What is memory care?

The short version

• Assisted living helps with daily activities (meals, medication reminders, bathing) for people who are otherwise oriented and safe.
• Memory care is a secured, supervised setting designed for people with dementia. Staff are trained in dementia-specific care.
• Nursing home (skilled nursing) provides medical care for people with significant medical or rehab needs.

What memory care typically includes

• Secured entrances and exits to reduce wandering risk.
• Staff trained in dementia communication and behavior support.
• Structured activities, routines, and cueing to reduce confusion.
• Medication management and help with daily care.
• Higher staff-to-resident ratios than standard assisted living.

Questions to ask when touring

1. What is your staff-to-resident ratio during the day, evening, and overnight?
2. What dementia-specific training does your staff complete?
3. How do you handle behaviors like agitation, wandering, or refusal of care?
4. What does a typical day look like? Can I see today's activity schedule?
5. How are families kept informed? What's the communication policy?
6. What is included in the monthly cost? What triggers a higher level of care?
7. How are medical concerns handled? Is there a nurse on site?
8. What is the move-out policy if needs change?

Cost

Memory care typically costs more than assisted living because of the higher staffing and specialized environment. See How to Pay for Care for an overview of Medicare, Medicaid, private pay, long-term care insurance, and veteran benefits.

Listings and facility information should always be independently verified with the facility and with the Texas Health and Human Services long-term care provider search.