Dementia, and specifically Alzheimer’s, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Baton Rouge’s senior population continues to grow (18.41% growth between 2013 and 2018), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Baton Rouge, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose by 64.93% between 2013 and 2018. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 14.24%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (8.32% in Baton Rouge vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
To help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive impairment find the support and care their loved ones need, we applied our unique methodology and spent dozens of hours researching senior living communities in Baton Rouge. In addition to an overview of the communities’ best features, this guide highlights the best memory care facilities in the city, and gives information about pricing, types of care provided, residents’ reviews, and more.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in Baton Rouge, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
Sunrise of Baton Rouge provides memory care and assisted living in a bustling yet tranquil location. It's conveniently located close to Baton Rouge General Medical Center and the Mall of Louisiana. There are some great on-site amenities and services too, such as monthly wellness visits by a licensed on-staff nurse, weekly housekeeping and personal laundry. Residents can enjoy three nutritious meals a day prepared by the chef, as well as snacks throughout the day. There is a range of activities on offer, designed to help residents feel safe and at ease but also enrich their body, mind and soul. Activities include music therapy, gardening and walking club. The team of professional staff is trained in memory care and available around the clock to assist residents with their daily living and memory care needs, including grooming and bathing.
Visitors praise the great activities, with one saying of her father's experience, "They have so many different things, like his church comes for mass and communion and people come play the piano and sing. He loves that, and he went on one outing to the USS Kiev and out to eat. They have different things for different people depending on what they like.
Sunrise at Siegen offers residents a community focused on active living and engagement. Activities include daily fitness classes, scheduled group trips, nature walks and more. Community services include weekly housekeeping, monthly wellness checks and daily trash removal. The memory care program includes access to a reflection room, which helps residents to remain calm through the use of music, smells and textures. The staff is experienced in the way that memory conditions may evolve and watch closely for symptoms of these changes to create a safe environment for residents.
Community reviews underscore the staff experience and wide range of activities, from walking clubs to family events. One writes, They took excellent care of my grandmother before she passed. My papa is still there and the staff and management are always on top of it all. I have never seen a more caring living facility for seniors in my life!
Right between Baton Rouge's Dawson Creek and Ward Creek, The Blake at The Grove offers memory and respite care, as well as assisted and independent living programs. The Blake at The Grove's memory care department utilizes iN2L, also known as It's Never Too Late, an intuitive tech platform designed for elders with dementia that employs a picture-based interface to reliably lead seniors through exercises, activities and therapies across its 4,000-plus proprietary applications. Within its memory care section, floor plans are laid out in a way to facilitate easy navigation, helping residents avoid confusion and frustration. The community uses a high-tech monitoring system that individually assesses residents' behavioral patterns, providing a constant layer of nonintrusive security. Here, all residents have unfettered access to a private dining room, an ample living area and a well-manicured courtyard, not to mention multiple social activities daily.
Visitors are truly impressed by the living standards at this community. One says, "I liked The Blake at The Grove a lot. They had all kinds of amenities, and I was so impressed. They had fine dining, movies, transportation, physical therapists on site, a doctor or a nurse 24/7 on site, transportation for medical appointments, and scheduled outings and shopping."
Set among lush court-yards, Magnolia Brook on Siegen Lane understands residents' unique needs after an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis. Each resident receives an individual assessment before moving in, with the results forming the basis of a personal care plan designed to meet residents' needs, emphasizing personal preferences. The activities on offer range from woodworking to gardening and even helping in the kitchen. Small successes are celebrated and help provide residents with a sense of purpose. Specially trained staff are on hand 24/7, and the community aims to create a safe, secure environment with a sense of home.
People are impressed with the care at Magnolia Brooks. One reviewer writes, "My mother moved into Magnolia Brook on Siegen a week ago, and I think she likes it. She's getting used to the new surroundings, and I'm very happy. The whole staff from the director to the workers are all very caring, and I feel very comfortable with her there. That has been a good blessing for me."
The Pearl at Jamestown offers memory care and respite care in a residential location dotted with parks and lakes. Shops and hospitals are nearby. On-site amenities include a library, a movie theater and a spa, and a secure garden and courtyard are available where seniors can enjoy the fresh air. The professional staff members are trained in memory care and deliver services according to residents' individualized care plans. This community offers the Live, Love, Learn Program, designed to make each resident feel safe while nurturing their mind, body and soul. The kitchen staff prepares nutritious homemade meals, which residents can enjoy with new friends and neighbors, and seniors can celebrate special occasions with loved ones in a private dining room.
