Transitioning from your familiar life to a residential community can be a big moment. That sense of overwhelm can feel magnified when you start to examine the options available to you. You might see different terms mentioned in residential care and wonder what they mean, for example.
Two care types are offered at Greenwood Place, Marietta, GA, including assisted living and memory care. But what do these terms mean, and what is the difference? This guide on assisted living vs memory care will help answer those pressing questions.
Assisted Living: An Overview
Assisted living is a type of care support you find in a residential community. It’s designed for senior residents who still want to lead an independent life but may need support with some daily tasks.
Independence is offered through features like private apartments, and support comes in the shape of everyday conveniences like housekeeping and meals. Lifestyle options for seniors are tailored to fit the needs of that resident.
Assisted Living in Marietta, GA: Typical Services
The range of support offered in assisted living communities will depend on the community and the resident. Here is some of the typical support on offer:
- Help with dressing
- Housekeeping
- Medication supervision
The major benefit of an assisted living community in Marietta, GA, is that you have a team on site 24/7. If a resident needs help, there is always someone on hand to offer the support.
Who Is Assisted Living Care For?
An assisted living community is the ideal option for seniors who need some regular help with everyday activities. Nevertheless, they still want to live an independent life and do not need the more intensive care that may be required for complex medical conditions.
Memory Care: An Overview
Memory care is a specific type of residential care that’s designed to support those seniors who have memory-related issues. That will include common memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The purpose of memory care is to give the support needed to residents and keep them in a safe and structured environment that helps patients navigate some of the complexities of memory loss. Residents can access specially designed activities that help support those with cognitive challenges.
Memory Care in Marietta, GA: Typical Services
A memory care community will have trained staff who understand cognitive conditions and how to best care for patients. Caregivers offer a range of support, and memory care benefits include:
- Round-the-clock assistance with daily needs
- Managing safety aspects around the building
- Cognitive support programs
- Supporting patients with daily activity planning
Residents will also access amenities like the dining room to enjoy a range of nutritious meals, as well as communal areas like lounges and gardens.
Who Is Memory Care For?
Memory care is specifically for those individuals who have a medical diagnosis of a cognitive issue. That includes any type of memory loss in addition to age-related memory challenges like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
It’s there for residents with memory issues that could impact their safety and who benefit from the care of trained staff throughout the day.
Assisted Living vs Memory Care: Senior Care Differences
Assisted living and memory care may offer similar services, but they have essential differences. Before choosing the right one for you or your loved one, it’s vital to understand how they compare.
Care Levels
The first thing to note is the level of care you get with assisted living and memory care. Assisted living provides day-to-day help, like bathing, whereas memory care goes further.
It’s often more intensive and specialized depending on the severity of the cognitive issues. Memory care could include managing behavioral challenges or monitoring for changes in the patient, such as the progression of memory loss.
Memory care support also includes designing structured daily routines to help residents feel at ease during the day.
Staff Training
All care staff have proper training, whether that’s for assisted living or memory care. However, memory care teams have more specialist training and knowledge in cognitive issues.
Care teams will know about some of the challenges, like behavioral problems in patients, as well as the symptoms, like the swift progression of memory loss. This knowledge helps them better support residents, providing compassionate care that helps patients feel safe and respected.
Security
Memory care comes with unique security issues, such as preventing a patient from wandering and getting lost. This requires a slightly different approach to assisted living. It means having familiar surroundings with safe and soothing interiors that help create a structured environment.
How to Choose
If you are still unsure about whether assisted living or memory care is the right option, here are a few more pointers. This can help you understand not only the choice open to you but how you can move from one option to another.
Assessing the Resident
What many relatives discover with memory challenges is that it starts subtly, and you may notice a few symptoms before a formal diagnosis. That’s why a proper patient assessment is vital before deciding on a memory care community.
This assessment provides several benefits and will help determine the patient’s physical, emotional, and cognitive health. It also will guide you on the level of memory care support you need and the type of daily assistance your loved one requires to live a comfortable life.
Transitioning to Memory Care
You can choose a community that offers assisted living and memory care, allowing you to move from one to the other if serious memory issues develop.
This can be helpful for those with a genetic disposition to conditions like Alzheimer’s but who don’t yet have any symptoms. It’s also important to note that memory care support evolves with the patient. Hence, as their condition progresses, the support will change alongside it.
Choosing the Right Care Support in Retirement
As you will have discovered in our comparison of assisted living vs memory care, the differences between the two residential types are crucial. It’s important you choose the one that’s the right fit for your loved one.
Start that decision-making process now by visiting our wonderful community at Assisted Living & Memory Care. You’ll discover our wide range of amenities, pristine private apartments, and friendly, caring staff. Contact us to learn more about our senior living options.
