Senior living communities with assisted living and memory care provide residents with continuity of support as their needs evolve. Dual care services are also a good option for couples who need different levels of support.
AARP designates Monroe County, NY, as an age-friendly community, recognizing how the city of Rochester, NY, and Monroe County have worked to become more inclusive for seniors. Older adults can take advantage of pickleball courts in county parks, more accessible park amenities, and digital literacy classes in Rochester.
Rochester has several assisted living memory care communities with combined care support, making it easier to find a community that feels like home.
Memory care communities are specifically designed to support seniors with dementia. They have several features in common with assisted living communities, such as:
Compassionate staff provide resident-centered care adapted to each person's situation.
Although residents in assisted living need help with daily activities, they don't need intensive medical or cognitive care. The environment promotes independence as much as possible, with support when needed.
Apartments often feature kitchenettes and convenient access to common areas.
Assisted living communities also offer a range of activities that facilitate social engagement and friendship. Residents have the opportunity to take part in activities in each dimension of health:
This supports holistic wellness and lets residents find the balance of activities that works best for them.
Memory care communities provide a higher level of security and specialized medical care for people with dementia. Wandering is a serious safety concern, so memory care communities typically have features like secure entrances and enclosed outdoor areas.
Dementia-friendly housing has design elements such as:
The staff in memory care communities have special training to manage the behavioral and health challenges people with dementia face. Activities for residents focus on cognitive function, with a structured daily routine that responds to the needs of people with dementia.
People with memory issues can live in assisted living as long as their dementia is in the early to mid-stages. Assisted living may be a good choice for people who need support with activities of daily living but don't need around-the-clock care.
Dementia is a progressive disease, so assisted living is unlikely to be a long-term solution. Look for a community with assisted living and memory care so that the transition between senior care levels is as seamless as possible.
Alzheimer's and assisted living can work up to a point. When someone with dementia begins to need a higher level of care than assisted living provides, they should consider moving to a memory care community.
Watch for signs such as:
The ideal situation is a community that offers assisted living and memory care. This streamlines the transition from one level of care to the other.
It facilitates continuity and consistency of care while giving residents a sense of familiarity.
An assisted living memory care community can be a good option for couples whose care needs differ. In the past, couples usually had to live separately if one person needed a higher level of support than the other, but nowadays this depends on the community they choose.
Some communities allow couples to live in their own apartment, and support staff visit to ensure that both partners' needs are being met. In other communities, if one partner needs memory care, they live in that section of the community while the other partner stays in an assisted living apartment.
They can visit each other easily and may be able to participate in some community activities together.
No, unfortunately, Medicare doesn't directly pay for assisted living or memory care. It will only cover a short-term stay in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay.
Some Part C plans may cover certain non-medical services, like support for activities of daily living or transportation to medical appointments.
Medicare will cover medical services like doctor visits, screenings, and medical procedures that a resident may have while living in a senior care community.
The best care for a loved one with dementia depends on how far the disease has progressed and what support is available. Most people prefer to stay in their own homes as long as possible.
Being in a familiar environment can help people with dementia. As someone's dementia worsens, they will eventually need more care than can be provided at home.
An assisted living or memory care community is the best option at that point.
When you or your loved one can't cope with living at home anymore, the next question is whether assisted living or memory care is the best option. Assisted living is a good choice for people who need some help with activities of daily living but don't need round-the-clock support.
Memory care is designed for people with dementia who need a higher level of support. The Landing of Brighton in Rochester offers highly personalized assisted living and memory care.
We tailor our care programs to meet each resident's needs and preferences. Your loved one will enjoy our inclusive amenities, like chef-prepared meals and activities that engage in meaningful ways.
Schedule a tour of The Landing of Brighton today to see how our assisted living and memory care programs can support your loved one now and in the future.