With time, our older loved ones may need help with certain daily activities they used to handle on their own. This help may range from a little assistance with new technology to requiring the services of a stand-by caregiver.
Depending on the uniqueness of the help needed, you might consider a retirement home for them. This way, your loved ones can be given the best care they need to live full and happy lives.
Caring for an older adult with certain health conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia may become a challenge. This often happens if you do not have the skills and qualifications required to care for them efficiently and effectively. It could also be a result of limited time with multiple responsibilities. It is best to consider a memory care community in situations like this. This is where the question of the cost of memory care comes in.
At Seasons Retirement homes, the care offered is priced differently for individuals based on the level of care and housing arrangements needed. Older adults are assessed to determine the type of care package they need. Check this site to know more.
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What Is Memory Care?
This is a specialized type of care given to older adults with Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory issues. A memory care facility is a residential care arrangement where memory care is offered.
They are usually designed to give older adults who require memory support the quality of life they need to live a comfortable and happy life. This program ensures they are safe, reduces confusion and prevents wandering of the mind.
A memory care facility is like a retirement home with a few differences. These differences include intensive care, round-the-clock supervision, enclosed gardens and yards to prevent older adults from wandering and getting hurt, alarm doors and exits to monitor comings and goings, memory-enhancing therapies, and a uniquely designed environment such as rounded corridors, and letter and picture-labeled doors to avoid confusion. So how much does memory care cost?
Cost Of Memory Care
Memory care is quite expensive as it offers extra care in addition to the regular support provided in assisted living communities. This additional care includes the provision of a secure environment, specialized staff, 24-hour care, and activities that help to enhance cognitive functions.
How much does memory care cost? The prices of memory care differ based on location, size of accommodation, level of care needed, and quality of amenities provided. While your initial payments primarily cover some services such as feeding, activity supervision, and medication management, other services are optional and cost extra. Optional services include laundry, outings, and beauty dates.
The average cost of memory care ranges between $4000 and $6000 per month. This makes memory care significantly more expensive than assisted living. A one-bedroom living arrangement will cost less than a two-bedroom suite which is bigger. That being said, the former option should be your pick, as your older loved ones don’t have to occupy the biggest and the most expensive living space to be comfortable and happy.
Choosing a Memory Care Facility
After finding answers to the question, “how much does memory care cost?” it is important to weigh your options based on your older loved one’s needs and your resources.
It may be hard to make a choice, given the wide variety of choices that may be presented to you. Avoid crossroads using a checklist guide that helps you navigate decisions easily. Start by asking questions such as:
- What are the safety measures put in place for my older relative that wanders?
- How do they handle aggressive behaviour in older adults with memory issues?
- Are there structures in place to prevent confusion for older adults in their facility?
- Is the facility handicap-friendly?
- Are courtyards and gardens enclosed?
- How well are the exits and residents monitored?
- What’s the ratio of staff to residents like?
- Is the facility accredited and the staff certified?
- What kind of activities do they have planned out for your older loved one.
Questions like this should be considered for you to pick the right memory care facility for your older loved one.
Visiting the place to see things first-hand often aids decision-making. You get to interact with the other residents as well as the staff. You can experience how it feels to stay in the environment and determine if it is good enough for your older relatives.
Seize the opportunity to ask questions and get acquainted with the layout of the facility. If for any reason, you can’t visit physically, some memory care homes make arrangements for virtual tours. Treat a virtual tour as you would if you were on-site.
Memory Care: The Less Expensive Choice
There are huge differences when you compare memory care to other options like Home Health Aid services. A Home Health Aide would be paid hourly, costing you more than the upfront payment of memory care. A Home Health Aide is paid to offer care to older adults who might need help with varying activities.
Should your older relative need assistance at night or over the weekend, a Home Health Aide who is not a resident caregiver would be unavailable. Also, depending on their contract arrangements, a Home Health Aide might not be responsible for transportation or environmental sanitation. Covering these chores would incur more costs as you would need to pay a handyman to take care of them.
On the other hand, the primary payment covers such extra chores in a memory care facility. In addition to saving more money, your older loved ones get to participate in engaging activities that could help them enhance their cognitive functions. You also won’t have to spend money to redecorate your home to suit the needs of your older loved ones in need of memory care.
Conclusion
Memory care might seem quite expensive, but its unique services are an excellent option. Several benefits can be gained from a memory care home, including professional, round-the-clock care and monitoring. You can be confident that your older loved one is receiving the best care they can get in this home.
