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 Bowie’s senior population continues to grow (14% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Bowie, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 99% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 53%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (3.7% in Bowie 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 Bowie. 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 Bowie, 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:
Nestled beside the local golf club, Charter Senior Living of Bowie boasts convenience to pharmacies and medical facilities. Equipped to support seniors with early to late-stage dementia, the community takes a research-based approach to memory care with its Flourish programming, emphasizing personal connections and success. Its personalized care plans attend to the physical body and encourage emotional well-being to reduce behavioral symptoms. Team members specially trained in Alzheimer's and dementia care guide residents through daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and grooming, and establish a consistent routine of meals, activities and social engagement to promote confidence and familiarity. From seated aerobics to aromatherapy, morning devotions and puzzle club, opportunities to engage the mind, body and soul abound. The community features ample amenities, including a reading lounge and card room, hydration stations and landscaped grounds with a secured courtyard.
Residents' family members appreciate the community's open communication and efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere. One reviewer shares, "The entire staff has always been caring, professional, and very responsive to my mom ... especially when she had to make the transition from the assisted living side to the dementia/memory care side. Charter feels like a real home for my mom."
Tribute at Melford sits in a quiet neighborhood of east Bowie, easily accessible from U.S. 50 and close to local attractions and medical facilities. The Revere Memory Care program takes a relationship-based approach to developing personalized care plans. It focuses on creating a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment where seniors with cognitive impairment can thrive. Exercise classes, such as balloon volleyball and Zumba, accommodate all fitness levels and abilities, ensuring residents remain physically active. Arts-and-crafts projects encourage creativity, while pet therapy, music and aromatherapy improve mood and help residents relax. Residents also take part in supervised excursions to local attractions and safely enjoy the fresh air while gardening in the raised beds or strolling along the secured walking paths. The community uses SafelyYou, a real-time AI video technology, to detect and help prevent falls.
Residents and families praise the community for its resort-style amenities and caring staff. A resident's daughter writes, "I recommend Tribute for the excellent care and staff assistance with daily routines and engaging activities. My dad moved into memory care. ... He is well cared for every day. The staff is kind, caring, and fun."
Harmony at Enterprise, just off Enterprise Road and the John Hanson Highway, maintains convenient access to Doctor's Community Hospital and health care providers. For seniors with cognitive conditions, the community features a dedicated memory care neighborhood, Harmony Square, with secure indoor and outdoor areas. Its signature, family-focused dementia program, Reflections, utilizes therapeutic visual and tactile aids to stimulate positive memories and cognitive function. Key program components include its Echoes in Time reminiscence activities, art therapy and Rhythms music therapy. Additionally, the activity calendar offers morning coffee chats, Zumba chair exercises, sensory groups and movie nights. Residents have 24/7 access to specially trained staff, and the community's high caregiver-to-resident ratio helps ensure each senior receives personalized attention and supervision. A licensed nurse monitors residents' basic health needs, and a state-of-the-art emergency call system provides added peace of mind.
Residents and their families appreciate the personalized living experience and amenities offered at Harmony at Enterprise. One reviewer shares, "This is an excellent place to bring your older loved ones. They will be treated with utmost respect and taken great care of by staff members. It is affordable, and the roomy interior is amazing."
Sunrise of Severna Park, minutes from downtown Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay, offers tailored services for seniors at every stage of aging. Rooted in research, the community's memory care program includes two levels of support. Its Terrace Club neighborhood helps seniors with early dementia, providing an easy-to-navigate environment with open activity areas and secure outdoor spaces that allow seniors to maintain a high level of independence. Additional benefits include the personalized support of specially trained staff and small-group programming that promotes engagement. Residents with later-stage dementia can benefit from the services of the community's Reminiscence neighborhood. This setting features enhanced security, a more centralized layout and a higher level of staff oversight. Programming focuses on sensory engagement and cognitive stimulation through activities such as music therapy, gardening, art classes and brain games.
