Choosing memory care can sometimes feel like a failure, as if families should be providing 24/7 care for the duration of their loved one’s life. Yet such feelings are primarily the result of caregiver guilt and unreasonable expectations. In practice, memory care offers benefits and can be a lifesaver for people with dementia and their families. Due to the unique environment and specialized staff training, many seniors are even safer and better cared for in memory care. Here, we will explore the many benefits of memory care provided in senior living facilities.

Presence of professionals trained in dementia care

Family members are generally not trained in caregiving and certainly not in the specifics of dementia care. They’re often learning as they go, which includes learning from mistakes and utilizing any available resources.

While family caregivers mean well, their lack of professional training can put their loved one at risk, especially in the later stages of dementia. This is partly because some elements of dementia care are counterintuitive and can be challenging for family members to implement.

In contrast, memory care staff have experience in dementia care and are trained in responding to dementia-specific behaviors. This enables them to better anticipate and respond to dementia symptoms than most family members.

Memory care staff aren’t as emotionally attached as family members

The shared history between the person with dementia and their family members is also a factor. This has positive elements, especially when the person with dementia can still recognize their loved ones.

However, emotional connections and shared history can also make things much more difficult for family members. For example, unhealthy dynamics between an aging parent and their adult child can become more pronounced during caregiving. Family members may also experience grief or other strong emotions when experiencing dementia symptoms, making the situation even more complex. Memory care staff members do not have these complex relationships to deal with and instead can focus solely on giving your loved one the care they need to stay safe and healthy.

Flexibility in the level of care

Memory care doesn’t just occur within dedicated memory care facilities. Instead, it can be offered as a service in many different senior living communities, including assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).

Such options give families considerable flexibility. For example, you might choose an assisted living facility with memory care when the senior is in the early stages of dementia and still quite capable. The person with dementia might not need any memory care services at first, but can rest easily knowing that support is there once it is required. A nursing home would be more appropriate if the person needs extensive personal or medical care.

Then there are CCRCs, which offer a full range of care levels. Residents of these communities transition through the care levels as their needs change, minimizing disruptions to their living environment.

This flexibility is powerful, as dementia symptoms and needs can vary considerably between individuals and types of dementia. Environments with multiple levels of care also mean fewer transitions for seniors, which keeps distress to a minimum.

Relief from 24/7 caregiving

Dementia care becomes increasingly challenging as the condition progresses. The person with dementia eventually needs some type of supervision constantly, as they may wake and wander during the night or become lost during the day. Some family caregivers attempt to provide this support on their own, while others may seek paid or unpaid assistance, but it’s a challenging situation either way.

Even with support, providing care at home often becomes unsustainable and may be unsafe for the caregiver and the person with dementia. Memory care takes this responsibility away from family members, placing it in the hands of trained professionals who can ensure the safety and support of your loved one.

More focused support

To be effective, family caregivers need to delicately balance their own needs with those of the care recipient. Focusing too much on the person with dementia can lead to caregiver burnout, which can place the person with dementia at risk. However, focusing too much on the caregiver’s needs leaves less time for the person with dementia.

This challenge is dramatically reduced in memory care, as facilities have multiple staff members to support residents 24/7. Doing so reduces the risk of burnout and enables staff to focus on the individual’s needs. This relief can also allow for focusing on spending quality time and connecting with loved ones rather than only providing care.

A safe environment designed for dementia

Memory care environments are specifically designed to keep people with dementia safe. This includes having secured facilities and enclosed outdoor areas to prevent wandering while allowing residents as much freedom as possible.

Other aspects of the facility are also designed for people with dementia. This can include carefully choosing colors to promote contrast, reducing clutter, removing trip hazards, creating familiar community spaces, and making it easy for staff to provide support.

The same level of security and safety simply isn’t possible in a family home, as family members still need to live and function in the environment. Because of this, family homes can easily be confusing and unsafe for people with dementia.

Better routines

People with dementia often respond well to daily routines, where they engage in the same activities at the exact times each day. This can be difficult to achieve in a family home, as the needs of the caregiver and other family members can disrupt routines.

Memory care environments can create much more reliable and consistent routines. Most places will also be familiar with balancing the need for routine with the need for flexibility — something that can be very difficult to do in a home environment.

Memory care programs, activities, and cognitive stimulation

Memory care provides a range of programs and activities tailored to individuals with dementia. This can include social outings, group activities, games and puzzles, exercise programs, art therapy, reminiscence therapy, and many other activities.

The activities help provide familiarity, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, all of which can improve quality of life for people with dementia while lowering the risk of problematic behavior. Staff training enables these activities to be tailored to different stages of dementia, ensuring that everyone is catered to.

Providing this level of engagement at home requires almost constant effort from caregivers, which isn’t sustainable. The quality of activities at home may also fall short of those in memory care, as family members are not trained in dementia care, and the senior will have access to significantly less social engagement. 

Memory care facilities offer many benefits

While the decision to move a loved one into memory care can be difficult, it is often the most compassionate and practical choice. The benefits of memory care are significant, offering a safe, structured, and professionally supported environment tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals with dementia. From trained staff and specialized programs to thoughtfully designed spaces and round-the-clock support, these communities are equipped to enhance residents’ quality of life and ease the burden on family caregivers. Rather than being a sign of failure, choosing memory care is a proactive step toward ensuring that loved ones receive the attentive and dignified care they deserve.

Senior care facility rules and requirements vary based on company-specific policies and state-level regulations. The content above represents common guidelines but may differ from a particular facility’s policies or requirements. To learn the regulations that apply in your state, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor.