If you have a loved one who is dealing with a form of dementia, you may be seeking or considering senior care options. Franklin Park® Senior Living knows it can be challenging to understand your options and determine which is the best choice for your family.

Franklin Park® Senior Living, with Alzheimer’s and dementia care in San Antonio, Texas, strives to be a resource to seniors and their families as they navigate through the senior living journey. Though additional levels of senior care exist, we want to highlight the differences between dementia care and skilled nursing so that you can better understand your options.

What is Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing, commonly referred to as sub-acute care, is an option that provides care or treatment to a senior that can only be done by a licensed nurse or medical professional. Similar to rehabilitation services, this option can be chosen for short-term or long-term care, depending on your loved one’s circumstances.

Skilled nursing communities provide 24-hour care, seven days a week, and these services offer a more comprehensive care plan as it incorporates medical treatments or care. Examples of skilled nursing needs could include wound dressings, rehabilitation, or a rapidly changing health status.

What is Dementia Care or Memory Care?

Memory or dementia care services, while in some ways are similar to skilled nursing services, are a long-term senior care option for those diagnosed with a form of memory impairment. These conditions could include Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, Huntington’s disease, or other types of dementia. The main focus of memory care services is to improve the quality of life of the resident and provide care that is designed for an older adult dealing with memory loss. While skilled nursing services may be used as a short-term care option, memory care is a long-term option that provides an entire staff dedicated to understanding and caring for those diagnosed with memory impairments.

The Refreshing Waters® Memory Care Program at Franklin Park® provides a community that is designed to enhance daily routines and allow residents to continue life’s journey surrounded by people who genuinely care for them.

Navigating Your Options

Choosing between skilled nursing and memory care services can both improve a senior’s life, but the choice will depend on your loved one’s situation. If your loved one(s) is dealing with a memory impairing condition, the condition typically escalates over time, making memory care a more suitable option. If your loved one is dealing with a memory impairment, as well as additional care needs that require medical attention, skilled nursing services may be a more appropriate choice.

Franklin Park® Senior Living’s Refreshing Waters® Memory Care Program in San Antonio, Texas, is a person-centered program that offers meaningful and innovative lifestyle activities to residents. Our dementia care neighborhood is full of passionate and dedicated caregivers who seek to understand and respectfully care for those diagnosed with any form of dementia.

If you are interested in learning more about our memory care services, we encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information.