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Where Does a Dementia Patient Go After Memory Care?
Date Updated: January 3, 2025
Written by:
Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Where a dementia patient goes after memory care really depends on their needs. Some transition to a nursing home, hospital or hospice facility, while others remain in memory care communities until the end of life. As dementia progresses, patients often require increasingly specialized and intensive care.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care facilities provide specialized care, therapies and recreational programming for seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Staff members complete comprehensive training to meet the unique needs of individuals affected by cognitive decline. This includes learning to manage challenging symptoms, such as wandering, sundowning and confusion. Communities feature enhanced accessibility, safety and security measures, such as key-coded entrances, fall-detection technology and grab rails.
Caregivers provide 24/7 supervision and assistance with everyday tasks, such as personal care and eating. Often, communities offer dementia-friendly menus, including finger foods and pureed meals alongside nutritionist oversight. The structured memory care environment provides diverse recreational, wellness and therapeutic activities to promote independence, comfort and well-being. Schedules may include pet therapy, sensory massage and brain-boosting games. Facilities tailor care plans, adjusting services and increasing hands-on support as conditions advance, meaning they support seniors at all stages of memory loss.
Care Settings for Dementia Patients
Dementia care in the United States is provided in various settings, depending on individual needs and circumstances. The options available to dementia patients include:
- Home Care: According to a 2024 report from the Alzheimer’s Association, almost 7 million Americans have dementia. The CDC reports that around 80% of these individuals remain at home, often with support from families and home health care providers.
- Assisted Living Facilities: The National Center for Assisted Living states that 18% of the country’s 30,600 assisted living facilities have dedicated memory care neighborhoods, with 11% serving only people with dementia.
- Nursing Homes: Some nursing homes have specialized dementia care units that cater specifically to the needs of patients with cognitive decline.
End-of-Life Care and Hospice Options for Dementia Patients
Dementia is a progressive and life-limiting condition. Therefore, dementia patients may naturally live out their lives in specialized facilities. However, other causes lead to death. For example, seniors can have chronic or acute medical conditions alongside dementia. Such conditions necessitate inpatient care in a hospital or nursing home. Additionally, those nearing the end of their lives may benefit from hospice care provided within memory care communities, stand-alone hospice facilities or other settings.