Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Bellflower's senior population continues to grow (7% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.Â
In Bellflower, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 38% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 31%, 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 (11% in Bellflower vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).Â
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 Bellflower. 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 Bellflower, 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.Â
Overall, our team:Â Â
Lakewood Gardens is a dedicated memory care community that offers seniors comfortable accommodations with the friendly assistance they need to function fully and safely. Residents can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine due to the Wander Alert System, which alerts staff if any resident moves outside of the grounds. Throughout the week, residents receive three daily meals and snacks, and feeding assistance is available. A free van service is offered to transport residents to medical appointments within a 5-mile radius, and housekeeping and laundry are provided. Residents can take part in activities such as bowling, table board games, exercise programs and crafts or opt to get spoiled a the on-site salon. Medication management and assistance with the daily activities of living are provided for all residents.
Many people mention the great staff at Lakewood Gardens with the mother of a resident writing, "The place is so clean, the staff so caring, kind and compassionate with everyone. I have never seen a place that has so much love and compassion for their residents."
Downey Retirement Center is dedicated to providing the best possible chance of safe and comfortable living for seniors with memory care needs, offering 24-hour staff who are available on-site, along with personalized bathing, dressing assistance and incontinence care, ensuring that individuals have access to proper hygiene. The community provides significantly reduced risks of wandering due to its established partnership with the Safe Return Program of the Alzheimer's Association. Several amenities and services make residents' lives more pleasant and productive. It offers an escort service to accompany residents to medical appointments, a large dining hall for socializing and courtyards and gardens for exercise and fresh air. There's also a games room and a beauty salon on-site that residents can use for recreation or pampering.
Visitors to the community are impressed by the friendly staff and the interactions between residents. One wrote, "Toured this facility with my father. Nice and clean and smelled nice. Patients in the lobby area and were chatting with each other. Caregivers are friendly and reception is also friendly."
At Oakmont of Whittier, memory care residents live in studio or companion units with customized accessibility features. The community's Traditions program engages seniors with memory loss through music and sensory-stimulating activities. The staff also fosters a relaxing environment and encourages physical and mental exercise. So that personal care isn't a hurdle for residents, caregivers assist with bathing, dressing and personal hygiene as needed. Other care capabilities include oxygen management and continence care, plus medication administration. An on-site nurse monitors residents' health, and physicians are readily accessible via same-day and next-day appointments. When outside medical care is necessary, the staff provides service coordination. Among the community's relaxing common areas are scenic gardens and a movie theater. Using local ingredients, its award-winning culinary team prepares fresh menus each day. A private dining room offers space for small gatherings.
Reviewers praised Oakmont of Whittier for its tranquil atmosphere and caring staff. One wrote, "Residents are treated with respect and kindness. Our family has great peace of mind that our loved one is able to be in a safe, comfortable and loving home."
Sunrise of La Palma is an assisted living facility in La Palma, CA, that welcomes residents to a life of leisure and enjoyment. The community offers compassionate Alzheimer's and dementia care using two levels of care, Terrace Club and Reminiscence, to cater to the different levels of memory loss. Terrace Club is for those in the early stages of memory loss. Activities are focused on cognitive strengthening and are performed in smaller groups than in typical assisted living programs. These neighborhoods also have an easy-to-navigate, condensed design. Those who experience more developed memory loss reside in the Reminiscence neighborhoods. Here, residents receive one-on-one activities that help them recall favorite memories. The staff uses the validation method to reduce anxiety and improve confidence. As for meals, the community caters to each resident's dietary needs through personalized menus.
Residents of Sunrise of La Palma promote it as a very intimate community and a clean and well-managed environment. One reviewer claims, "My aunt is doing well with her move to this community. So far I am pleased with all they have done. The community looks beautiful. The staff is great and very caring. The experience is going very well."
The dedicated memory care community at Palmcrest Grand Assisted Living features a home-like environment that encourages socialization and routine activities that provide comfort and peace of mind. Residents benefit from personal grooming assistance, housekeeping services and meal preparation approved by a nutritionist. All environments in the community are secured to protect residents from wandering. Palmcrest Grand Assisted Living is staffed by trained professionals who are always available to help when someone is lost or confused. Residents have access to a 46-seat movie theater and other activities rooms designed to stimulate the mind and slow cognitive decline.
Reviews for Palmcrest Grand Assisted Living show that residents love the caregivers, food, activities and the other seniors living in memory care. One reviewer compares the community to a hotel, writing, "It is so homelike and bright. I never feel uncomfortable or anxious when visiting."