Visitors praise the kind staff and beautiful grounds, with one reviewer saying, "I really like The Pearl at Jamestown. It's a very nice community. I think they're doing a very good job taking care of the residents. The grounds are very pretty. The rooms are very cozy, very physically challenged able, very nice, and very clean."
Located just off I-10 in a quiet residential neighborhood, Amber Terrace Assisted Living offers easy access to dozens of nearby shopping and dining venues. The community is uniquely designed to provide quality care to residents requiring memory loss care. Its enclosed courtyard and walking paths give residents the freedom to enjoy the communitys indoor and outdoor features and amenities, such as its gardens, fountain, beauty salon, library and multiple seating areas. Staff members, who are specially trained in memory care support, are on hand 24/7 to assist with activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, grooming and housekeeping. Scheduled daily activities focus on fitness, cognitive stimulation and mental wellness. Dental and health services are available through the communitys visiting physicians and dental team.
Residents enjoy the variety of activities available. One family member states, My parents are in Amber Terrace right now. It looks good and like a plantation-type place. I feel like my parents are well cared for there. They have a calendar full of activities for them to do if they want to do it.
The Claiborne at Shoe Creek encourages its senior memory care residents to live active lifestyles. The community's staff members work with each resident's family members to develop a personalized care plan that incorporates physical fitness, assistance with all aspects of daily living and mentally stimulating events and activities, such as arts and crafts. Weekly housekeeping, linen and laundry services are provided for each resident, and medication management assistance is available. Three chef-prepared meals are served each day, and concierge services for residents and their family members are offered. The secured courtyard lets residents enjoy the fresh air under direct 24/7 supervision.
Each beautifully appointed apartment has the resident's name on the door to help the senior find his or her way home independently. Inside, wood-style flooring and fashionable window treatments help to make each room feel warm and cozy, while private bathrooms that are outfitted with safety and accessibility features help to increase each resident's optimal self-reliance capabilities.
A family owned and operated retirement community, Garden View Assisted Living provides a friendly, secure environment thats replete with convenient amenities. There are craft rooms, large common living areas, a chapel and outdoor courtyards and patios where residents can gather for social hours. Luxury apartments provide all the comforts of home, which residents can freely decorate to create a familiar atmosphere. Dedicated neighborhoods cater to seniors with varying levels of care needs. Specialized memory care suites cater to those living with cognitive conditions, which are designed to create a secure, intimate setting with a relaxing outdoor garden area, walking paths and patio. Safety is enhanced through alarmed exterior doors, emergency call systems, smoke alarms and surveillance cameras. Residents benefit from personalized care, with special attention given to cognitive support such as reminders, prompting and redirection.
Reviewers find it easy to deal with the administration. Visiting family members love the attention they get from the staff. We always feel welcome to stop by to visit and the staff and management are always available to talk, Very willing to help. Thanks so much for becoming a part of our family and for loving our dad, says one.
St. James Place is conveniently located in a residential neighborhood that's just minutes from dozens of Baton Rouge shops, restaurants, and places of worship. The community offers both moderate and advanced levels of memory care services. While these care level centers are each self-contained, they share the communitys many amenities, which include a library and a beauty salon. St. James Place also sports a large fitness center that keeps residents physically active and mentally stimulated through exercise machines, a heated pool, Tai Chi classes, ping-pong tables and other diversions. Trained staff members are available around the clock to provide seniors with supportive services as needed. Nutritious meals are served daily in the formal dining room as well as in the café.
Residents compliment the staff at St. James Place for providing supportive care services and for creating a homelike setting. One resident stated that she "lived here 4 yrs. and still can't believe I could be so lucky. So many nice people. Every need is met."
Heritage Manor of Baton Rouge is a nursing home and memory care community that is conveniently located close to a range of medical facilities in the heart of Baton Rouge. The secure memory care unit requires keypad access for entry and exit for the safety of residents. A dedicated team of caregiving staff is always on hand to provide compassionate care and assistance. All staff members in the unit are trained in working with seniors with cognitive impairment disorders. A licensed nurse performs regular health checks on all residents to monitor their health and well-being. Activities in the memory care section are personalized to the individual abilities and interests of each resident. Some of the activities offered include arts and crafts, musical therapy, fitness classes and gardening. Three nutritious meals are served on a daily basis in the dining room.
