Episode 8 of our Austin Senior Living Series!

EPISODE 8: Memory Care Explained - When Assisted Living Isn’t Enough

Today we’re breaking down memory care - what it is, how it’s different from assisted living, and when your loved one needs this level of specialized dementia care.

In this episode, I cover:

• What memory care actually provides (and how it’s different from assisted living)

• 8 signs it’s time for memory care instead of home care or assisted living

• Real examples from families I work with - including my own mom’s symptoms

• What to look for when touring memory care communities in Austin

• Staff ratios, security features, and behavioral management approaches

• The emotional side of this decision

• Cost ranges in Austin ($5,000-$8,000/month)

• Red flags to watch out for

•How to know if you’re ready to make this move

Raw, honest, and practical - for families navigating one of caregiving’s hardest decisions.

Key Topics: - Memory care definition and features - Secured environments for wandering - Specialized dementia staff training - Signs it’s time for memory care - Safety issues (stove incidents, nighttime wandering) - Sundowning and paranoia - What to look for on tours - Emotional aspects of placement

Resources: - TSL Tour Senior Living: tourseniorliving.org
- Stella’s Direct Line: 737-389-2130

Williams Senior Transition Services

stellawilliamstx.com

Link to Austin Memory Care Community Guide

Checklist for Signs its time for memory care

#memorycare #dementia #alzheimers #Austinmemorycare #tourseniorliving #tslaustin #wstservices #navigatingseniorcarewithstella

In this deeply personal episode, Stella reveals her origin story - the night she broke her mother out of a rehab facility in less than 5 hours and why that traumatic experience led her to become a senior placement advocate. She shares the reality of three years of home dementia care, including aggression, paranoia, and her recent stroke symptoms, while exploring why she's uniquely qualified to help families with BOTH home care and facility placement decisions. Raw, honest, and judgment-free - for caregivers facing impossible decisions.

Keywords: dementia care, home care vs facility, caregiver guilt, family decisions, memory care, elderly parents, placement advocate origin story

Episode 5 of our Austin Senior Living Series! Today we're breaking down Assisted Living - what it provides, who it's for, and how to know when it's time.

In this episode, I cover:

• What Assisted Living actually provides (and what it doesn't)

• Who needs Assisted Living vs Independent Living

• Personal care services and medication management

• Real stories from Austin families I've worked with

• Honest pros and cons you need to consider

• Cost ranges in Austin ($3,500-$7,000/month)

• What to look for when touring Assisted Living communities

• How to know when it's time to consider this option

• The emotional side of this transition

AUSTIN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES MENTIONED:

• Silverleaf Eldercare

• Belmont Village

• The Enclave communities

• Brookdale locations

• Tech Ridge Oaks

• The Springs of Austin

• And many more throughout Austin metro

This episode is for families who know their loved one isn't safe at home anymore but needs help understanding what Assisted Living provides and how to choose the right community.

Cost Range in Austin: $3,500 - $7,000/month (varies by location, apartment size, and level of care needed)

IMPORTANT: Assisted Living is NOT covered by Medicare. Some may use long-term care insurance or VA benefits.

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NEXT EPISODE: "The Day We Broke Mom Out of Rehab" - A personal story about trusting your instincts and the reality of facility care

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RESOURCES:

📚 My Book: "The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Your Senior Housing Solutions"

Chapter on Assisted Living with detailed touring checklists

📝 Workbook Available

Assessment tools and community comparison worksheets

🏠 Tour Senior Living - Austin Area

Browse Austin Assisted Living options: tourseniorliving.org/area/austin

💼 Work With Me

Free consultation for Austin families: stella@wstservices.com

Website: williamsseniortransitionservices.com

🔍 Check Texas Licensing

Look up inspection reports for any licensed Assisted Living community in Texas

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ABOUT THE HOST:

Stella Herrera Williams is a Senior Placement Advocate in Austin, author, and daughter navigating complex care needs with her own mom. She helps Austin families find the right senior living solutions with both professional expertise and personal understanding.

#AssistedLiving #AustinSeniorLiving #SeniorCare #ElderCare #AustinTexas #SeniorHousing #NavigatingSeniorCare #CaregiverSupport

#Austin, #personal care, #medicationmanagement, #seniorliving, #agingparents, #caregiversupport, #nursinghomealternative #TSL #tourseniorliving #tourseniorlivingaustin