Seniorly Resource Center

Learn how to navigate senior living, from what to look for in a community, how to finance, move in tips and more.

Are Alzheimer's and dementia the same?

No, they are not. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease in which memory and thinking skills deteriorate over time. In contrast, “dementia is a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To put it simply, Alzheimer’s is a disease and dementia is an umbrella term which describes changes in behavior which impair memory and/or judgment. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, and neither dementia nor Alzheimer’s is considered a natural part of aging.

What is memory care?

Memory care is designed for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. It refers not just to the type of care, but also the environment in which it is provided. Some assisted living communities have special wings designed to help residents with memory loss. Other care solutions might be standalone facilities where the entire building is designed for residents with memory diagnoses. When someone needs more supervision due to memory or cognitive concerns, and in-home care is no longer a viable option, then it is time to consider memory care. For dementia patients searching for senior living, the options can be overwhelming. Here’s a quick overview of the types of care you’re likely to find as you start your journey:

Assisted living facility vs memory care

Both memory care and assisted living communities (sometimes called nursing homes) provide meals, housing, supervised care and help with activities of daily living, such as grooming, bathing, and medication management (ADL). Assisted living differs from memory care because it does not offer regular, skilled medical care or any kind of memory care assistance. Memory care communities generally have a more specialized living design for residents as well as trained specially trained staff to support memory care patients.

However, many assisted living communities offer an onsite memory care unit, so a facility can – and often does – offer both basic support for assisted living and specialized memory care. In short, standalone assisted living facility may also offer memory care units designed for those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Personal hygiene. This activity includes not just bathing and grooming (brushing your teeth and hair, trimming nails., etc.), but also whether you can handle glasses, contacts, and hearing aids.
Toileting/continence. This ADL refers to one’s ability to recognize the need to go, reach the toilet, and wipe effectively, as well as the ability to sit and stand back up.
Dressing refers to one’s ability to not only get dressed independently but also to recognize what clothing is appropriate for the weather or setting.
Eating means feeding yourself (and drinking) without spilling.
Mobility (often called “transferring”) refers to the ability to change from one position to another (from sitting to standing, getting out of bed, etc.) as well as walking.

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