FAQS
Memory Care (Memory Suites)
What is memory care?
Memory care provides specialized 24/7 support for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive impairments. Unlike standard senior living, memory care features secured environments to prevent wandering, higher staff-to-resident ratios (typically 1:6 to 1:8), dementia-trained caregivers, and programming specifically designed for cognitive decline. The environment includes safety features like color-coded hallways, memory boxes, and monitored exits.
Who needs memory care?
Memory care is appropriate for individuals experiencing moderate to severe memory loss that affects daily safety and functioning. Signs it may be time include: wandering or getting lost, forgetting to eat or take medications, behavioral changes like agitation or aggression, difficulty with personal care, and needing supervision that family can no longer safely provide. If your loved one has safety incidents at home or their dementia has progressed beyond what assisted living can support, memory care may be the right choice.
What services are included?
- Care Services: 24/7 dementia-trained staff, assistance with bathing/dressing/grooming, medication management, incontinence care, and mobility support
- Health & Wellness: Regular health monitoring, coordination with physicians, emergency response systems, and visiting nurse services
- Daily Living: Three meals daily with dining assistance, housekeeping, laundry, and room maintenance
- Programming: Memory-enhancing activities, music and art therapy, structured routines, physical exercise adapted for cognitive abilities, and safe outdoor spaces
- Safety: Secured building with wandering prevention systems, 24/7 monitoring, and dementia-friendly design
How much does memory care cost?
Memory care typically costs $5,000-$8,000 per month nationally, with the average around $6,500. Costs vary by location, level of care needed, and apartment size.
Payment options include:
- Private pay (savings, home equity, investments)
- Long-term care insurance
- Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits (up to $2,431/month)
- Medicaid waiver programs (in some states)
- Life insurance conversion policies
Medicare does not cover residential memory care, though it may cover certain medical services provided within the facility.
Can residents stay through end of life?
Yes. Quality memory care communities support “aging in place,” adjusting care plans as dementia progresses through all stages. Many partner with hospice providers to deliver compassionate end-of-life care, allowing residents to remain in familiar surroundings during their final months rather than transferring to a nursing home.
How is this different from assisted living?
- Memory Care has secured environments, specialized dementia training, higher supervision (1:6-1:8 ratio), cognitive programming, and 24/7 monitoring. Best for moderate to advanced dementia.
- Assisted Living has open environments, general care training, standard supervision (1:10-1:15 ratio), social activities, and scheduled assistance. Best for those needing daily help but not cognitive supervision. Memory care provides the specialized support and safety features that standard assisted living cannot.
Assisted Living
What is assisted living?
Assisted living is for older adults who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, medication reminders, and meals but don’t require intensive medical care. Residents live in private or semi-private apartments and receive personalized assistance while maintaining independence. It’s ideal for seniors who can no longer safely live alone but don’t need 24/7 medical supervision.
What services are included?
Standard assisted living services typically include:
- Personal Care: Help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, and medication reminders
- Daily Services: Three chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance
- Health Support: Wellness checks, coordination with healthcare providers, emergency call systems, and transportation to appointments
- Social Activities: Daily programs, exercise classes, entertainment, outings, and community events
- Additional: Many communities offer salon services, cable/Wi-Fi, utilities, and pet-friendly accommodations
What is How much does assisted living cost?in the monthly lease?
Assisted living averages $4,000-$5,500 per month nationally, though costs range from $2,500 in rural areas to $8,000+ in major cities. Cost depends on location, level of care, apartment size, and amenities.
Payment options:
- Personal savings and retirement funds
- Long-term care insurance
- Veterans benefits
- Medicaid waiver programs (varies by state—not all communities accept Medicaid)
- Reverse mortgages or home sale proceeds
Important: Medicare does not cover assisted living room and board. Medicaid coverage varies significantly by state.
Can someone with dementia live in assisted living?
It depends on the stage. Assisted living may work for early-stage dementia if the person doesn’t wander, can follow basic safety protocols, and doesn’t need 24/7 supervision. As dementia progresses to moderate or severe stages, most individuals need the specialized care of memory care. Many communities offer both, allowing seamless transitions when needs change.
What's the difference from independent living?
- Independent Living: For active seniors who don’t need daily help. Provides housing, meals, and activities with minimal care services. Lower cost ($2,000-$4,000/month).
- Assisted Living: For seniors needing daily assistance with personal care, medication management, and health monitoring. 24/7 staff available. Higher cost ($4,000-$5,500/month).
Think of independent living as a maintenance-free lifestyle, while assisted living adds personalized care support.
Can family visit anytime?
Most assisted living communities welcome visitors during reasonable hours (typically 8 AM-8 PM, though some allow 24/7 visitation). Policies may include sign-in requirements, health screenings, and quiet hours. Ask specific communities about their visiting policies, overnight guests, and whether family can join for meals.
Hospice Care
What is hospice care?
Hospice provides comfort-focused care for individuals with terminal illnesses and a life expectancy of six months or less. Rather than curing disease, hospice emphasizes pain management, quality of life, and dignity. An interdisciplinary team—including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and counselors—supports both patient and family. Hospice can be provided anywhere: at home, in assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, or dedicated hospice facilities.
When should someone start hospice?
Hospice is appropriate when a physician certifies a terminal diagnosis with limited life expectancy and the focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort. Common qualifying conditions include advanced cancer, end-stage heart or lung disease, kidney/liver failure, and late-stage dementia.
Signs it may be time:
- Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits
- Declining response to treatment
- Difficulty managing symptoms at home
- Patient and family ready to prioritize comfort over cure
Studies show most people wait too long—the median hospice stay is only 18-24 days, though earlier enrollment (60-90+ days) leads to better symptom control and family satisfaction.
Does hospice mean giving up?
No. Hospice means changing the goal from curing disease to maximizing comfort and quality of remaining life. It’s not giving up—it’s choosing to live as fully and peacefully as possible.
Hospice provides:
- Expert pain and symptom management
- 24/7 medical support and guidance
- Emotional and spiritual counseling
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Medications for comfort
- Respite care for family caregivers
- Bereavement support for 13 months after death
Many families report hospice enabled meaningful final conversations and peaceful closure that aggressive treatment would not have allowed.
Can hospice be provided in memory care or assisted living?
Yes. Hospice frequently partners with assisted living and memory care communities. The hospice team works alongside facility staff—the facility provides room, board, and personal care (family continues paying facility fees) while hospice adds specialized medical support, equipment, and end-of-life expertise (typically covered by Medicare).
This arrangement allows individuals to remain in familiar surroundings with known caregivers during their final months, avoiding stressful moves while receiving expert hospice care.
How much does hospice cost?
- Medicare covers 100% of hospice services with no deductibles or copays, including medications, equipment, nursing visits, counseling, and bereavement support. Medicaid and most private insurance also cover hospice.
- What’s not covered: Room and board in facilities (residents continue paying their regular fees) and treatment for non-terminal conditions.
Veterans may qualify for VA hospice benefits. Some hospice organizations provide care regardless of ability to pay.
What's the difference between hospice and palliative care?
- Palliative Care: Symptom relief for any serious illness at any stage. Can be combined with curative treatment. No life expectancy requirement. May continue for years.
- Hospice Care: Specialized palliative care for terminal illness with 6-month life expectancy. Patient stops curative treatment to focus entirely on comfort. Includes comprehensive end-of-life support.
Think of palliative care as the umbrella, with hospice as a specific type for end of life.
How does hospice support families?
- During illness: Education about what to expect, caregiver training, emotional counseling, respite care, 24/7 phone support, and help with decision-making
- During final days: Signs of approaching death, comfort measures, vigil support, guidance on saying goodbye
- After death: Bereavement counseling for 13 months, support groups, memorial services, and grief resources
Families using hospice report higher satisfaction with end-of-life care and experience less complicated grief compared to those who don’t.
Transitions & Additional Questions
Can residents move from assisted living to memory care?
Yes. Many communities offer both levels, making transitions seamless as cognitive decline progresses. Common triggers include wandering, getting lost within the community, increased confusion, safety incidents, or behavioral challenges. The transition involves assessment, care planning, gradual introduction to the new area, and bringing familiar items to reduce stress. Moving to memory care isn’t failure—it’s ensuring appropriate support as needs change.
What if my loved one refuses to move?
Resistance is common and understandable. Strategies that help:
- Start conversations early and gradually
- Focus on benefits (freedom from maintenance, safety, social opportunities) rather than limitations
- Involve them in touring and decisions
- Frame it as a trial period
- Use their doctor’s recommendation
- If dementia is present, use therapeutic approaches
Most resistant seniors adjust within 4-12 weeks and many later wish they’d moved sooner. If safety is at immediate risk, you may need to make difficult decisions for their wellbeing.
