Memory Care Evaluation Scorecard
Use this scorecard to compare dementia-specific communication, wandering prevention, behavior support, routine, dignity, and family involvement.
Memory care should be evaluated differently from standard assisted living. A secure door is not enough.
Quick answer
Use this scorecard to compare dementia-specific communication, wandering prevention, behavior support, routine, dignity, and family involvement.
Community Information
| Field | Notes | | --- | --- | | Community name | | | Contact person | | | Date toured | | | Base memory care rate | | | Estimated care-level fees | | | Medication fee | | | Total estimated monthly cost | | | Discharge policy provided? | |
Scorecard
Use 1-5.
| Category | Score | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Dementia-specific staff training | | | | Staff communication style | | | | Wandering prevention | | | | Exit safety | | | | Behavior support | | | | Refusal-of-care approach | | | | Sundowning support | | | | Nighttime coverage | | | | Medication support | | | | Mealtime support | | | | Activities matched to cognition | | | | Calm environment | | | | Outdoor safety | | | | Family communication | | | | Care plan process | | | | Discharge policy clarity | | | | Cost transparency | | | | Overall trust level | | |
Hard-Day Scenario Test
Ask the community:
"What happens if my loved one refuses a shower, says they need to go home, becomes angry, and tries to leave?"
Rate the answer:
| Element | Yes / No | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Calm response described | | | | Non-drug strategies mentioned | | | | Staff training explained | | | | Family communication explained | | | | Documentation explained | | | | Discharge threshold explained | | |
Kefiw Tip
Do not only ask whether wandering is prevented. Ask how the community reduces distress before someone tries to leave.
Red Flag Notes
| Red flag | Details | | --- | --- | | Staff described residents as difficult | | | Wandering plan vague | | | Medication discussed as first response | | | Activities not adapted | | | No clear family updates | | | Discharge rules vague | | | Other | |
Final Comparison Question
"Does this community understand dementia behavior as communication, or do they treat it as a problem to control?"
Reusable Product Asset Uses
This worksheet should eventually support:
- Printable PDF.
- Saveable worksheet.
- Calculator result add-on.
- Care Track step.
- Family summary export.
- Email or share version.
- Bring-this-to-a-tour version when relevant.
- Use-before-a-family-meeting version when relevant.
Professional Review
Recommended reviewer: dementia care specialist, clinician
Sources To Verify
Last reviewed: April 29, 2026.
Kefiw Worksheet Disclaimer
Kefiw provides educational care-planning tools, worksheets, and guides. These materials are designed to help families organize information and prepare better questions. They do not replace medical, legal, financial, tax, insurance, employment, benefits, or professional care advice. Care needs, costs, coverage, provider quality, eligibility, and legal requirements vary by person, plan, provider, state, and situation. For urgent medical concerns or immediate danger, call emergency services.
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Frequently asked questions
› How should families use this worksheet? How-to
Use it before a care decision, appointment, tour, provider interview, or family conversation so the discussion starts with facts instead of memory and stress.
› Is this worksheet professional advice? How-to
No. It organizes information and prepares better questions, but medical, legal, financial, tax, insurance, benefits, employment, and care decisions should be confirmed with qualified professionals.
› Should this be printed or saved? How-to
Both can help. A printed copy is useful during tours or family meetings, while a saved copy helps the family update the plan after care needs, costs, or safety risks change.
› How should I use this guide with a Kefiw tool? How-to
Use the guide as the plan and the linked Kefiw tool as the check. Read the steps first, try the move manually, then use the tool to compare outputs, catch edge cases, and decide whether the result actually fits your task.
› What mistake do tool guides help avoid? Troubleshooting
Tool guides help avoid using a utility mechanically without understanding what you are trying to accomplish. Most word, writing, and text utilities are fast, but speed can hide context mistakes. Know whether you are solving a puzzle, cleaning copy, drafting a line, or checking a rule.