Families note the dedication and compassion of the community's caregivers. One reviewer comments, "The staff at Sunrise Senior Living Severna Park is caring and compassionate. My mother-in-law is treated with respect and like family. I always feel welcome when I visit. The peace of mind in knowing that she is well cared for in such a loving environment is priceless!"
Minutes from downtown, Sunrise of Annapolis sits directly across from Anne Arundel Medical Center. Its senior living options include personalized memory care for seniors with dementia. Rooted in research, the memory care program offers two levels of support for seniors experiencing different stages of memory loss. In its Terrace Club neighborhood, residents with mild cognitive impairment receive a higher level of assistance than in assisted living, and they participate in specialized small-group activities that stimulate cognitive function. These include strength and flexibility classes, brain games and daily journaling. The Reminiscence neighborhood caters to seniors with more advanced dementia. The small, purpose-built environment features centralized layouts, secure entries and enclosed outdoor spaces. Residents participate in small-group and one-on-one programming, including painting, music therapy, gardening and gentle fitness classes.
The community has a reputation for providing compassionate care. One reviewer comments, "Everyone has been so caring and thoughtful and has gone out of their way to make my sister and our family as comfortable as possible. It's not an easy time for us, but ... we don't have to worry about ... our sister getting the level of care ... she needs."
Arden Courts - ProMedica Memory Care Community offers a supportive living environment tailored to seniors with memory loss. Located on Musgrove Road in Silver Spring, this community features secured outdoor spaces, inviting common areas and an easy-to-navigate layout that promotes independence. The Engagement Therapy Treatment program provides personalized activities that blend residents' life experiences with current interests, while the Namaste Care program engages those in the later stages of dementia through sensory stimulation and loving touch. Specially trained staff is on-site 24/7 to develop individualized care plans, assist with daily needs and provide medication management. Residents can enjoy three chef-prepared meals and snacks daily, with dishes that incorporate texture-modified options and familiar flavors to enhance the dining experience. Regular wellness checks and hourly safety checks grant peace of mind to residents and their loved ones.
Residents and their families praise Arden Courts' exceptional care and engaging activities. One reviewer notes, "My wife? ... has experienced exceptional care in all areas. ... The activities program is the best I have seen in any facility I have visited. The food and medical care are exceptional."?
Conveniently located near Baltimore Washington Medical Center and Anne Arundel Medical Center, Spring Arbor of Severna Park offers comprehensive support to seniors experiencing cognitive decline. The community's dementia-certified caregivers assist residents with daily tasks and encourage skills maintenance whenever appropriate. Licensed nurses provide 24/7 medical supervision, and the community offers on-site physical therapy. A full activities calendar provides a predictable daily routine with events designed to promote cognitive functioning. Some of these activities include music therapy, reminiscence storytelling and gardening clubs. The memory care cottages share an enclosed courtyard, with access to multiple paved walking paths. While seniors can eat in their private rooms, a culinary team provides three daily meals in the restaurant-style dining room. The community is also pet-friendly and includes a fitness center, full-service beauty salon and coffee shop.
Families say the staff is compassionate, attentive and professional. The child of a resident reports, "We moved mom in about a year ago and it's been an excellent experience ... The staff is friendly and helpful to mom every day ... I am very grateful we have this level of compassion and care for mom's golden years"
Independence Court of Hyattsville offers comprehensive services and memory care to seniors living in the Maryland suburbs northeast of Washington, D.C. Trained caregivers focus on making meaningful connections with residents while licensed nurses assist with daily needs, such as medication reminders, personal hygiene and mobility. Tailored care plans ensure staff provides adequate support according to physician guidelines and residents' preferences. Additionally, caregivers regularly communicate with family members via a mobile app. Through the Along the Journey program, memory care residents participate in structured therapies and routine activities aimed at building cognition. Chair yoga, creative arts and dance classes engage seniors' minds and bodies. The pet-friendly community features private and shared suites that include walk-in bathrooms, all utilities, weekly housekeeping and laundry services. Each day, residents gather in a communal dining area for homemade meals with options accommodating dietary requirements.
Residents' family members speak highly of the compassionate caregivers, with one reviewer writing, "My mom has been a resident for two years now and has had a great experience. I have learned a lot from the experience of the staff. ... They have been very accommodating to ever-changing and challenging situations due to my mother's dementia."
The memory care program at Sterling Care Hillhaven Assisted Living focuses on seniors' individual needs. Staff works closely to understand each resident's history, likes and dislikes, former occupation and family, developing a care plan consistent with this profile. In addition to assistance with personal care tasks, staff can provide medication administration, diabetes management, ostomy care and orthopedic therapy. The one-story building features spacious layouts and secured outdoor spaces, allowing residents the highest level of independence in their surroundings. The community's life-enrichment programming focuses on helping seniors with dementia maintain a fulfilling lifestyle. It offers a variety of daily activities and outings, ranging from table games and exercise classes to sensory stimulation, music concerts and holiday celebrations. In-house religious services allow seniors to practice their faith, and the on-site beauty salon provides added convenience.
This community earns praise for its compassionate caregiving staff and engaging atmosphere. One reviewer shares, "Sterling Care HillHaven was the place I chose for my dad's memory care. The nursing staff was stellar in their care of him. They made sure he was clean, kept his skin in fantastic shape ... and kept him involved with the activities."
Situated by a tributary of South River, Charter Senior Living of Annapolis offers dedicated memory care to seniors experiencing cognitive decline. The homelike community boasts private and shared accommodations with private bathrooms, furnished common spaces, a full-service beauty salon and a craft studio. Memory care-certified staff assists residents with personal hygiene and daily tasks, while licensed nurses provide light medical services and coordinate outside medical care. The community's research-backed Flourish Memory Care program creates a consistent daily routine for residents by offering purposeful activities, such as gardening and exercise classes, to promote overall health and wellness. Sagely, the community's password-protected app, allows families to stay connected to their loved ones through photos, videos and text updates. The pet-friendly community, including its landscaped grounds, is fully secured and video-monitored for resident safety.
Families love the engaging staff. One reviewer comments, "The staff seemed to genuinely care about [my loved one], and they told me how easy he was to love. ... I have gotten to know the staff and the aides better, and each one of them is awesome. ... It is a huge comfort to know your loved one is in good hands."
Arbor Terrace Senior Living Greenbelt, located 13 miles northeast of Washington, D.C., offers cognitive support in its dedicated Evergreen memory care neighborhood. A specially trained care team, helping seniors with Alzheimer's around the clock, provides medication reminders, health management and daily support with routine tasks. Staff develops care plans customized to residents' preferences based on physician guidelines and family input. The community's dementia-friendly design promotes familiarity and comfort, allowing seniors to maintain independence in a supervised setting. To build cognition and establish relationships, staff coordinates engaging activities, such as art projects, sensory exercises and wellness classes. Memory care seniors reside in maintenance-free, furnished studios with safety features that include an emergency call system and walk-in bathrooms with grab bars. The award-winning dining program allows seniors to choose from various homemade options for main meals and snacks.
Residents and families praise the plethora of activities and caring staff members. One reviewer writes, "Arbor Terrace is a wonderful place for senior living! The residents are pleasantly active in the vast array of activities. The care staff is super friendly, welcoming and helpful."
Located steps from the Severn River, HeartLands Assisted Living at Severna Park offers a stress-free living experience for seniors at varying stages of aging. Its award-winning Bridge to Rediscovery Alzheimer's and dementia care program provides individualized care and programming to maximize seniors' abilities, motivation and engagement. Specially trained staff remains on-site 24/7 to assist with daily living tasks and medication management. Memory care programming ranges from therapeutic activities, such as music and reminiscing, to gardening, arts and crafts and exercise classes to build strength and mobility. The community's design helps seniors feel safe and familiar with their surroundings, offering open floor plans and an enclosed courtyard that they can freely explore without the risk of wandering. It also features a state-of-the-art Ageility gym, where residents have access to physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.
People appreciate the community's dedication to helping residents feel welcome. One reviewer shares, "Heartlands has taken such great care of my grandmother! She loves her new space, the food, activities and meeting everyone else who also lives at Heartlands. The staff has been more than welcoming to her and has been able to help me with this transition, also."
Halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Morningside House of Laurel boasts a convenient location to top regional medical facilities and attractions. The community features dedicated neighborhoods for seniors experiencing different stages of memory loss. Its Stepping Stones neighborhood provides a transitioning environment for seniors with early-to-mid stages of dementia, allowing them to receive a higher level of care than assisted living while maintaining their independence. The Memory Lane neighborhood caters to individuals with later-stage diagnoses, offering a more intimate environment and additional caregiver oversight. Both fully secured neighborhoods have enclosed patios, where residents can safely enjoy the outdoors, and life skills stations engage seniors in familiar tasks. The community promotes engagement by offering a full calendar of daily multisensory activities, including crafts and baking, live music and pet therapy.
Families appreciate the community's opportunities for resident engagement. A reviewer shares, "Morningside House of Laurel was the absolute best choice for my dad. He has never been a very social person ... and since he's moved in to Morningside, he has become a social butterfly. He is involved in almost every activity and goes on every trip that he can."
Located in the suburbs south of Baltimore, Brightview Severna Park offers a continuum of care, ensuring seniors can age in place. Those experiencing cognitive decline live in Wellspring Village, a fully secured building within the larger Brightview community. The professional caregivers encourage residents to maintain their abilities whenever possible but offer support with personal hygiene, mobility and verbal cueing as needed. The community's Bright Minds program helps boost cognitive functioning by promoting healthy lifestyle habits. This program encourages residents to participate in purposeful daily activities, such as group exercise classes or social clubs. The restaurant-style dining room, open three times daily, offers another opportunity for peer connection. Memory care seniors can enjoy supervised access to the indoor swimming pool, outdoor firepit and fitness center.
Residents love the homelike atmosphere and compassionate care at Brightview. One reviewer states, "Brightview is a lovely place because it's warm and friendly. All the staff is cheerful and more than willing to help. The facility is clean and bright, residents appear happy to be a part of the family and the grounds are outstanding."
In the heart of the city, Brightview Crofton Riverwalk's resort-style living experience caters to seniors. Located within the main facility, the Wellspring Village neighborhood offers a safe, secure environment for seniors with memory loss. Its layout features comfortable gathering spaces, indoor activity areas and enclosed outdoor courtyards that promote independence and social interaction. The community employs emergency response systems for peace of mind, and dedicated staff maintains a 24/7 presence. Trained memory care associates deliver personalized assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing and medication management. Residents can participate in daily programs, outings and cultural events, from movie and game nights to crafts and dog therapy. The community's Mind & Music program provides seniors with personalized playlists to evoke happy memories and reduce agitation, while the Bright Minds program engages residents in daily mental fitness activities that support cognitive function.
Residents and their families praise Brightview Crofton Riverwalk's dedicated caregivers and abundant amenities. One shares, "Every staff member I've ever met there has been friendly, caring, professional, and helpful. ... There are so many wonderful activities to keep residents involved and active. I can rest easily knowing my loved one is being well cared for.
Located near shops and restaurants, Arbor Terrace Waugh Chapel offers memory care to seniors experiencing dementia. Those in the earliest stages of cognitive decline may benefit from the community's Bridges neighborhood. In this thoughtfully designed neighborhood, residents remain largely independent with around-the-clock caregiver supervision. Seniors in the later stages of dementia reside in the Evergreen Memory Care neighborhood, where caregivers assist with all daily tasks and personal hygiene needs. These caregivers learn each resident's preferences and personal history to create individualized care plans and daily routines. Memory care seniors plan their days around a robust calendar of events, including brain-boosting trivia games and happy hour socials. The community also boasts Tovertafel, an award-winning therapeutic game console designed to stimulate the cognitive functioning of people with mid- to late-stage dementia.
