The senior living experts at Assisted Living Locators of Northern Virginia are Dementia Care Certified®. They can help you better understand what is happening with a loved one diagnosed with a form of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) and how to best care for them.
What is Memory Care?
For many seniors living with dementia, memory care is an ideal option that provides an environment that is supportive and safe, encouraging independence while also ensuring that any required assistance is close by. Dementia is a general term used to describe a decline in memory or cognitive ability that is severe enough to disrupt someone’s daily living. Currently, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. With an aging population and higher cases of dementia in Northern Virginia and throughout the country, we are experiencing a growing number of seniors (aged 65 and over) who need memory care services.
In Northern Virginia, memory care is either provided in standalone communities or secure dementia annexes, typically called special care units (SCUs). Memory care offers specialized programs designed to deliver real-world activities and cognitive stimulation for residents with memory or cognitive impairment. Memory care sites often use security personnel or protective devices on entry and exit points to prevent wandering hazards. Likewise, memory care staff have extensive training that includes communication techniques and resident care procedures.
Memory care services generally include, but are not limited to:
- Private or companion room/suite and utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer, and trash removal)
- 24-hour on-site supervised care
- Three meals a day and frequent snacks
- Assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, incontinence care, feeding, transferring, and ambulation
- Medical monitoring and medication management
- An environment that is easy for residents to navigate
- Skilled staff trained to assist residents with impaired memory and cognitive abilities
- Specialized programs designed to support residents with poor memory and cognitive abilities
- Secured environment
- Housekeeping, laundry, and linen services
How much does Memory Care cost in Northern Virginia?
The cost of memory care in the Northern Virginia area varies depending on many factors, including care needs, community amenities, and property location. Still, the prices generally range from around $7,500 to $11,500 per month.
Many memory care communities in Northern Virginia, like Brookdale, Sunrise Senior Living, Pacifica, and others, provide memory care services at customized monthly rates, typically covering a resident’s daily care, living space, meals, social activities, and much more.
Are there Memory Care resources in Northern Virginia?
Resource |
Contact |
Services |
Alzheimer’s Association |
800-272-3900 |
The Alzheimer’s
Association provides various
resources for Virginia residents, including information on
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, community outreach,
fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, and more. |
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services |
804-662-9333 |
The Virginia
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
provides various free services, including Adult
Services and Adult
Protective Services. The
professional counsellors are trained to provide advice for
various senior-related topics, such as long-term care insurance,
Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug
counselling. |
Virginia’s
Office for Aging Services |
800-552-3402 |
Virginia’s
Office for Aging Services
(OAS) provides Dementia
Services to Virginia
residents living with dementia (to include Alzheimer’s
disease), free Senior
Legal Services, Senior
Health Insurance Counseling,
and many others. OAS also organizes various activities, services,
and initiatives, such as the Brain Health Virginia, Dementia
State Plan, and dementia training. |
Virginia
Association of Area Agencies on Aging |
804-545-1644 |
The Virginia
Association of Area Agencies on Aging
operates five local Agencies on Aging in the Northern Virginia area, including Alexandria,
Arlington,
Fairfax,
Loudoun,
and Prince
William. These agencies
provide a wide range of services for seniors, including meal
services, case management, and transportation. |
Virginia
Department of Veterans Services |
703-359-1210 |
The Virginia
Department of Veterans Services
(DVS) provides eligible Veterans and their spouses with access to
federal and state benefits that may help them afford certain
long-term care services. Along with providing referrals, the DVS
can assist Veterans in applying for Aid and Attendance benefits
or the VA pension. Moreover, Geriatrics
and Extended Care services
are available for eligible Veterans
with dementia (to include Alzheimer’s disease). |
Virginia
Department of Social Services |
804-726-7000 |
The Virginia
Department of Social Services
(VDSS) provides comprehensive regulations that assisted living
communities throughout Virginia must follow. The VDSS also allows users to retrieve information on assisted living communities throughout Virginia. |
Office
of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman |
804-565-1600 |
The Office
of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
advocates for older persons receiving long-term care services. Whether the care is provided in an assisted living community, memory care location, nursing home, or community-based services to help seniors still living at home, the Office is a great resource. The Office offers older
Virginia residents, their families, and the public information,
advocacy, and assistance to help resolve care problems. |
Virginia
211 |
211
800-230-6977 |
Virginia
211 is a free service that
helps seniors and caregivers connect with local resources, such
as non-medical transportation, nutritional programs, legal
services, and case management. Individuals can call the toll-free
number to speak with trained professionals who provide
recommendations for local services and organizations based on
their specific needs. |