Whittier Place provides compassionate memory care through its skilled staff trained in partnership with the National Council of Dementia Practitioners. Community programming includes art therapy to promote calmness and social connection. Residents can also participate in group exercises, including the Armchair Fitness program and tai chi classes. Staff members are available 24/7, and care is coordinated directly with primary care physicians. For learning and fun, memory care residents are encouraged to join classes ranging from Music and Movement to Spanish lessons. The community incorporates technology into its care with virtual reality systems, letting residents enjoy activities like virtual trips to Paris and swimming with the dolphins. Everyone receives three nutritious and well-balanced meals daily and dining assistance is available. The community's complimentary transport enables residents to honor off-site appointments and go on outings including fishing trips and walking clubs.
Reviewers appreciate the staff's compassionate care. One says, "We do not have any complaints. Things are going very well. The staff is caring and professional. The facility is clean and well organized and maintained. The level of care here is excellent and everyone feels like family. "
La Posada Assisted Living & Memory Care Community offers four progressive levels of care to residents of their memory care program, ensuring everyone receives personalized attention suited to their current cognitive and functional capabilities. There are also two memory care communities so that person-centered care and services are appropriately delivered by trained staff. Caregivers are available to assist memory care residents with the daily activities of living 24/7 and escort residents to activities such as gardening, walks throughout the neighborhood and music and pet therapy. Safety checks can be worked into personalized care plans, and visiting therapists can assist with rehabilitation programs. All memory care residents receive three daily meals, and assistance with dining is available.
Reviewers speak highly of the care provided at La Posada Assisted Living & Memory Care Community, with one reviewer writing, "I couldn't have found a better place for my Mom. The staff there is wonderful. They took such great care of my Mom until she passed away. I would highly recommend this facility. It is more like a home environment than a care facility."
ActivCare at Brittany House is nestled in the residential Lakewood Village neighborhood of Long Beach, CA. The community offers an innovative approach that may accommodate residents who need both memory care and skilled nursing. Licensed nurses are scheduled around the clock, and staff members organize activities specially developed for residents with memory loss. These activities, including chair yoga exercises and nature walks, give residents the ability to stay physically active. Activities also support mental engagement through craft-making projects and bingo games. Memory care residents can spend time relaxing outside in the secure landscaped courtyards and feel confident with the interior layout that includes themed rooms and corridors designed to help with navigation.
Reviewers compliment ActivCare at Brittany House for being a well-maintained community with an attractive design and helpful caregivers. One says, "The Brittany House looked very nice. It also looked super clean because they had wallpapers with cute colors on the wall. I thought it was bright and cheery.. The staff seemed friendly. They were very informative."
Meridian at Anaheim Hills provides senior care near Deer Canyon Park and Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim's picturesque Anaheim Hills neighborhood. The whole community is connected to an emergency alert system, and its secured spaces require keypad entry for residents' safety. Staff members are available around-the-clock to offer memory care residents personalized assistance. Each resident in memory care is given a care plan that takes into account their unique preferences and abilities and is designed to help them feel encouraged and supported. Residents can also benefit from access to a full calendar filled with gentle, guided activities, such as art therapy and bird watching, as well as fun, recreational events such as ice cream socials and kickball games.
Meridian at Anaheim Hills receives top marks from residents' loved ones for serving delicious food and employing amiable caregivers. One writes, "the staff in memory care [is] very friendly. Overall I am happy that my loved one is here.. My loved one thinks the food is great. They have holiday meals for the residents, and the food seems pretty healthy."
At Brookdale Garden Grove, seniors can enjoy home-style meals, peaceful surroundings and utility-inclusive, pet-friendly apartments, many of which offer garden views. The secure memory care unit features easy-to-navigate floor plans, way-finder cues, calming wall colors and large windows that let in lots of natural light. A team of familiar staff members learns individual preferences and delivers person-centered Alzheimer's and dementia care around the clock. Residents experiencing memory loss also have opportunities to perform supervised household tasks and participate in mind-stimulating activities designed to enrich daily life, build confidence and maintain existing skills. Those with late-stage dementia can benefit from the Solace program, which offers regular sense-stimulating experiences, such as aromatherapy and music. All residents can get small personal care essentials conveniently delivered to their apartments via Brookdale's Personal Solutions program.
Reviewers praise the meals, outdoor areas and the staff's professionalism. "The food was fantastic ... and the community just looks like a little oasis," comments one reviewer. Commenting on the staff, a resident's daughter writes, "They are very efficient and they know what they're doing, from the receptionist to the nurses." She adds, "My dad's room is very clean."