How do I choose the right community?
- Research: Check state licensing reports, read online reviews, visit 3-5 communities during meal times
- Observe: Staff interactions, cleanliness, resident engagement, food quality, overall atmosphere
Ask critical questions:
- What’s included in the base rate vs. additional fees?
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio on each shift?
- How often are care plans reviewed?
- What is your staff turnover rate?
- What happens if care needs increase?
- Can I see a sample contract?
Review contracts carefully before signing—understand move-in costs, rate increases, discharge policies, and refund terms.
How can I afford care without long-term care insurance?
Options include:
- Home equity (reverse mortgage or sale)
- Retirement accounts and savings
- Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits
- Medicaid waiver programs (varies by state)
- Life insurance conversion
- Family contributions
- Financial assistance from nonprofit communities
- Shared apartments (lower cost than private)
Consult an elder law attorney for Medicaid planning and asset protection strategies.
Where can I find more information?
Key resources:
- Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org | 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
- Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov | 1-800-677-1116
- Medicare.gov: Compare facilities and ratings
- NHPCO (Hospice): nhpco.org
- State Ombudsman programs: Advocacy and facility complaints
- Benefits.gov: Check eligibility for government assistance
Always consult qualified medical, legal, and financial professionals when making care decisions.
This FAQ guide is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical, legal, or financial advice. Always consult with qualified professionals when making care decisions for yourself or a loved one.
FAQS
USEFUL RESOURCES
What is Syncare’s admission criteria?
The Grande is a residential care home that provides supportive and health-related services to residents who are 55 years of age or older. Our home specializes in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. We also accept residents with other age-related conditions that are appropriate to the resident mix. All residents must meet the requirements of the Minnesota Standards for Assisted Care Living Facilities. Interested applicants are thoroughly screened and carefully assessed to ensure that our residential home can meet to meet the individual’s cognitive, physical, medical and psychosocial needs.
How are potential residents evaluated?
- Personal background information, e.g. occupation, education, hobbies, cultural preferences, spiritual needs, and other preferences
- Lifestyle preferences, e.g. bed and wake-up times, dining habits, bathing, etc.
- Activity level; ability to participate in planned programming
- Behaviors, including whether the resident exhibits any aggressive/violent behaviors, sexual inappropriateness, or depression
- Previous medical and psychological diagnoses
- Current medication and health status
- Level of cognitive functioning
- Level of functional mobility
- Nutritional, emotional, and psychosocial needs
What is included in the monthly lease?
What education and ongoing training does Syncare provide for its care team?
Every staff members receives initial training and ongoing education so they remain knowledgeable and skilled to properly care for our residents. We follow the statutes in providing initial and ongoing training to our staff. Areas of topics covered include:
(1) Appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming
(2) Basic nutrition, meal preparation, food safety, and assistance with eating
(3) Prevention of falls
(4) Stand-by assistance technique
(5) Safe transfer techniques and ambulation
(6) Range of motion and positioning
(7) Responding to and reporting incidents
(8) Principles of person-centered service planning and delivery
(9) Safe and correct use of manual restraint on emergency basis
How does Syncare ensure quality care?
We believe that the best care begins with the best team. We’re committed to hiring team members who are not only certified and experienced, but here for the right reasons. All candidates are screened and tested prior to employment, and staff performance is monitored and measured on an ongoing basis. We offer career-enhancing educational opportunities and we’re proud to reward quality performance and outstanding service from our team members.
What certifications are required for team members?
Every member of our care is a certified memory caregiver or a certified nursing assistant. They are tested and validated to ensure experience and credentials.
What are the guiding principles at Syncare?
- Utilize innovative products, techniques, and equipment that are current and research-based.
- Provide a therapeutic environment with the right balance of sensory stimulation, while being careful to avoid over-stimulation.
- Promote independence while maintaining resident safety.
- Respect the dignity of every person by acknowledging every resident’s need for privacy and sense of community.
What is the pet policy at Syncare?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate pets in our memory care homes. However, pets are welcome for brief visits in a resident’s private suite. We request that all pets remain leashed during visits.
HELPFUL SITES
Alzheimer's Association
The leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
The National Institute on Aging
The primary Federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease research.
The Alzheimer’s Reading Room
A Knowledge Base is considered to be the highest quality, deepest collection, of information on Alzheimer’s and dementia in the world.
Alzheimer's Connected
A free online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia.