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 Danbury’s senior population continues to grow (13.21% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Danbury, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by .36% between 2014 and 2019. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (5.12% in Danbury 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 Danbury. 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 Danbury, 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:
Surrounded by Ridgefield's rustic beauty, Atria Ridgefield is a luxury memory care and assisted living community. As an Atria community, it offers novel approaches to dementia and Alzheimer's care through its signature Life Guidance program. From daily exercise classes and aromatherapy to a photography club and brain fitness sessions, residents can look forward to a range of activities designed to retain their existing physical and cognitive skills. The 24/7 staff receives regular training in the latest memory care techniques. The community's homey apartments are decorated with works of art. Most of them are fitted with a kitchenette where residents can prepare meals when they're not eating in one of the on-site dining spaces. A professional culinary staff prepares three meals daily, and the menu includes low-sodium, gluten-free and vegetarian options. Residents can take full advantage of onsite amenities such as the salon, fitness center and movie theater.
Residents and their loved ones are impressed by the individualized care approach at Atria Ridgefield. One says, "One special offering at Atria is the assignment of a care staff to each resident as well as housekeeping staff. The premises are immaculate and sanitary."
Benchmark Senior Living at Ridgefield Crossings offers assisted living and memory care in a peaceful setting that is still conveniently close to shops and medical facilities. The memory care neighborhood is led by a dementia care specialist who supervises the activities and daily routine of residents to make sure that each senior is living a purposeful and joyful life. Family and community support groups are held in the community on a regular basis to help loved ones to cope with the changes in their friend or family member. A team of dedicated caregiving staff is available 24/7 to assist with tasks of daily living and medication management. Personal care plans are created for each resident and these plans include details of the senior's history, past career, hobbies, likes and dislikes. These plans assist caregivers in providing individualized care and activities.
Family members praise the excellent staff and activities offered with one saying, "My loved one is in the memory care area and she does not just live there, she thrives there! I cannot believe all the amazing, stimulating activities that go on every day, seven days a week. Every department has the most friendly, caring, and competent staff members."
Located in a quiet surrounding near the historic town of Shelton, Benchmark Senior Living at Split Rock offers memory care and assisted living to seniors 55 years and older. Its conveniently located near amenities such as shopping, dining, outdoor and health care options. On-site, residents can take advantage of numerous amenities, including a salon, spa, gym, library and indoor common areas. Outdoor spaces and walking paths allow them to enjoy the fresh air, while a robust calendar of activities encourages them to stay active and engaged. The community's signature Mind & Memory care program was designed by and guided by certified dementia practitioners. A specially designed neighborhood includes features such as tactile stimulation to reduce the effects of sundowning, and visual cues help with navigation. Memory care residents also benefit from activities that encourage creativity and self-expression.
The community gets praise for its attentive staff. One family member states, "I would give the staff a 10 if I could! They do more than just take residents. The overall concern for the residents is great. Another family member concurs, saying, "The entire staff is very friendly, courteous, and there when needed.
Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull is a dedicated memory care community in Connecticut that helps improve the lives of seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Its memory care approach incorporates aesthetics, directional cues and aromatherapy to create a secure, soothing environment residents can call home. Daily activities encourage residents to connect, move and strengthen their mental skills. The community's skilled care team undergoes continuous training and education to ensure residents receive excellent care that meets their individual needs. Seniors can expect assistance with grooming and bathing if needed, and they enjoy professionally prepared meals in the family-style dining room.
Visiting relatives remark how helpful staff members are. One says, "The quality of services here at the Bridges is personalized, respectful, professional and implemented with such kindness. Not only are the residents' needs taken into consideration but also the family and/or the caregiver(s)."
Brookdale Wilton is a memory care and assisted living community in Wilton, Connecticut, that helps improve the lives of seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. As a Brookdale center, its memory care philosophy focuses on tailor-made programs designed to accommodate each resident's needs. The community purposefully structures each day with dementia-friendly activities. These activities, which include massage therapy, crafts and brain games, promote fine motor skills and enhance residents' lives. Movies are popular with residents, as are the on-site library and barber shop. The in-house culinary team prepares three daily meals for residents to enjoy.
Visiting relatives remark how helpful staff members are. One says, "It is a fabulous place. The people are caring, loving and very attentive, and they listen to the residents and follow them. They go up to their room to give their medications instead of making them wait in line. Right from the director down, everyone is caring and really nice."
Cannondale Senior Living offers a wide range of services to improve seniors' well-being, including assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing and memory care. Roughly 10 miles from Norwalk, Cannondale Senior Living is based on its own 10-acre campus, complete with landscaped walkways encompassing the building, just off Route 7 in Wilton, Connecticut. The community has a dedicated environment for its memory care program, fully secured to ensure residents stay out of harm's way. All residents are given iPads with individually curated playlists, used by music therapists to provide emotional and behavioral benefits to residents with dementia. Cannondale Senior Living's Bird Tales therapeutic program uses multisensory stimulation to connect residents with nature, offering benefits similar to those of music therapy. The community's The Elms Program promotes improved memory functioning among residents with higher-level memory impairments.
