When a loved one begins experiencing memory loss due to Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another cognitive condition, navigating care options can feel overwhelming. One question families frequently ask is whether memory care is the same as skilled nursing. While both provide important services for seniors, they serve distinctly different purposes and address different levels of need.
At NorBella Senior Living in Centerville, we offer and specialize in offering memory care for seniors with cognitive disorders like dementia. Understanding the difference between memory care and skilled nursing can help you make the most appropriate choice for your loved one’s
What Is Memory Care and Who Benefits?
Memory care is a specialized form of senior living designed specifically for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other memory-related conditions. At NorBella Centerville, our memory care neighborhood creates a thoughtfully designed environment that helps reduce confusion while providing comfort through structured routines and familiar settings.
Key Features of Memory Care at NorBella Centerville
Personalized Care Plans
Each resident receives individualized care tailored to their specific cognitive needs and preferences. Our team creates care plans that evolve with residents as their needs change.
Secure, Homelike Environment
Our memory support neighborhood features apartments in a cozy, secure setting that prevents wandering while allowing residents to move freely within safe boundaries. The intimate environment means your loved one receives the time and attention they need each day to flourish.
Specialized Programming
We offer activities and therapeutic programs specifically designed for individuals with memory challenges, including music therapy, reminiscence activities, and cognitive stimulation exercises that promote engagement and emotional well-being.
Trained, Compassionate Staff
Our team receives specialized training in dementia care, including techniques for managing challenging behaviors, improving communication, and supporting emotional well-being. We understand that meaningful interactions make all the difference.
Daily Living Support
Assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and medication management is provided with dignity and respect, maintaining each resident’s sense of independence whenever possible.
24/7 Supervision
Our staff provides round-the-clock care and supervision, ensuring resident safety while maintaining a warm, homelike atmosphere rather than a clinical environment.
What Is Skilled Nursing and Who Needs It?
Skilled nursing represents a more medically intensive form of care, typically necessary for individuals recovering from illness, surgery, or managing serious chronic health conditions. This level of care focuses primarily on medical treatment and rehabilitation rather than memory-related support.
Skilled Nursing Services Include:
Intensive Medical Care
24/7 medical supervision from licensed nurses, including registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who can handle complex medical procedures.
Clinical Treatments
Advanced wound care, injections, IV therapy, and management of serious chronic conditions requiring constant medical monitoring.
Rehabilitation Services
Physical, speech, and occupational therapy for recovery from strokes, surgeries, or severe illnesses.
Post-Hospital Recovery
Short-term rehabilitation and recovery services following hospitalization, often covered by Medicare for qualifying situations.
Clinical Environment
Skilled nursing facilities typically have a hospital-like environment focused on medical treatment and recovery rather than long-term residential living.
Key Differences: Memory Care vs. Skilled Nursing
Understanding these differences helps families choose the most appropriate care option for their loved one’s specific situation.
Focus and Purpose
Memory Care at NorBella Centerville:
- Focuses on cognitive support, safety, and quality of life
- Emphasizes maintaining dignity and connection for residents with memory challenges
- Creates a homelike environment that feels familiar and comfortable
- Supports emotional well-being through specialized programming and activities
Skilled Nursing:
- Focuses on medical treatment, recovery, and clinical care
- Emphasizes medical monitoring and rehabilitation
- Maintains a clinical environment designed for medical procedures
- Supports physical health through intensive medical intervention
Staff Training and Expertise
Memory Care Team:
- Specialized training in dementia and Alzheimer’s care
- Expertise in communication strategies for memory-impaired individuals
- Focus on behavioral management and emotional support
- Understanding of the unique needs of residents with cognitive challenges
Skilled Nursing Staff:
- Medical training in clinical procedures and treatments
- Expertise in post-surgical care and chronic disease management
- Focus on medical monitoring and emergency response
- Emphasis on rehabilitation and physical recovery
Environment and Atmosphere
NorBella Centerville Memory Care:
- Cozy, residential atmosphere with homelike amenities
- Beautifully designed apartments with 9-foot ceilings and large windows
- Secure outdoor spaces and comfortable gathering areas
- In-house chef providing delicious, made-from-scratch meals
- Focus on creating a sense of home and community
Skilled Nursing Facilities:
- Clinical environment designed for medical efficiency
- Medical equipment and hospital-style rooms
- Focus on safety and medical accessibility
- Emphasis on functionality over residential comfort
When to Choose Memory Care at NorBella Centerville
Memory care is the right choice when your loved one:
- Has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another memory-related condition
- Is at risk of wandering or becoming disoriented in unfamiliar settings
- Needs assistance with daily activities but doesn’t require intensive medical treatment
- Shows signs of confusion, anxiety, or significant personality changes
- Would benefit from specialized programming designed for cognitive challenges
- Needs a secure environment while maintaining as much independence as possible
- Would thrive in a small, intimate community setting with personalized attention
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
At NorBella Senior Living in Centerville, we understand that choosing the right level of care is one of the most important decisions families face. Our boutique setting provides our team the gift of time for meaningful interactions, allowing us to truly understand each resident’s unique needs and preferences.
Not Sure Which Type of Care Is Right?
If you’re uncertain whether your loved one needs memory care or skilled nursing, we encourage you to visit our community. During a tour, our experienced team can help you understand:
- The specific services we provide in our memory care neighborhood
- How our secure, homelike environment supports residents with memory challenges
- Whether your loved one’s current needs align with what memory care can offer
- When external medical resources might be more appropriate
The NorBella Centerville Advantage
Our intimate community setting means families never feel out of the loop. We maintain regular communication about your loved one’s well-being and any changes in their condition. Located conveniently near M Health Fairview Clinic and other medical facilities, we can easily coordinate with healthcare providers when additional medical support is needed.
Our residents enjoy:
- Delicious, chef-prepared meals with specialty diet offerings
- Engaging activities like bingo nights, scheduled outings, and backyard barbecues
- Beautiful apartments with modern amenities and natural light
- A caring team that genuinely understands the unique needs of individuals with memory challenges
Take the Next Step with Confidence
Choosing memory care for a loved one is about meeting them where they are—emotionally, cognitively, and socially. If you’re still unsure about the right path forward, that’s perfectly normal. These decisions take time and careful consideration.
Schedule a tour today at NorBella Senior Living in Centerville. Visit our cozy memory support neighborhood, meet our caring team, and discover how our boutique community creates an environment where residents with memory challenges can truly flourish. Contact us to arrange your visit and take the first step toward finding the right care solution for your family.