Learn everything you always wanted to know about senior living Memory Care. Whether dealing with Alzheimer's Disease or any other type of dementia, these deck will walk you through cost, comparison and so much more. Seniorly is one of the most trusted companies in the aging industry. Their comprehensive research is available for anyone looking to help a loved one age with happiness and dignity.

1. Find a Home to Love
Memory Care 101

2. Table of Contents
• What is Memory Care?
• Memory Care Services
• Medical Care and Staffing
• Memory Care vs. Assisted Living
• Choosing a Memory Care Facility
• Next Steps

3. Memory Care in senior living refers to purpose built communities to care for seniors who haveAlzheimer's
disease or other forms of dementia. Often assisted living communities have special wings that are designed
to help residents with memory issues. Residents living in memory care benefits from living in a structured
environment that provides plenty of routines to help them feel secure and comfortable. The caregiver-to-
resident staffing ratio of 1:6 is much higher in memory care than in assisted living, which typically has 1 staff
member for every 15 residents.
If your loved one is having problems with forgetfulness and concentration, you may be wondering what to
expect next. Alzheimer's disease and dementia residents go through a slow degenerative process that's
typically quite slow, but the stages are predictable. The Reisberg Scale can help you understand where your
loved one may be in this process so you can determine what type of care they may need.
What is Memory Care?
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TheReisbergScale
Stage Symptoms Duration
No Decline No memory loss. No dementia. ---
Very Mild Normal forgetfulness linked to aging. ---
Mild
Increased forgetfulness. Diminished work
performance. Difficulty finding words.
7 years
Moderate
Difficulty concentrating. Difficulty managing
finances. Difficulty with complex tasks. Denial
about symptoms. Difficulty in social situations.
2 years
Moderately Severe
Significant memory deficiencies, including
memory loss about current details like address
or date.
2 years
Severe
Assistance needed for daily tasks. Memory loss
of recent events. Difficulty counting.
Incontinence. Personality changes. Repetition of
simple behaviors. Agitation.
2.5 years
Very Severe
Loss of ability to speak. Assistance needed for
all daily tasks, including eating.
2.5 years

5. WhatisMemoryCare?(con’t)
Seniors who need memory care often require more attention than is typically available in
an assisted living facility, and they also require extra measures to keep them safe. The
well-trained staff in a memory care facility focus on slowing the progression of the
Alzheimer's disease or dementia through games and exercises designed to stimulate the
brain. They're also available around the clock to care for the unique needs of Alzheimer's
and dementia residents, something that home caregivers often can't manage.
Often memory care is provided in a dedicated wing or section of an assisted living
facility, making it easy for residents to transition if needed. Memory care facilities
typically go out of their way to provide additional security, since Alzheimer's residents
are prone to wandering. Understanding the unique needs of dementia residents can help
you determine what services your loved one may need.
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zip code in the content box below.

6. 04
MemoryCareServices
Memory care facilities are often specially designed to help those with Alzheimer's and dementia feel comfortable and
at home. The level of services provided often overlaps with similar services provided in an assisted living community.
Residents in memory care typically receive the following types of services:
• All meals, either in their rooms or in a shared dining hall
• Housekeeping services to keep their living space clean and safe
• Social activities designed to stimulate their minds and keep them connected
• Transportation to doctor's offices and other appointments
• Comfortable rooms, which may be private or shared
• All laundry services, including fresh linens
• Exercise programs and physical therapy when needed
• Cognitive therapy
In addition, memory care residents receive whatever help they need with activities of daily living
(ADL), including:
• Bathing
• Grooming
• Toileting
• Dressing
• Medication management
The supervised care provided to these seniors with
progressive cognitive disorders is available 24/7 in a memory
care facility. To prevent residents from wandering away, exits
at these facilities are typically locked and alarmed so that
everyone knows if one of the residents inadvertently tries to
leave. In addition, the staff at a memory care facility are
specially trained to handle the unique needs of Alzheimer's
disease and dementia residents.

