According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the health of caregivers is at risk.

The caregivers the CDC refers to are family caregivers – a family member who provides informal or unpaid care to an aging loved one. An overwhelming number of those family caregivers are caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It’s a number that grows daily. There is no end in sight.

Providing care at home has its risks.

It’s natural to want to care for a loved one at home for as long as possible. It’s a noble goal. In fact, many aspects of caregiving are rewarding. But as health and/or capabilities decline, caregiving becomes more difficult and potentially unsafe, not only for the person receiving the care but for the caregiver as well.

Studies show that family caregivers are at increased risk for negative health consequences. They experience more stress, depression, and have difficulty maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general – all of which compromises their ability to provide good care.

And caregivers and their families often experience financial hardships due to missed work and unexpected medical expenses that happen because of the demands of caregiving.

Where to turn?

When providing care is no longer possible at home, it’s time to consider a long-term care solution. Memory care facilities or nursing homes are the places most families trust for help.

What’s right for you?

It all depends on the specific needs of your loved one and where they may be on their journey. First, learn what types of care and services memory care centers and nursing homes provide – and understand the differences between them. We’ll help you. Here’s what we think is most important to know when it comes to memory care vs. nursing homes:

What is memory care?

Memory care – or dementia care – is exclusively for people with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Memory care communities help with the activities of daily living (ADLs), as do nursing homes, but a memory care facility also offers memory-enhancing programming and support provided by staff members with specialized training and experience in memory loss and disease progression.

Memory care can be provided in free-standing memory care communities or in a secure memory care unit located within a Continuing Care Retirement Community, assisted living community or nursing home.

What is long-term care?

Long-term care is more comprehensive than assisted living, as seniors in long-term care require more assistance than those in assisted living who usually only need help with one or two activities of daily living. Put simply, long-term care provides a higher level of care than assisted living.

Long-term care residents often have a variety of health conditions that require around-the-clock care, monitoring and management. Along with basic care, nursing homes often provide skilled care from health professionals such as physical, occupational and speech therapists. Licensed nurses provide direct medical care such as wound care, IVs and tube feedings.

A physician must confirm care is necessary before a patient is admitted to a skilled nursing center. Nursing homes and skilled care centers are licensed by their state and regulated by the federal government.

When To Choose Memory Care

If your loved one is living with dementia, a memory care facility is where they’ll get the support they require to help them manage the condition better.

When To Choose a Nursing Home

Because of the extensive medical support available in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, a nursing home is best for those with a debilitating medical issue. Also consider the length of time professional support is required because nursing homes offer both short- and long-term care support.

Paying for Care

How you pay for care depends on location, the type of community, and your financial situation. Many families pay a lot of the costs out of pocket.

Medicare will pay for certain nursing services following a hospital release and hospice care while in a nursing home or memory care facility, but it will not pay for long-term residential living. Private long-term care insurance sometimes covers some of the costs of care provided in nursing homes and memory care communities.

Medicaid covers many nursing home and long-term care services in Medicaid-approved facilities. To qualify, certain requirements must be met with regard to level of care, income and assets. These requirements vary from state to state. Veterans benefits may also help offset some of the costs for both.

Quality of Life for Loved Ones, and Peace of Mind for You.

Deciding to move a loved one into any kind of senior living community is not easy, but families often find it ends up being the best decision – both for their loved one and for them. Memory care centers and nursing homes are built to offer the care and services that meet your loved one’s very specific needs, giving them quality of life and priceless peace of mind. Cascade Living Group offers highly specialized memory care at our communities that span the West Coast. As you navigate the memory care decision-making process, we invite you to learn more about our locations and living options.