The Best Memory Care Facilities in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia’s senior population continues to grow (21.25% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Columbia, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 51.28% between 2014 and 2019. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 18.19%. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is slightly higher than the rest of the nation (6.73% in Columbia 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 more than a dozen hours researching senior living communities in Columbia. 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.
The Best Memory Care Facilities in Columbia, MO
Table of Contents
How Memory Care Facilities Can Help
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.
Our Selection Process
To choose the best memory care facilities in Columbia, 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:
- Spent over 22 hours researching memory care facilities in Columbia
- Read more than 80 reviews written by residents and their loved ones
- Interviewed 6 representatives from local communities
Reviews of the 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Columbia, MO
Bluff Creek Terrace Senior Living
- Resident Capacity:48
- Room Types:Studios, Companion Suites
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Hospice, Day Services, Respite, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:$5,640 for Memory Care, $3,450 for Assisted Living
Located about 10 minutes away from University Hospital MU Health Care, Bluff Creek Terrace Senior Living is close by many local amenities, including Village South Shops and Broadway Market Place. The dedicated staff has experience caring for seniors with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Staying active is easy in the fully-equipped wellness center, which has weight stations and a NuStep stationary bike. Memory care residents can ease anxiety and relax in the Snoezelen Room, a multisensory environment that uses colored lights and aromatherapy, along with calm music and various tactile materials. Pet-friendly apartments feature full, private bathrooms and individual thermostat control. Memory care floor plans range from 204 to 232 square feet.
Reviewers like the location of the community and its amenities. One wrote, "Bluff Creek senior living is like an oasis in the middle of Columbia. It's safe, peaceful, and friendly -- and close enough for me to visit. At Bluff Creek, all her needs are taken care of. The retirement community staff is friendly and helpful all the time."
- Reviews:4.4 out of 5 stars; 20 reviews
- Phone:(573) 554-3648
- Address:3104 Bluff Creek Dr., Columbia, MO 65201
- Web:www.americareusa.net
Candlelight Lodge Assisted Living
- Resident Capacity:85
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, Companion Suites
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care
- Base Pricing:$3,750 for assisted living, $4,310 for memory care
Candlelight Lodge Assisted Living Residence offers assisted living and memory care while also providing residents with a family atmosphere. The community fosters a sense of independence and prioritizes security for those who need it. Staff members treat all residents with dignity and respect and work to maintain their lifestyle and routines with enriching activities and special events. There is a 24-hour certified on-site nursing staff and a variety of residential services, including laundry, three home-cooked meals a day and simple maintenance in all rooms. Socialization is encouraged, and residents can come and go to daily events as they please.
Family members enjoy the interesting locale, caring staff and plentiful activities. One resident's family member said, "Candlelight Lodge Retirement Center is perfect, and we love them. They have all kinds of activities and they also have dog shows that go in there. We like everything about the place. The staff is awesome, very understanding and very professional."
- Reviews:3.82 out of 5 stars; 28 reviews
- Phone:(573) 449-5287
- Address:1406 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, MO 65202
- Web:candlelightlodgeassistedliving.com
Cedarhurst of Columbia
- Resident Capacity:126
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments, Companion Suites
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care
- Base Pricing:$6,450 for Memory Care, $4,925 for Assisted Living
Cedarhurst of Columbia is only minutes away from local amenities, including University Hospital MU Health Care and Forum Shopping Center. The 24-hour staff and dementia specialists provide assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing and managing medications, while also supporting independence. The community uses emergency response pendants, along with an electronic health records platform, so families can stay informed of residents wellness and adjust their care plans accordingly. Residents can choose from a variety of programs that encompass physical and mental health, from intergenerational activities to group outings to local events and points of interest. One-on-one therapy services are performed by licensed therapists and can help seniors improve motor skills and dexterity. The pet-friendly apartments range from 394 to 532 square feet and feature ADA-compliant bathrooms and emergency call systems.
Reviewers like the apartments and the programs. A resident wrote, "We've been living at Provision Living for more than two years, and it's been very good. They tailor whatever is needed to the patient. We have a three-bed studio apartment. The food is excellent. They've got a really good chef. They've got a fitness program tailored for the people.
