What Facility Is Best For Dementia Patients?

Selecting the right care for a loved one with dementia can be a daunting task. With so many options available, from in-home care to specialized memory care facilities, understanding what each offers and how they might align with the unique needs of your loved one is crucial. Our guide dives deep into the myriad of dementia care services available, offering insights to help you navigate this challenging terrain. Whether you’re trying to gauge the costs associated with each option or simply wish to better understand the nuances of dementia care, we’re here to shed light on these important topics. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss the different services and memory care options available for dementia patients and how to tell when to consider moving them into a facility or care home.

What Services Are Available for Dementia Patients?

Thankfully, there are many kinds of services available for dementia patients to help support their needs and keep their quality of life high. These services can range from in-home care to facility care, to name a few.

Some of the most commonly available services for dementia patients include:

• Home care services. Often, family members or hired caregivers will provide in-home assistance to dementia patients with daily tasks, supervision, and companionship. 
• Day care centers. Similar to daycare for children, dementia daycare centers are available to offer structured activities, supervision, and support to dementia patients during the day.
• Memory care programs. Memory care facilities provide programs designed to engage individuals with dementia and stimulate cognitive function.
• Hospice care. For more intensive care, hospice facilities provide specialized attention for individuals with advanced dementia, focusing on comfort and symptom management.

What Facility Is Best for Dementia Patients?

There’s no easy answer to which kind of facility is best for dementia patients. Different types of assisted living have their own benefits, and every family has differing abilities to take on the duties of home care effectively. The best choice or facility for a dementia patient will depend on that individual’s preferences, stage of dementia, and resources, to name a few. 

Is It Better for Someone With Dementia to Be in a Home?

Pros and cons exist for both home care and specialized care for dementia patients. 

Advantages of home care include a familiar environment for the dementia patient and the fact that family members can actively participate in their caregiving. However, dementia patients come with high care demands that can be difficult for family members to take on. Additionally, some individuals experience social isolation if a family doesn’t work hard to ensure they get enough outside interaction.

Facility care patients benefit from a structured environment and routines, as well as that a highly qualified team of trained dementia care professionals is always around to ensure their safety. Challenges include that it usually takes some time for dementia patients to adjust to a new environment and leave behind their familiar home. 

When Should a Dementia Patient Be Put In a Home?

While ultimately a very personal decision, you should consider putting a dementia patient into a home when there is a combination of increased behavioral disturbances, declining mental health or condition, a concern for their safety, and/or caregiver burnout.

What Is the Monthly Cost of Caring for a Patient With Dementia?

Depending on which care option you pursue, the monthly cost of caring for a patient with dementia can vary widely, especially depending on things like location, type of care setting, and the level of services needed. Thankfully, there are options for financial help for dementia patients, such as insurance, Medicaid, and veteran benefits, which can help offset care costs.

Here is a breakdown of the cost associated with caring for someone with dementia: 

• Home care: Generally, hiring in-home caregivers can range from $20 to $30 per hour or more, adding up to several thousand dollars per month.
• Adult day care: Adult day care centers typically charge around $50 to $150 per day.
• Assisted living with memory care: Dementia assisted living costs for communities with memory care units can range from $3,000 to $7,000 or more per month, depending on the facility, location, and level of care provided.
• Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities): Nursing homes with specialized dementia care can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more per month.
• Hospice care: Hospice care, which focuses on end-of-life comfort and support, is typically covered by Medicare and private insurance, though certain services may require out-of-pocket payments.
• Respite care: Respite care costs can vary depending on the provider and location, ranging from a few hundred dollars for a short stay to several thousand dollars for longer periods.
• Medications and medical expenses: Costs for medications, doctor visits, medical supplies, and other healthcare expenses should also be considered when tallying up the costs of caring for someone with dementia, though they’ll obviously vary significantly based on individual needs.

Story Cottage Is Here For Your Loved One with Dementia

Learn more about our radical approach to memory care and why it may be right for your loved one today. With the lowest patient-to-caregiver ratio in the Carmel and Indianapolis regions, you’ll know you can depend on Story Cottage. Call us today to book your complimentary consultation.