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 Bloomington’s senior population continues to grow (21.3% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Bloomington, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 71.8% between 2014 and 2019. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 11.06%, 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 (8.63% in Bloomington 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 Bloomington. 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 Bloomington, 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:
Brookdale Eagan is situated in the heart of a quiet residential area and focuses exclusively on memory care. This means that everything done here is with memory care as a point of focus. Amenities include an on-site greenhouse, a fireside living room for social interaction and a private dining room. Memory care is delivered through Clare Bridge Daily Path program, which offers six group activities each day to keep residents engaged. This includes group fitness classes, social hours and musical performances. Dining assistance is offered for those residents that need extra help around mealtimes, while dining room seating is consistent to promote a sense of calm among memory care residents. Menu options also cater to each resident's preferences. Residents also have shadow boxes outside of their living spaces, filled with personal mementos to help trigger happy memories.
One of the elements that this community is lauded for is its effectiveness in addressing memory care conditions. One writes, "My husband is a resident of Brookdale in Eagan. The staff, including administration, knows each one of the people who live there, and my husband is so happy. He calls it 'heaven.' I can relax."
Brookdale Eden Prairie is a close-knit community focused exclusively on memory care, with highly trained team members that know the latest approaches to Alzheimers and dementia care. Available around the clock, they provide peace of mind by assisting with daily living activities like bathing, grooming and medication; they take a person-centered approach by getting to know each residents needs. Clare Bridge, the communitys two-part memory care program, focuses on socialization and engagement; Crossings is for early-stage residents and includes art and dance classes, sharing stories and excursions to cultural destinations. Solace adds an extra layer of programming with sensory activities like aromatherapy and music. The environment features a 24-hour security system, locked entryways and doorbells to monitor in/out movements, with easy-to-navigate floor plans painted in soothing colors with abundant natural light, a barbershop, a crafts studio and cozy common areas.
Visiting family members like the homelike ambiance and kind team. "Clare Bridge environment is beautiful, clean, joyful and stimulating for the unique population of Alzheimer's and Dementia residents," one relative says. "The staff is well trained and compassionate. We are so thankful we found this home for our Mom."
An 18-story tower with scenic city views, Brookdale Edina offers a full spectrum of care paired with luxurious amenities. The communitys Clare Bridge memory care program is designed for seniors living with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia, divided into Crossings for early-stage dementia and Solace for later stages. Lively activities that keep seniors stimulated include art and dance classes, journaling and excursions to local museums. The Solace program also incorporates more sensory activities, such as music and aromatherapy. A highly trained staff provides 24/7 assistance with medication, bathing and other activities of daily living. The secure setting features locked entryways and exits with doorbells to monitor in/out movements, with easy-to-navigate floor plans filled with natural light, soothing colors and comfortable furnishings for a homelike feel. Amenities include an indoor pool, therapy room and fitness center.
Loved ones like the community ambiance and activities. One reviewer says, "The facility is warm and welcoming, the staff is excellent, it's an 18-story building, it's pretty big, but they have a lot of things to offer as far as activities and community kind of thing, which I think will be good for her."
Situated about 5 miles from Fairview Ridge Hospital, Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley is only minutes away from local amenities, including Apple Valley Square and Southport Centre. The 24-hour staff and an on-call registered nurse have experience caring for seniors with dementia and other cognitive issues, in addition to managing medication and escorting residents to activities. Residents receive an emergency response pendant integrated with motion sensor technology that sends a notification to caregivers, allowing for safety and peace of mind. The Ecumen Awakenings program gives memory care residents a relaxing environment in which to enjoy sensory stimulation through aromatherapy and massages, along with other therapeutic opportunities. Select floor plans feature a balcony and walk-in closets. Church services are offered several times a week for seniors of various devotions.
Reviewers like the communitys inviting atmosphere and kind staff. "This facility was open and inviting from the moment we walked through the front doors," one visitor reports. "We were impressed with the fact that employees knew the residents names. The other thing that was nice were the [� la carte] assistance program options. The food also is amazing.
Founders Ridge, a Presbyterian Homes and Services community, is located in a peaceful setting in Bloomington. The community offers a warm, safe and dignified environment for people with Alzheimers, dementia or other memory loss impairments. The trained staff provides 24-hour personal care and assists the residents with activities of daily living. The community uses the DOVE (Dementia Orientation Values Education) Memory Care Program to encourage independence and build a sense of purpose among residents with memory loss, organizing activities that nurture residents emotionally and spiritually. Residents have access to a club lounge, library, community room and theater. On-site dental care, lab services and salon services are also available. Residents can savor delicious and nutritious meals that adhere to their specific dietary requirements in a restaurant-style dining room.
