Understanding Dementia & Alzheimer's
Learn about different types of dementia, early warning signs, disease progression, and how Alzheimer's affects daily life and cognitive function.
Find Memory Care Services Near You
Connect with trusted memory care providers in your area through our comprehensive facility directory and specialized dementia care matching.
Your Memory Care Match, Made Right
Licensed specialists • Dementia expertise • Trusted memory care you can rely on
Memory Care Resources
Whether you need answers about dementia home care compared to memory care facilities, or a deep dive on Alzheimer's, our memory care guides can help you and your loved one determine the next steps.
Memory Care vs Home Care
Compare the benefits of specialized memory care facilities versus dementia home care, including safety considerations, specialized programming, and family support.
Memory Care Facility Selection
Essential factors for choosing the right memory care community including specialized staff training, security features, therapeutic programs, and environmental design.
Memory Care Costs & Financing
Understanding memory care pricing, insurance coverage options, Medicaid programs, VA benefits, and financial planning strategies for long-term dementia care.
Family Caregiving Support
Resources for family caregivers including respite care options, support groups, communication strategies, and managing caregiver stress and burnout.
Transitioning to Memory Care
Step-by-step guidance for making the transition including timing decisions, preparing your loved one, coordinating care, and helping them adjust to memory care.
Memory Care Quick Guide
Early Signs
Memory loss beyond normal aging, confusion with time/place, difficulty with familiar tasks, and changes in mood or personality.
Average Costs
Memory care averages $6,000-$8,500/month nationally, with costs varying significantly by location and level of care needed.
When to Consider
Safety concerns, wandering behavior, caregiver burnout, or when specialized dementia care becomes necessary for quality of life.
Care Approaches
Person-centered care, cognitive stimulation therapy, reminiscence therapy, and structured daily routines designed for dementia care.
How to Choose Memory Care
Selecting the right memory care facility requires careful evaluation of your loved one's needs, understanding different care levels, and researching facilities that provide specialized dementia support in safe, compassionate environments.
Assessing Your Loved One's Needs
Start with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the appropriate level of memory care required.
- Independence level and daily task capabilities
- Safety concerns and wandering behaviors
- Cognitive support requirements
- Medical complexity and medication needs
Understanding Memory Care Levels
Memory care facilities accommodate residents across all seven stages of dementia with varying support levels.
- Early stage: Independence support and cognitive stimulation
- Moderate: Regular monitoring and increased assistance
- Advanced: 24/7 care with comprehensive daily support
Research and Selection Process
Thorough research ensures you find a facility that meets your loved one's specific needs and preferences.
- Location considerations and accessibility
- Staff training and certification requirements
- Security measures and safety protocols
- Therapeutic amenities and programming
Facility Visit Checklist
In-person visits allow you to observe staff interactions, environment quality, and overall facility atmosphere.
- Staff-resident engagement and patience
- Physical environment and safety features
- Activity programming and therapeutic offerings
- Home-like atmosphere and comfort level
Advanced Care Technologies
Modern memory care facilities utilize innovative technologies to enhance safety, communication, and quality of life.
- Wanderguard monitoring devices
- Automated medication dispensing
- Virtual reality therapy programs
- Digital assistants for cognitive support
Making the Transition
Proper preparation and gradual introduction can help ease the transition to memory care for both residents and families.
- Multiple facility visits before moving
- Involving your loved one in decisions
- Bringing familiar personal belongings
- Communicating preferences to staff
Memory Care Payment Options
$5,100 - $8,000 monthly
Compare funding options to find the best financial strategy for your family's memory care needs.
7M
Americans with Alzheimer's
93%
Use private funding
2-5
Sources typically combined
Private Pay
Most Flexible
Usage Rate
93%
Access Time
Immediate
Flexibility
High
Fund care through personal savings, retirement accounts, and family contributions. Offers maximum choice and immediate access.
- No waiting periods or approval processes
- Complete facility choice freedom
- No government restrictions
Home Equity
Largest Asset
Asset Type
Property
Liquidity
Variable
Tax Impact
Consider
Convert your home's value into care funding through sale, rental, or reverse mortgage options.
- Typically the largest senior asset
- Multiple conversion options available
- Can provide substantial funding
Insurance Benefits
Early Planning
Coverage
Significant
Requirement
Pre-purchase
Timeline
Before symptoms
Long-term care insurance and life insurance benefits provide substantial coverage when planned in advance.
- Can cover majority of care costs
- Protects family assets and savings
- Predictable monthly benefits
Government Programs
Strict Rules
Eligibility
Limited
Wait Time
6+ months
Coverage
Varies
Medicaid and Medicare programs offer limited coverage with strict income and asset requirements.
- 100% coverage when eligible
- No out-of-pocket costs
- Includes medical services
Veterans Benefits
$2,358/month
Max Benefit
$2,358
Tax Status
Tax-free
Process Time
6-18 months
Aid & Attendance and VA programs provide tax-free monthly benefits for qualifying veterans and spouses.
- Substantial monthly tax-free benefit
- Additional income source
- Covers wartime veterans
Private Pay Options
Personal assets provide maximum flexibility and immediate access
Primary Funding Sources
- Personal savings and high-yield savings accounts
- 401(k), IRA, and pension distributions
- Investment portfolios, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
- Personal property and valuables such as jewelry, artwork
Private pay offers maximum flexibility in facility choice, no waiting periods, and complete control over care decisions without government restrictions.
Family Coordination Strategies
- Multiple family members contribute to monthly costs
- Asset pooling to combine family resources effectively
- Early inheritance or trust distributions
Home Equity Solutions
Convert your home's value into care funding
Available Options
- Complete home sale for immediate lump sum
- Rental property income generation
- Reverse mortgage for homeowners 62+
- Home equity loans and lines of credit
For most seniors, their home represents their largest single asset. Converting this equity into care funding can provide substantial financial resources.
Insurance Coverage
Coverage through advance planning
Long-Term Care Insurance
- Must be purchased before diagnosis or symptoms appear
- Provides daily or monthly benefit amounts for care costs
- Benefit periods typically range from 2-5 years
Long-term care insurance is specifically designed to cover memory care costs but cannot be obtained after a dementia diagnosis.
Government Programs
Federal and state assistance options
Medicaid Coverage
- Income limits typically below $2,742 monthly
- Asset limits usually under $2,000 individual
- 100% coverage in certified nursing facilities
Medicaid programs vary significantly by state with different eligibility requirements and available services.
Veterans Benefits
VA programs for qualifying veterans
Aid and Attendance Benefits
- Single veteran: Up to $2,358 monthly (tax-free)
- Married veteran: Up to $2,808 monthly (tax-free)
- Surviving spouse: Up to $1,538 monthly (tax-free)
Veterans must have served during wartime and need assistance with daily activities. Applications take 6-18 months to process.
Find Memory Care Services Near You
Connect with trusted memory care providers in your area through our comprehensive facility directory and specialized dementia care matching.
Your Memory Care Match, Made Right
Licensed specialists • Dementia expertise • Trusted memory care you can rely on