Memory Care Vs Nursing Home: Which Is Right For Your Loved One?

Sometimes, our aging parents may experience memory loss or memory-related conditions due to the natural effects of aging. We understand this can be a difficult time for you and your family. If a senior in your life is dealing with memory loss or memory-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, it’s essential to choose a senior living community that can provide the best possible care. Our expert guide explains the difference between memory care and nursing homes to help you choose the right option for your loved one’s unique needs.

What Is Memory Care?

Memory care is a form of long-term senior living specifically designed for individuals who are facing challenges with their memory and cognitive abilities, often due to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. This specialized care is provided by trained employees who understand the unique needs of people with memory-related issues.

What Is A Nursing Home?

A nursing home is designed to provide round-the-clock care for individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and medical needs. Nursing homes are typically equipped with specially trained employees, including registered nurses, therapists and certified nursing assistants. They offer a wide range of services, including medication management, assistance with bathing and medical care for chronic conditions or post-surgery recovery.

Similarities Between Memory Care And Nursing Homes

Understanding the similarities and differences between nursing homes and memory care can help you make an informed decision about your loved one’s care. Here are some key similarities between the two:

• Typically, residents in both types of care receive assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating and grooming.
• Both memory care and nursing homes provide regular meals and snacks for their residents.
• While the types of employees found in memory care and nursing homes may be different, both types of care provide 24/7 assistance.
• Generally, residents in both nursing homes and memory care get to enjoy social activities, but memory care might have activities that are specifically designed for individuals with memory challenges.

Key Differences Between Memory Care And Nursing Homes

Some people may confuse nursing homes with memory care. While the two may share some key similarities, there are some distinct differences worth noting, such as:

• Focus of care: Memory care communities specialize in providing care for individuals with memory-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Nursing homes, on the other hand, offer a broader spectrum of care for individuals who have various medical needs.
• Type of employees: Employees in nursing homes typically have varying levels of expertise to meet the medical and personal care needs of residents, while most memory care employees receive the specialized training needed to care for residents with memory challenges.
• Environment and design: Memory care communities typically offer unique features to support individuals with memory loss, such as secure entrances and easy-to-navigate layouts which are designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. On the other hand, nursing homes feature a more traditional layout designed to provide residents with specialized medical care and assistance with daily activities.
• Social activities and programming: Typically, memory care communities offer specialized activities and programming, such as memory-enhancing games, music therapy and sensory stimulation, tailored to the cognitive needs and abilities of residents with memory impairments. While some nursing homes may offer a variety of recreational activities and social events for residents, they are not typically designed for individuals with memory loss.
• Level of care: Memory care communities are designed to provide 24/7 assistance for residents with memory challenges. On the other hand, the level of care offered in a nursing home can vary, depending on the individual’s unique care needs.

Cost Comparison

Understanding the cost of memory care vs nursing homes can help you make an informed decision about your loved one’s care. According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of a nursing home in the US is between $7,908 and $9,034 per month. It’s important to recognize that actual costs may vary significantly based on a wide range of factors, including the specific community within each state, your loved one’s care needs and their individual preferences or circumstances. Other variables, such as the cost of living, geographical location and the availability of care providers, can also influence the cost of memory care vs nursing homes.

Here’s an overview of how memory care and nursing home costs compare across the country:

Learn How Much Memory Care Costs In Your Area

As you search for the right community for your loved one, budget might be an important consideration. However, with many options to choose from, the process of comparing costs can be overwhelming. Our cost calculator is here to help you compare the cost of memory care vs nursing homes in your area.

See The Costs Of

Senior Living Compared To Staying In Place

We created this senior living calculator to help you determine the costs of senior living compared to remaining in place.

Get Started

Compare The Costs Of Senior Living

?

To accurately estimate the cost of senior living, simply enter your monthly expenses in the field below.

To see an estimate of the cost of senior living, simply select the state and level of care you think is right for you or your loved one.

---

Select the state you're interested in and level of care that’s right for you.

Question 1/8

Select StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict Of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Please select a state.

Select Level of CareIndependent LivingAssisted LivingMemory Care

Please select a level of care.

Independent Living: For independent seniors who want to maintain an active lifestyle while downsizing their daily living responsibilities.

Assisted Living: Provides daily support for seniors who need help with tasks such as medication management, bathing and dressing.

Memory Care: Specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairments.

