Dementia Care in Willistown

We take pride in being among the leaders in the West Chester area for dementia care, support, and education. When you choose dementia care at Arbor Terrace Willistown, you’re choosing a community designed to promote a peaceful, productive, and safe environment, supported by a team that is trained in the most current best practices for serving those who are living with dementia.

There is no difference between memory and dementia care—in fact, the terms are often used interchangeably. At Arbor Terrace Willistown, dementia care residents live in our Evergreen Memory Care Neighborhood, a peaceful environment designed specifically for those living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia and you’re seeing signs that they’re struggling with daily functioning, need support most of the time, or seem afraid and lonely living at home, it may be time to consider memory care. Seniors with memory issues are at an increased risk for wandering, physical risk-taking that can lead to falls, and other unsafe behaviors.

Memory care facilities and programs are specially designed for seniors living with memory loss or other age-related cognitive impairment, and provide  a calm and dignified environment that promotes independence and choice while reducing safety risks and distress. Here are five challenges of living with dementia that can prompt a move to a memory care community.

Both memory care and personal care or assisted living facilities offer supportive care to people with a range of health issues, including cognitive impairments. But with memory care, the entire community is structured around the unique needs of people with dementia. This means that memory care tends to be much more comprehensive, and residents’ days are spent with people highly experienced at managing dementia. Memory care offers dementia-friendly activities and staff trained in the psychological and physical effects of cognitive impairments. To understand the key differences, you may find this post from The Arbor Company blog helpful.

If you have questions about these different types of senior living at Arbor Terrace Willistown, or would like help determining which might be the best fit for you or your loved one, please contact us. We’re happy to answer your questions!

Nursing homes and memory care facilities both offer dementia and Alzheimer’s care, round the clock staff, and supervision to keep residents safe. Memory care communities offer specialized staff members who are trained in issues with dementia care, and offer a structured day of activities that help to prevent behaviors associated with anxiety and depression. Meals are prepared to preserve dignity and independence, and environmental features are designed to keep residents safe and secure. 

By contrast, a nursing home (also known as a skilled nursing facility) offers more comprehensive support to those who have extensive medical needs in more of a clinical environment. They provide the highest level of care possible outside of a hospital, delivering 24-hour care to seniors who have complex medical conditions and need hands-on assistance and monitoring. Skilled nursing facilities are the best choice for those who need assistance with tasks that go beyond the activities of daily living.

There are numerous resources available to help pay for dementia or Alzheimer’s care. These include Medicare and Medicaid, employee benefits, long-term care insurance, and personal assets and savings. Veterans with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia may also be eligible for certain benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our webinar, Understanding the VA Benefit for Senior Living, examines this benefit in further detail.

Every situation is different and it’s important to review any programs for which your loved one is eligible before they need to move. If you’d like assistance understanding your options, contact us—we’re happy to help!

Medicare covers some, but not all, costs of care in a memory care facility. It does not cover long-term memory care, but Medicare will cover certain medical costs including inpatient stays, home health care, diagnostic testing and medications.

If your loved one is in a memory care residence due to Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, their care may be tax deductible. As a “long-term care service,” some or all of the expenses of dementia care do qualify for a medical expense tax deduction. We suggest consulting a tax advisor with questions regarding your specific situation and what may or may not be deductible in Pennsylvania.