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Memory Care vs. Nursing Homes: Key Differences

Memory care is specialized for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, focusing on safety and cognitive support, while nursing homes provide 24/7 medical care for those with serious physical health needs.

They both offer housing, meals, help with daily tasks, and 24-hour supervision.

But the type of support, staff training, and environment can be very different depending on whether your loved one is dealing with cognitive decline or complex medical issues.

Many families feel overwhelmed and unsure about what kind of care their loved one truly needs. Memory care and nursing homes can seem similar at first glance. 

The question now: is memory care the right fit, or does their condition call for the medical support of a nursing home?

Let’s walk through what these facilities offer, how they differ, and how Arizona families can make the best decision for a loved one.

The Key Differences Between Memory Care and Nursing Homes

The biggest difference between memory care and nursing homes lies in what each type of facility is designed to address.

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living created for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, or serious cognitive decline. These facilities are equipped to provide structure, safety, and staff trained to handle the unique behavioral and emotional challenges that come with memory loss.

Memory care units are typically locked or secured to protect residents with dementia from wandering, or getting lost.

The environment is intentionally designed to reduce confusion and anxiety, offering routines, secure spaces, and activities that support brain function and emotional well-being.

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, focus on providing continuous medical care for individuals with serious physical health conditions. These may include recovery after surgery, chronic illnesses like heart failure or diabetes, or disabilities that limit mobility and independence. Nursing homes are staffed with licensed nurses and often include rehabilitation services such as physical or occupational therapy.

While both settings offer 24/7 supervision, meals, personal care, and assistance with daily tasks, the type of care provided and the training of the staff differs greatly depending on the resident’s needs. Understanding these differences is essential for placing your loved one in an environment where they’ll be safe, supported, and treated with dignity.

What are Memory Care Facilities?

Memory care is a form of assisted living that caters specifically to individuals with cognitive decline, including:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Vascular dementia
  • Lewy body dementia
  • Parkinson’s-related dementia

These facilities offer more than basic help with bathing or dressing. Staff are trained in techniques to de-escalate anxiety, prevent wandering, and respond to behavioral changes common in dementia.

Features of Memory Care

Features of Memory Care
Secured environments to prevent wandering
Enclosed outdoor spaces
Cognitive-focused activities and therapies
Lower staff-to-resident ratios
Staff trained in dementia care

Memory care facilities are designed with structure and predictability in mind. Familiar routines, soft lighting, and visual cues can reduce confusion and agitation.

What are Nursing Homes?

Nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), provide 24-hour medical care. These are appropriate for individuals who:

  • Need ongoing medical monitoring
  • Are recovering from surgery, stroke, or injury
  • Have chronic illnesses that require skilled nursing
  • May be nearing end-of-life care

While some nursing homes have secure units for memory care, most are not designed specifically for residents with dementia.

Features of Nursing Homes
On-site registered nurses (RNs) and physicians
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Medication management
Assistance with all activities of daily living
Some palliative or hospice care options

Memory Care Services VS Nursing Home Services

While memory care and nursing homes may appear similar in structure, the specific services they offer are tailored to meet very different needs. Understanding what each facility typically provides can help you choose the environment that best supports your loved one’s condition.

Memory Care Services vs Nursing Home Services

Who Needs Memory Care vs. Who Needs a Nursing Home?

The best way to decide is by speaking with your loved one’s doctor. 

The right type of care depends on your loved one’s overall condition, both mentally and physically. 

If they’re showing signs of memory loss, confusion, or behavioral changes, memory care may offer the structured, secure environment they need. But if their health challenges are more medical than cognitive, a nursing home may be more appropriate.

Health care providers can assess their needs and help you understand which setting will provide the safest and most supportive care.

In Arizona, nursing home admissions require a physician’s order, since they involve skilled medical services. Memory care communities, by contrast, typically do not require a doctor’s referral, though a full evaluation is usually done before admission to make sure the facility can meet the resident’s needs.

Arizona-Specific Considerations

Arizona regulates both types of facilities through the Department of Health Services and the Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers.

In Arizona:

  • Memory care units must be licensed as assisted living centers with a Directed Care level of service.
  • Nursing homes must be licensed as skilled nursing facilities, meeting more stringent medical staffing requirements.

If you’re comparing options, check the facility’s compliance history on the Arizona Department of Health Services inspection portal.

Cost of Care in Arizona

Cost is one of the biggest factors families face when deciding between memory care and a nursing home. In Arizona, both options come with significant monthly expenses, and coverage varies depending on your loved one’s needs, income, and insurance.

According to data from World Population Review and A Place for Mom, Arizona’s care costs tend to fall near the national average, with memory care generally being more affordable than full-time nursing home care.

Memory care vs Nursing Home Key Differrence

What Insurance Covers

  • Memory Care is usually private pay. Traditional Medicare does not cover memory care. Some coverage may be available through long-term care insurance or AHCCCS (Arizona’s Medicaid program) if your loved one qualifies for the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS).
  • Nursing Homes are more likely to be partially covered by Medicare, but only for short-term rehabilitation following a qualifying hospital stay. For ongoing care, families often turn to AHCCCS and apply for ALTCS, which can help cover nursing home expenses for eligible individuals.
Medical care vs Nursing Home

How to Get Help

If you’re overwhelmed by the financial side, you’re not alone. Arizona’s Area Agencies on Aging can help connect you with social workers and benefits counselors who understand the local systems. You can also contact the Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free guidance on navigating Medicare or Medicaid.

Tip: If your loved one is applying for ALTCS, start the process early. It can take several weeks or even months to qualify and receive coverage.

How Miller Kory Rowe Can Help

When a loved one is hurt in a memory care facility or nursing home, it’s hard to know where to turn. At Miller Kory Rowe, we help Arizona families uncover the truth and hold negligent facilities accountable.

Our team understands the standards these care homes must meet and what it means when they don’t. We work with medical experts, review records, and build strong legal cases to pursue justice.

If you’re worried about how your loved one was treated, we’re here to help. Contact us for a free, private consultation.

FAQs

Q: Can a nursing home provide memory care in Arizona?
Some nursing homes offer secured dementia units, but not all do. Ask about the level of dementia training, daily structure, and security measures in place.

Q: What are signs my loved one needs memory care?
Look for frequent disorientation, wandering, changes in personality, or anxiety. Safety risks at home are a major red flag.

Q: How do I verify a facility’s history in Arizona?
Use the AZDHS Provider Search to view citations, inspections, and complaints.

Q: Is memory care covered by insurance or Medicaid?
Medicaid in Arizona (AHCCCS) may help with some costs, especially under long-term care programs like ALTCS, but memory care is often paid privately.

Q: What if the facility refuses to release medical records?
That’s a violation of both state and federal law. An attorney can compel access through legal channels.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit for neglect in Arizona?
You generally have two years from the date of injury or discovery of the injury. Don’t wait, evidence can disappear fast.