- Reviews:4 out of 5 stars; 25 reviews
- Phone:(573) 234-1091
- Address:2333 Chapel Hill Rd., Columbia, MO 65203
- Web:www.cedarhurstliving.com
Colony Pointe Senior Living
- Resident Capacity:50
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Hospice, Day Services, Respite
- Base Pricing:$5,940 for Memory Care, $4,530 for Assisted Living
Offering a variety of lifestyle options, Colony Pointe caters to varying senior care needs, including the Arbors memory care program for those living with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. The team values individual life stories by creating personalized care plans that incorporate past experiences, important milestones and traditions. Caregivers use the Best Friends approach to build trusting, meaningful connections with residents. Days start with the 30-second rule, a short, engaging chat with seniors to get them in a positive mood. The neighborhood has an intimate setting and cozy common areas for spontaneous small group activities, such as dancing, movies, chair exercises and Bible studies. Residents can relax in the Snoezelen Room, which provides a multisensory experience using soothing light, colors, sounds, music, aromatherapy and other stimulating elements.
Residents often mention the knowledgeable, compassionate staff. A residents daughter says, "My 93-year-old mother recently moved into The Arbors. She is more active, more alert, and happier than she has been in months. The caring staff works hard to plan activities and outings. The nursing staff is amazing and has helped beyond words with my mothers medications and healthcare.
- Reviews:4.17 out of 5 stars; 54 reviews
- Phone:(573) 234-6989
- Address:1510 Chapel Hill Rd., Columbia, MO 65203
- Web:www.americareusa.net
Heisinger Bluffs
- Resident Capacity:87
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:Not Available
Heisinger Bluffs sits peacefully on the banks of the Missouri River. As part of the nonprofit Lutheran Senior Services community, it provides a continuum of care options for seniors with limited income. Consistent staff and familiar faces provide a sense of stability to residents with memory impairments, and daily activities are designed to engage them physically, mentally and socially. Amenities include an arts and crafts studio, fitness center, a well-stocked library, chapel and gardens. As a Life Plan Community with all levels of care in one place, Heisinger Bluffs allows residents to increase their level of care as their needs change and to stay near friends and family with different care needs.
Residents appreciate the cleanliness of the beautiful accommodations and the attentive care they receive from staff. One reviewer describes Heisinger Bluffs as "one large family with a very friendly atmosphere" and states, "the community is clean, [it has] good food, and offers many varied activities and entertainment."
- Reviews:4.7 out of 5 stars; 81 reviews
- Phone:(573) 636-6288
- Address:1002 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109
- Web:www.lssliving.org
Lenoir Woods - Lutheran Senior Services
- Resident Capacity:60
- Room Types:Studios, 2-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:Not Available
Located about 10 miles from University Hospital MU Health, Lenoir Woods - Lutheran Senior Services is situated on a 30-acre campus and close to many local amenities, including Village South Shops and Rock Bridge Shopping Center. The community's licensed nurses and dedicated caregivers have experience supporting seniors living with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Activities in the art studio and woodworking shop give seniors a creative outlet and a way of expressing themselves. The pet-friendly community provides a variety of programs and activities based on residents interests and hobbies. Residents can start their mornings with fitness classes in the aerobics studio and end their evenings with riddles and trivia games.
Residents, family members of residents, and visitors often mention the communitys inviting atmosphere. One resident writes, "We chose Lenoir Woods because of the multiple levels of care However, we found so much more. The leadership and staff are skilled and very caring from the director down to the lowest paid staff. Residents are a big family, enjoying and caring for each other."
- Reviews:4.48 out of 5 stars; 100 reviews
- Phone:(573) 876-5800
- Address:3710 Lenoir St., Columbia, MO 65201
- Web:www.lssliving.org
Mill Creek Village Senior Living
- Resident Capacity:50
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Day Services, Respite
- Base Pricing:Not Available
Mill Creek Village Senior Living takes an individualized approach to memory care, emphasizing care plans specific to each resident. The Best Friends approach is the hallmark of programming at Mill Creek, emphasizing the tenets of friendship to forge relationships between staff and residents. The environment is kept purposely intimate to ensure one-on-one attention for each resident, while the Snoezelen Room is a multisensory environment that uses light, sound and color to both stimulate and calm residents. The community takes a different approach to activities, allowing residents to choose daily options instead of adhering to a schedule. Memory care activity opportunities include movie watching, baking, dancing, group fitness and Bible study. The community is also pet-friendly, which may provide another layer of comfort for memory care residents.
