What Is Memory Care? Understanding This Specialized Dementia Support
- Amy Shaw, PA
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, one of the most common questions families ask is: What is memory care—and when is it the right time?
Let us clear something up right away:
Memory care is not only for people in the final stage of dementia.
It is a specialized form of senior living designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with memory loss—at any stage of the disease.
From safety and supervision to structure and support, memory care offers a thoughtfully designed environment where individuals with dementia can live with dignity, stability, and peace of mind.
My Role in Memory Care
As a dementia care specialist and Physician Associate, I serve as Medical Director for three memory care communities:
Concierge-Level Memory Care Support for Families
In these roles, I provide private medical care to residents, collaborate closely with caregiving staff, and meet monthly with families to offer guidance, reassurance, and support.
This level of ongoing family involvement is rare in memory care. Most facilities focus solely on resident care; at Cottonwood and Aspen Creek, I provide a concierge-level caregiving support system that transforms the caregiver journey. Families receive not only updates, but education, perspective, and a partner in decision-making—something most communities cannot offer.
I remain involved even when a resident transitions to hospice care—because dementia is a long journey, and continuity matters.
At all three facilities, we follow an aging-in-place philosophy: once a resident moves in, they never have to leave due to the progression of their disease. With hospice support, they can pass away peacefully in familiar surroundings, cared for by a team who knows them well—and often considers them family.
How Memory Care Differs from Assisted Living
Both assisted living and memory care provide support for older adults, but memory care is specifically tailored for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The environment, training, and daily rhythm are all designed with dementia in mind.
The way these differences play out in day-to-day life is one of the first things I help families understand—because it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference in comfort and safety.
When to Consider Memory Care
Families often ask me for “the signs” that it’s time for memory care. There are certainly red flags I watch for—some obvious, some that only emerge in conversation or observation.
A few that families recognize quickly include increased disorientation, wandering, and caregiver exhaustion. But there are many subtler indicators that can surface long before a crisis, and spotting them early can change the trajectory for both the person with dementia and their family.
I help families sort through these signs, weigh the risks, and decide on the right timing—because “too soon” is rare, but “too late” happens every day.
Why Families Choose Memory Care
For many, memory care offers three priceless gifts: peace of mind, consistent safety, and the ability to return to the role of loving family member instead of full-time caregiver.
The Emotional Reassurance of Quality Memory Care
As one wife of a resident told me:
“You not only feel that he's safe, but that you've done your best and not let him down.”
At Cottonwood Creek and Aspen Creek, that peace of mind is paired with something even more rare: a dementia expert who is part of the team. My presence ensures families receive expert guidance throughout their loved one’s journey—not just at admission, but month after month, year after year.
Final Thoughts
Dementia is progressive, but it’s not hopeless. The right setting, at the right time, can preserve quality of life for both the person living with the disease and the family who loves them.
If you’re unsure whether memory care is the right step, you don’t have to make the decision alone. I work with families nationwide to understand their options, navigate the timing, and choose with confidence.
Schedule a free consultation to get support from someone who has guided hundreds of families through this exact decision.
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Amy Shaw, PA
Founder, Better Dementia
