Spectrum Retirement Communities Compares Care Levels of Memory Care Communities and Skilled Nursing

MEMORY CARE

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SKILLED NURSING

Understanding the Differences Is your spouse or loved one beginning to experience memory loss?

When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it’s important to understand the care options available. Choosing the right environment is vital to ensuring your loved one gets the unique care they need.

We designed this to explain the difference between two care options: Memory Care Communities and Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Both offer similar benefits, but also have very distinct differences.

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Spectrum Retirement Memory Care communities specialize in Alzheimer’s and dementia care to ensure your loved one gets the best services, including 24-hour staffing, for their needs.

Provides a wide range of medical care and rehab services with 24-hour medically supervised care.

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The goal of a Memory Care community is to provide a safe, caring, anxietyreducing home for seniors progressing through the stages of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Often referred to as post-acute care, the goal of a skilled nursing facility is to offer medical rehabilitative assistance while a senior recovers after a hospital stay.

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Spectrum Retirement Memory Care communities are designed to accommodate to the individual needs of our residents. With supportive care, residents engage in Montessori-style programming so they can engage with the community around them.

Designed to provide rehabilitation, helping patients regain strength, health, and mobility.

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Designed as a residential neighborhood.

Designed as a medical facility.

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The staff members at Spectrum Retirement Memory Care communities are specially trained to care for the unique needs of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The staff at a skilled nursing facility consists of registered nurses and other medical professionals such as occupational therapists, speech and physical therapists, and medical doctors.

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Provides assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, toileting, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, and escorting, plus medication monitoring and dispensing. Meal preparation includes three meals a day.

For seniors requiring medical treatment and therapy services in a skilled care setting, including wound care, G-tube feeding, and sliding scale insulin management. Also offers help with ADLs.

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Spectrum Retirement residents live in individual apartments.

They are encouraged to bring furniture, decorations, and other personal items to make the space their home.

Living in semi-private, shared rooms, seniors typically do not have space for items such as furniture and other personal effects.

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Activities, excursions, and social interactions are personalized to address the unique needs of each Memory Care resident. Specific attention is given to careful scheduling to create comfortable and calming daily routines.

Offers group activities that help stimulate patients mentally, physically, and socially.

These facilities do not typically offer activities specifically tailored for dementia and memory loss patients.

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Spectrum Retirement Memory Care communities have built-in safety measures such as coded doors and secure outdoor areas, but they maintain a home-like feel with features that maximize resident independence.

Security measures are coordinated by facility administrators, security directors, and/or security personnel. Electronic patient monitoring systems are highly recommended, but not required at skilled nursing facilities.

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Typically paid for out-of-pocket.

Medicare will pay for a stay lasting less than 21 days. Medicaid may pay for longer stays if the patient has spent down their assets and can prove limited income.

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“I cannot say enough great things about Lone Mountain Memory Care, the facility, the management, the caregivers and nurses, food and beverage staff, activities and all the staff. They treated my dad with compassion and understanding.” – Karen C. “After visiting many assisted living facilities in town, we discovered Palmilla Senior Living for my grandma with dementia. The entire time she was there, she was always happy … The gang at Palmilla made my grandma’s time there enjoyable and exciting, and it was a great experience for our entire family. – Ivy M. “My father-in-law moved to HighPointe [Assisted Living & Memory Care] about 3 years ago. Before he moved there, he had basically given up, he just wanted to die. Once he moved there and got settled, he THRIVED!!!” – Cassandra G.

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