Researching Memory Care Communities: A Guide for Families

If you suspect it’s time for a loved one with dementia to move into a memory care community, it’s important to do your due diligence and research to find a community that makes the best fit. Before making this big decision, determine a selection where your family member would thrive and feel most comfortable, then schedule your tours.

As you visit different communities, here are important questions you should ask:

1. What long-term care services are available? Determine if they can provide the level of care and personal care your family needs or may need in the near future.
2. How do residents make and maintain social connections? Ask what support groups or support services they have.
3. How will the community enhance your loved one’s quality of life?

As you tour different memory care communities on behalf of a family member, evaluate the overall quality of each establishment. Consider the following:

1. Observe how the staff and memory care residents treat one another.
2. Get familiar with the nutritional value, diversity, and quality of the food they serve.
3. Ask for their dementia care guide, and how their care can promote cognitive strength and address memory loss.

In putting in this effort during the initial stages of downsizing and moving, you will be well informed on how your loved one will be cared for as they progress through the stages of dementia.

Memory Care Communities vs Assisted Living Communities

What are the main differences between memory care and assisted living communities?

Memory care communities are long-term care environments for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Once someone receives a dementia diagnosis, their primary care doctor may start conversations with family members on how to prepare for the future. Downsizing and moving into a memory care community before moderately severe cognitive decline is crucial, and can make a major difference in their quality of health and wellness.

Assisted living communities are like memory care communities in that they provide personal care to seniors and promote a great quality of life. Staff members tend to everyday needs, particularly with medication management and activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and using the restroom.

Memory care residents receive specialized care options. These individuals meet with memory specialists regularly to participate in activities that trigger familiarity and promote social interaction, emotional wellness, physical activity, and cognitive strength. The care they receive is specific to their diagnosis and cognitive impairments.

Memory Care Community Costs

Moving into a memory care community often costs more than a typical assisted living community. This cost increase correlates with the level of specialized memory care each resident receives.

It may be worth looking into what insurance can cover for you in terms of medical care. Insurance will not cover the non-medical costs, such as room and board. However, certain insurance may be able to cover your family member for medical memory care. Coverage availability varies from state to state, so it’s important to speak with the community staff about costs and coverage.

Welcome to Chelsea Senior Living

At Chelsea Senior Living, we look forward to caring for your loved one with specialized care and social activity. Here, your loved one can look forward to monthly activity calendars with fun and stimulating senior activities.

Our events are opportunities for the community to come together and raise money to support research for Alzheimer’s and other diseases. For example, to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Chelsea at Brookhaven hosted a Rides and Rhythms Fest with cars, live music, food, and raffles.

We also encourage our residents to join social clubs, play games, and sign up for classes to preserve their mental acuity and make social connections. Our memory care and assisted living communities also share a campus, making this transition easy if the need ever arises.

We can’t wait to meet you and your loved one and give you a tour of everything our campus has to offer.