Did you know that when choosing a senior living community, you have multiple options for what's known as level of care? One common option is independent living, which involves the least amount of clinical care or oversight. Another is assisted living, which is the model many people think of when they hear about senior living communities.

Memory care is another option. Older adults can enter into memory care directly or choose it as part of a path of care through their retirement, according to their needs.

Keep reading to learn more about what memory care is and why it might be right for you or your loved one.

What Exactly Is Memory Care?

Memory care is a broad term that covers many services for people with memory disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer's. In the context of a senior living community, memory care might include:

• Tailored assistance with activities of daily living. Individuals who are dealing with memory care diagnoses, especially in later stages of such diseases, may need more assistance with daily activities such as personal care or managing nutrition. Communities that offer a memory care level of service may have the resources to offer that help.
  
  
• Additional safety and security resources. Memory care communities often have protocols in place to reduce risks associated with wandering. While memory care residents may be able to move independently throughout the memory care community, for example, they may not be able to walk right out of the community without staff assistance, especially at night.
• Socialization and activity options. Memory care communities can provide opportunities for socialization and activities that support cognitive function and are appropriate for each resident's cognitive capabilities.

3 Reasons For Choosing Memory Care

Deciding which type of senior living community is right for yourself or a loved one can be a big task. You might wonder if memory care or assisted living is the best choice, for example. The decision should be based on a variety of factors, including personal needs, cognitive ability and where in the memory care disease process a person currently is.

If you have a memory disorder but have only just been diagnosed, for example, you might opt for starting with an independent living or assisted living community that has a memory care option. That way, you won't have to completely uproot your life later when the memory care level of service becomes more critical.

Take a look at three common reasons people choose memory care to help you make your decision.

1. Memory Care Communities Support Independence While Providing for Safety

Many memory care communities work hard to provide all residents with as much independence as possible, supporting the vibrancy and dignity of life for older adults. This can be important for those who are facing memory disorders. Someone may not be able to live in their own home safely or comfortably due to a progressing memory disease, but that doesn't mean they don't have a continued desire for life.

Some ways memory care communities support independence include:

• Creating opportunities for residents to live as normally as possible. That might look like living in a private memory care apartment, deciding on meals and mealtimes and engaging in social activities as desired — all while caring, experienced staff oversee things to ensure medication, nutrition and other critical needs are met.
• Supporting secure, safe environments. Memory care communities are designed with safety in mind. They include protocols at entrances and exits to support independence and socialization while mitigating concerns that are common with memory diagnoses, such as wandering.
  
  
• Offering a wide range of activities. Communities that offer opportunities for social interactions, exercise, entertainment and creative pursuits allow memory care residents to pick and choose what works best for them. This allows individuals in early stages of a memory disorder to participate in activities as they might have done before their diagnosis while ensuring even those who've progressed further into the disease have appropriate opportunities for engagement and socialization.

2. Coordination of Care May Be Easier in a Community

Coordination of care can be important to successful outcomes with memory care treatment. While there isn't currently a cure for disorders like dementia, there are medications and other protocols that can help slow the effects of the disease in some cases. On top of that, older adults with memory issues may also be dealing with other chronic illnesses. In a community setting, clinical staff are able to work together more seamlessly to coordinate the care offered.

3. You May Not Be Equipped to Care Full-Time for Your Loved One

In many cases, family members have the desire to care for their loved one. However, memory conditions can lead to situations that require constant care that's impossible to deliver via family caregivers. In this case, a memory care community offers your loved one a safe, active lifestyle that you may no longer be able to offer in your home.