Memory Care vs. Assisted Living: What's the Difference?

Assisted living typically helps seniors with activities of daily living, socialization, medication management, and housekeeping while offering opportunities for independence. Memory care tailors activities and medical and behavioral support to seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

Costs for both types of care facility vary based on amenities, location, and reputation. Understanding the differences between these options can help you find the right services for yourself and/or your loved one.

Seniors have many long-term care options if independent living becomes no longer feasible, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care communities. Families often choose assisted living or memory care when their loved one begins to require daily help or can no longer safely live independently. 

But there's a key difference between memory care vs. assisted living: Memory care facilities offer specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia. Explore the information in this guide to understand which type of care might work best for your loved one.

 

Seniors with dementia can live in assisted living or memory care facilities, especially in the early stages of dementia. For mostly independent seniors, it might be time for assisted living if they need support with daily tasks or can't live alone safely. Memory care typically provides the best option for seniors experiencing advanced memory loss, confusion, or wandering.

Compare these two care types, including differences in security, staffing, and the cost of memory care vs. assisted living.

Assisted living and memory care facilities support residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) like grooming, dressing, bathing, and eating. In assisted living, many residents can independently manage aspects of their routines. Still, they may need help with housekeeping, medication reminders, or transportation. Some assisted living communities have tiered levels of care that adjust as a resident's needs change. 

Memory care facilities often house seniors in the mid-to-late stages of dementia who need more hands-on care. In addition to assistance with ADLs, these communities feature skilled nursing services with experienced staff to help manage agitation and mood changes. It's also common to have medical services, like physical and occupational therapy, and around-the-clock aide availability through memory care.

Still, services can vary among communities. Some assisted living facilities have dedicated and secure memory care units, along with on-site nursing services. However, unless memory care is available on site, assisted living may not include dementia-specific support, like routine management, dementia-friendly dining and programming, and memory aids, that seniors with cognitive decline need.

Memory care generally costs more than assisted living. According to an analysis from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, assisted living costs an average of $6,017/month or $72,204/year. Memory care costs $7,899/month or $94,788/year, on average. 

Memory care facilities generally offer more specialized services compared to assisted living facilities. These facilities often require additional staff and supervision, which can result in higher costs.

Both facility types typically have safety and security measures in place for their residents. Emergency response systems, secured entrances and exits, smoke detectors and fire alarms, secured cords, safety grab bars in bathrooms, and surveillance systems commonly appear here. 

Memory care facilities often have stronger safety features for seniors with dementia who wander or become confused. For example, many communities have door alarms that alert staff if residents try to open them. Memory care facilities may also use directional signs to help residents navigate and prevent them from becoming lost.

Fire drills and evacuation plans can differ between assisted living and memory care, too. Assisted living residents are often more independent than individuals in memory care, so drills may include group instructions and self-directed evacuation exercises. Memory care units often have simple layouts and calm, easy-to-follow drills to prevent confusion and stress during emergencies. 

Engagement and socialization are important parts of assisted living and memory care communities. Both types of facilities enable residents to pursue their passions, discover new interests, and connect with others.

Assisted living activities may include group outings, fitness classes, gardening, book clubs, arts and crafts, and other activities tailored to resident mobility and preferences. Memory care programs tend to be more repetitive and structured in their activities, such as music therapy and memory games designed for people with dementia. 

Residents with early-stage dementia may participate in social group activities similar to experiences in assisted living. Individuals in the later stages of dementia may benefit from more one-on-one activities tailored to their specific needs, which may include assistance from an aide or caregiver.

While our assisted living statistics reveal there are fewer memory care units (255,100) in the U.S. than assisted living units (743,500), memory care often requires more staffing. Staff ratios vary among locations and facilities, but you can generally expect more staff per resident in memory care vs. assisted living for extra supervision and support. 

 As for training, assisted living and memory care staff often need the same baseline skills, including:

 

• CPR and first aid training 
• Basic caregiving
• Medication administration (for those allowed to do so)
• Infection control and hygiene protocols
• HIPAA compliance
• Understanding resident privacy and autonomy
• Supporting residents with ADLs
• Basic Alzheimer's and dementia training

 

Memory care staff usually receive specialized training in Alzheimer's and dementia support to appropriately respond to confusion, agitation, wandering, and other symptoms. 

They may also learn communication skills, redirection techniques, and safety and risk management. Creating a calm and structured environment is another must-have skill for memory care staff.

Assisted living is a home-like residential option that combines independence and supportive services. Residents usually live in private or semi-private apartments. 

While they don't need full-time medical care, residents can have peace of mind with built-in safety features, staff availability, and scheduled community activities. Assisted living facilities may also offer meals, transportation, basic housekeeping, and laundry services.

Seniors may move to assisted living when they're no longer completely independent. Assisted living is often best suited for seniors who require assistance with managing medications, cooking, and cleaning but do not need constant medical care or supervision. Seniors who want to stay socially engaged may also enjoy assisted living's communal activities.

Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Memory care facilities aim to foster predictable, low-stress environments to lower agitation and confusion. Staff members assist residents with activities that support their emotional well-being and cognitive function, like reminiscence therapy. Residents can also get collaborative care through medical and rehabilitation teams to manage changing health needs.

Memory care is ideal for seniors with dementia who need more support than standard senior living offers. It may be the best choice when disease progression affects your loved one's memory and safety. Families also choose memory care when they feel as if they can no longer provide their loved one with the medical care or supervision they need at home.

There may be a time when you'll need to choose between assisted living or memory care versus home care for your loved one, especially if they need more support than family can give. Assisted living balances independence with support for daily tasks. Memory care can offer a secure, structured environment for people with dementia. Let your loved one's personal preferences and medical and behavioral needs guide you toward the best community.

Need help with financial planning, talking to your loved one about assisted living, or choosing an assisted living facility? Explore our assisted living resources. Or, check out our memory care resources to learn more about dementia, levels of care, and what to expect from a memory care facility.

• Assisted living fact sheet: Staff training requirements. (n.d.). Long Term Care Community Coalition
• Catanese, Lisa. (2024). Memory care: A senior living option for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Harvard Health Publishing
• Common safety protocols in memory care units. (n.d.). Heisinger Bluffs Senior Living Community
• Davidson, Alexa. (n.d.). CNA patient ratio laws by state. IntelyCare
• How do memory care communities prioritize the safety of residents? (2024). Cedarhurst Senior Living
• Long-term care facilities: Assisted living, nursing homes, and other residential care. (2023). National Institute on Aging
• Programming and activities in memory care facilities: Fostering engagement and connection. (n.d.). PACE Rhode Island
• Safety drills in assisted living communities. (2025). The McKendree
• Safety measures in dementia care homes give peace of mind to residents' families. (2023). Ecumenical Retirement Community
• What is memory care? How family members can find peace of mind. (n.d.). Cambridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
• What to know about memory care requirements for staff. (n.d.). National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
• Zahraoui, Omar. (2024). Initial growth rate and discount strategies in senior housing. National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care