Get Started

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

Mortgage or rent*

Question 2/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

Total of utilities*

Question 3/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

 

Home or renters insurance*

Property Tax*

Question 4/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

 

Entertainment and Hobbies*

Grocery and Food*

Question 5/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

 

Lawn Care and Cleaning Services*

Maintenance and Repairs*

Question 6/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

Transportation*
(Vehicle Insurance, Registration, Gas, Maintenance, And Repairs)

Question 7/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

Home Health Care / Companion Costs*
(The National Average Cost Is $3,360-5,760 Monthly*)

Question 8/8

Previous Next

*The state average for the above expense has been added for your convenience. Update the value to reflect your current situation.

Your Results

?

We took the information you provided to calculate your current living expenses vs. the average costs of senior living. Here are your results.

Your Monthly Estimated Costs
Your current costs (based on the values you entered)

The average monthly cost of Independent Living in

Previous Restart Download Report

Download Your Full Page Report!

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Email Address(Required)

Phone Number

Community of Interest(Required)

Select a CommunityArbor Grove, Alma, MIBayfield, Bay City, MIBoulder Creek, Rockford, MIBriarwood, Allegan, MICandlestone, Midland, MICascade Trails, Grand Rapids, MICrestwood Village, Mt. Pleasant, MIDanbury Broadview Heights, OHDanbury Brunswick, OHDanbury Columbus, OHDanbury Cuyahoga Falls, OHDanbury Huber Heights, OHDanbury Hudson, OHDanbury Massillon, OHDanbury Mentor, OHDanbury Millersburg, OHDanbury Mount Vernon, OHDanbury North Canton, OHDanbury North Ridgeville, OHDanbury Sanctuary Grande North Canton, OHDanbury Tallmadge, OHDanbury Westerville, OHDanbury Wooster, OHDevonshire, Lapeer, MIForest Glen, Dowagiac, MIGaslight Village, Adrian, MIGlen Abbey, Canton, MIGrace Haven, St. Johns, MIGrand Village, Grandville, MIGrandhaven, Lansing, MIHathaway Hills, Greenville, MIHeritage Hill, Caro, MIIndependence Village Of Columbus (Parkside Court), INIndependence Village Of Des Moines (Beaverdale Estates), IAIndependence Village Of Evansville (Willow Park), INIndependence Village Of Saginaw (Wescourt), MIIndependence Village Of Traverse City (Glen Eagle), MIIndependence Village Of Waterford (Inn at Cass Lake), MIIndependence Village of Ames, IAIndependence Village of Ankeny, IAIndependence Village of Aurora, OHIndependence Village of Avon (Prestwick), INIndependence Village of Avon Lake, OHIndependence Village of Brighton Valley, MIIndependence Village of Carmel, INIndependence Village of Fishers East, INIndependence Village of Fishers South, INIndependence Village of Grand Ledge, MIIndependence Village of Midland, MIIndependence Village of Oxford (Waterstone), MIIndependence Village of Pella, IAIndependence Village of Petoskey, MIIndependence Village of Plymouth, MIIndependence Village of Waukee, IAIndependence Village of White Lake, MIIndependence Village of Zionsville West, INLakeview Terrace, Lakeview, MILudington Woods, Ludington, MIMaple Lake, Paw Paw, MIMeadow Lane, Bad Axe, MIOliver Woods, Owosso, MIRiley’s Grove, Zeeland, MIRiver Ridge, South Haven, MISouthwick Village, MASpring Leaf Columbus, OHSpringvale, Swartz Creek, MISpringwood Hudson, OHSpringwood Westerville, OHStonegate Village, Sandusky, MIStoryPoint Birmingham, MIStoryPoint Bolingbrook, ILStoryPoint Chattanooga, TNStoryPoint Chesterfield, MIStoryPoint Chesterton, INStoryPoint Cincinnati (New England Club), OHStoryPoint Clinton Twp., MIStoryPoint Collierville, TNStoryPoint Cordova (HarborChase), TNStoryPoint East Lansing (The Marquette), MIStoryPoint Fairfield, OHStoryPoint Farmington Hills, MIStoryPoint Fort Wayne North, INStoryPoint Fort Wayne West, INStoryPoint Gahanna, OHStoryPoint Germantown (HarborChase), TNStoryPoint Grand Rapids East (Samaritas), MIStoryPoint Grand Rapids West (Lincoln Square), MIStoryPoint Granger, INStoryPoint Grove City, OHStoryPoint Kalamazoo, MIStoryPoint Knoxville West, TNStoryPoint Libertyville, ILStoryPoint Louisville East (Oxmoor Lodge), KYStoryPoint Louisville South (Ponder Creek Estates), KYStoryPoint Medina, OHStoryPoint Mequon, WIStoryPoint Middletown, KYStoryPoint Naperville, ILStoryPoint Northville, MIStoryPoint Novi, MIStoryPoint Pickerington, OHStoryPoint Portage, MIStoryPoint Powell, OHStoryPoint Prospect, KYStoryPoint Rockford, MIStoryPoint Romeoville, ILStoryPoint Saline, MIStoryPoint Schererville, INStoryPoint Shaker Heights (HarborChase), OHStoryPoint Strongsville (Pearl Crossing), OHStoryPoint Troy, OHStoryPoint Union, KYStoryPoint Waterville, OHStoryPoint Wyoming (Aurora Pond), MIWhite Lake, Whitehall, MIWoodlawn Meadows, Hastings, MI

