Assisted Living Versus Memory Care: Breaking Down the Distinctions
Selecting the right senior care option for your loved one couldn’t be more important, but of course sometimes these options can seem a little confusing.
At Westminster, we’re often asked about the differences between our community’s assisted living and memory care — including the level of support each provides and the distinct needs they cater to. This overview will give you the clarity you’re looking for, so you can more confidently decide which living arrangement may be best for your loved one.
While both assisted living and memory care offer valuable benefits that enhance a resident’s quality of life, comfort and well-being, there are four key areas where you’ll see notable differences:
1. Support
Assisted Living
As the name suggests, assisted living is the perfect choice for those who want to continue enjoying the life they love, but just need a little assistance with their everyday routine.
These are called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and they typically include bathing, getting dressed, grooming and managing medication, among other tasks. Our assisted living residents have personalized care plans that help them with all of this, and these plans can easily change as their needs change.
More than anything else, our ultimate goal at Westminster is to help our assisted living residents live as freely and independently as possible — while receiving just the right amount of support they need.
Memory Care
Our comprehensive memory care at the Arbour Health Center also provides professional assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing, but it takes this further by providing specialized support for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other memory-related conditions.
Receiving more extensive care than our assisted living residents, all of our memory care residents have a personalized care plan that helps us make sure their unique medical, physical and emotional needs are met. We also offer a very low staff-to-resident ratio to give them the individualized attention they deserve in a warm and compassionate environment.
At the foundation of approach is our Heartfelt CONNECTIONS – A Memory Care ProgramTM. Grounded in the belief that the abilities that remain are much more important than what is lost, this program helps us capture a lasting legacy of a resident’s life — their family, friends, career, hobbies, likes and dislikes — and then apply these insights to create an individualized care plan that enriches lives and creates success stories one small victory at a time.
2. Staff Training
Assisted Living
You can be assured that our caregivers at Westminster are extensively trained on assisting your loved one with daily tasks, as well as knowing when to recruit help if needed — enlisting the services of our on-site licensed nursing staff, for example.
Just as important, they always encourage our assisted living residents to continue managing their own schedules and maintaining their independent lifestyle, while giving them the helping hand they need.
Memory Care
Our Westminster memory care team is specifically trained to handle the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s with compassion and patience — including behavioral changes such as disorientation, anxiety and aggression. They’re also trained in therapies and activities designed to help our memory care residents maintain their cognitive skills for as long as possible.
3. Safety Measures
Assisted Living
While our assisted living residents benefit from safety features such as emergency call systems, secure entrances and daily staff check-ins, they have more independence than our memory care residents. Residents live comfortably in private one-bedroom apartments that make them feel right at home, and they enjoy open access to beautiful outdoor spaces and common areas where they can relax, socialize and enjoy their surroundings.
Memory Care
Westminster memory care residents live in well-designed private suites located in an easy-to-navigate neighborhood that minimizes confusion. We also take extra precautions to help keep your loved one safe, with added security features like alarmed doors and controlled access, a secure garden courtyard, and around-the-clock supervision by team members trained to respond to the unique needs of those with memory challenges.
4. Scheduled Activities
Assisted Living
Our assisted living residents enjoy an array of activities, events and amenities that lead to a vibrant social life and fulfilling retirement lifestyle — including exercise classes, book clubs, arts and crafts, movie nights, holiday parties and much more. It’s everything they need to stay active and engaged, and make every day more rewarding.
Memory Care
Our dementia-specific programs and small-group activities are designed to help our memory care residents enhance focus while maintaining a sense of routine. We also offer therapies that are tailored to promote relaxation and stimulate memory and cognitive function — including music therapy, art therapy, aromatherapy and pet therapy for companionship.
If your loved one is relatively independent but just needs a little help with daily tasks, assisted living could be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if they require more supervision because of Alzheimer’s or dementia symptoms, memory care can provide a more secure, supportive environment.
At Westminster, we’re here to help you make the most informed decision about which option is right for your loved one — and give you peace of mind that they’re being taken care of by the very best.
Interested in learning more about our extraordinary community in Austin, where you’ll find both assisted living and memory care? We’d be happy to tell you more and answer all of your questions. Contact us today to schedule a visit!
