When your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, finding the right type of memory care support is a top priority. However, what’s the cost of memory care, and how do you find the right type of care? Terra Vista’s expert team is here to walk you through it, step by step.
Navigating the cost of memory care can seem overwhelming at first. How much will memory care support cost every month? What is included in your loved one’s care plan? It’s easy to feel unprepared and uncertain when navigating this phase of your loved one’s life, but with the right information you can make an informed and confident decision about what will come next.
Our experienced team breaks down the typical costs of memory care, as well as what’s included and what to expect when you start your search for the right Alzheimer’s caregivers.
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What Is Included in the Cost of Memory Care?
Most memory care communities charge a monthly fee, and what’s included in the fee can vary among them. It’s important to get a full breakdown of the cost of memory care and what it includes, but most monthly memory care fees usually include:
- Around the clock care. Your loved one will have 24/7 access to skilled staff and help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, medication management, and mobility support. All of the assistance will further be tailored to accommodate memory loss.
- A secure and dementia-friendly living environment. Memory care communities are typically designed with safety in mind. They offer elements like secure entrances and exits, memory-enhancing cues throughout the community, and calming layouts designed to help residents feel peaceful and at home. At Terra Vista, for example, we offer a special Innerwalk™ courtyard where our memory care residents can safely explore and connect with nature. It includes wayfinding cues, wide pathways, unblocked views, assistive lighting, and a peaceful fountain and butterfly garden.
- Daily meals and nutritional guidance. The cost of memory care typically includes daily meals and snacks that are designed to accommodate any dietary needs or restrictions. Further, dining supervision is usually included to ensure safety.
- Housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services. Many memory care communities offer weekly or biweekly housekeeping to ensure a clean, safe living space. You’ll also find personal laundry services available, as well as home maintenance services.
- Life enrichment and social engagement. Memory care communities like Terra Vista include special enrichment programs that are designed to support memory as well as encourage social interaction and connection. Further, all enrichment activities are designed to reduce confusion or agitation among our residents. You’ll find programs like choir, a garden club, music and art therapy, yoga, and sensory-based programming, just to name a few.
What May Not Be Included in the Cost of Memory Care?
While many essential services and elements are included, some may cost extra. Remember that the cost of memory care and what it includes varies among communities, so it’s important to ask for a full breakdown. Services that may come at an additional fee include:
- Personal care supplies. Personal hygiene items such as adult briefs, cleansing wipes, creams, and other personal care supplies may be charged separately. Be sure to ask what personal items are included with your senior loved one’s care.
- Transportation Services. Scheduled outings or appointments off-site could involve an added cost, depending on the destination and distance of the appointment.
- Cable, phone, and internet services. While some memory care communities may include these amenities, some may not. If your senior loved one has need of them then be sure to ask if they’re included and if not, how they can be set up and paid for.
- On-site medical visits. Be sure to ask if on-site medical visits are available and if they’re included in the cost of memory care – they allow your loved one to stay in a safe, familiar setting while receiving their medical care. At Terra Vista we can arrange for on-site physicians, dentists, lab techs, optometrists, psychologists, and more to ensure our senior residents get the care they need.
- Furniture and décor. While many memory care apartments come furnished, your loved one may want more furniture or their own decor. Be sure to ask what’s included in the cost of memory care when it comes to your loved one’s living space.
Tips for Figuring Out the Cost of Memory Care
Understanding memory care costs can seem daunting before you even get started, but it’s critical to have a basic knowledge of them to ensure you’re prepared for the future. Here are some tips from our expert team at Terra Vista:
- Ask for a detailed pricing sheet that lists everything included.
- Ask about care level assessments and how often they’re updated to ensure your loved one is getting exactly what they need.
- Ask what will happen – and how costs will change – if your senior loved one’s needs increase as time goes on.
- Get a clear explanation of the community’s pricing and payment policies and a thorough understanding of how payments are made.
Let Terra Vista Help You Navigate the Cost of Memory Care
Feeling uncertain about the cost of memory care and how to navigate it? We can help. Download our affordability guide to learn everything you need to know about the costs of memory care and how to pay for them.
Let our skilled team of advisors walk you through our costs, answer your questions, and find the perfect personalized care plan for your senior loved one. You can call us to chat with one of our experts, or schedule an in-person tour with us today!
