For many families with older loved ones, considering assisted living or memory care can be difficult. Generally, families don’t have much experience with these options and will often feel unprepared to decide. In this article, we look at each type of care and the costs that will need to be taken into account.
Costs
Many factors go into the cost of memory care and assisted living, which includes where in the country the senior living community is located, the type of care provided, room size, and whether the room is shared.
- Memory care communities tend to have higher costs since they provide specialized care that assisted living doesn’t. Memory care also features a greater staff-to-resident ratio. As such, the monthly median price of memory care is $5,250 a month and can go even higher. Depending on the location and the senior living community, the range can be between $3,000 to $7,000 per month.
- Assisted living communities will generally charge a monthly rate that covers accommodation with three meals every day, weekly housekeeping, general activities, and transportation. Depending on a senior’s needs for assistance, they may also get help with activities of daily living (ADLs) that may either be included in the fee at some assisted living communities for at an additional charge at others. A one-bedroom apartment in an assisted living community has a median monthly cost of $4,000 and can range between $2,000 to $6,000 per month.
Memory care vs. assisted living comparison table
| Services | Assisted Living | Memory Care |
| Help with ADLs | ✔ | ✔ |
| 3 daily meals | ✔ | ✔ |
| Medication management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Care coordination | ✔ | ✔ |
| Housekeeping and laundry services | ✔ | ✔ |
| Activities and exercise classes | ✔ | ✔ |
| Transportation to appointments | ✔ | ✔ |
| Specialized care for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments | ✔ | |
| 24-hour care and supervision | ✔ | |
| Secured entrances and exits to prevent wandering | ✔ | |
| Memory-nurturing therapies | ✔ | |
| Greater staff-to-resident ratio | ✔ | |
| Common area layouts designed to reduce confusion | ✔ |
What are some of the benefits of assisted living?
- Regularly scheduled activities and exercise programs
- Help with day-to-day activities
- A convenient and maintenance-free lifestyle
- A sense of community: opportunities to stay connected and engaged with like-minded people
What are some of the benefits of memory care?
- Many of the above plus:
- Caring staff who are trained and specializing in memory care
- Around the clock care
- A secure environment for seniors who wander due to memory impairment
- Activities to nurture memories and connect with those around them
Finding the right option for an older loved one can be a challenging task, especially if this is your first time looking. However, by doing a bit of research and knowing what to look for, you’ll be able to get an idea of the options available to you. To learn more about Shepherd Premier Senior Living’s assisted living and memory care communities, visit their website here.
Curious about the affordability of senior living? Visit our Funding Guide.
