A dementia diagnosis can change the way a family thinks about the future. Decisions concerning safety, care, and long-term support that once seemed far away can suddenly feel much more urgent. So it is understandable to feel overwhelmed. There is a great deal to learn, and no single decision works for every family.
One of the most important things families can do is to begin planning early. Waiting until a loved one reaches the later stages of dementia can leave families making major decisions under pressure, when choices may be more limited, and the transition more difficult. The National Institute on Aging recommends that people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and their families begin planning for the possibility of long-term care as soon as possible. Early planning allows individuals to participate in important decisions about their future care while they are still able to do so.
Any discussion of long-term care should include memory care. That is why we have created this guide to help families like yours begin your journey armed with solid information to better understand what memory care is and how to evaluate care providers.
Memory care is a highly specialized form of care for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Unlike traditional assisted living, memory care houses individuals in an environment designed specifically to meet their unique needs, supported by a highly skilled team of specialists, caregivers, and other certified professionals who provide round-the-clock comfort and care.
The Memory care staff assists with the activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, meals, and personal care. They also provide opportunities for social engagement.
For instance, someone who loved to cook may now need help in the kitchen. A person who enjoys walking may become disoriented and be unable to find their way home safely. Someone who was once very social may struggle with conversation and feel uncomfortable in busy or unfamiliar environments. A good memory care community can help bridge that gap, providing support that optimizes their health and well-being while taking their abilities into account.
The goal of the memory care provider, however, should never be simply to provide clinical care, although that is key to optimizing health as the individual enters the mid to later stages of dementia. The overarching goal is to help the individual remain as independent as possible, maintain a sense of dignity, and continue doing the things that bring meaning and enjoyment to everyday life for as long as possible.
Not every community that offers memory care is organized in the same way. Some senior living communities offer memory care alongside independent living or assisted living. Others are specialized memory care providers, dedicated 100% to serving people living with dementia.
There are clear benefits of a community specializing solely in memory care, including:
A community completely focused on serving individuals with dementia provides staff with more opportunities to develop specialized knowledge around communication, behavior, mobility, cognition, and the emotional changes that can accompany dementia. They have dementia-certified nurses and caregivers who understand the unique challenges of the residents they serve.
The physical environment can make a surprising difference to an individual with dementia. A well-designed environment can provide visual and physical cues that help residents navigate their surroundings and participate in daily life. Memory care communities strategically tailor their lighting, flooring, hallways, and outdoor areas to accommodate the physical and cognitive changes associated with dementia.
A memory care program goes far beyond simply filling a calendar with activities. Each program is designed to engage and connect residents in ways that stimulate cognition without increasing stress levels. This requires a deep understanding of how dementia affects cognition, as well as a high level of respect for each individual and their particular challenges.
There is no single point at which someone “needs” memory care. Dementia affects each person differently. The right time to consider a move depends on a person's level of cognition, safety, care needs, preferences, and ability to navigate daily life independently.
Just as important is considering the family's needs. While caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding, it can quickly become physically and emotionally demanding. If a spouse, adult child, or other caregiver is exhausted or struggling to keep up with increasing needs, memory care can be a lifesaver.
Many families wait to investigate memory care until a crisis occurs.
It may be a fall, a wandering incident, a medication error, a recent hospitalization, or a moment when a spouse or adult child realizes that providing care alone is no longer safe or sustainable. Reacting in a time of urgent need, however, can lead to less-than-thorough vetting of providers and potentially to a poor decision.
That is why families should not wait for a crisis to start exploring their options.
If your loved one is beginning to have challenges with everyday activities, managing medications, navigating familiar places, or staying safe without supervision, they are going to need increasing levels of assistance. Changes in behavior, increased falls, wandering, or growing nighttime needs can also be signs that additional support is needed.
Planning as far in advance as possible buys the time to research and vet communities. Most importantly, if planning begins in the earlier stages of dementia, the loved one with dementia may still be able to participate in the conversation and express preferences about where and how they would like to live.
