Transitioning a Loved One from Assisted Living to Memory Care

What’s the Difference between Assisted Living & Memory Care?

Assisted Living communities are designed to help residents who need a more formal care setting than Home Care provides. Assisted Living focuses on providing residents assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which include dressing, bathing, eating, using the washroom and moving about. Medication management is also a big part of Assisted Living services.

Memory Care services are also built around providing assistance with Activities of Daily Living, and medication management, but expands care by specializing in helping residents living with various levels of cognitive decline. Many Memory Care residents have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

How to Know When It’s Time to Transition to Memory Care

Here are some signs to look for that it might be time for an older person to transition to a Memory Care community.

• They begin wondering aimlessly or get lost.
• Become aggressive.
• Have frequent bouts of forgetfulness.
• Socializing become difficult.
• Eating habits change.

Talk About It   

The first step involves talking to the older person about the need to move to Memory Care community.  

Discussing recent changes or struggles they have been experiencing, and how a Memory Care community can help is beneficial.  

It is important to note however, that based on the level of cognitive deficiency an older person is experiencing, having a conversation about Memory Care may be less effective for some families. Being prepared for possible resistance to the idea will be helpful. All people resist change, so a family’s ability to be patient and understanding with their loved one is important.   

Work with Professionals to Make the Process Easier

Both Assisted Living and Memory Care communities have access to counselors and other professionals who can play a supportive role in helping a loved one move from one community to another.

Families should never feel they need to take the full responsibility for the task of moving a loved one from Assisted Living to Memory Care. Professionals have the training and experience needed to help make the process as smooth as possible.  

Visit the Memory Care Community before the Move

Many families have found it helpful to bring their loved one for a visit to the Memory Care community they will be moving to.  Many people fear change, so giving a loved one a chance to see the community and meet some residents and staff may ease a lot of anxiety.

When moving day comes, the new Memory Care resident will be more familiar with their surroundings and what to expect.

Provide Emotional Support

After the move to Memory Care, families should provide as much hands-on emotional support to their loved one as possible. It will be very reassuring to the older person that their family is there for them and is always accessible.

Visits, phone calls, flowers or other ways to express support will go a long way toward making their loved one feel more comfortable in their new home.

Build Relationships with Community Staff Members

By getting to know the caring staff members at a loved one’s Memory Care community, families are in the best position to ensure they will be getting the best care possible. Being involved with a loved one’s care plan and advocating for them will help the Memory Care experience be more successful.