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 Blacksburg's senior population continues to grow (18% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Blacksburg, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased 13% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 18%, showing that while Alzheimer’s is a serious concern in the region, the associated deaths have decreased recently. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (3% in Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg. 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 Blacksburg, 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:
English Meadows Blacksburg Campus offers assisted living and memory care services in Blacksburg, VA. The community has convenient access to Interstate 81 and is close to several high-performing hospitals. Residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia receive 24/7 personalized support from attentive, compassionate caregivers. English Meadows boasts the Lavender Hills Dementia Care program, which takes a person-centered approach to dementia care. The program allows older adults with cognitive impairment to engage in fun games, educational activities and creativity boxes designed to promote memory retention. Trained staff prepares nutritious farm-to-table meals and organizes regular family night events and social outings to help boost residents' mental function. Memory care apartments have a state-of-the-art emergency call system and amenities such as laundry and housekeeping that create a secure and comfortable environment for residents.
Family members applaud the community's well-maintained apartments and wide range of stimulating activities. One resident's relative says, "Food is excellent in comparison to others I have been to. All inclusive pricing is excellent. Staff are friendly, the facility is clean and appears well kept. The 1 bedrooms are spacious. Family night events are well planned and prepared."
Commonwealth Senior Living at Radford offers a range of individualized care programs to support the long-term health and happiness of all residents. With 24-hour care, daily housekeeping, farm-to-table dining options and a plethora of cognitive, creative and social activities, each resident can truly feel at home. The community benefits from therapeutic Mynd VR designed for the senior population to stimulate memory and cognition. Beyond virtual reality, memory care strategies for the community's Sweet Memories residents include Life Kits with items related to the lives and hobbies of residents, the Life Stations program and the Sweet Melodies program. Residents can even take advantage of the sensory Serenity Room for a soothing experience any time of day.
Commonwealth residents at Radford applaud the care teams. One reviewer writes, "The entire staff has shown a true level of compassion that is unmatched."
The Sweet Memories program offered at Commonwealth Senior Living at Christiansburg, VA, provides the highest quality of care and engagement for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia whilst also providing support to the families. Memory care residents live in a secure neighborhood equipped with soothing serenity rooms for those who find themselves overwhelmed or overstimulated. The staff is trained in skilled nursing for residents with memory loss through several programs including Certified Dementia Practitioner Training. Other programs designed to engage and comfort residents include art therapy for self-expression, sensory enrichment activities and life stations to allow residents to remember moments in their lives. Activities such as water aerobics and support groups act to maintain each resident's mental and physical well-being. There is daily assistance with dressing, bathing, medication management and dining. Rooms have private and companion options with emergency call buttons.
Family members are very complimentary about the staff, food and general atmosphere. One says, "Everyone is super friendly. Super clean. Wonderful food. Fun activities. Wish my parents could be home but can't be so this is a great place for them! Love it!"
Brookdale Salem offers a person-centered approach to memory care in a warm and welcoming environment. The memory care neighborhood is completely secure and designed to meet the needs of seniors with memory loss disorders. The open floor plan is easy to navigate to enable seniors to remain independent, and all the walls have been painted in soothing colors to help residents feel calm and safe. Each resident has a personalized daily activity and therapy plan to assist them in maintaining their current life skills and provide a sense of purpose. Staff members guide seniors through their daily activity schedule, which may include gardening, life skills, cognitive games and physical therapy. Social events are held on a regular basis and family members are encouraged to attend these to spend time with loved ones.
Family members appreciate the compassionate care provided, with one reviewer saying, "My mother has been at Brookdale Salem for over three years and I have been more than pleased. She has her own small "apartment" that is private, yet she is encouraged to spend time enjoying areas outside of her own. She has been cared for, loved, kept engaged in activities, and respected."
At Richfield Living in Salem, memory care is provided within "households" that make seniors feel at home. This intimate environment of only 16 residents per household allows for personalized care. Residents have private rooms gathered around home-like common areas that include a kitchen, living area and dining area. The community is fully secure, including its relaxing outdoor spaces where seniors can enjoy being in the fresh air and sunshine. Staff members encourage families to decorate the residents' private spaces with their favorite personal items to provide comfort. Community meals are served family-style, and staff members design menus around residents' favorite foods. Music plays a major role in the community's activities and entertainment. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra visits frequently along with a music therapist.
Residents and their families are pleased with the care provided at Richfield Living in Salem. One reviewer whose mother lives in the community says that her loved one now has "a life that she has not had for a long time." The whole family is thrilled with the care provided. Other reviewers praise the cleanliness and spaciousness of the community.
Memory Care residents of TerraBella Pheasant Ridge live in studio apartments with private bathrooms and closets. Assisted living residents have their choice between studios and one or two-bedroom apartments. "Get out, get moving, and get social" is the tenet of the activities program at TerraBella Pheasant Ridge. Staff offer live music and entertainment, life-enriching activities, arts and crafts, and other forms of entertainment to keep residents busy and happy every day. The kitchen puts out freshly made appetizers, entrees, and desserts three times a day and snacks are provided, too. The Dimensions Health & Wellness Program helps seniors build healthier habits and build strength, stability and confidence after injuries, accidents, and surgeries. There are on-site exercise classes for all ability levels and a fun and interactive staff that makes being active fun. Housekeeping, assistance with activities of daily living, maintenance, and laundry are provided.
