Transitioning a loved one into Memory Care Assisted living is not about giving up. It’s about gaining support, clarity, and the freedom to simply be present with the person you love.  At Marjorie P. Lee’s (MPL) Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located in Hyde Park, memory care represents something deeper than a residence or list of services. It’s a thoughtfully designed environment where individuals living with memory loss are supported with dignity and compassion.  A home where families receive support with the emotional weight of loving someone whose needs continue to change.

Being the primary caregiver for a loved one is one of the most meaningful commitments you can make.  As memory loss progresses and your loved one's needs change, that role often shifts to require constant vigilance, care coordination, and difficult decisions, all while experiencing the emotional toll of watching someone you love need more than you alone can give.  As a family member or friend, you want to give your loved one the best quality care—and that promise likely remains at the heart of every decision you make.  As their care needs evolve, additional expertise, structure, and specialized care help promote safety, connection, and quality of life for both individuals and the families who love them.

At MPL, memory support allows families to spend less time managing care and more time simply being a son, daughter, spouse, or friend again.  It creates space for meaningful moments, shared laughter, and connection without the constant weight of responsibility.  For many families, this shift brings something they did not expect but deeply need: peace of mind.

Memory Support Benefits Families Often Don’t Expect

1. Great Care and Peace of Mind for Families

The thoughtful, person-centered care at MPL evolves with residents as their needs change.  Families find it comforting to know that MPL was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report with a “Best Nursing Home” designation, a sign of MPL’s commitment to excellence across the continuum of care.

Karin Burns, daughter of resident Beth Bruning, is very pleased with the staff at MPL and how they treat her mother like family.  "They've just been really wonderful in helping me understand when it's time for more," Karin shared.  "They are a sense of comfort whenever I see them."

This deep level of attention is especially clear during care conferences, a meeting designed for residents, family members, and staff to connect. Karin was able to sit down with her mom's dietitian, social worker, physical therapist, and head of nursing—who all work together to support her mother.  This comprehensive, collaborative approach is possible because specialized memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab are all available on one campus, providing reassuring path forward. 

2. Community Life Increases Socialization and Builds Connection

The U.S. Surgeon General identified loneliness as an epidemic, equating its impact on physical, mental, and emotional health to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.  For older adults living with memory loss, social connection plays a vital role in overall health, well-being, and cognitive engagement.

MPL Memory Care is intentionally designed to make connections natural.  Residents live in private suites with their own bathrooms for comfort and dignity, and easy access to welcoming shared spaces with cozy seating areas, faux fireplaces, and large windows that bring in natural light.  These thoughtfully designed environments and daily life enrichment activities encourage interaction while still honoring independence and personal choice.

A recent study published in the Washington Post shows that moving to a retirement community often increases participation in community life.  At MPL, daily opportunities for engagement help residents feel connected, valued, and purposeful.

3. Life Enrichment 

At MPL staying active physically and mentally is woven into the fabric of daily life.  Residents enjoy a variety of activities that support brain health, engage interests, and spark connection.

For one, MindFit is a cognitive wellness program designed to support brain health and social connection in a comfortable, welcoming environment.  It provides a space where residents can talk openly about memory loss and dementia, without judgment or discomfort.

In addition to MindFit, MPL’s memory care community offers a suite of memory support therapies.  Residents can participate in research-based memory support programs, such as SAIDO Learning®, which utilizes simple reading and mathematics to enhance brain health.  Various wellness classes help engage the mind, body, and spirit, aiming to improve quality of life.  Programs are designed so that residents receive care that grows with them, honoring their preferences and abilities throughout every stage of life.

MPL Memory Care also includes thoughtfully provided services, so families can focus on connection: 

• 24-hour access to care and assistance
• Registered dietitian
• Rehabilitation therapies
• Ancillary health services—podiatrist, dentist, and ophthalmologist
• Transportation for medical appointments as available
• A dedicated care neighborhood offering skilled nursing as care needs progress
• Housekeeping services
• Beauty and Barber services
• Secured household model

4. Spaces Designed With Residents’ Needs in Mind

MPL’s Memory Care neighborhood is thoughtfully designed to support comfort and movement within a secured household.  Around the community, there are family-style kitchens, neighbors dining together, outdoor areas, and comfortable living rooms and sun porches.  The familiar atmosphere of this design enhances residents’ sense of well-being and purpose.  Residents have their own studio apartments, which can support a higher quality of life—smaller, easy-to-navigate spaces reduce confusion and keep everything within reach.

Secure perimeter doors ensure safety while allowing residents the freedom to move throughout the neighborhood.  Wide, well-lit hallways support safe, purposeful wandering, encouraging movement, and overall wellness.

5. The Not-for-Profit Difference

As a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization, MPL reinvests profits back into residents and the community.  No resident is asked to leave their home if they outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own—an expression of MPL’s mission-driven commitment to compassion and dignity.  A full continuum of care allows residents to remain in the community they know and trust as their needs evolve.  From memory support to skilled nursing care, dedicated staff provide person-centered care throughout.

Expenses Families Often Don’t Realize Are Included in Memory Care Costs

While the peace of mind that comes with memory care can be invaluable, the transition also helps consolidate many everyday expenses families may not initially consider.  These costs are included in the monthly memory care fee, can reduce unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, as well as ease financial planning:

• Utilities (electricity, internet, cable, water)
• Groceries and dining services
• Home ownership costs such as property taxes
• Maintenance costs (repairs, landscaping, snow removal)
• Housekeeping services

Making the Transition 

Moving to a memory care community is not a one-size-fits-all decision.  Often, a change becomes necessary when one of two things happens: when a loved one’s needs exceed what can be provided at home, or when caregivers begin to feel overwhelmed balancing care with other responsibilities.

To determine the right time for this shift, consider asking if the person living with dementia is experiencing any of the following:

• Increasingly withdrawn or their mental, emotional, and/or physical health is failing
• Prone to falls, unable to move around safely, or is bedridden
• Wandering or frequently confused in familiar surroundings
• Exhibiting violent behavior

For caregivers, consider additional care if you find any of the following familiar:

• Your caregiving and personal schedules are increasingly in conflict
• Your care is becoming less personal and more functional
• You begin to feel resentment toward the person needing care
• You feel you’re missing out on other personal life opportunities

As a caregiver to someone living with dementia, give yourself the permission to recognize when additional support is needed, and that it’s a normal and expected part of the process. Seeking help is not a sign of failure; it’s an act of love and an effort to provide the best possible care. For many families, memory care offers something they didn’t expect but often need most: the ability to let professionals manage daily physical care while you return to the role that matters most—being fully present as a daughter, son, spouse, or loved one. With those daily needs covered, you gain the priceless gift of time, presence, and peace of mind.

Is It the Right Time For Memory Care?

Wondering if it’s the right time for memory care? Take our short survey—a quick 4–5 minute tool to help you explore senior living options and determine the best fit for you or your family.

Take the First Step

For individuals and families facing memory loss, finding a supportive community that adapts to your loved one’s needs can bring peace of mind for the whole family. If you’re exploring memory care options, come experience the compassionate, person-centered care at Marjorie P. Lee. Schedule a free tour today by contacting Jenn Schlotbom at 513.533.5000 or jschlotbom@erslife.org.