Residential care communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella accommodate a variety of needs and lifestyle goals, with assisted living and memory care serving as two commonly selected options. While these long-term care solutions feature similar services and amenities, they have some key differences that make them suitable for different needs.
Assisted living is a long-term care solution for older adults who don’t require medical support but need help with basic daily activities, such as bathing and meal preparation. Bethesda Senior Living Communities’ network of assisted living residences features apartment-style housing along with communal spaces for eating, socializing and participating in activities.
Assisted living communities provide basic custodial support to help residents maintain as much independence as possible. Some common services residents receive include:
Assisted living is ideal for older adults who want a low-maintenance lifestyle and assistance with basic personal care activities. Depending on state laws, assisted living is often a suitable choice for older adults who need short-term or intermittent medical support, letting them avoid costlier nursing home placement. Assisted living communities may provide specialized services directly or work with a third-party provider to facilitate services.
Memory care communities accommodate seniors with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. While these residences obtain state licensure as assisted living communities, state laws may require them to provide certain disclosures or follow enhanced security, staff training and caregiving practices. Some memory care units reside in assisted living communities, while others are dedicated freestanding residences.
Although laws related to dementia care vary from state to state, many memory care units provide evidence-based programming, such as failure-free games and activities and life skills stations.
Memory care communities offer the same core services as assisted living residences, including meal preparation, housekeeping and help with personal care. Many memory care communities also provide around-the-clock security monitoring and supervised outings.
Memory care is suitable for older adults living with moderate to severe dementia. To be eligible for this level of care, prospective residents must require 24-hour supervision and have a dementia diagnosis from their health care provider.
Both assisted living and memory care are for seniors who primarily need nonmedical personal care services. However, memory care offers a higher degree of care, including more hands-on assistance with daily living activities and around-the-clock supervision. Memory care communities may also incorporate therapies aimed at improving residents’ cognitive functioning.
In most states, caregivers in assisted living communities are required to complete on-the-job training and obtain CPR and first aid certification. State laws vary considerably regarding staff training in memory care communities. For example, Arizona and Kentucky don’t require any specialized training, while California and Rhode Island have extensive staff training requirements.
In general, memory care costs 20%-30% more than assisted living. As of 2024, the national median cost of assisted living comes in at approximately $5,350 per month. For those who need memory care, rates tend to run between $6,420 and $6,955. However, costs vary considerably by geographical region. In Mississippi, assisted living residents typically spend around $3,800, while memory care communities set rates between $4,560 and $4,940. However, in Maine, the median cost of assisted living falls near $8,712, with memory care residences charging higher fees of $10,454 to $11,326.
Assisted living residences typically plan recreational activities, such as table games, social hours, community outings and movie afternoons, to foster an active, social environment. Memory care communities also schedule regular activities, but they typically focus on maintaining physical and cognitive functioning. For example, memory care residents may participate in failure-free games, sensory activities or life skills stations. In Bethesda Senior Living Communities’ network of memory care communities, BLOOM by Bethesda offers dementia-informed programming that focuses on five points of wellness.
Both assisted living and memory care residences have safe environments for residents to support worry-free living. However, memory care communities have added measures such as disguised exit points, fully enclosed courtyards and alarm systems to prevent unsafe wandering.
The right option for you or your loved one depends on the types of services needed.
Assisted living offers a tailored environment for those who need basic assistance, making it a practical option that accommodates current and anticipated future care needs. It’s often the more comfortable choice for seniors in the early stages of dementia. For those with more advanced dementia, memory care is the better option.
A health care provider can offer insight on what to expect of care needs now and in the future, helping seniors and families make informed long-term care choices.
If you or a loved one is considering residential care options, Bethesda Senior Living Communities can help you compare assisted living and memory care residences and choose the right solution for your unique needs.