Residents and their families compliment the kind staff at Arbor Terrace. One reviewer says, "We couldn't be happier! The most important characteristic is the love and attention that the staff offers to the residents. They also communicate beautifully with us about things that they observe and make recommendations for us to improve [our mother's] quality of life."
With a location along Highway 2, Brightview South River provides accessibility for friends and family visiting their loved ones. Residents with dementia reside in Wellspring Village, the community's dedicated memory care neighborhood staffed by trained memory care associates. Personalized service plans for those in memory care include up to 20 hours of weekly personal care, including assistance with medications, dressing and bathing. Through emergency response systems and regular wellness checks, the round-the-clock staff promotes a safe, secure environment. The Music & Mind program integrates music, including personalized playlists on individual devices, that sparks memories and calms agitation. At mealtimes, Wellspring Village residents dine in a family-style setting with custom menus, plated specials and meals that meet dietary needs and preferences. Provided transportation takes residents to medical appointments, shopping centers and churches.
People praise the staff. One reviewer says, "I have loved Brightview South River for 3 years now. They care for my aunt as if she were their own family member. The place is clean and friendly, from the director, who always lends a listening ear and has been very creative in several rather sticky situations, to the nurses."
Situated on a 3-acre wooded lot just outside of downtown, Bay Village of Annapolis offers a continuum of care for seniors with memory decline or cognitive impairment. Staff encourages residents to maintain independence but offers around-the-clock support with their personal hygiene, medication management and ambulation. Memory care seniors participate in various inclusive activities to promote belonging and purposeful living within the community, including art lessons, theatrical performances and group exercise classes. The fully secured grounds allow residents to enjoy the landscaped paths or garden at their leisure. The community also boasts a secured second-story bird-watching veranda and indoor finch aviaries. Other amenities include on-site physical therapy, daily meals and housekeeping services. Families may find encouragement through Bay Village's Life Stories Memory Care Support Groups, which meet monthly.
Families say their loved ones feel socially connected and cared for at Bay Village. A resident's daughter comments, "Residents can easily walk in nature and enjoy wooded views. My mom always mentions how nice everyone is and likes to spend time in the atrium with like-minded ladies. It's a delightful place, highly recommend."
Brightview Annapolis, nestled in the green spaces outside downtown, provides active living for seniors with dementia or cognitive decline. The community's dedicated memory care neighborhood, Wellspring Village, offers a fully secure environment with 24-hour supervision. Apartments in the neighborhood, equipped with emergency call systems, promote independence through intentional design and visual cues. Wellspring Village also boasts a gated courtyard where residents can walk along the paved paths, garden or socialize with their peers. Dementia-trained caregivers assist with personal hygiene needs, and licensed nurses oversee on-site medical care. A robust calendar of events, including research-backed programming such as Mind and Music and Bright Minds, helps residents stay socially connected within the community. The professional culinary team prepares three daily meals, which memory care residents can enjoy in the supervised dining room.
Families say their loved ones enjoy the active, inclusive atmosphere of Brightview. A resident's daughter comments, "The staff is excellent, and they're friendly and kind to the residents and visitors alike. There are also many opportunities for socializing and meeting new people. We're so happy to see Mom involved in fun activities and friendships."
Adjacent to Annapolis' PAL Park, HeartHomes at Bay Ridge offers memory care and assisted living services. It provides a safe and secure environment with keyless entry, bed and chair alarms, a central monitoring system and security cameras. The community takes a personalized approach to memory care that focuses on each senior's specific care needs and cognitive abilities. Caregivers provide 24/7 assistance with daily activities and conduct comprehensive assessments every 45 days. Residents also receive specialized services, including incontinence care, ostomy care and mental health services as needed. Additional services include primary care visits and physical and occupational therapy. To avoid isolation and reduce agitation, staff encourage residents to participate in daily activities, including weekly music therapy sessions, games and special events.
Residents speak highly of the staff at HeartHomes at Bay Ridge. One family member states, "I like the people there a lot, that's why we've been there for so long. I like the facility. � They have local musicians come in and play for them and they have 4th of July cookouts and stuff like that."