Residents and families appreciate the ambiance and the plentiful activities organized by the community. One relative writes, "I found a place for my parents � Founders Ridge. It's a brand new facility with healthy surroundings for my parents. It seems like a good place, and the food is good. They organize many activities such as games and trips.
Hayden Grove Senior Living is close to many local amenities, including Village Square Shopping Center and the Mall of America. The dedicated caregivers provide 24-hour personal care for seniors with dementia and other memory issues. Residents can enjoy the morning paper, followed by cardio drums or another fun workout. Memory games and puzzles can improve residents cognitive skills and confidence. Watercoloring and other craft times give seniors a creative way to express themselves through different mediums. Residents can socialize over handcrafted cocktails during happy hours on Fridays. Seniors can dine in the restaurant-style dining room, in addition to the community bistro, which offers a more casual atmosphere. Apartments feature well-appointed kitchenettes and walk-in showers, along with emergency response systems. Floor plans range from 385 to 550 square feet.
Residents enjoy the fact the community has a convenient location near local amenities, such as restaurants and grocery stores, while also providing experienced personal care for seniors with memory or other cognitive issues. The administration creates a full schedule of activities for residents based on their personal preferences.
Situated about 5 miles from Fairview Ridges Hospital, Kingsley Shores Senior Community is close to many local amenities, such as Southfork Shopping Center and Burnsville Center. The 24-hour staff of registered nurses and dedicated caregivers provides assistance with daily tasks and is trained to care for seniors with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. They create a homelike routine with activities that focus on favorite pastimes to help promote confidence. The community offers educational resources and support groups regarding dementia for residents and their loved ones. All-day dining allows residents to enjoy their meals whenever they want, including breakfast for dinner.
Reviewers like the living accommodations and the inviting atmosphere. One writes, "My husband and I are currently at Kingsley Shores. The care, the food, and the staff members are very good. The safety is very good as well. I like our apartment. It's kept clean, and it's big enough for the both of us It's well-maintained.
Campus Club is a memory care neighborhood with a controlled access area to maintain resident safety with special lighting to calm residents. An open floor plan promotes social interaction. Specialized staff, along with therapists, complete a detailed assessment of each resident's level of cognition, history, needs and abilities, which becomes the basis of an individualized care plan. The Dimension Program is used as a framework for the care of residents with social interaction, activity and exercise used to maintain cognitive function. Engaging activities provide the foundation of care offering residents extensive creative arts and learning-based opportunities. Drumming, poetry and painting are popular choices. Tennis courts, a chapel, a beauty salon and a general store are some of the on-site amenities. Residents are encouraged to maintain community ties by participating in service activities.
Most reviewers focused comments on the sense of community and commitment of staff. One reviewer said, "Campus Club has been an answer to prayer for my Mom. It is a safe, caring atmosphere where seniors can enjoy a time to socialize. When asked recently if she had a good time, my Mom responded, This is the most fun Ive had in a long time."
Situated less than 10 miles away from Fairview Ridges Hospital, New Perspective Senior Living Eagan is only minutes away from several shopping centers, including Central Park Commons and the famous Mall of America. The community's staff has experience caring for seniors with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia, providing personal care that addresses residents mental and physical health. Group exercises, such as yoga or enjoying the fresh air during a group walk, can improve balance and strength while also stimulating the mind. Artist workshops and music classes encourage creative self-expression and spark fond memories of working on favorite crafts or hobbies. Happy hours give seniors a comfortable space to socialize over cocktails. Book club and movie nights give residents a way to connect through similar interests.
Residents and visitors speak well of New Perspective's living accommodations and its kind staff. One visitor writes, "I liked the layout, the common areas for the people, and the apartments. The 2-bedroom had decent sized bedrooms. The staff was very good, very nice, and very informative. The dining area was very nice and very open.
The memory care suites at Nine Mile Creek Senior Living are designed specifically to meet the needs of residents with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and memory loss. Each suite has a small kitchenette and private bathroom, although residents are encouraged to socialize in the central living room and have their meals in the public spaces. Memory care residents can take in some fresh air on the large, access-controlled patio overlooking Nine Mile Creek and the neighboring Moir Park. The Ebenezer Dimensions Program employs staff trained to encourage resident engagement in activities that focus on brain health. The range of activities is extensive and includes drumming, painting and poetry. Exercise and balance are key parts of the program, with an emphasis on maintaining a sense of identity. Residents are also encouraged to participate in community service projects to maintain social connections.
Reviewers appreciate the intimate environment and specialized care. One says, "Nice, convenient, and beautifully designed. The staff was really friendly.The rooms were nice, clean, good sized, homey, and beautiful in design. The meals were healthy, fine, and good."
NorBella Savage is a senior care home offering comprehensive assisted living and memory care services. The community works to address a variety of memory-related ailments, such as Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, while keeping residents safe and secure. A 24-hour nursing staff is available to provide boutique care services that allow residents to schedule meal times, activities and personal care according to their needs. Caregivers here also coordinate activities, perform housekeeping tasks and provide meals prepared by experienced chefs. Residents at NorBella Savage have access to a multitude of amenities such as public spaces, activities such as casino and bingo nights, and various opportunities to travel and socialize. Studio apartments are available and are suited to accommodate the needs of residents who have memory issues or those who require general nursing services and assisted living.
Residents can enjoy comfortable units and great food. Rooms have 9-inch ceilings and plenty of natural light, televisions, Wi-Fi access, stainless steel garbage disposals and quartz countertops. In-house chefs serve personal dinners and perform cooking demonstrations.
Situated about 10 minutes from St. Francis Regional Medical Center, NorBella Senior Living Prior Lake is close to a few shopping centers in the area, including Shakopee Crossing and Shakopee Valley Marketplace. The dedicated staff is specially trained to care for seniors with Alzheimers disease and forms of dementia. Live2BHealthy is a fitness program that gives residents the option of working with a certified personal trainer to improve their balance and strength using workout regimes designed exclusively for seniors. The secure community has a variety of programs ranging from learning opportunities to artistic expression. Trivia games and puzzles challenge cognitive skills, while also promoting social interactions. Additionally, resident-led card games are scheduled several times a week, such as cribbage and pinochle.
The community offers healthy, chef-prepared meals and plenty of recreational activities based on the residents personal preferences. Providing 24-hour support and maintenance-free living, caregivers assist seniors with daily tasks and can coordinate their care efforts with hospice home care services.
Situated about seven miles southwest of Minneapolis, Parkshore Senior Campus is a memory care community dedicated to creating a secure environment for seniors. The staff provides personal care to residents with Alzheimers Disease and other forms of dementia. Community members can find state-of-the-art exercise equipment in the community fitness center along with a warm water pool for lap swimming and water aerobics. The full-time program coordinator creates a schedule of daily activities based on the residents personal preferences that are designed to reduce anxiety and confusion. The family-style dining room offers three nutritious meals each day prepared by skilled chefs. Memory Care apartments feature kitchenettes and spacious living areas as well as private bathrooms.
Reviewers appreciate the communitys programs and the kind staff. One wrote, "It was a very nice community. The place was great. The apartments were nice and had kitchens. They had all the amenities you could ask for, like swimming pools, exercise therapy, exercise room, and game room. They gave me a list of the available activities.
Rakhma Peace Home is a female-exclusive community where seniors with dementia and other progressive cognitive disorders can benefit from a social model approach to memory care in an intimate setting. Familiar caregivers provide 24-hour supervision, companionship and tailored support that respects individual choices and alleviates distressing dementia symptoms. They also encourage seniors to help with community chores, such as folding laundry, chopping fruit and watering plants, which gives their days purpose. Founded in 1984, the nonprofit community resides in a wheelchair-accessible, secured 1920s duplex building located in a peaceful residential neighborhood. Each living unit accommodates up to five individuals in private and shared rooms furnished with personal items. Seniors also have access to fenced yards containing garden chairs and tables. Group activities include walks, picnics, music therapy and outings to nearby attractions such as Lake Harriet.
Family members appreciate that the community offers an alternative to institutional and hotel-style memory care facilities, yet their loved ones still receive round-the-clock supervision and professional care. The husband of one community member says, "Everyone on staff is loving and caring In particular, I appreciate that I am able to join my wife for a meal most anytime."
Summit Place Senior Care Campus is an age-in-place senior community located in Eden Prairie, MN. Within, the Reflections neighborhood is secured and continuously monitored, creating a safe and familiar environment for seniors in need of specialized memory care. Residents live in private apartments available in many spacious floor plans, and the specially trained staff and Reflections Coordinator work with residents, doctors and families to ensure targeted, personalized daily care and assistance. Resident life stories play an essential role in the community, and daily schedules are designed to focus on the skills and histories of each resident to promote memory recollection and a positive self-image. The community itself is designed for comfort, featuring homelike living rooms and a peaceful deck, as well as an aquatic therapy pool that provides stress and agitation relief in addition to improved physical wellness.
Residents and their families consistently praise the community for its caring and personable staff, and its dedication to providing friendly assistance. One family member says, "They were so helpful with helping my mom adjust. Every member of the staff down to the kitchen staff was so helpful to make this move successful."
An award-winning community within close proximity to restaurants, shopping and recreation, Sunrise of Edina offers a fulfilling lifestyle paired with comprehensive care. Medical support is provided by nearby hospitals and clinics, with visiting physician groups and 24-hour nursing support. In the Reminiscence neighborhood, residents living with Alzheimers and other types of dementia are paired with specially trained caregivers and life enrichment managers who ensure consistent support with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, medication management and transfer assistance. The secure neighborhood is designed with living and dining areas next to resident suites for easy navigation, along with cozy common areas, a media room and activity areas for crafts, puzzles and art projects. Activities designed around resident interests include social, recreational, educational and spiritual programming available. Residents share chef-prepared meals together, with nutritious choices that accommodate dietary needs.
Visitors like the community's welcoming ambiance and kind team. "Sunrise of Edina is very nice, very open and friendly," one reviewer says. "The staff was very accommodating, I am very happy with them. They have trivia games and trips. They made their dining room just like a restaurant. It was very nice."
The Commons on Marice boasts a platinum level of service through well-rounded care and programming offered across all senior lifestyle options. The community is replete with convenient amenities, including a fireside lounge, atrium, activity room, exercise room and a guest suite for visiting families. Seniors dealing with the daily struggles of cognitive decline can find comfort in the Pearls of Life program, a Montessori-based approach to memory care that focuses on individual abilities. Life enrichment programs help create meaningful experiences, with residents engaging in social activities, FIT functional exercises and Soaring spiritual care. Seniors also get the chance to interact with young visitors through intergenerational events. The communitys dining program is based on The Goodman Groups Food for Life approach, which offers a variety of nutritious traditional and homestyle menu selections prepared in manageable and appetizing servings.
Family members like the outstanding support provided by the team. One says, "I had a situation with my father one summer and needed help and assistance with his living arrangements. I contacted the facility and they were very, very accommodating. They were able to work through our needs quickly and efficiently; we felt very supported through the whole situation.
The Glenn Hopkins is a faith-based community offering extensive memory care services, which include secure apartments, care from dementia-certified staff, care conferences for families and 24/7 visiting hours. The Glenn Hopkins is fully secured with an emergency call system for residents. The community also provides independent living and assisted living services, as well as a full-time pastoral care team and access to two chapels. Activities and amenities include restaurant-style dining, weekly housekeeping and laundry services, manicured walking paths, gardening and entertainment from local entertainers.
Residents and families love the environment at Glenn Hopkins. One says, "We are just thrilled that he loves it there so much!. I cannot imagine a better place and am so grateful for his wonderful experience at The Glenn. He is healthier and happier, and my sisters and I are glad that he has easy access to so many services."
The Rivers is a senior living community offering assisted living, independent living and memory care. Residents have the option of various floor plans and housing styles including one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios. Services and enrichment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual resident to ensure good quality of life, and residents have the option to participate in engaging and meaningful social activities. Meals are prepared by an on-site chef. The community hosts many activities for holidays and other special occasions and encourages residents to stay active and social. A nondenominational chapel makes it easy for residents to enjoy services, and guest suites allow family members to stay over.
Residents of The Rivers enjoy the menu and large dining area as well as the freedom to visit nearby attractions, restaurants and shops. One visitor said, "We were impressed with everything in The Rivers. The person who accommodated us was very hospitable, helpful, and we really like her. We checked the dining area; it was very nice."
Vernon Terrace of Edina, located in southern Minnesota, offers a comprehensive, family-based memory care program. With seven different care levels, the program focuses on life enrichment through art, music and reminisce activities. The community also provides assisted living, independent living and skilled nursing services. Residents can enjoy salon and laundry services, a library, a koi pond and 24/7 staff. Activities include exercise classes, music and dance performances and coffee socials.
Resident and their families love the environment and community experience at Vernon Terrace of Edina. One says, "We moved to Vernon Terrace of Edina. We like it very much. There are all kinds of activities, and they serve three meals a day. It's very comfortable, and the people are very nice. The staff is very helpful and couldn't be nicer."