The Differences Between Assisted Living and Memory Care

An Assisted Living can be described as a ‘docked cruise’ ship with an apartment. It has its own bathroom and kitchenette, dining services, weekly housekeeping, social activities, transportation, and access to care staff. Assisted Living apartments will commonly come in three sizes - studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Residents can come and go as they want - it is not a locked community.

Both types of communities can assist with dressing, showering, eating, mobility, and medication management. 

Memory Care can be described more as ‘dorm living’, with the rental of a bedroom and shared living space (often from 10-35 residents). Some memory care communities will have shared bedrooms and bathrooms. Memory Care will supply all that an Assisted Living does but will have a smaller number of residents, will be on one floor only, and will have significantly higher staff ratios. The increased staff helps re-direct behaviors and walk a person through their day in more detail, step-by-step.  The activities offered in memory care will also be geared to allow for more success/simplicity, as abilities decline. Memory Care will be locked, but the family can visit anytime.

We sometimes hear from the family, “...this Assisted Living is awful, they are not caring for my mom”. If memory issues are involved, at a certain point it may mean the Assisted Living is no longer appropriate for mom. The community she is in is not staffed to the level of care for someone who needs to be fully oriented to their day. Staffing ranges in all communities and types, but in general, a 1-to-15 staff ratio occurs in Assisted Living, and and 1-to-7 ratio occurs in Memory Care.

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Here at Willow Care

Willow Care is a local women-owned senior-living advisor agency (*sometimes called senior care agents or senior referral companies) providing free assistance in finding the most suitable senior care communities for families in the Eugene/Springfield area. Their services include personalized consultations to understand individual needs and preferences, expert guidance in navigating the senior care landscape, and compassionate support throughout the entire decision-making process.

The process and options can be quite overwhelming, we know this! And the real value we offer goes beyond what you learn when touring facilities on your own. We have been part of these communities and this industry for decades and bring that expertise to help you and your unique situation. We help you understand the differences in quality care between independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing facilities (aka nursing homes), continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), home care, adult day care, and hospice care and what is the best option for you or your loved one.

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