Choosing Between Assisted Living and Memory Care: What Sets Them Apart?
November 20, 2024 | Blog
Assisted living or memory care? If you’ve been exploring supportive living options for a family member, you may have been wondering which could be the best fit.
At Friendship Village, 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 right 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 Friendship Village 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 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 our approach is our Heartfelt CONNECTIONS – A Memory Care ProgramTM, which is grounded in the belief that the abilities that remain are much more important than those that are lost. Our team uses reminiscence tools to capture the details of residents’ lives — their families, friends, careers, hobbies, likes and dislikes. And then we apply these insights to create an individualized care plan that promotes physical and emotional well-bring, prolongs daily functioning, and helps maintain a sense of purpose, satisfaction and quality of life.
2. Staff Training
Assisted Living
You can be assured that our caregivers at Friendship Village 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 pursuing their passions and maintaining their independent lifestyle, while giving them the helping hand they need.
Memory Care
Our Friendship Village 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 keep 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. At Woodside at Friendship Village, these residents live in private, thoughtfully designed assisted living suites, and they enjoy open access to beautiful outdoor spaces and common areas where they can relax, socialize and enjoy their surroundings.
Memory Care
Friendship Village memory care residents live in a friendly, family-like neighborhood designed for security and socialization. We also take extra precautions to help keep your loved one safe, with added security features like alarmed doors and controlled access and around-the-clock supervision by team members trained to respond to the unique needs of those with memory challenges.
4. Scheduled Activites
Assisted Living
Our assisted living residents enjoy an array of activities coordinated by our Life Enrichment Team — including exercise classes, social clubs, game nights, movie screenings, art and creative writing classes, and much more. It’s everything they need to stay active and nurture every aspect of their well-being.
Memory Care
Our dementia-specific 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.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a care setting that provides a supportive, uplifting environment for your loved one and enhances their quality of life. Assisted living and memory care offer unique benefits tailored to different needs, so understanding these differences will help you make the best choice.
Ready to learn more about our vibrant community in Kalamazoo, where you’ll find both assisted living and memory care? Our team is ready to answer your questions and give you a personal visit. Contact us today and we’ll be sure and reach out to you!