We are aware of the difficulty in locating the ideal community and memory care community for your loved one. There must be many questions on your mind. One frequently asked question that we see is “Is memory care more expensive than assisted living?”
The article will answer this question as we explore the cost of memory care in Brandon, MS as compared to assisted living.
Key Differences and Similarities Between Memory Care and Assisted Living
Not all memory care communities operate independently. Frequently, skilled nursing or assisted living communities feature a dedicated memory care wing. The same interaction and activities may be available to our loved ones in memory care, but with the added benefit of round-the-clock security. If feasible, it might be beneficial to have both alternatives in one location.
As a person’s requirements, abilities, and interests change, they have the choice to go from assisted living to memory care.
Both forms of care provide some liberty while helping with tasks like cleaning, taking a shower, and managing medications, but the team members in a memory care community are specially trained to assist those who are suffering from cognitive impairments.
General Care Costs
In the United States, the typical monthly cost for assisted living communities is $4,300, according to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. The cost of memory care often increases by 20% to 30%.
Medicaid could help with part of these expenses, but Medicare might only help with the short-term medical care provided on-site, not the expenditures of residing there. Costs of assisted living and memory care are frequently covered by savings and long-term care insurance. Veterans’ benefits are sometimes available to help with expenses.
Assisted Living Vs. Memory Care: Cost of Care
In general, assisted living is more expensive than memory care.
However, it is challenging to compare the total costs of assisted living and memory care when there are so many other important factors to consider, such as the level of care and the type of living environment, which may include, but is not limited to, location, the size and type of setting, team member training, and the general focus of the community.
Assisted Living Vs. Memory Care: Type of Care
Memory care comprises specialist care for dementia and memory loss, which goes above and beyond the amount of care typically offered with assisted living. All employees must receive specialized training in order to provide care for those with memory impairment issues like Alzheimer’s.
As opposed to memory care, standard assisted living prioritizes the needs of people who are more cognitively stable.
Assistance with daily living activities (ADLs) is a requirement for both assisted living and memory care, and these services may also include meal preparation, medication administration, scheduling and coordination of care, housekeeping and laundry services, transportation, as well as extracurricular pursuits like exercise and socializing.
Additionally, memory care communities should include memory-improving treatments, a reduced team-to-resident ratio, and physical settings that lessen confusion and anxiety.
There will always be a difference in cost when comparing memory care with assisted living, but keep in mind that cost should not be the key deciding factor.
