Home Care vs. Memory Care Homes: What’s Best for Your Parent?

When my uncle Frank was diagnosed with early-stage dementia, his daughter called me and asked, “Do we bring someone in to help him at home—or do we start looking at memory care places?” It’s a question I hear all the time. And the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

If you’re facing this decision right now, I want you to take a deep breath. You’re not alone. This is one of the most loving and thoughtful things you can do for someone you care about. Whether you’re a son, daughter, or spouse, weighing home care versus a memory care home is a big step. Let’s talk through it together.

What Is Home Care?

Home care means your loved one stays right where they are—in their house, their apartment, the place they feel most comfortable—and trained caregivers come to them.

With Vista at Home, that caregiver isn’t just anyone. They’re specially trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. They can help with:

Bathing, dressing, grooming

Preparing meals

Medication reminders

Companionship and memory-stimulating activities

Preventing falls or wandering

Home care is ideal for elders in the early stages of dementia—those who can still participate in daily routines and activities but need extra help or supervision. These are individuals who thrive in familiar settings, benefit from consistency, and aren’t yet facing major mobility challenges or behavioral complexities.

What Is a Memory Care Home?

A memory care home—like Sierra Vista, Vista Hermosa, or The Arbors—is a place designed specifically for elders with dementia or Alzheimer’s. These homes are secure, peaceful, and filled with caregivers who understand memory loss deeply. Memory care homes offer: 24/7 staff support, Structured daily routines, Therapeutic activities like art and music, Built-in social interaction with other elders, Secure environments to prevent wandering, While Vista Living excels at providing relationship-based care for elders in early to moderate stages, those with more complex medical needs, advanced mobility limitations, or frequent behavioral interventions may benefit from facilities with in-house skilled nursing or higher clinical capacity. Our team is happy to guide families toward trusted local providers who specialize in those higher-acuity needs.

Feature	Home Care (Vista at Home)	Memory Care Home (Vista Living Homes)
Living Environment	Your parent stays at home	Elders live in a small, residential home
Care Schedule	Based on hourly visits	24/7 care, always available
Social Interaction	Limited to caregiver/family	Community of peers and staff
Routine & Activities	Flexible, family-led	Structured, therapeutic, tailored
Best For	Early-stage dementia, safe at-home setting	Early to moderate dementia, relationship-based care

1. Is your loved one safe at home?

Do they forget to turn off the stove?
Have they wandered or gotten lost?
Is the home layout safe for someone with mobility or memory issues?

2. Are you (or your family) feeling overwhelmed?

Are you the one providing most of the care?
Have you missed work, lost sleep, or put your own health on hold?

3. Is your parent lonely?

Do they spend most of the day alone?
Would they benefit from being around others?

4. What do you need as a family?

Is there tension at home?
Are you all on the same page?

If your loved one’s needs include complex medical conditions, full mobility assistance, or high behavioral support, it may be time to consider a facility that specializes in skilled nursing or high-acuity dementia care. Our team can help you explore those options with transparency and compassion.

What Makes Vista’s Options Unique?

Whether you choose Vista at Home or one of our memory care homes, the foundation is the same: human-first, heart-led care. We follow our F.A.M.I.L.Y. values: Flexible: We meet elders where they are, every day. Authentic: We show up with love, humor, and honesty. Mentoring: We support families and train future caregivers. In Love: We love this work—and the people we serve. Listening: We listen to the elder, the family, the unspoken moments. Yes: We say yes to joy, to connection, to whatever matters most. This isn’t just a business. It’s personal for us. And you’ll feel that from the first phone call.

5. How Do I Choose the Right Place in Santa Fe?

Honestly? You’ll know more when you walk in than you will by reading websites or brochures. But here are a few tips:

What to Look for on a Tour: Do the elders look content and clean? Is the environment calm or chaotic? Do staff greet you and explain what they’re doing? Can residents move about freely and safely?

I also encourage families to visit at least two or three places. One may feel clinical, another too large. But when you walk into a place like Sierra Vista, you may just feel it: a sense of calm, connection, and compassion.

If you need a place to start, Vista Living is a beautiful example of what dementia care should look like in Santa Fe. Their small-scale homes, thoughtful activities, and heartfelt team make them a standout.

You’re Not Choosing Between Right and Wrong

If you take nothing else from this article, let it be this: you’re not choosing right or wrong. You’re choosing what fits your parent, your family, and your life right now.

If your loved one is still independent, emotionally stable, and connected to their daily routine—home care could be perfect. If they need a nurturing space with social engagement and supportive care—but don’t require complex medical attention—Vista Living is a beautiful next step.

If their needs go beyond what a relationship-based care model can provide, that’s okay too. What matters most is finding the right fit. And we’re happy to help you get there.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still unsure, that’s totally normal. Reach out to Vista. We can walk you through your options, tour a home together, or set up a free Vista at Home consultation.

You don’t have to make this decision alone. We’re here to help you figure out what’s best—not just for your parent, but for you too.

You’ve got this. And we’re just a phone call away.