Community reviews discuss the care and compassion provided to residents, focusing heavily on the approach taken by the staff to ensure each resident's comfort. One notes, "I cant recommend Mill Creek Village highly enough. My wife and I (and my sisters) were exceptionally impressed by the entire staff at Mill Creek, and wholeheartedly recommend them."
- Reviews:4.49 out of 5 stars; 18 reviews
- Phone:(573) 381-0578
- Address:1990 W. Southampton Dr., Columbia, MO 65203
- Web:www.americareusa.net
Ravenwood Terrace Senior Living
- Resident Capacity:50
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Day Services, Respite
- Base Pricing:$4,900 for Memory Care, $3,640 for Assisted Living, $900 for Independent Living
Ravenwood Terrace Senior Living emphasizes each resident's specific background in care plans, underscoring personal preferences and achievements in an intimate environment. The Snoezelen Room is the multisensory space for residents to experience color, light, sound and aromatherapy to either calm or stimulate. Activity options include group fitness classes, spiritual services, movie nights, special interest clubs and common spaces that encourage social interactions. Spontaneity in activity offerings is the central point of programming, with residents choosing what they want to do each day instead of being beholden to a specific schedule.
When discussing the merits of this community, residents and their family members note the spacious living spaces, diverse activities and high level of care. One notes, "My grandmother is a tenant of the home, and she has her own private room, in which she can have her own antique furniture, pictures of family, along with a television and refrigerator for her comfort."
- Reviews:3.93 out of 5 stars; 15 reviews
- Phone:(660) 372-8597
- Address:1830 Ravenwood Dr., Moberly, MO 65270
- Web:www.americareusa.net
The Arbors at Lakeview Bend
- Resident Capacity:39
- Room Types:Studios, Private Rooms, Shared Rooms
- Care Provided: Memory Care, Day Services, Respite
- Base Pricing:$5,670 for Memory Care
The Arbors at Lakeview Bend stands out for its emphasis on memory care in almost every aspect of community life. The Best Friends program encompasses the community's specific approach to memory care, as staff uses the core tenets of friendship to engender trust from the residents. Personalized care plans are unique to each resident and serve as living documents that are updated as needs change. Activities are not preplanned to give residents an opportunity to participate based on what they want to do each day. The community also implements a 30-second rule, which encourages staff to interact with each resident to discuss their day so far and assess their emotional state. Residents can choose from myriad activity options, including baking, group fitness, spiritual services and movie nights. The community is also pet-friendly.
Residents and their loved ones laud The Arbors at Lakeview Bend for its creative approach to memory care and specifics that make the environment more pleasant, such as homelike amenities. One writes, "The facility is clean, the meals are freshly prepared and are of good nutritional value, the staff is always helpful, my mother enjoys the gazebo garden area."
- Reviews:4.8 out of 5 stars; 10 reviews
- Phone:(573) 567-3935
- Address:1700 Asbury Cir. W., Mexico, MO 65265
- Web:www.americareusa.net
The Westbury Senior Living Columbia, MO
- Resident Capacity:153
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Day Services
- Base Pricing:Not Available
The Westbury offers seniors uniquely tailored care to meet their needs in the beautiful scenic area of Columbia, MO. Independent living, assisted living and memory care are provided in a quiet wooded area of the city that's close to local shops, restaurants and other area features, allowing seniors to explore. Residents are provided on-campus entertainment and events to stay active and connect with others. Life enrichment coordinators form bonds with memory care residents to create trust and provide a stable point of contact and to understand each resident's unique needs, and activity stations are placed around each cottage to ensure engagement opportunities. The carefully crafted dining program keeps appetites healthy.
Family members are impressed with the structure and amenities provided here, as well as the staff. One says, "They were very accommodating and responsive. They addressed all of our questions, inquired about my mom's interests, and tailored the discussion accordingly. [The] Westbury has a lot to offer."
- Reviews:5 out of 5 stars; 1 reviews
- Phone:(573) 818-7030
- Address:550 Stone Valley Pkwy., Columbia, MO 65203
- Web:westburyseniorliving.com
