Types of care
Memory care
Memory care is specialized residential care for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. It is often a secured unit inside an assisted living community or nursing home. Staff receive dementia training, and the setting and routines are designed to lower confusion and keep residents safe.
Why it matters for your family
Memory care units usually offer secured entrances, set routines, and activities suited to memory loss. They can be a good fit when wandering, night waking, or safety risks are too great at home. Not every unit offers the same level of care, and state rules differ. Ask about staff training, staffing levels, how the unit handles behavior changes, and what happens if needs grow. Many families compare memory care with dementia care at home. The right choice depends on the person's needs, safety, and family capacity. Medicare does not cover long-term residential care.
Source: alz.org
Related terms
- Dementia careDementia care is support for people with memory loss and other thinking problems that disrupt daily life.
- Assisted livingAssisted living is a residential setting for people who need help with daily tasks but not the full medical care of a nursing home.
- Alzheimer's careAlzheimer's care is support for a person with Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia.
- WanderingWandering is when a person with dementia leaves a safe place or walks around without a clear purpose and may become lost.
- Nursing homeA nursing home is a residential facility that provides round-the-clock supervision, nursing care, meals, help with daily activities, and often rehabilitation.
- DementiaDementia is a group of symptoms, not one disease.
