The number of seniors with cognitive decline is rising, leaving caregivers wondering what is better: home care versus memory care. Some seniors are diagnosed with dementia, and some with Alzheimer’s, but both create a care dilemma. Otherwise, physically healthy and strong, sometimes seniors experience changes in the brain, causing problems for independent living. With each case being different, caregivers need to understand the factors in each type of care.
What is Home Care?
When deciding what kind of care your senior loved one needs, home care vs. memory care, it’s essential to understand what each type of care includes. Professionally skilled home care providers offer companionship and assistance with practical needs, and those medically educated can provide essential medical functions. Trained to supervise everyday tasks, social interactions, and transportation to appointments or shopping. Home care aids can assist in personal grooming and check on medication dispersing.
Caregivers can enjoy peace of mind, and flexibility in care hours, as you can employ home care aids for whatever hours are needed. Levels can change. You can reevaluate home care vs. memory care if cognitive decline should decrease in a short period. Other benefits of home care include developing trust between seniors and caregivers. The visiting aide can oversee and report complications.
Elements of Home Care
If your senior loved one is set on staying home, although diagnosed with early dementia or another cognitive decline, home care could be just the answer. However, home care vs. memory care can be frightening and overwhelming for seniors. It is difficult for them to give up their independence and leave their home. Home care specialists allow seniors to sit in their chairs, sleep in their beds, and feel somewhat independent while supervised.
Home care is convenient for seniors with cognitive decline who live with a spouse or adult children. Home care vs. memory care allows someone to come to the house and give other family members a break from caregiving for respite while working.
Typical Home Care Elements
- Assistance with bathing, personal care, dressing, and grooming
- A consistent relationship offering a positive sense of companionship
- Aids can give transportation for appointments, social activities, or shopping
- Housekeeping helps with washing clothes and dishes
- Some aids are specially trained for memory care
- Can give family members a break to do required errands and perform self-care
What is Memory Care?
Memory care centers are senior living environments providing care for seniors experiencing memory loss, often due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. Home care vs. memory care options decisions must have individual case determinants. For example, those with more severe memory loss issues may respond better to specialized workers initiating their care, whether in a live-in facility or daycare. On the other hand, memory care in a daycare situation can offer support and technical understanding and meet the needs of seniors with cognitive decline.
Also available are memory care communities that offer assisted living for those with cognitive decline in several forms of care. Professional services are delivered for help with simple daily living activities, monitoring of prescription medicines, and help with meals. Communities specializing in cognitive decline meet the individual needs of many on different levels of decline. Some nursing homes facilitate memory care neighborhoods in a specialized facility wing.
Home care vs. memory care works the same in aiding people to live their lives to the fullest when experiencing cognitive decline. Memory care facilities may have a higher staff-to-resident ratio. Still, every case is an individual decision based on the comfort level of every person in a caregiving position of a senior loved one. The senior loved one must be respected and listened to make the correct decision for care.
Typical Memory Care Elements
With such an enormous demand with large numbers of seniors today experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia, studies have determined best practices for these patients.
Memory care specialized facilities use the most current trends, protocols, environmental factors, and care available today. In addition, specialized personnel are trained in helping those with anxieties and frustrations when experiencing cognitive decline.
Features of specialized memory care can include:
- Specialized rooms tailored for people with memory loss
- Utilization of colors, lighting, and shapes throughout the environment to promote mental stimulation
- Specialized “Dementia Aware” training programs
- Use of the latest technology for engagement of those with memory decline
- Peaceful gardens
- Specialized training to meet the emotional needs of the residents
- Added safety features to avoid wandering off from the facility
- Social programs to encourage regular socialization
Home care vs. memory care shows differences with the newest technologies and architectural advantages of memory care facilities. The family must evaluate input from the physician. Local facilities must be local. Building trust with the caretakers is essential. The family must also consider the financial aspect of the two kinds of care.
Making the Decision Home Care vs. Memory Care
Gathering the family to make a list of pros and cons is essential in making this decision. In addition, the family must have a realistic outlook on the daily, weekly, and monthly needs of their loved one. In some cases, deciding if home care vs. memory care is a difficult decision. You must consider long-term care, and a change in the care level could develop at any time.
Bringing a professional into the decision-making process can be helpful. Professionals can offer suggestions, add to the list of pros and cons, and answer financial details on all fronts. Home care vs. memory care can be a substantial financial burden, so professionals familiar with the benefits available to seniors can be helpful. Whatever decision is made, remember you can always change the situation if needed.
Are You Making Hard Decisions with Home Care vs. Memory Care in Tennessee?
Do you need help with making the difficult decision of choosing home care vs. memory care for your senior loved one? Luxury Home Care in Tennessee welcomes families to visit their facilities, speak with their professionals, and offer guidance in this challenging time. Our facilities are open for tours and offer information on the financial aspects of these types of care. Let us explain the processes we can help your loved one with and what special programs we offer for those with cognitive decline. Contact us today to learn more!