With Brookdale Anaheim's Clare Bridge program, residents are assigned the same associates whenever possible, allowing specialists to better understand individual needs and behavior. The program also helps residents maintain abilities and foster growth by providing them with six distinct planned daily activities. Brookdale Anaheim's Solace program provides additional support for those with advanced dementia. The community features dementia-friendly apartments with easy-to-navigate floor plans designed with soothing wall colors and wayfinding cues to help residents feel secure. Activities like B-Fit, brain games and InTouch can be fun and uplifting for those experiencing memory loss. B-Fit provides moderate exercise with brain-stimulating activities to maintain physical strength. Brain games help to strengthen cognitive abilities, while InTouch uses easy-to-use picture-screen prompts to engage with the outside world from the comfort of home.
In addition to the many activities, services and amenities available within the community, loved ones are impressed with the community's cleanliness. One says, "This facility is clean. The Memory Care director is great. If I could give her 10 stars, I would. Laundry and housekeeping is twice a week. They have activities all the time and exercise, too."
Kirkwood Orange offers memory care and assisted living in Orange, CA, which is a 30-minute drive from the city of Bellflower. This community's comfortable memory care accommodations include private and shared studios with individual climate control, high ceilings and an abundance of natural lighting. Its memory care program, Connections for Living by MBK, is centered on providing comprehensive care and offering opportunities to help residents feel engaged and foster a sense of belonging. Caregivers learn about each resident's history to create a personalized approach to care that uses evidence-based methods to stimulate cognitive function and promote overall well-being. Residents in memory care can participate in scheduled events in the dedicated activity room, unwind on the secure outdoor patio and exercise by taking strolls along the walking paths.
Kirkwood Orange earns accolades for being well-maintained and secure. One reviewer says, "I thought that the community was very well-kept. Security was very tight. The check-in and check-out procedures were very formal, which I appreciated. They have all the exits monitored, and they can keep track of all their residents very easily."
Brookdale Brookhurst ensures memory care residents receive care from the same associates whenever possible, as this can help seniors develop one-on-one relationships with their caregivers and feel more at home. Staff is on-site 24/7 to provide support, including responding to emergencies, and the community's decor and furniture use calming colors to generate an overall sense of serenity. Secure entrances and exits keep residents safe, and there's a protected courtyard where they can enjoy the outdoors relatively risk-free. An array of programs helps residents manage memory loss and enhance their quality of life, such as art projects, music therapy and yoga. Seniors in the advanced stages of memory loss benefit from The Solace Program, which extends existing care programs for residents who would benefit from longer sensory sessions, such as personal grooming and aromatherapy.
Families love the quality of care staff provides to Brookdale Brookhurst's memory care residents. One family member says, "In the more than four years since our mother has lived at Brookdale, we have watched this stellar staff rise to difficult situations to treat our mother with dignity, genuine care and grace."
In Stanton, CA, Rowntree Gardens is a large senior care community that's only 17 miles from Bellflower and 20 miles from Long Beach. The Gardens memory care neighborhood is on a single floor for easy navigation and gives residents access to a secure and supervised parklike area. Its memory care program follows the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle, which is designed to cherish each resident's life experience and inspire a feeling of purpose. Every memory care team member is certified by the Center for Applied Research in Dementia to care for residents with respect, patience and dignity. In addition, the full-time activity team organizes stimulating activities for memory care residents with varying abilities, such as Bible studies, movie nights and balance-oriented exercises.
Rowntree Gardens earns praise for being a well-integrated community with likable staff members. One says, "The people in the memory care [program] are integrated at times for meals and for special events with the other people that live there. So it's like a total community. The staff are all wonderful. They're pleasant. They're all smiling, friendly."
Located in the heart of Seal Beach near the Alamitos Medical Center, Sunrise of Seal Beach offers award-winning memory care for seniors living with Alzheimer's and related dementias. All care services are personalized and rooted in research, so residents receive a high level of support 24/7. The Reminiscence neighborhood is a secure setting with staff members who are certified in the Alzheimer's Association's essentiALZ program, ensuring they know the challenges facing those with the disease and can deliver person-centered care. Life-enrichment managers get to know residents closely and tailor care to their needs, including help with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing and grooming. The engaging environment keeps seniors stimulated every day, with one-to-one and small-group programming focused on improving their cognitive and physical health, such as brain games, b-Fit exercise classes, art projects and puzzles.
Loved ones appreciate the engaging environment and kind team. "We are very fortunate that our mother can afford to live at Sunrise," says one reviewer. "The [community] is beautifully maintained and decorated. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, caring and compassionate. The food is good with a varied menu. Fun and stimulating activities for residents. Good communication."
