When to move to memory care

Signs and situations to look for

Find a list of memory care communities

A loved one's dementia creates a wealth of stress for families. As you negotiate stages in the progress of the disease, one of the many questions families face is when to move into a memory care community. Across provinces, there can be wait times for proper government-provided care for dementia sufferers. Private memory care serves as a helpful bridge for families.

Interim care may come in other forms, of course. Home care providers can provide dementia care at home, but there comes a point when home care is no longer the proper solution. Assisted living care can also be helpful to families, giving them the reassurance that a loved one is being watched over, 24/7.

Memory care communities provide the best environment for people in the middle to later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. Here, they are in community with others having the same condition. People who have difficulties elsewhere improve immensely in memory care. In a quieter, more manageable environment tailored to their needs, dementia sufferers feel more at ease. Read more about the advantages offered by memory care environments.

Here’s our look at situations and conditions under which you should move into memory care:

1. You know how long you'll be paying for memory care

You’ve calculated your budget, understand your estimated wait time for long-term care, and know how long you will require memory care. In other words, you are at a point where you are sure you can afford it. Part of this is understanding wait times for government-funded long-term care. Here's a province-by-province look at understanding wait times:

Seniors’ Advocate in BC regularly publishes reports monitoring the availability of services and long term care.
Alberta Health Services case managers will have information about wait times for long term care. You can also consult the local Community Care Access Centre for your region, within Alberta.
In Ontario, you can get a detailed look at wait times for long-term care for specific long-term care communities near you. A case manager from you LHIN will be able to provide more details.

2. Wandering has become dangerous

Family members or other care providers can only provide a limited level of monitoring. Any wandering episode should be cause for concern and for many families, this will be when you take care to another level. Some technologies can help monitor your loved one. But if you have exhausted all options, the best place for your loved one is a secure memory care environment.

3. You're at risk of caregiver burnout

As a caregiver, you can apply for a respite care stay to help you manage stress. Many families also supplement their personal caregiving by hiring home care service but this has limits, also (see next). In a professional memory care environment, personal support workers and other nursing staff onsite are trained in the Gentle Persuasive Approach and many professional care techniques focused on the safety and security of your loved one. Pushing yourself to the limit is not helpful for anyone.

4. Home care costs are higher than you would pay for full time memory care

If you are supplementing family caregiving with home care, there comes a time when your loved one most definitely requires round-the-clock care. If you are paying more per day for home care than you would pay in a memory care community, it’s time to consider the move.

5. The living situation is otherwise no longer tenable

If your loved one’s home presents hazards that endanger his or her security, this is one example of a situation where you need to step up in finding better care. Certainly you can make renovations or other changes to deal with bathroom design, fall hazards and other issues. But again, there may come a time when it makes most sense to move forward.

Before you reach any of the situations above, we hope you have investigated memory care options near you, understand the costs, the care you will get, and the value of the environment created.

List of memory care communities

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When to move to memory care

Signs and situations to look for

1. You know how long you'll be paying for memory care

2. Wandering has become dangerous

3. You're at risk of caregiver burnout

4. Home care costs are higher than you would pay for full time memory care

5. The living situation is otherwise no longer tenable

List of memory care communities

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