Reviewers praise the caring staff. One says, "I'm very happy with them. The staff are wonderful. When we went up to tour the place, we were also just being mindful of the staff, and when you heard staff talking, you never heard them say anything bad or negative. Everyone was smiling, and everyone was friendly towards each other and towards the members that live there."
Set on a spacious campus in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Harmony Collection at Roanoke Memory Care Facility boasts vibrant living for residents who require daily assistance with Alzheimer's and memory impairment in a peaceful environment. Chef-prepared meals are served three times a day and stimulating activities are arranged by the Life Enrichment Director including cooking demonstrations, biking, arts and crafts, music afternoons, and games. There are pet-friendly living options with private and companion suites available, each with walk-in showers and air-conditioning. Transport is arranged for medical appointments, and there is a memory garden for residents to enjoy time outdoors in a beautiful, secure courtyard setting. Care from skilled nursing staff is provided 24 hours a day, and the community is located near the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and the LewisGale Medical Center.
Family members are impressed by the cleanliness and overall quality of care provided. One comments, "The biggest thing this community has offered my family is a safe place for our mom to enjoy living."
Brandon Oaks is a Memory Care, Assisted Living and Rehabilitation community located in Roanoke, VA, offering skilled nursing and 24-hour care in their Memory Support Center. There are four hospitals in close proximity with the closest being Lewisgale Medical Center and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Services provided include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medication management and chronic disease management. On-site facilities include a barber shop and Health and Vitality Center, where residents can take classes and swim in the warm water pool. Activities and entertainment are arranged for memory care residents that encourage social and cognitive well-being. Three meals a day are served in the restaurant-style dining room. Rooms are private with walk-in showers and emergency call buttons.
Family members praise the high quality of care provided by the staff. One daughter of a resident says, "I am grateful for my mother's decision to become part of the Brandon Oaks family. This facility did an exceptional job in meeting her needs and the staff supported me as well. Thank you."
Nestled in a residential neighborhood north of downtown Roanoke, VA, The Christopher Center, located at Our Lady of the Valley Retirement community, offers specialized health care for seniors with cognitive impairment. Residents receive individualized care according to their abilities and unique needs. Via the community's Reflections Program, caregivers with specialized training in Alzheimer's disease and dementia health care use the latest therapeutic modalities to enhance senior living. Activities from The Daily Fare schedule encourage engagement by inviting residents to participate in art, music and pet therapy. Private and semi-private rooms are fully furnished and decorated with calming colors. A memory box for familiar photos and mementos outside each apartment door help bolster feelings of familiarity. Residents dine together in the community dining room and can spend time outdoors in the secured, landscaped courtyard. Our Lady of the Valley also provides assisted living, rehabilitation and skilled nursing for a continuum of care at one location.
Family members praise the responsive staff. One writes, "The facility is well-run, clean and has a pleasant atmosphere inside and out. The food is good, and most importantly, the staff at all levels is friendly, helpful, responsive and willing to regularly keep you in the loop about your loved one's care and address any needs."
At Magnolia Ridge, veteran seniors with cognitive and physical impairments can receive memory care in the company of other veterans. As a part of the Paradise of Virginia Retirement family, Magnolia Ridge is a smaller community in a quiet residential neighborhood. Certified caregivers are available 24/7 to offer assistance with medication management, personal care and tasks of daily living. Residents participate in recreational activities that build a sense of fellowship with other seniors. Inside the single-story building, a TV lounge and living room with a fireplace and piano promote a homelike environment. Family-style dining with home-cooked meals encourages seniors to gather together for shared meals. The campus also includes an enclosed yard with a garden, patio seating and a screened porch with a swing, allowing for ample outdoor time in the fresh air. Coordinated health care services include transportation to medical appointments and rehabilitation therapies as needed. The community is also open to non-veteran seniors.
Residents appreciate the smaller size of the community and the high level of care. One writes, "The benefit of having such a small facility is that each and every patient admitted gets much more attention and care than they would be able to at a larger assisted living facility. This truly sets Magnolia Ridge apart."
At Friendship Health North Campus, residents with cognitive impairments benefit from a supportive environment and adaptive care plans tailored to their specific needs. Caregivers work one-on-one with residents, getting to know them as individuals and keeping close communication with loved ones for added peace of mind. The dedicated health care team takes a multifaceted approach to Alzheimer's care, offering help with daily activities and coordinating opportunities for sensory engagement. The community's Wander Garden provides a secured outdoor space that promotes independence. Residents can exercise while walking the landscaped paths or spend time in the fresh air gazebo. Mountain views from the memory care patio let in plenty of natural light on inclement days. The Friendship Health campus provides a continuum of care with on-site physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and adult day care options.
Residents and family members compliment skilled health care services and dedication of staff. One writes, "Great staff for the Alzheimer's unit. Caring staff who have been there a long time."