Whether residents are in the early stages of dementia or experiencing more advanced cognitive changes, Oakmont of Chino Hills' Traditions Memory Care program ensures quality care. Their approach empowers residents by providing specialized activities centered on music, sensory and tactile stimulation. As needed, their compassionate and specially trained team members provide extra understanding, care and patience, including assistance with activities of daily living and medication management. The community provides a unique and engaging lifestyle tailored explicitly to its memory care residents. Social activities such as music, films, art and small group meetings occur regularly and encourage dialogue between residents. Additionally, residents can explore the outdoors in the resident gardens and walking paths or have a bite in the indoor/outdoor restaurant-style dining areas. Indoor amenities include a library for intellectual pursuits, a salon for pampering and an activity room for physical and cognitive fitness exercises.
Staff members handle memory care residents in a respectful manner, which visitors admire. One comments, "Seemed to know how to correctly handle memory care. First impressions were great with the facility and staff."
Sunrise of Yorba Linda is a memory care community that uses the validation method, which reduces stress through empathetic treatment and communication from a highly skilled staff. Residents are orientated into memory care plans depending on the level of memory loss. Early to moderate memory loss residents fit into the Terrace Club, while Reminiscence neighborhoods cater to residents with advanced Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. To provide personalized care, the staff takes time to know each person personally, including their family, passions and ambitions. Activities at Sunrise of Yorba Linda are done in small groups to help residents connect with friends and form bonds. They can participate in music therapy and painting, or if they prefer more engaging activities, they can participate in fitness classes and gardening.
Residents and their loved ones appreciate the care and comfort offered in the community. One resident says, "I have called Sunrise of Yorba Linda home for more than four years. I am blessed to be in such a beautiful place. The caregivers and staff take such good care of the other residents and me. I feel safe and comfortable. I attend activities throughout the day and enjoy meals with my friends. I would highly recommend Sunrise of Yorba Linda!"
Carmel Village is located just a few blocks from Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley, CA. This community has a 24-hour emergency response system and offers around-the-clock emergency maintenance. Its calendar is catered to residents who require Alzheimer's and dementia care and gives them the freedom to participate in various activities, such as aroma and music therapy to support a sense of calm, while chair yoga and coordination exercises support physical health. They can also participate in current events discussions and indoor bowling for social engagement. Residents can choose to play stimulating memory games and receive rejuvenating hand massages. They can also enjoy on-site salon services at the beauty parlor.
Reviewers appreciate that Carmel Village has kind, accommodating staff members. One writes, "The staff is very friendly and patient, which I've found very helpful. They work with you, which has been really nice. Especially in memory care, everybody is really good with helping my loved one. I feel very fortunate to have her there."
Ivy Park at Bradford's memory care residents live in a dedicated building designed with safety in mind. The interior is brightly lit, which eases navigation. Through the community's EverYou program, seniors experience enriching days, and the staff provides 24-hour personal care assistance. Each senior receives a customized memory care plan, and an activities program helps them stay engaged. To remove everyday burdens from residents' shoulders, the staff handles housekeeping, laundry and maintenance. Physician services help seniors stay healthy, and medication management assistance makes sure they're properly medicated. The dining staff serves nutritious food all day. When an urgent matter arises, an emergency response system is available for summoning help. A fitness center, club room and salon are three examples of this community's many amenities.
Reviewers believe the staff of Ivy Park at Bradford deserves praise. One writes, "The people that work there are wonderful. My mother-in-law tells us every time we visit her that they are all so good to her and treat her so well. I would recommend it to anyone."
Abor Palms is located in a bustling part of southwestern Anaheim and offers assisted living and memory care services. Seniors are cared for by attentive staff who offer support with personal care tasks, housekeeping and laundry while providing a safe environment. Trained caregivers strive to ensure each resident's physical, emotional and spiritual needs are met. Exercise sessions tailored to the needs of the individual run regularly. Residents have access to spacious and accessible common areas as well as a community garden for the gardening club to take care of. Activities are offered seven days a week, with the schedule including spiritual worship, socials, games and also charitable activities, giving them a chance to get involved with the wider community. Meal service is provided in a shared dining space and residents can choose from a nutritious and varied menu of dishes.
Reviewers praise both the staff and the facility itself. The loved one of a resident explains, "The staff is really nice; everybody is very helpful." Another reviewer comments on the quality of the amenities offered, noting "They had lots of community areas, one for crafting, one for puzzles, and then they have a library."?