Hidden

Monthly Estimated Costs

Hidden

Average Monthly Cost

Hidden

State

Hidden

Living Option

Hidden

Secondary_Lead_Source__c

Hidden

Specific_Source__c

Hidden

Lead_Source__c

Hidden

gclid

Hidden

Expense Data

Hidden

utm_source

Hidden

utm_medium

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

Restart

Electric:

Gas:

Cable/Internet:

Water/Sewer:

*This information is intended to aid in the evaluation and the decision-making process related to senior living alternatives. It is based on information and assumptions provided by you and information compiled from multiple accredited sources for comparison purposes. The calculations and comparisons provided should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice. In addition, such information should not be relied upon as the only source of information.

How To Make The Decision

It’s normal for our parents’ needs to change as they age. Sometimes, this might require changing the type of care they receive. Selecting the right service requires careful consideration of your loved one’s situation to ensure they’ll be in a supportive environment that aligns with their unique needs.

Is Memory Care Right For Your Loved One?

Ultimately, deciding between nursing home vs memory care will depend on the unique care needs of your loved one. However, some changes in our aging parents’ needs may be easier to notice than others.
Here are some signs that memory care might be a beneficial option for your family member:

• Memory loss: If your loved one is experiencing memory challenges that affect their daily life, like forgetting important tasks or getting lost in familiar places, memory care might be the right choice. For instance, if they frequently forget to take their medication or struggle to remember the names of close family members, specialized memory care can provide the support they need.
• Safety concerns: Safety is a top priority for seniors with memory issues. If your loved one has had incidents like wandering off or forgetting to turn off appliances, a memory care community can offer a supportive and secure environment with trained employees who can ensure they’re safe and cared for at all times.
• Caregiver stress: Sometimes, taking care of a loved one with memory issues can be overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling multiple roles as a caregiver. If you’re struggling to care for your loved one due to stress or burnout, a memory care community can provide specialized care for their needs while you take a break.

Is A Nursing Home Right For Your Loved One?

Sometimes, choosing between a nursing home, memory care or another option, like skilled nursing, for a loved one can be less straightforward. Here are some key signs that a nursing home may be the right option for your loved one:

• Medical needs: If your aging parent requires regular medical attention, like help with medication, wound care or round-the-clock monitoring due to a chronic condition, a nursing home might be the right fit. They have skilled nurses available 24/7 to provide the necessary care.
• Mobility issues: It’s normal for an aging parent to experience mobility issues. If you notice your loved one struggling to move around safely on their own, a nursing home can provide assistance with activities like bathing, dressing and getting in and out of bed. Most nursing homes often have equipment like grab bars and wheelchairs to help with mobility.
• Safety concerns: If you’re worried about your loved one living alone and facing risks like falls or forgetting to take medications, a nursing home can provide a safer environment, with dedicated employees available around the clock to help in emergency situations.

Transitioning To A Care Community

Transitioning a loved one to a care community can be an emotional journey filled with both hope and uncertainty. Here are some tips to help make the process less overwhelming for you and your family member:

• Acknowledge emotions: Understand that it’s normal to feel a range of emotions, from sadness to relief to uncertainty. Take the time to process these feelings, and know that it’s okay to seek support from friends, family or a counselor.
• Maintain open communication: Talk openly with your loved one about the transition. Listen to their concerns and preferences, and involve them in the decision as much as possible. This can help them feel more empowered and in control of the process.
• Plan ahead: It’s important to ensure your loved one is mentally prepared for the transition. This can help make it easier for them to settle into their new surroundings. Additionally, consider planning the move well in advance to minimize stress.

Give Your Loved One The Care They Deserve

At StoryPoint Group, your loved one’s unique needs are at the heart of everything we do. Our team of dedicated and experienced employees are committed to meeting each resident’s unique needs — so they can make the most of each day. If you need additional guidance on memory care or any other type of senior living, we’re here to help you. Give us a call today at 1-844-275-9990 or visit a StoryPoint Group community near you.