If you have a loved one with dementia, then choosing the best option for their care can add to the overall stress of the situation. In most cases, you are choosing between residential memory care and in-home care.
Which is right for your family members depends on their situation, symptoms, and even their personality, which can change over time. Understanding how each form of care works and what it provides is the best way to make an informed choice.
What is Memory Care?
Definition and Purpose
Memory care is specialized residential care for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other memory and cognitive impairments. Memory care units may take the form of communal living settings or special apartments.
Structure and Environment
These facilities provide the same services as assisted living. In addition, residents get full-time supervision and specialist staff, and there is typically a higher staff-to-resident ratio. Memory care facilities also provide nutritious dining options and special activities designed to help improve quality of life and slow cognitive decline.
Memory care facilities typically have controlled outdoor spaces, such as courtyards, and doors are locked and alarmed to prevent wandering. Residents with less severe impairment may be permitted to leave.
The environment is very structured and very carefully designed to provide the best care, with safety for residents being paramount.
What is In-Home Care?
In-home care is provided in the person’s own home, allowing them to age in place as long as possible.
Flexibility and Comfort
In-home care provides companionship and practical help. Levels of care might vary and can equal 24-hour supervision if needed. Aides help with activities in a one-on-one setting that often allows the person to form a bond with their aide.
Always ask for aides certified in dementia care unless you are contracting with a specialized home care service that only provides it. Not all aides have dementia training.
Pros and Cons of Memory Care
It can be very hard to put a loved one in a facility, but for people with advanced dementia, it can be the best option.
Pros of memory care:
- Higher security. Memory care provides 24-hour supervision and secured entrances and exits, which help prevent dangerous wandering.
- Facilities are designed for accessibility. Many elders with dementia also have mobility problems and benefit from open floor plans, low thresholds, and single-floor plans.
- Fast response in an emergency. Skilled nursing staff are typically right on hand to deal with emergencies.
- Highly-trained staff who are legally obliged to take extensive memory care classes.
- Activities and therapies in a purpose-built setting, such as therapeutic gardens, game rooms, arts and crafts rooms, etc.
- Improved socialization.
- If you need 24/7 supervision, it’s cheaper than having a home aide.
- They offer a healthy menu that helps ensure that your loved one eats well.
Cons of memory care:
- Moving to an unfamiliar environment can be very challenging for somebody with dementia. They may resist the move and become combative.
- The risk of increased distance from family can reduce family socialization.
- While care is tailored, it is often very similar from one individual to the next. Individuals who are not as advanced and require less care may be frustrated.
- It can feel as if you have “jailed” or “confined” your loved one, resulting in guilt.
- Your loved one has a variety of different caregivers, which can be emotionally challenging.
- It can be more expensive than home care, especially for those with fewer needs.
Pros and Cons of In-Home Care
Most people want to stay home as long as possible.
Pros of in-home care:
- Your loved one keeps more independence.
- Staying in a familiar environment can slow memory loss and cognitive decline.
- They are able to continue to live in their neighborhood where they have friends.
- They have one, or maybe two, caregivers that they can form a bond with and learn to trust.
- It’s often less expensive.
- Both they and the family will feel life is more “normal” without a major change.
Cons of in-home care:
- It can be hard to find certified aides who are familiar with challenging dementia behaviors.
- You may need to do expensive alterations to the home, such as alarming doors, remodeling the bathroom and kitchen, etc. In some cases, it may not be feasible to stay in the home because of stairs, etc.
- It’s a lot harder to prevent wandering.
- Families still have to do some of the care to keep costs down, which can add to their stress.
For many people, in-home care works for a while, and then as the disease progresses, they have to move to memory care. Many families prefer to keep people at home for as long as possible.
Contact Us For More Information
At B Home Care, we provide high-quality in-home care for the elderly. Our staff have specialized training in Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, so we can provide the best service for your loved one.
We can help you keep them at home for as long as possible while remaining healthy and safe. Contact us for more information and to talk about your loved one’s needs.
IMG Credit: Chokniti-Studio