Memory Care

We take pride in being among the leaders for dementia care in the Austin, Texas area, offering exceptional care, support, and education for our residents and their families. When you choose memory care at Arbor Terrace Lakeway, 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.

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 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 Lakeway, 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!

Arbor Terrace Lakeway was designed to be reminiscent of home, offering private apartments and independence for our residents. Our Evergreen memory care neighborhood was designed especially for seniors who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. From a peaceful environment to wellness-focused exercise programs, to calming sensory groups, our memory care program is meant to provide support, encouragement, and relationships for each of our residents. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, to ensure your loved one is receiving attentive care that will keep them more than just safe.

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.

Our Evergreen memory care neighborhood is led by a dedicated memory care director who oversees all operations of the neighborhood, as well as the clinical care provided to our residents. All Arbor team members are specially trained in the most current best practices for serving those who are living with dementia and participate in ongoing cognitive care training.

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 Texas.