If your loved ones are suffering from dementia or memory loss and their condition has deteriorated to the extent that they require more complex care, which you are unable to provide, chances are that you might have come across the term “memory care” while searching for suitable senior care communities. Does “memory care” and “assisted living” mean the same thing? Are there any differences between an assisted living community and a community with memory care program? Let us at Discovery Village At Tampa Palms explain to you what precisely constitutes “memory care”.
Are “Assisted Living” and “Memory Care” the Same Thing?
Both assisted living communities and memory care programs provide many similar services, such as housing, meals, and assistance with activities of daily living. However, the latter also specializes in providing care for residents who are suffering from dementia or memory loss. At Discovery Village At Tampa Palms, we offer both assisted living and memory care program. Your family members suffering from dementia and memory loss can benefit from our award-winning SHINE® Memory Care curriculum, which adopts a uniquely personalized approach to memory care that leverages on science to promote a high-quality lifestyle for our residents.
What Activities Do Seniors Living in Communities with Memory Care Program Engage in?
In memory care, activities are conducted for the purposes of cognitive stimulation, rather than for entertainment as is the case with assisted living. These activities are designed to be mentally stimulating yet failure-free so that residents can experience satisfaction, which is crucial to reducing undesirable emotions like agitation, anxiety, and depression. Examples of such activities range from the mundane tasks of folding towels and untying knots to the more interesting ones like designing a personalized jigsaw puzzle or playing simple card games such as solitaire. Apart from these cognitively stimulating activities, physical activities are very important too as they not only stimulate the resident’s mind through positively impacting the serotonin levels in their brain, but they are also essential in maintaining their physical strength. Some physical activities that are suitable for memory care residents include a simple walk, yoga or chair exercise while listening to easy-to-follow music.
Is Memory Care Expensive?
The cost of living in an assisted living community with memory care programs varies from location to location and can range from about $3,500 on the lower side to $7,000 a month on the higher end. If you are unable to afford the cost of memory care, do check if your loved one holds a long-term care insurance policy. If so, that is where you should first turn to for help with defraying the costs of memory care. Medicaid waivers, which are based on your family member’s income level and their inability to care for themselves at home, could be another option you can explore. Considering the limited income of most dementia patients, especially those in the mid- to late-stages of the disease, they should be able to qualify for the waiver program. At Discovery Village At Tampa Palms, we aim to help our residents alleviate their financial burden by offering all incoming residents a guarantee that there will be no increase in rent for 36 months. To find out more about our rent lock program, contact us today.
