition.
- Memory Care Community
Facilities, including "wings", marketed as "memory care" usually do not accept Medicaid.
- Independent Living Community
This service is private-pay, so Medicaid will not cover the expense.
- Assisted Living Facility
While some states include assisted living in their state Medicaid plan, DC, Maryland and Virginia are not among those states.
- Continuing Care Retirement Community
- Senior Day Care
Medicaid coverage for these services varies by state. Financial assistance may also be available, such as grants or loans.