If a parent or someone else in your life has been recently diagnosed with dementia, you might be wondering if there are communities where people with dementia can live. There are numerous senior apartments for dementia in Round Rock, Texas, as well as other long-term care options.

Related: Relocating a Person with Dementia: Choosing a Memory Care Facility From Another State

Senior Apartments for Dementia in Round Rock, TX

There are several different types of senior living communities. Some are more specialized than others, focusing on caring for a specific group of seniors.

Independent Senior Living vs. Assisted Living

Some communities are general senior living communities. These types of communities, sometimes called retirement communities, are designed for older adults who are still able to care for themselves, but want to make the move to senior living for personal reasons. They may want to meet new people their age, reduce their monthly living expenses, or avoid the inconveniences of home maintenance later in life.

Assisted living, on the other hand, is senior living plus some extra assistance. It is long-term care that “allows seniors to be independent while providing help with daily tasks. It often provides a small apartment, housekeeping, one to three community meals a day and activities.”

Assisted living is intended for seniors or people with disabilities who need a little extra help with their ADLs – activities of daily living – like bathing, grooming, dressing, or eating. While they do need daily assistance, many people who live in assisted living can still get around pretty well and don’t have any cognitive issues. 

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living, designed for people with dementia. Memory care facilities are “secured facilities that cater to the needs of people with some form of dementia.” These types of communities typically have smaller and more open and inviting spaces. 

Everyone who works in a memory care facility is trained in caring for and supporting individuals with dementia. They are taught how to ease residents’ fear and anxiety, and instead facilitate feelings of calm and security. They know how to use daily activities to help strengthen residents’ cognitive skills and what precautions to take to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Some assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities have a separate wing for their memory care residents, but residents receive the best possible care when the entire community is dedicated to memory care.

Is Memory Care (Care for Seniors with Dementia) More Expensive Than Assisted Living in Round Rock, TX?

The costs of senior care really depends on the unique situation and needs of the individual – such as level of care needed and the type of living environment, including, and not limited to, the size and type of the home setting, location of the home, staff training, and the overall focus of the community. 

However, you can generally expect memory care to cost a little more than standard assisted living. There are several reasons why. The property is usually designed intentionally, to reduce confusion and agitation and encourage feelings of calm and contentment and, of course, to keep residents in designated areas of supervised safety. As mentioned before, the staff are also specially trained to work with people with dementia.

Is Memory Care Right for My Loved One?

If your loved one has only recently been diagnosed with dementia, you don’t need to rush the move to memory care. Most people in the early stages of dementia experience some memory loss and confusion, but nothing that puts them in any real danger. However, it’s important that you, your other family members, and your loved one’s doctor monitor the situation. Dementia can sometimes progress quickly and can put the individual in danger if not addressed in a timely manner.

If your loved one is showing any signs of severe cognitive decline, you should get them under the care of someone immediately, whether it’s a family member, hired caregiver or a memory care community. 

Here are a few signs of dementia to look for:

• They get lost when driving or walking to places they frequently visit
• You notice unpaid bills piling up in their home
• You notice excessively bad conditions in the home, as if they’ve stopped cleaning
• They remember details from things that happened long ago, but have trouble remembering tasks or appointments in the present
• They may struggle with communication – they may have trouble remembering or describing fine details or may not be able to think of the word they’re looking for
• They may repeat things to you
• They may be suddenly confused about where they are or what time or day it is
• They may experience sudden mood changes

How Can I Help My Loved One Prepare for the Move Into Memory Care?

It will probably take your loved one a little time to adjust to memory care, but there are a few things you can do to help, the most important one being preparing them ahead of time. You can start by telling them about the intended move – just not too far in advance. Give them enough time to adjust emotionally to the transition, but not so much time that they have several weeks for their anxiety to grow.

Senior Apartments for Dementia in Round Rock, TX – Sundara Senior Living

While we don’t offer private apartments at Sundara (having their own kitchen would be very dangerous for someone with dementia!), we do offer private and semi-private rooms, as well as the best care around.

We’ve intentionally designed a smaller, more intimate and more homelike community that decreases agitation and confusion and encourages feelings of security and calm. Our team members take the time to get to know our residents because, when we learn their stories and personalities, their preferences and favorite things, we can truly welcome them in as part of the Sundara Family.

At Sundara, memory care is all we do…and we’re really good at it. 

Even if you know it’s the right time to transition your loved one into memory care, it can be a difficult time for the entire family. It’s a very complex and emotional decision. 

If you have questions about memory care, dementia, or Sundara Senior Living, or want to talk to someone about options for your loved one’s care, schedule a tour today to see our community and to meet with an owner.