7. MedicalCareandStaffing(con’t)
Part of medical care at an excellent memory care facility is the creation of a written plan for each
resident's treatment. The facility's medical director, the attending physician and other medical staff are
typically involved with the development of this plan, and family members also get to contribute to it. The
written plan for your loved one should reflect their personal preferences and long-term interest, and it
should provide as much freedom of choice is as possible and safe.
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Among the issues covered in the written plan for any resident's medical care are typically:
• A customized approach to expression of unmet needs
• Minimal use of psychotropic medications
• Flexible care based on the resident's personal sleeping and waking patterns
• Provision of care for optimal physical functioning
• Activities that promote quality of life and enjoyment
• Meeting of all nutrition and hydration needs
• Minimizing of any distress

8. MemoryCarevs.AssistedLiving
If your loved one has already been residing in an assisted living community, or if you're trying to decide
which type of senior care would be most appropriate, then it's helpful to understand the differences
between the two types of senior care. Although many assisted living communities incorporate memory
care units in their facilities, there are some significant differences between them.
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How Does Memory Care Differ From Assisted Living?
Both assisted living and memory care offer solutions for seniors who are no longer able to fully care for
themselves. Both provide meals in a secure setting, and both offer assistance with the activities of daily
living (ADL), such as grooming, bathing, and medication management. However, memory care units are
designed to cater specifically to those with memory problems such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia,
and they provide skilled nursing to help those residents.
Take a look at the chart on the next slide that outlines some of the
basics in the care provided in an assisted living community
compared to that available in memory care.

9. MemoryCarevs.AssistedLiving(con’t)
In addition, memory care facilities are often specially designed to minimize wandering. For example, many
memory care facilities are centered around a circular hallway that's easy to navigate and that allows residents
to stroll without ever becoming truly lost.
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Services Available in Assisted Living vs. Memory Care
Services Assisted Living Memory Care
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care Sometimes Yes
Diabetes Management Sometimes Sometimes
Housekeeping Yes Yes
Incontinence Care Sometimes Yes
Meals Provided Per Day 3 3
Medication Management Yes Yes
Mobility Assistance Sometimes Yes
Personal Care Yes Yes
Personal Laundry Yes Yes
Transportation Yes Yes
Wheelchairs Accepted Sometimes Yes

10. MemoryCarevs.AssistedLiving(con’t)
Memory care units provide a little extra security because of the tendency of those with Alzheimer's and
dementia to wander. This often includes a landscaped yet secure outdoor area so residents can enjoy the
sunshine and spend time outdoors while remaining safe.
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Creating a relaxing environment is a major focus of memory care facilities, since residents with
dementia are prone to stress and confusion. Facilities often feature lots of natural light and bright
colors, and there are places for residents to gather among familiar faces. Some facilities feature
sensory care and other innovative approaches to help residents stay as communicative as possible.
Safety is paramount in other ways in memory care facilities. Toxic items, such as
laundry detergent or shampoo, are kept locked up to prevent accidents. In some
cases, residents wear bracelets keyed to sound an alarm if they open a door to leave
the facility. As another safety precaution, memory care rooms or suites don't include
kitchens.
To encourage residents with Alzheimer's to eat, dining rooms often feature fish
tanks, since studies show that watching fish swim stimulates the appetite. In
addition, meals are designed to be appetizing to the eye as well as to the palate,
with care taken to offer dishes that individual residents enjoy.

11. ChoosingaMemoryCareFacility
When you're looking for a memory care facility for your loved one, you probably have a lot of questions.
Sure, some of them will be about the costs of memory care — and we deal with that in our next article here.
But that's not the only consideration as you're looking for just the right place.
You should feel very free to ask any question that comes to mind as you try to find the best care for your
loved ones. Top-flight memory care facilities abound all over the country, and they never shy away from
answering questions. To get you started, here are 10 questions you can ask prospective memory care
facilities.
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1 2 3 4 5
What services and
level of care does
your memory care
community offer? Are
all of these services
included in the basic
monthly rate, or are
some of them extra?
What personal
assistance do
residents receive?
How often do they
receive it?
How many meals are
provided each day?
What do you do if a
resident doesn't
want to eat? What
personalization is
available in meal
plans? Can you
accommodate
special diets (gluten-
free, kosher, etc.)?
What special care
do you provide for
residents who
wander? For
residents who
become physically
aggressive? For
residents who have
mobility issues?
Is it possible to
take a resident out
of the facility for a
day trip or a
weekend? What are
your visitation
rules?
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What happens if a
resident requires a
more intensive level of
care than you typically
provide?
Are rooms private?
Semi-private?
What housekeeping,
maintenance, and
laundry/linen
services do you
provide? How often
do you provide
them?
Do you offer
exercise programs
or equipment?
What about
physical therapy?
What is the staff-
to-resident ratio
during the day?
Does that change
at night?

12. NextSteps
Think Memory Care might be right for your loved one? Explore one of the three articles below to help
narrow down your search:
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Evaluating Memory Care
Communities
Understanding the Cost of
Memory Care
Frequently Asked
Questions About Memory
Care

13. Let’stalk
We’d Love to Hear From You
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senior living community, please call us at (855) 866-4515
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