If you or your loved one is starting to require more support in everyday activities, you may have started considering senior living options. However, with so many available on the market, it can be confusing to know how they differ. Our team at TerraBella Hillsborough has compiled a simple guide to the difference between assisted living and other senior living options like memory care.
Types of Senior Living Options
Assisted living is designed for older adults or couples who enjoy living alone but would benefit from having additional assistance with everyday living activities like chores and cooking. This means that they generally want to have high levels of independence and do not require extensive care, but may not be entirely able to live on their own safely or happily.
Other common options include independent living and memory care communities. For independent care, these communities do not health do not have disabilities or health issues but would still like to have additional services that make life easy. Residents in these communities may also be joining in order to have greater social interactions with other like-minded individuals.
Memory care is a specialized form of senior living where a safe and structured environment is designed to cater to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. Unlike the others, memory care is a type of specialized long-term care with a focus on helping residents maintain their cognitive abilities and slow down any decline. It is a highly personalized form of care that ensures residents have intensive support to retain their cognitive abilities.
Difference in The Team
Across the different senior living options, one of the key differences is the amount of presence of the team members and training that is offered. In assisted living and independent living communities, nurses and nursing assistants will be available to provide medical assistance where needed 24/7. However, all team members, including housekeepers and administrators, that are working in memory care communities will have additional training in order to better understand and support the unique challenges that people with dementia face. This includes traits like wandering, anxiety, and even swallowing difficulties.
Difference in Specialized Activities
In senior living options, senior-specific activities are generally offered in order to provide a source of engagement, enjoyment, and social interaction to residents. Each plan is carefully curated to ensure that older adults will be able to safely and easily take part. Memory care communities take this one step further by having dementia-specific activities that are each tailored to the different needs of their residents. For example, activities may be conducted to help older adults better express their frustrations with challenging behaviors associated with memory loss and dementia.
Enjoy Quality Senior Living at TerraBella Hillsborough
At TerraBella Hillsborough, we offer senior assisted living and a memory care community. Located on the same grounds, having different types of senior living options ensures that our residents have the flexibility of choice, as well as a team of diversely trained professionals that can provide comprehensive round-the-clock care. When you choose to opt-in for any of our senior living options, you can also be sure that you will enjoy our different amenities, exclusive senior living programs, and a truly worry-free and fulfilling life.
Each of our residents is carefully evaluated by our team before recommendations are made as to which senior living option best suits their need for care and lifestyle preferences. For more information on which senior living option is more suitable for you or your loved one or the different features of our community, contact us today by submitting this online form.
