Can an assisted living facility force residents into memory care?

Yes an AL can do this. They feel they no longer can care for her.

Same thing happened with my mother after a hospitalization and rehab stay. Her dementia worsenened and her MoCA score declined, so AL would not accept her back as a resident. She admittedly needed a higher level of care. So I had the choice of agreeing to get her into Memory Care or finding another ALF with less stringent rules, I guess. So I chose Memory Care which was probably a year or so too soon for her, dementia wise, but a year too late care wise. She did fine in Memory Care although her usual complaining ramped up. The extra care was very much needed and warranted.

The AL is within their rights to call it as they see it.

Good luck to you

Yes as long as they follow the laws of the state

Your Mom's facility has told you their limitations. Either agreeing with their assessment or disagreeing with it is irrelevant. ALF and MC are privately owned businesses. They have a model that usually has four levels of care. Once a senior, in the opinion of facility and staff. has more needs than they can manage in ALF they will suggest a move to MC. It is up to you if you use their facility's MC or another, or if, indeed, you try to ALF in another facility.

My brother, during his time in ALF had a good experience. Primarily that was because when care needs progressed for a need for MC for residents they were moved. The few times this didn't occur in a timely manner it made the living conditions for those in ALF untenable.

This is so tough, because of course the cost is so much higher due to the extra staff needed to give care, but it is entirely in the hands of the facility where your loved one is residing. Discuss it with them and they will explain things to you fully.

I sure wish you the very best and am so sorry you have reached this milestone with your mom.