Senior Spotlight: 7 Trends To Watch In The Memory Care Industry

“We’re back, baby.”  These are the words that Anthem Memory Care CEO Isaac Scott uses to describe where memory care stands today. Late this summer, CNBC reported that more than 4 million Baby Boomers will turn 80 in the next 5 years, and that meeting the demand for care would require 100,000 new beds to be added to the care sector each year. Coupled with the fact that people are waiting longer to move into senior communities and experiencing higher needs at the time of entry – and it’s no surprise that memory care is critical to living longer & living better. 

To hear from industry leaders on what they see in the present and future of memory care, please read “‘We’re Back, Baby’: 6 Senior Living Leaders Predict Memory Care’s Future” here. Below we have summarized 7 key themes that we think you will find innovative & inspiring! 

#1: The blend of healthcare, hospitality & holistic wellness continues to be at the forefront of serving memory care clientele. 

#2: Addressing staffing shortages and creating career pathways is the only way to meet the growing demand. Memory care providers are focused on offering increased training, clear career trajectories and more defined specialization of roles to attract and retain quality staff. 

#3:  Staff training is becoming more comprehensive including real-time coaching, de-escalation strategies and dementia-specific best practices. Therapeutic and non-pharmacologic interventions will be created based on evidence-based guidance and partnerships with Alzheimer’s organizations, universities and public health agencies.

#4: Care models are becoming more standardized rather than community-by-community programming. Industry standards of embracing consistent quality and incorporating family engagement are the leading keys to resident health and community success. 

#5:  Technology is increasingly being used to enhance the human caregiver experience but NOT replace it. Wearable technology, fall detection, and AI-enabled predictive analysis are designed to amplify compassionate care but never supplant it. 

#6:  Clinical partnerships have been identified as another memory care foundation. Collaboration with providers, primary care teams and hospitals can reduce back and forth transitions, enhance safety and improve quality of life. 

#7:  Care needs are based on a tier system of increasing differentiation. Instead of 1-3 levels of memory care, some communities offer as many as 8 levels of care. 

Bonus Features: Many communities are addressing the need for higher clinical complexity and focusing on advanced cognitive decline, multiple comorbidities & intensive medication management. 

Wow! Did you know that so much was possible and in progress when it comes to supporting our aging loved ones with memory care needs? While growing older is never easy, facing the challenges of it can be manageable by balancing compassion, technology, research and humanity. Balance is a beautiful thing.

Cheers to living longer & living better,

Bobbi

Bobbi Decker
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Broker Associate
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