Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Dementia is a cognitive disorder that progressively erodes memory and executive functions, along with the ability to perform tasks that require abstract thinking. Over time, dementia gets worse and your loved one’s condition deteriorates. Dementia patients can go from stage 4, with moderate cognitive impairment, to a more severely impaired stage 6 in just a few years.
The loss of memory can be particularly dangerous to seniors who forget where they are or where they’re going. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60% of dementia patients will wander off and get lost at least once, and many will do so repeatedly.
Secured memory care units offer caregivers the right combination of assistance and safety for a loved one that’s moving past stage 4. With fall detection pendants and WanderGuard technologies, the staff in these units can minimize the risk that a senior will get up and wander, only to later forget where they live.
This guide offers a look at what memory care units are and how they work. It also offers tips to help determine when to consider memory care and how to pay for it.
A secured memory care unit, which can be found in standalone memory care communities or within assisted living communities, is a specially designed space intended for individuals with dementia or other cognitive impairments. This dedicated area often features vibrant colors and picture-based navigation to aid residents in finding their way, while secure entrances are implemented to minimize potential risks and ensure the safety of aging adults.
A secured memory care unit has security at all access points to minimize the risk of wandering and to deny residents unaccompanied entry into potentially dangerous areas. Kitchens and cleaning supplies can be a hazard in the hands of someone who doesn’t remember how to handle tools and chemicals safely.
In a memory care unit, seniors can still enjoy cooking, as they are able, but only while a staff member is in the room to ensure their safety. Design features such as wide hallways, color-coded pathways and monitoring technologies allow residents to live independently. Staff members offer discreet assistance, helping to preserve resident dignity.
There are many reasons a secured memory care unit might be the right place for your loved one. Here are some of the benefits that these units can provide:
Dementia typically progresses slowly, which can make it difficult to determine when a secure memory loss unit is the better option. Take the time to ask yourself and your family members some tough questions.
Violence against caregivers can be a sign that it’s time to consider safer options for you and your loved one. Domestic violence can result in unwanted police interactions, trips to the hospital or other dangerous outcomes.
Incontinence and forgetfulness around daily hygiene tasks are often signs of advancing dementia. If you can’t be home to handle the cleanup after a bowel movement or incontinence accident, you’ll want to consider other care options. If there is no one home for the bulk of the day, a secure memory care unit is often the better choice.
Wandering around the house is one thing, but getting lost outside your home is another. If your loved one will simply get up and leave, it means you either need to turn your home into a secured premise, which may not be feasible, or discuss the security measures offered in a memory care unit.
If your loved one has set off the smoke detector or started a kitchen fire, home is no longer a safe option. If they are at high risk for a fall, it’s also not advisable for them to continue aging in place. Falls are one of the leading risk factors for incapacitation and death among the elderly. Seniors who can’t remember to turn off appliances or how to safely use cooking equipment need a living space that doesn’t include access to these systems.
Secured memory care units should have staff trained specifically in handling patients with dementia and symptoms such as wandering, anxiety and verbal abuse. There are unsecured memory care options for those in earlier stages who aren’t prone to wandering or other dangerous behaviors.
Take a look at our checklist to help decide which features your loved one may need in a memory care unit.
The national median for memory care is an estimated $5,625 per month, which is approximately 25% more expensive than standard assisted living. Depending on the location, the cost of memory care could be a lot more or a lot less. Either way, it’s a substantial sum and many families might need to seek out financial help to offset some of the cost.
Medicare doesn’t pay for any long-term care. However, it will cover up to 100 days per year in a nursing home, so seniors who have a functional need for that level of care may receive financial assistance during the covered period. If living in a memory care unit, Medicare will continue to cover health care services even if supplied by the residential community, as long as these services are on a separate bill.
All seniors aged 65 and older are eligible for Medicare. Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage Plans have additional premium fees associated with the plan, though low-income seniors may qualify for financial assistance.
Institutional Medicaid is often the solution for seniors and families who need financial assistance with long-term care. Various waiver programs offer coverage for those who meet income limits. Spousal impoverishment laws limit the amount of spending required for married couples, helping more seniors take advantage of available benefits.
Eligibility guidelines vary by state and waiver program. In most states, seniors who earn less than 300% of the SSI benefit ($2,742 as of 2023) qualify for assistance with long-term care when functionally necessary.
The Aid and Attendance benefit offers direct financial assistance with long-term care to qualifying veterans. However, other personal care services, long-term care options and memory care units may be available directly through the VA, without as many limitations on eligibility.
To qualify for the Aid and Attendance Benefit, a veteran must also qualify for the Basic Veterans Pension.
Long-term care insurance may cover the cost of care in a memory care unit, however, when it will start and what communities are in-network can vary. Be sure to go over all the policies and any exclusions before selecting an LTC insurance option.
Private companies offer long-term care insurance. The companies make independent evaluations for each applicant. Not all applicants may qualify for a private policy unless their employer offers it.
Americans can connect with many organizations that offer assistance to the elderly. Volunteer service networks, translation assistance, advocacy, education and more are available.
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The Alzheimer's Association is a national organization with local chapters that provide caregiver support groups, educational resources and assistance with finding care options. The national hotline is available 24/7 for caregivers in crisis.
The ADEAR Center provides caregivers with information about dementia, including education about treatment, caregiver needs, long-term care, research and clinical trials. Staff at the center can refer caregivers to local and national services that provide direct services.
Alzheimers.gov offers a one-stop collection of all federal government resources related to Alzheimer's and dementia. Caregivers can find fact sheets, resource lists, help with advance care planning and more. An easy-to-use ElderCare locator can also help caregivers find local service providers for memory care.
The ARCH National Respite Locator allows caregivers to search for state respite programs that may offer temporary relief at low or no cost. Respite care is typically available for weeks at a time and many local programs have annual restrictions. Respite care may be a great way to test the waters when first considering memory care as an option.
The NFCSP funds grants in all 50 states to provide caregivers with tailored supports. Education about caring for the elderly or those with dementia, respite care, information about benefits, support groups, counseling and even in-home support may be available through local programs. The NFCSP can provide more information about applicable grants in each state.
WISER offers financial counseling and education for caregivers. The goal of this nonprofit organization is to provide information before and during caregiving to ensure that the caregiver doesn't disrupt their own plans for retirement. WISER focuses on women because in the United States, 81% of all caregivers, paid and unpaid, are women.