Visitors are impressed by the staff and therapy options with one saying, "Fantastic nursing home, I would feel comfortable having any of my family members here. While at Heritage Manor, the staff will make you feel like their first priority. Great therapy team & facility staff. Would give my highest review!"
Conveniently located just minutes from downtown and right off I-10, Landmark of Baton Rouge offers a family-like atmosphere where seniors are encouraged to maintain active, social lifestyles. Specially trained caregivers provide supervision and safety monitoring around the clock, as well as assistance with housekeeping and grooming. An exit-preventive monitoring system allows memory loss residents to move freely throughout the center without the risk of leaving unsupervised. Landmark of Baton Rouge's wide array of amenities, including a chapel, beauty salon, landscaped courtyard with gardens, hydrotherapy spa and state-of-the-art fitness center, give residents extensive opportunities for socialization and mental stimulation. The community also offers transportation for off-site appointments and community excursions.
Residents rave about the communitys supportive staff, appealing food and available activities. One family member commented, My mother has been there for almost three years. The facility is very nicely furnished and smells good (important in a nursing home). There are lots of activities everyday. Her medical needs are well attended to.
Francois Bend is a state-of-the-art senior memory care community that sprawls over 7.5 acres in Gonzales, just outside of Baton Rouge. Residents are invited to participate in numerous monthly events and activities held in the community's on-site 9,000-square-foot social pavilion. Three restaurant-style meals are served each day, with flexible dining times provided to respect the preferred schedule and individuality of each resident. Trained staff members offer residents bathing, grooming, dressing and medication management assistance, and personalized memory care services are conducted daily by the 24/7 nursing staff. Round-the-clock security helps to ensure the safety of all residents, and quarterly health review status updates help community caregivers change resident memory care and overall health plans as needed.
Family members have grown to love this community. One says, "My Mother-in-Law lives here in Memory Care, they treat the residents like family. She was in another facility before being moved here. Worlds of difference in the care! Highly recommend The Francois Bend for your loved one."
At Flannery Oaks Guest House, residents participate in a unique memory care program designed to energize the body, mind and spirit. The program is based on each resident's individual interests, hobbies and current abilities. Flannery Oaks Guest House is fully equipped with 24/7 staff monitoring, a rehabilitation gym, and hydrotherapy spa rooms. The community, which provides dietitian-approved meals, also offers a variety of activities such as grocery pick-ups, religious services and exciting food-based socials. Residents receive thorough care, whether or not they are receiving long-time care or short-term rehabilitation services.
Residents and their families love the care and welcoming attention from the staff. One relative says, "The staff was kind and attentive and always seemed to be caring to my grandmother. My grandmother even seemed much more content. The facility is usually clean and the staff friendly. I just wish she had more opportunities to interact with other residents other than meals."
Seniors residing at The Woodleigh of Baton Rouge memory care unit receive around-the-clock care from an experienced staff trained in the latest techniques for assisting people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. The residence is located in a safe, secured environment with locked entry doors. The calming atmosphere is decorated with soothing colors, and no disruptive overhead paging is allowed on the unit. The community offers seniors peaceful outdoor spaces, such as a covered patio and large yard area, where they can take in some fresh air, relax or socialize. A recreational program is geared towards addressing residents' cognitive, physical and emotional needs in a specialized therapeutic activity area.
A resident's family member raves about the warmth and care their loved one with dementia receives at The Woodleigh of Baton Rouge, stating, "Woodleigh provided the love, attention, and respect that my Dad deserved. They became part of our family and will always continue to be."
Landmark South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center offers a thorough memory care program focused on providing residents with the care they need in a secure environment. The program's activities are resident-specific and include activities that stimulate the brain while creating unity with the body and spirit. The community also offers a variety of amenities and activities, such as hydrotherapy spa rooms, a beauty salon and barbershop, community outings and 24/7 on-site staff monitoring. Residents receive any care they may need, including rehabilitation services and transportation to medical appointments.
Residents and their families love the homelike atmosphere and attentive care. One said, "My Mom stayed at Landmark South while recovering from a fall. I cannot say enough good things about the place. The staff was kind and attentive, the facility was pretty and clean. If she ever needs full time nursing, Landmark South will be the first place that I call."