Memory Care
Memory care, chosen carefully.
A safe, calm setting, found without rushing.
Memory care is a secured setting for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Doors are secured so residents can’t wander into danger, staff are trained in dementia care, and the day follows routines that reduce confusion and distress.
In Arizona, memory care is usually provided by assisted living settings licensed for directed care. Some are dedicated memory care communities, some are secured wings inside a larger community, and some are small residential care homes. Each suits a different person, so we start by learning how the person spends the day and what tends to upset them.
It may be time if your loved one…
- Has wandered, or tried to leave home at night
- Can’t safely be left alone, even for short periods
- Has changes in mood or behavior that are hard to manage at home
- Forgets to eat, drink or take medications
- Has a caregiver at home who is running out of strength
How we help
- Talk through the diagnosis, behaviors and daily routine in detail
- Confirm each community is licensed for the level of care needed
- Ask about dementia training, overnight staffing and how staff respond to agitation
- Compare larger communities with small residential homes, if both could work
- Help plan the move day so it is as calm as possible
Paying for it
Memory care usually costs more than standard assisted living because of the extra staffing and security. Most families pay privately. ALTCS can help with care costs for people who meet its medical and financial rules, and some veterans and surviving spouses qualify for VA benefits.
Common questions
When is it time for memory care?
There is rarely one clear moment. Common signs are wandering, unsafe situations at home, a caregiver who can’t keep going, or needs changing faster than the family can keep up. Talk with their doctor, and call us if it would help to think it through.
Can someone move from assisted living to memory care in the same community?
Often, if the community has a memory care area. That continuity is worth asking about when you first choose a place, because a second move is hard on someone with dementia.
Other care options
Not sure this is the right fit?
It’s common to start out looking at one kind of care and end up choosing another. We’ll help you compare.
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Assisted Living Daily help with bathing, dressing and medications, in a place of their own. -
Residential Care Homes Small, licensed homes with ten or fewer residents. -
Independent Living Meals, company and less upkeep, for those who don’t need daily care. -
Hospital Discharge Fast help when a hospital or rehab says it’s time to leave.
Let’s talk it through.
Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you work out the next step. There’s no cost and no obligation, and you’ll talk with someone who knows Valley senior living well.