Memory Care

Many families try to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia and soon find that the care required has exceeded their comfort level. Although the decision to move a family member to memory care is difficult, it is often the best option for families and people living with dementia. There are telltale signs that it’s time to make a move. They include concern about the safety of your loved one, concern about your safety, worrying about the dangers of wandering, and financial neglect.

In a memory care community, residents also receive personal care and assisted living services to help them with activities of daily living (ADLs). Staff and nurses are available around the clock to provide specialized care and assist residents with dressing, grooming, medication management, and more while providing engaging social activities. Memory care communities and assisted living communities are not nursing homes. Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities offer advanced medical care and resources like what you would find in a hospital but in a less institutional and more comfortable environment.

Memory care facilities provide comprehensive care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia. They provide dynamic activities tailored to people with varying levels of cognitive impairment. If located within an independent living or assisted living community (also known as a continuing care retirement community), memory care units are often separate to give residents personal space and peace of mind. Memory care communities often offer support groups for families who are also coping with a loved one’s difficult diagnosis.

Traditional Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living, memory care, or adult daycare. However, there are various ways to pay for senior care, including memory care. Some pay from personal savings; others use long-term care insurance, life insurance, or real estate assets. Additionally, Medicaid does pay for many long-term non-medical services that memory care residents require.

Memory care costs vary by community, apartment choice, and the support your loved one needs. Monthly living fees cover housing and community services, while memory care charges are additional and based on an individual assessment. Services may include dementia-friendly dining, housekeeping, engaging daily programs, and assistance with personal care and medications. Our community team will walk you through what is included, explain any additional charges, and provide a personalized estimate so you can plan with confidence.

Movement, discovery, and independence remain important when someone is living with memory loss. Our memory care communities offer secured spaces where residents can explore, socialize, and participate in daily life with support nearby. Features vary by location and may include enclosed outdoor areas. Around-the-clock staff availability and an approach centered on each resident’s interests and abilities help balance safety with meaningful opportunities to stay active.

Opal caregivers receive specialized, ongoing training in supporting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Our approach emphasizes understanding each person, responding thoughtfully to dementia-related behaviors, and creating positive moments throughout the day. Staffing levels and caregiver-to-resident ratios vary by community and shift. Your community team can explain its staffing, overnight coverage, and how support is coordinated around residents’ assessed needs.

Many Leisure Care communities offer independent living or assisted living alongside memory care, which may allow spouses with different needs to live in the same community. Each person can receive appropriate support while staying close and spending meaningful time together. Living arrangements depend on the community’s services, apartment availability, and each spouse’s needs. Our team will help you explore the options for both of you.

Assisted living provides personalized help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and medication assistance while supporting independence. Memory care adds specialized support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or related forms of dementia, including dementia-trained caregivers, secured spaces, and programs adapted to cognitive needs. At Leisure Care, Opal brings these services together with a personal approach that honors each resident’s preferences, abilities, and life story.

Families often use a combination of retirement income, savings, and proceeds from selling or renting a home. Long-term care insurance may help, depending on the policy, and eligible veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance. Medicare does not cover ongoing residential memory care, although it may cover eligible medical services a resident receives. Our community team can explain costs and help you identify resources to explore with your insurance provider, benefits advisor, or financial professional.

Opal by Leisure Care® is our signature approach to memory care, built around knowing and celebrating the person beyond their diagnosis. We learn about each resident’s history, relationships, routines, and interests, then use that understanding to make daily life more familiar and meaningful. A gentle, flexible schedule offers opportunities for movement, creativity, sensory experiences, and connection. Alongside personalized support, we partner with families to help residents feel known, valued, and included.