Fort Worth has been one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and just recently saw almost 200,000 residents added from 2020 – 2022 by some estimates. The popularity of the city has continued to increase the demand for more memory care facilities as the population over the age of 60 continues to also increase. According to Census.gov, the number of people over the age of 60 make up 14.6% of the city’s total population in 2022.

Why is that number so significant? As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, that number will also increase. According to Alz.org, 1 in 9 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s. It can be safe to assume that Fort Worth will likely continue to see the amount of memory care facilities grow in size and in care options over the next decade.

Memory care facilities are made to care for your loved ones who have been diagnosed with memory disorders. Memory disorders include illness such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and even brain damage or cognitive impairment from accidents or strokes. These facilities offer a safe place where your loved one’s emotional and physical needs can be taken care of by nurses and medical staff who specialize in memory disorders. The unique care needs of those with memory disorders require trained direct care workers who understand how to intervene and provide care for these individuals appropriately. In order to keep residents safe, facilities will have security protocols and goo technology to keep your loved ones safe.

Many people in need of Memory Care Services do require around the clock care. A move into assisted living may still be unsuitable. There is a difference between the monthly costs of living on a Memory Care unit versus an Assisted Living unit because the services that they offer on a Memory Care unit are specialized to meet the specific needs of this group.

It is important to note that unless explicitly stated that they offer Memory Care services many Assisted Living facilities are not equipped to handle the challenges that one caring for a memory impaired person will face.

Cost of Memory Care in Fort Worth

Memory Care units can be a bit more expensive than other options, but for good reason. They provide around the clock care provided by specially trained staff. Residents on a Memory Care Unit will receive all their care needs including laundry services, meals or diet plans, and hygienic services. Life enrichment programs will help keep them active and social.

Also, security on Memory care units is high due to there being a higher likelihood of wandering behaviors with individuals living with Alzheimer’s. Those who wander often cannot remember how to get home. The security in these homes prevents that scary event.

It can be difficult to measure the cost of memory care because many of the annual surveys done for senior care don’t differentiate between nursing homes and something more specialized like memory care.

At Senior Living Specialists, we have normally seen the cost of memory care be about 26% higher than traditional assisted living facilities. Fort Worth saw an annual average cost for assisted living to be $50,340 for 2021.

In 2021, we would estimate the average annual cost of memory care in Fort Worth to be around $63,428 but can see that greatly vary depending on the facility, amenities, and level of memory care provided.

The added support and services offered in Memory Care are specialty services that many Assisted Living facilities cannot provide. However, more Assisted Living facilities are adding Memory Care Units, so it is beneficial to ask the facility when you are doing your research.

Senior Living Specialists know and understand the distinct needs of Memory Care and can assist you in finding the right Memory Care unit for you and your family. We are local to Fort Worth and have unique insights to the various memory care facilities available in the area along with an idea of pricing too.

We know that your financial resources may be limited to you right now, that is why all Senior Living Specialist services are free of charge. Our founder has a special place in his heart for this type of facility after making the heartbreaking realization he had to put his Alzheimer mother in a facility.

Moving into Memory Care

Making the decision that is time to move your loved one onto a Memory Care unit is a very difficult one for any family member to make. Our founder has personal knowledge of this, and ensures all his staff fully understand what you are going through. We want you to have all the knowledge and understanding that you will need to make this difficult decision so that you feel empowered and at peace with your decision.

Knowing when it is time to move a loved one into a memory care unit can be difficult. It is an emotional process seeking Memory Care support both for you and your loved one. There can be feelings of grief, of loss, and even failure. Moving your loved one can bring up these feelings. We have 2 licensed social workers available to give you referrals for all the help and support you may need in this challenging process.

Attempting to care for your memory impaired loved one can bring on caregiver burnout. This can affect the quality of care provided to your loved one, and affect other areas of your life as well. Seeking support in Memory Care will allow you as the caregiver to focus on the more important things like the quality of life your loved one leads and the opportunity to get to know them during this new phase of their life.

It is also important that if you have any siblings that will also need to be in agreement on moving your loved one into a memory care facility that you have a plan that all parties agree on. Your loved one might be having to say goodbye to the house they’ve called home for decades in Fort Worth. If you all agree upon the plan, it will make the moving process easier if everybody is on the same page.

Memory loss, wandering, and agitation are common symptoms that individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia may experience. Having them with you in your home, these symptoms can create safety issues for your loved one.

Memory care units are equipped to handle and care for these types of symptoms, and allow your loved one to remain in a safe environment.

*SOURCE

For information and guidance, please call us at 214-929-5055. You can also email Paul@SeniorLivingSpecialists.com or complete our Contact Form.

Memory Care Facility Features: