Almost 70% of seniors need assistance at some point in their lives. Whether it’s short-term care, long-term care, assisted living, or memory care, there comes a time when a family member needs more help. 

With many different options, it’s tough to know which one is the right decision, especially if they sound the same. Understanding the difference between assisted living and memory care is the first step to making the right call for the type of care your loved one needs.

Five Differences Between Assisted Living and Memory Care

Assisted living and memory care are excellent programs that help seniors enjoy their golden years. But there are distinct differences in the purpose, daily life, safety measures, environment, and cost of each program and facility.

	Assisted Living	Memory Care
Purpose	Families should consider assisted living programs if their loved one needs help with daily living activities but still has sound reasoning and judgment.  Its sole purpose is to give the elderly a place to live their golden years with a bit of help.	Memory care communities are the right place for families who have a loved one who needs help with daily activities and is suffering from memory loss. The primary purpose of memory care programs is to give the individual the mental stability and help they need.
Daily Life	Daily life in an assisted living community is similar to life on your own, except for having people help maintain the facilities and grounds. Residents go about their day as usual without the additional responsibility of caring for a home.	Most activities in a memory care facility focus on slowing the effects of memory loss and helping individuals live their life to the fullest potential.
Safety Measures	People in assisted living communities often have emergency systems set up and daily check-ins to help ensure they’re safe. Most other security doesn’t exist.	People who suffer from mental diseases like dementia and Alzheimers can experience aggression and instability. Many facilities include more safety precautions like locked doors and curfews to prevent wandering.
Environment	Assisted living facilities replicate someone’s home and yard. They often include beautiful facilities and yards with trees, flowers, and gardens.	Memory Care communities feature safe environments with secured doors and a fenced courtyard. Staff members have specific Alzheimer’s and memory care training so your loved one will receive the proper care and treatment.
Cost	The cost of assisted living communities varies depending on location and amenities. You’ll need to reach out to the community you’re interested in to learn the current rates.	How much you spend on memory care depends on the location and facility. You’ll need to reach out to the community you’re interested in to learn the current rates.



What’s Right for Your Loved One?

When the time comes for your family to decide which facility works best for your loved one in need, consider the kind of care they need. The most significant difference between assisted living and memory care is the facility’s purpose, which dictates the kind of daily care your aging loved one receives.

Pivotal Health Care is proud to serve the community, and we offer several facilities with assisted living locations and memory care assistance. Call us today to start the conversation.