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There are different types of care available to support your loved one such as dementia in-home or memory care. In this article, we’ll break down what Dementia In-home vs Memory Care is — and what you should know about it to make the best choice for your loved ones.
In-Home Dementia Vs Memory Care:
The major difference between the options is the level of care offered, patients’ security, environment, and cost. Most dementia care decisions revolve around these core factors.
What Is In-Home Dementia Care?
In-home dementia care means that your loved one stays in their own home and receives help from a professional caregiver. You can hire live-in care or have help for just a few hours. Live-in care is usually suitable for advanced stages of dementia, where safety, communication, and behavioral challenges become more prominent.
While caregivers are trained to handle the nuances of dementia, make sure to ask if they have any certification in caring for dementia patients.
What Support Can Be Provided at Home?
- Medication Reminders
- Home Modifications
- Cooking and Meal Support
- Light Housekeeping and Laundry
- Companionship and Mental Stimulation
- Help with Bathing, Dressing, and Grooming
- Overnight or Live-in Support
- Monitoring for safety, especially to prevent wandering or falls
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care in Ontario is mostly provided in residential, long-term care facilities or nursing homes. There are specialized units built specifically for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. These facilities have expert and trained staff to provide the proper care.
Then there are Behavioral Specialized Units, suitable for patients with progressive dementia. They offer care for behavioral complications such as aggression, suddenly lashing out, sundowning, paranoia, anxiety, and depression.
What Does Memory Care Offer?
- Specialized staff to manage different health needs.
- Offers a chance for socialization with other patients.
- Physical and occupational therapies.
- Therapeutic and mentally stimulating activities.
- A secure environment designed to prevent wandering.
- Constant supervision and emergency support.
- Meals, medication management, and personal care.
- On-site medical staff and support from nurses.
Comparing the Two: What’s the Difference?
Here’s a breakdown to help you understand how in-home dementia care and memory care differ.
1. Environment:
No matter the advancements in the health care industry, shifting to a memory care home is a major challenge for dementia patients and their families. Most patients go through serious distress and take time to adjust to new settings and people.
With in-home care, your loved one stays in one place without leaving their lifelong memories. If you choose in-home dementia care, you are selecting comfort and safety for your loved one. All of this helps your loved one in dealing with dementia more effectively, as a familiar environment sparks memories and brings a sense of calm and comfort.
2. Level of Supervision:
In-home care, as the name suggests, offers a more focused level of supervision. At home, your loved one is the sole responsibility of the caregiver. Unlike memory care facilities, where nurses and staff attend to multiple elderly residents at once, in-home care provides one-on-one attention.
In a memory care setting, the nurse-to-resident ratio is often low, which can become a challenge—especially during emergencies. According to Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, on average, there is 1 registered nurse for 124 residents in nursing homes.
Moreover, staff is on rotations and working according to the shifts. A rotating nurse or caregiver may not fully understand your loved one’s specific needs and may not respond as quickly or appropriately. With in-home care, you have peace of mind knowing exactly who is caring for your loved one. You can verify their qualifications, how many years of dementia care experience they have, and trust that they’ll respond promptly in case of an emergency.
4. Routine and Flexibility:
Memory care homes follow a specific timetable and have set routines, which might not be suitable for every resident. While structured routines can benefit dementia patients, it’s important to remember that every individual is different. As a family member, you should value your loved one’s unique preferences and personality now more than ever.
With in-home care, your appointed caregiver can create a personalized routine and care plan that reflects your loved one’s interests and comforts. This could include reading aloud, engaging them in light physical activities, or simply spending time doing things they still enjoy—while they still can.
5. Family Involvement:
The biggest and most important benefit of in-home dementia care is that you stay involved in their important health-related decisions. You always have an update on how they are doing, their health progress, what’s working, and what’s not. Moreover, you get to spend quality time with them, which further contributes to positive results in most patients.
6. Cost
In-home care is more affordable than memory care, no matter at what stage of dementia your loved one is. With in-home care, you only pay for the hours and type of care you need—whether it’s few hours a week or full-time live-in support.
In contrast, memory care homes charge a monthly fee that covers accommodation, meals, supervision, and activities. These costs typically range from $2,500 to $10,000 or more per month, depending on the facility and level of care required.
Some funding for in-home care is available through Ontario Health at Home, but coverage is often limited to basic services. Many families still need to pay for additional support out-of-pocket.
With ConsidraCare, families can save up to 20% with in-home care compared to private memory care, and up to 50% compared to long-term care homes—especially when choosing flexible care plans tailored to actual needs.
Expert Dementia In-Home Care in Ontario:
Finding reliable care is a journey filled with challenges and emotional decisions. If your aging loved one has dementia, we can help support them with compassion and expertise.
At ConsidraCare, we specialize in dementia home care across major cities in Ontario. We help families in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Kitchener, Guelph, and Hamilton provide the best possible care for their loved ones in the comfort of home and without unnecessary stress.
Our dedicated team of Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Registered Nurses, all certified in Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA), are trained to handle the unique challenges of dementia.
Let’s build a personalized dementia care plan that works for your family. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Final Thoughts:
Dementia care isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about maintaining dignity, safety, and emotional connection. Whether you choose in-home care or a memory care facility, what matters most is that your loved one is supported in a way that meets their needs and honours who they are.
Take the time to explore your options, ask questions, and think about what would bring peace of mind—to both your loved one and yourself.
FAQ’s
1. What is the average monthly cost for memory care in Ontario?
Memory care typically costs between $4,000 and $7,000 CAD per month, varying by location and services provided.
2. What services are provided in memory care?
Services include 24/7 supervision, personalized care plans, cognitive therapies, medication management, and secure facilities.
3. What are the costs of in-home dementia care in Ontario?
In-home care ranges from $20 to $35 per hour; monthly costs depend on hours needed, averaging $3,000 to $6,000.
4. Is it better to keep someone with dementia at home?
Home care offers familiarity, but as dementia progresses, specialized facilities may provide better safety and support.
Fakiha is an experienced writer at ConsidraCare with an optimistic interest in life. She has a proactive approach to improving health and wellness for seniors. She offers well-researched and thoughtful information to help individuals make informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their loved ones.
