When to Move From Assisted Living to Memory Care

What Is the Difference Between Memory Care and Assisted Living?

Assisted living and memory care facilities are both designed to be long-term living solutions. Many assisted living facilities have designated memory care wings, where residents may move if the need arises.

Safety, security and socialization are provided at both types of residences. There are, however, key differences between assisted living and memory care facilities.

What’s Life Like in Assisted Living?

Assisted living is geared toward supporting the needs of fairly independent older adults who need a little help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Your parent may enjoy dancing and playing word games, for example, but they may need support with medication management, housekeeping or meal management. Some basic help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing and dressing can be possible, but that type of help is often limited in assisted living facilities.

People in assisted living benefit from socialization opportunities, health and wellness activities, and help with household and personal management. They may share a room with another resident or have a private apartment of their own with a kitchen.

Regular supervision may be available in unique and short-term circumstances, but that is not the norm and it is generally unavailable 24/7. Emergency help is always available, but medical staff may not be on the premises at all times.

What’s Life Like In Memory Care?

Many of the perks of assisted living, such as socializing, are also part of life in memory care facilities. Many of the activities offered, however, are therapeutic and geared toward supporting brain health.

Supervision and security are available 24/7. One of the concerns you may have for your parent is that they’ll wander off and get lost accidentally. Memory care facilities are equipped with safeguards and safety features that prohibit this from happening.

The floorplans in memory care facilities also differ from assisted living. They may feature color-coded floors or walls and other features that reduce wandering and lessen confusion.

Memory care facilities have a higher staff-to-resident ratio, so there are always enough hands on deck during daytime and nighttime hours.

The staff also undergoes specialized training in dementia care, so they’ll know how to handle potentially stressful situations. They work to create a peaceful, calm environment that is soothing and stress-free for residents. They may also take on tasks that are not part of the day-to-day responsibilities of assisted living personnel. These vary from facility to facility, but often include:

• Support with personal hygiene, such as bathing, shaving and foot care
• Incontinence care
• Encouraging residents to eat and cutting their food if needed

Staff members and on-site or visiting therapists are available to oversee personalized and group activities that provide brain and memory stimulation. These may include:

• Music therapy
• Arts and crafts
• Puzzles and cognitive games
• Animal-assisted (pet) therapy

Signs It’s Time to Move From Assisted Living to Memory Care

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, memory loss that disrupts daily life can be a sign of dementia.2That may sound clear cut, but these changes aren’t always obvious. Oftentimes, people with memory loss go to great lengths to hide it, especially during its early stages. You may also think that these changes are simply a natural part of aging.

Memory loss can make your loved one less safe. These signs may indicate that a move from assisted living to memory care makes sense:

Tips for Making the Transition From Assisted Living to Memory Care Easier

Making this change can be challenging for both you and your parent. As a first step, lean into your relationship with the assisted living staff and management. If you’re planning to move your loved one to the memory care wing of their current facility, management will provide boots-on-the-ground help with logistics. If you’re leaving the community, they should also be able to provide support and guidance.

Logistical Tips

• States require different types of documentation for this transition. Make sure you know your state’s legal requirements for memory care placement.
• Documentation from your parent’s doctor about their need for a more restrictive, secured environment may be required. Cognition and other types of tests may also be needed.
• If you’re changing facilities, visit several so you can determine which feels like the best fit. Interview staff and management to get a firm sense of how they handle day-to-day life and emergencies.
• Review the admissions agreement so you completely understand the responsibilities both you and the facility have. These will include financial arrangements and communications. If necessary, have your legal representative review the document.

How to Prepare Your Loved One

• Talk to your parent’s doctor about their medications before moving day. If your loved one experiences anxiety, discuss medication options with their doctor to ease the transition.
• Prepare their room in advance with familiar, comforting items, such as photos, stuffed animals and other memorabilia.
• It may seem counterintuitive, but don’t tell your parent about the move too far in advance. This may cause them undue anxiety or fear. If possible, wait until the move is occurring to let them know.
• Ask the staff if they can oversee some type of special event for when your parent arrives. This can be simple, such as a luncheon or a shared group craft session. Simple is fine, as long as it includes some level of socialization and fun.
• If your parent asks, don’t let them know that this will be their long-term home. This may feel uncomfortable, but keep in mind that it’s a strategy, not a betrayal. Consider referring to their new placement as a temporary vacation. Let the staff know the wording you’re using, so they don’t inadvertently contradict you.

Expert Insights

From Dr. Abby Altman, Ph.D., Geropsychologist

I once worked with a family struggling with how to tell their mother about her move to memory care. She had been in assisted living for a couple of years, but she had become more confused — packing her bags every evening because she thought she needed to go home and getting distressed when she couldn’t find her childhood bedroom. Her son was torn; he didn’t want to lie to her, but he also didn’t want to cause her unnecessary anxiety. We discussed a gentle approach — framing the move as a temporary stay where she could get extra support. The assisted living staff arranged a warm welcome with familiar activities, and her room was set up with cherished family photos and her favorite blanket. Instead of feeling abandoned, she settled in comfortably and, over time, she even stopped asking when she was going home. Helping families navigate these transitions with compassion can make all the difference.

Cost of Memory Care vs. Assisted Living

In general, memory care facilities cost more than assisted living. The added costs are typically based on the level of services, amount of personnel and staff training required.

Assisted living and memory care costs vary by state and region. Prices are also not uniform between facilities. Differences in services, aesthetics and other factors may all affect costs.

In general, these ballpark figures for 2024 can give you a sense of the costs to expect:

• Estimated monthly median cost of assisted living: ranges from $3,278 in Missouri to $7,463 in Alaska
• Estimated monthly median cost of memory care: ranges from $3,995 in Georgia to $11,490 in Washington, D.C.

Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living or memory care facilities. It will, however, cover medical expenses that are incurred, either on- or off-site.5 These include durable medical equipment, doctor’s visits, hospital stays and specialty tests like MRIs. Medications are covered under Medicare Part D.

Medicaid coverage for memory care and assisted living varies by state. So do their eligibility requirements. Institutional Medicaid typically covers care in Medicaid-certified nursing homes. Dedicated memory care facilities and memory care wings in assisted living typically are not covered under this type of plan.6 Medicaid offers home and community-based services waivers that may help cover memory care in assisted living, depending on state policies.

Keep in mind that not every facility accepts Medicaid. Make sure to find out if this is an option you can use. If your loved one isn’t eligible for Medicaid, you may explore other ways to pay for memory care. These include:

• Personal funds
• VA benefits (for approved facilities)
• Long-term care insurance
• Life insurance policies
• Retirement savings plans

How to Find Memory Care Near Me

If you’re looking for memory care, your personal and professional contacts may be a good place to start. Your parent’s medical team and other health-care professionals can also be excellent resources for ideas. Our senior living directory can also help you find and compare options in your area.