Quick answer
Assisted living gives help with daily tasks in an apartment setting. Memory care is a secured unit or community where staff are trained in dementia care, with structured days and doors that prevent wandering. Memory care usually costs more than standard assisted living because of the extra staffing and security. If memory loss is causing wandering, unsafe decisions or constant confusion, memory care is often the safer fit. (800) 614-8388 to talk it through.
The key differences
| Assisted living | Memory care | |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Residents come and go | Secured doors and outdoor areas to prevent wandering |
| Staff training | General caregiving | Dementia-specific training and approaches |
| Daily structure | Optional activities | Structured routine designed to reduce confusion and agitation |
| Supervision | Help when needed or scheduled | Closer supervision through the day and night |
| Setting | Private apartment | Often smaller rooms with shared spaces designed for easy wayfinding |
| Price | Base rent plus care level; 2025 median $5,975 a month in Kansas, $5,400 in Missouri | Usually higher than assisted living; no state median is published |
Assisted living medians are from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, which does not publish a separate memory care figure.
Signs assisted living may no longer be enough
- Wandering, or trying to leave the building, especially at night.
- Getting lost in familiar places or unable to find their own apartment.
- Needing cues for every step of dressing, eating or using the bathroom.
- Agitation, fear or late-day confusion that other residents and staff can't manage.
- Unsafe choices, like leaving with a stranger or going outside in the cold without a coat.
A community will usually tell you when it thinks a resident needs a secured setting. Ask how it makes that call before you move in. See when is it time for memory care.
A middle path: assisted living with a memory care wing
Some communities in the Kansas City area offer both, so a resident can move from assisted living into the memory care neighborhood in the same building. That can make a later move easier because the faces and routines stay familiar. Ask whether a move between levels changes the price, and how much.
What to ask a memory care community
- What training do staff get in dementia care, and how often?
- How many staff are on the floor during the day and at night?
- How do you handle agitation without relying on medication?
- What does a typical day look like for a resident?
- What would make you ask a resident to move out?
Not sure if it's time for memory care?
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll explain the options near you, including communities with both assisted living and memory care. Free.
Questions families ask
Can a person with dementia live in assisted living?
Often yes, in the early stages, when they are not wandering and can follow a routine with some reminders. As dementia progresses, many people need the security and structure of memory care.
Is memory care more expensive than assisted living?
Usually, because of the extra staffing, training and secured space. Ask each community for its all-in monthly price, since memory care is often priced as one inclusive rate.
Does Medicare pay for memory care?
No. Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care, including memory care. It still covers medical care such as doctor visits and hospital stays.
What is the difference between memory care and a nursing home?
Memory care focuses on safety and daily life for people with dementia. A nursing home provides 24-hour skilled nursing for serious medical needs. Some nursing homes have dementia units.