Recognizing that it’s time to consider memory care for your loved one can feel daunting, and choosing the right memory care approach can be difficult and emotional. Learning more about memory care and understanding the key differences between in-home and facility-based care can help you make the decision that best suits the needs of your loved one and your family. Here, we’ll explore some of the details of memory care and how it can be provided in the home.
What is memory care?
Memory care is specialized care specifically designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Memory care provides needed support and caregiving while focusing on maintaining the dignity of your loved one.
Typical services in memory care include:
- Supervision to prevent wandering.
- Monitoring for safety.
- Assistance with common dementia behaviors.
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Assistance with meals.
- Medication management.
- Cognitively stimulating activities.
- Companionship.
- Assistance with errands and medical appointments.
Memory care settings
Memory care can be provided in various settings, each offering different advantages.
In in-home memory care, your loved one remains in a familiar environment, such as their home or with another family member. In-home supports are arranged to help care for your loved one. This type of care allows for a personalized care plan uniquely tailored to your loved one’s individual needs and preferences. Staffing and scheduling can vary based on your loved one’s needs, finances, and caregiver availability.
Dedicated memory care units, often located within assisted living or skilled nursing facilities but sometimes as stand-alone communities, offer 24/7 supervision and specialized programs for residents with memory challenges. Staff members are usually specifically trained in caring for residents with dementia. These facilities provide a community atmosphere with a variety of supports and social activities.
Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of the different settings for memory care, let’s look at the services offered in in-home memory care.
In-home memory care services
Choosing in-home memory care allows your loved one to stay in the comfort of familiar surroundings. Your loved one may remain in their own home or move into a family member’s home. With in-home memory care, your loved one will receive personalized attention and a care plan that suits their unique needs. Below are some of the services available with in-home memory care.
Personal care
A professional caregiver, a family member, or a friend can provide personal care. It should ensure that your loved one’s daily needs are met with dignity and respect.
Personal care with in-home memory care can include support with:
- Activities of daily living (ADLs), such as toileting needs, eating, ambulating, bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Safety needs, such as monitoring for wandering outside of the house and dangerous activities within the home.
- Household needs, such as meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and reviewing mail.
- Transportation for errands and medical appointments.
Companionship
Companionship services help reduce loneliness and enhance engagement. Companion caregivers:
- Have regular conversations with your loved one.
- Encourage engagement in appropriate activities.
- Accompany your loved one on social outings.
- Read to your loved one.
Medication management
Addressing your loved one’s medication regimen is a vital part of their in-home care plan. Effective medication management ensures your loved one’s safety and health.
Medication management services include:
- Organizing medications.
- Filling prescriptions and getting refills.
- Arranging for prescription delivery or pickup from the pharmacy.
- Reminding your loved one to take each dose as prescribed.
- Tracking or logging each dose.
- Monitoring for side effects.
Comparing in-home and facility-based memory care
Navigating the decision between in-home and facility-based memory care can feel overwhelming and confusing. Understanding the differences can help guide you toward the best choice for your situation and your loved one’s needs. Here are some of the main areas of difference between these two care settings:
- Personalization: Providing services in your loved one’s home allows for highly personalized care, whereas facility-based memory care units provide services to all residents within a more structured, standardized framework.
- Environment: When your loved one receives in-home memory care, they live in a familiar, customizable environment. Memory care facilities are designed with specific features to support the memory needs of the residents, such as secured areas and color-coded hallways to aid navigation.
- Caregiver interaction: In-home care often allows for more dedicated and personalized attention from caregivers. In facilities, caregivers provide care to multiple individuals, which may lead to less personalized daily interaction.
- Social opportunities: In-home memory care gives your loved one the chance to build a bond with their caregiver and to maintain relationships with friends and family. In a memory care facility, your loved one will meet new people and have a structured socialization calendar with memory care programming and activities.
Benefits and challenges of in-home memory care
In-home memory care enables your loved one to remain in the familiar comfort of their own home, presenting several advantages that enhance their quality of life. Some benefits include:
- Comfort and security: Your loved one lives in a familiar environment, which can reduce stress and anxiety.
- Personalized care: Individualized routines and tailored support can address your loved one’s needs and preferences.
- Family involvement: Family members can more easily be directly involved in your loved one’s daily care, strengthening bonds and offering additional emotional support.
However, there are also challenges to consider, such as:
- Coordination of services: Without the support of a facility, family members are responsible for managing and scheduling caregivers, medical care, and other services in the home.
- Availability of caregivers: It takes time to research, interview, and find consistent and reliable caregiver support. If a caregiver is sick, goes on vacation, or quits, you may have a gap in caregiving that needs to be addressed.
- Family dynamics: The caregiving role can affect family relationships and contribute to caregiver fatigue over time.
Costs of in-home memory care
Costs for in-home memory care are a crucial factor to consider when making this decision. The costs can vary drastically depending on:
- Where your loved one lives: The costs can change based on the area of the country and the demand for caregivers there.
- Type of service: You may find different rates based on the level of skill required for the caregiving. For example, nursing services will cost more than companion services.
- Hours and requirements of caregiving providers: Often, providers may require a minimum number of hours for each shift. Some providers may charge more for transportation, mileage, or other extra services.
You may find some insurance and government programs available in your area to help cover some or even all the costs for in-home memory care. It is important to thoroughly understand any coverage available for your loved one.
Some possible financial supports include:
- Long-term care insurance.
- Veterans benefits.
- Medicaid coverage.
- State, county, or local senior assistance programs.
Final thoughts on in-home memory care
In-home memory care combines the comfort of familiar surroundings with tailored support for your loved one with dementia. By carefully considering benefits, challenges, and costs, you can make an informed decision that best supports your loved one’s needs.
