When weighing your long-term care options, you or a loved one should know the distinctions between memory care and nursing home care. Despite the common practice of using these terms interchangeably, significant differences bear on the quality of treatment and services offered to patients.
What sets memory care apart from a nursing home is discussed here to help you or your loved one make an educated decision about the care and support required.
Distinctive Features of Memory Care Compared to Nursing Facilities
When comparing memory care vs nursing home facilities, it becomes apparent that they serve distinct populations with differing needs and requirements. While both facilities are available 24/7, they cater to residents’ individual needs in different ways. The primary distinctions between nursing homes and memory care facilities are discussed.
Reason for Care
The main distinction between regular nursing homes and memory care facilities is their intended use. Residents in nursing homes receive comprehensive medical care, including help with personal hygiene, dressing, and taking their medications.
However, those with memory impairments, such as those caused by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, are the primary focus of memory care. Memory care centers offer specialist assistance for people with dementia, increasing their quality of life while preserving their cognitive abilities.
Staff Development
Staff training is another important distinction between memory care and regular nursing homes. Staff in memory care facilities must complete specific training to provide for the unique needs of those with memory loss.
This entails acquiring the skills necessary to effectively connect with the residents, dealing with difficult behaviors, and organizing stimulating activities that boost mental acuity. Staff at nursing homes could have basic medical education but lack specific training in dementia care.
Safety and the Natural World
The purpose of a memory care facility is to offer people with memory impairments a secure and safe living environment. Alarms, locked doors, and fenced-in yards are just a few of the safety measures taken to ensure the residents of these facilities cannot wander off and become lost.
Memory-impaired visitors will appreciate the facility’s thoughtful layout, which includes amenities like color-coded walls, visual signals, and cozy lounging places. Nursing facilities, on the other hand, could not have the same security measures or be built to the same specifications.
Programs and Events
A wide variety of specialized activities and programs are available in memory care centers to meet the needs of their residents. Memory-improving games and therapies like music therapy and art therapy are examples.
The programs aim to improve the residents’ cognitive abilities and give them a sense of meaning in their lives. Activities at nursing homes may or may not be as tailored to the needs of the residents as those in memory care communities.
The Value of Investing in Memory Care Staff Training and Retention
People with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can receive specialized care in a memory care facility. Memory care institutions need to employ people who have received extensive training and have extensive experience caring for people with memory problems. The value of training and retaining employees in memory care institutions are outlined below.
Care Quality
Care in a memory care facility is just as good as the training and experience of the people working there. Staff members who have received extensive training and have prior experience caring for those who suffer from memory loss are in a better position to give individualized treatment plans. Individuals with memory impairments benefit greatly from consistent routines and connections. Hence facilities must have excellent staff retention rates.
The Art of Conversation
Care for people with memory loss requires clear and constant communication. To effectively connect with residents and foster an engaging atmosphere, staff should be trained in communication strategies, including validation therapy and recollection therapy. Staff with prior experience caring for those who suffer from memory loss have a greater advantage in recognizing and responding to residents’ nonverbal cues.
Challenge Management
Memory-impaired people can be challenging to care for because they may engage in problematic behaviors like violence, roaming, and impatience. A secure and welcoming atmosphere may be maintained for residents, and negative behaviors can be avoided with the help of staff trained in behavior management.
Staff with prior experience caring for those with dementia can also better foresee and prevent potentially disruptive behaviors, making for a more pleasant and peaceful home for everyone.
Comparison Between Memory Care and Nursing Home Expenses
There are various options for the long-term care of the elderly, such as nursing home care and memory care facilities. Knowing how much these services cost can help you and your loved one choose the best course of action. This section compares and contrasts the prices of memory care facilities and nursing homes.
Aspects of Price
Some variables affect the total cost of nursing home and memory care services, such as the location of the facility, the amount of care required, and the amenities and services offered. Because of the specialized nature of memory care, it is typically more expensive than traditional nursing home care.
Extra Expenses
Care in a nursing home or for someone with dementia can be expensive, above the standard medical charges. Transportation, medicine administration, and individual hygiene supplies are just some amenities and services that may incur additional costs at some facilities.
Methods of Payment
Private pay, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid are some of the choices for covering the high expense of nursing facility care and memory care. Paying for care out of pocket is known as “private pay,” while long-term care insurance can supplement private pay. Medicaid is a federally financed program that assists those who qualify to pay for medical expenses.
Conclusion
Making educated judgments about long-term care for the elderly requires understanding the key distinctions between memory care and nursing facility care. Both types of care have advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one for you or a loved one will rely on those factors.