Early planning can give families time to:
Most importantly, planning allows families to find the right environment rather than settling for a place out of an urgent need. And that distinction matters.
When researching memory care communities, it is important to find out about their dementia-specific training and ongoing education programs. It is also worth asking about staff turnover and how new team members are prepared to work with residents living with dementia.
Many memory care communities offer dozens of activities, but a full calendar does not necessarily translate into meaningful engagement. True engagement begins with understanding each resident as an individual, including their life experiences, interests, career, relationships, routines, abilities, and personal preferences. That is how a good memory care community can create opportunities that reflect who they are.
This approach is at the heart of what is referred to as “person-centered” care.
The Alzheimer's Association also emphasizes the importance of activities that are appropriate to an individual's abilities and interests. Families should look for communities that can explain not just what activities they offer, but why those activities matter to the people who live there.
At Anthem Memory Care, this philosophy comes to life through Pathways of Purpose, our life-engagement program. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the program thoughtfully incorporates residents’ backgrounds, abilities, and individual interests into activities and experiences designed to promote well-being, connection, and a lasting sense of purpose.
Look for opportunities in these areas for each memory care community you evaluate:
Technology can be helpful when it supports the people providing care rather than replacing them. That’s an important distinction to consider when touring a community. Ask how technology is used for engagement, communication, and safety. Find out what happens when technology identifies a potential concern and how staff respond.
Our Anthem communities use It's Never 2 Late™ (iN2L), an interactive platform that provides opportunities for recreation, learning, mental stimulation, and communication with family and friends. Programs can be adapted to different abilities and interests.
Life in memory care should extend beyond the community's walls.
Look for programming that emphasizes intergenerational activities and meaningful outings for residents. Visits from children, students, volunteers, or other community groups can provide opportunities for conversation, connection, and enjoyment.
Family involvement matters, too. Look for how a community encourages families to remain part of a resident's life after the transition to memory care.
Our Anthem Memory Care communities regularly arrange visits from families, friends, and school children. These interactions often spark memories, conversations, or simply the pleasure of spending time with family members and young people. Outings to parks, museums, and local stores and restaurants give residents the opportunity to connect and engage with the greater community around them.
Families understandably spend a lot of time asking about staff and services. Don't forget to pay attention to the building itself.
Does it feel comfortable and welcoming? Is there a place to sit outside? Can residents walk safely without feeling confined? Are there quiet spaces for someone who becomes overwhelmed by noise?
The best way to assess the building layout is by taking a tour. Here are some things to look for:
In a memory care setting, these considerations are especially relevant. That is why our Anthem Memory Care communities strive to optimize the many physical elements of our environments, including natural light, fresh air, ease of navigation, safety, and personal comfort. Creating comfortable spaces can play a major role in how people experience their surroundings.
The cost of memory care can vary significantly based on several factors, including the community’s location, the level and quality of care provided, and the services and amenities available. Understanding these differences can help families evaluate their options and find a community that meets both their loved one’s needs and their financial considerations.
Fortunately, families have access to a variety of resources that can help with the cost of elder care. Exploring different financing options and available financial assistance can make the process more manageable and help ensure your loved one receives the quality of memory care they need.
Here are some possible areas related to financial resources to consider during your financial planning:
While we’ve covered a lot here, the best way to identify the best fit for your loved one is to schedule a tour. It should be more than a walk-through. Use the visit to get a sense of what everyday life is actually like.
Here are some key questions to ask:
Observe how staff interact with residents. Do they know residents by name? Do they take time to listen? Do residents seem comfortable approaching staff? Does the community feel calm, or does it feel rushed?
Those observations can tell you things that a brochure cannot.
That's why starting the conversation early can be so valuable. It will give your family time to learn, visit communities, ask difficult questions, and involve your loved one whenever possible.
Choosing memory care is personal, and every family's situation is different.
If you're beginning to explore your options, we welcome you to contact any of our Anthem Memory Care communities to ask questions, schedule a visit, and learn more about our approach to dementia care.
We're here to listen, share what we know, and help you understand whether an Anthem community may be the right fit for your loved one and your family.