Relatives of residents at Cannondale Senior Living genuinely appreciate the community's dedication to high-quality care. One person says, "Over two years have gone by since I first reviewed the Greens, and I can still say without hesitation that my sisters and I remain thrilled and relieved by the care that our parents are receiving at the Greens."
Carriage Green at Milford is located in a peaceful residential area in a quaint New England town. The memory care unit is located in a secure building, and the residents have safe access to spacious gardens and a landscaped courtyard. The caregivers engage with residents on a regular basis to get to know their personal histories, likes and dislikes. The Mind & Memory program is run by a certified dementia care specialist who creates daily routines and activities that are personalized to the requirements and abilities of each resident. Daily activities are designed around the six dimensions of wellness, which promote physical, social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and purposeful growth. A team of dedicated caregiving staff is always on hand to provide care and assistance with medication management and the tasks of daily living. Emergency call systems are fitted in every apartment.
Family members praise the staff and different activities offered, with one reviewer saying, "Carriage Green at Milford is excellent and very clean, and the people are very nice and caring.They have Bingo, different kinds of card games, exercises every day, sometimes they have trips out, and they have church and things like that."
Church Hill Village is a premier senior living community that offers elegant communal spaces and state-of-the-art amenities. The community maintains a secure perimeter and the memory care neighborhood features alarmed entrances and exits for the safety of residents. The memory care unit has a calming atmosphere with minimal clutter to minimize confusion and distraction. Residents have access to beautifully landscaped enclosed outdoor spaces where they can enjoy the sunshine or socialize with friends. The community runs the Embrace Memory Care program which uses the latest memory care research to help residents engage with the world around them. The program stimulates the senses to help seniors recall engrained memories and bring a moment of joy to their day. Residents are given a sense of independence as they choose their daily activities and meal options using personalized visual cues.
Family members and visitors are impressed by the excellent staff who show such dedication to their jobs with one saying, "Fantastic experience across the board with each and every member of the CHV staff. Everyone is completely caring and competent."
Coachman Square at Woodbridge provides memory care services in an assisted living setting, helping seniors with dementia reach their full potential. The community's proprietary Mind & Memory approach emphasizes creativity and self-expression, celebrating residents' capabilities through group and individual activities that make the most of their skills. Its memory care program is directed by a certified dementia practitioner, treating residents with best dementia care practices. The practitioner infuses evidence-based approaches into activities to generate meaningful, measurable results from programming. With Parallel Programming, residents can freely choose between group and personal programming depending, instilling a sense of self-direction within residents. Coachman Square at Woodbridge's calendar is filled with fun activities, including outdoor events, scenic outings, social opportunities and guided meditation groups.
Relatives like the community's scenic campus and supportive environment. One says, "My mother is in Coachman Square at Woodbridge She's been staying here for quite a while now. It really helped her a lot especially emotionally. They have a beautiful scenic place outside and have a big yard. My mom has a very spacious room and it's really wonderful."
Keystone Place at Wooster Heights provides state-of-the-art senior memory care services that seek to improve the brain fitness levels of residents living with Alzheimer's and dementia-related illnesses. The community's signature Holistic Harbors memory care program includes assistance with daily living activities as well as a vibrant monthly activities schedule that includes cognitive exercises and social engagement opportunities. The community's culinary staff members prepare meals based upon the MIND diet that was created to help slow down the loss of age-related brain function. Menu items served include fish, poultry, vegetables, wine, nuts and beans. Residents can also take advantage of the on-site fitness center and weekly religious services.
Residents enjoy the numerous activities held here each month. Cultural events, book clubs and group discussions help seniors interact with other like-minded community members, while the miles of walking paths let residents take full advantage of sunny days. Scheduled restaurant outings allow seniors to remain connected to their local community throughout the year.
Maplewood at Danbury employs a compassionate and creative approach in caring for seniors, providing a high quality of life to seniors through its memory care and assisted living programs. The community is just across from Danbury Hospital and its medical complex, facilitating access to advanced medical care should residents need it. Maplewood at Danbury stays true to its proprietary HEART care philosophy, valuing the attributes of humor, empathy, autonomy, respect and trust. The community's memory care program offers two levels of care, Tides and Currents, meeting residents where they're at based on their current diagnoses. Maplewood at Danbury operates a brain fitness center, offering cognitively stimulating programming intended to slow the progression of memory impairments such as dementia. Meals are prepared from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and served to residents in private, in the grand dining room or on the patio.
Online reviewers note that this community offers a highly comforting lifestyle to residents. One says, "My mom has been a resident at Maplewood at Danbury for the past 18 months. My interactions with all of the staff members. are favorable. My mom at 91 years young is leading a comfortable life with plenty of activity, excellent food and quality care."
Maplewood at Newtown provides memory care and assisted living in a peaceful residential suburb of Newton. The secure memory care neighborhood has been carefully designed to give residents independence and confidence in their daily lives. The colors in the building have all been chosen to help seniors with memory loss disorders to be able to easily navigate around the building. A team of caregiving staff is available 24/7 to assist residents with the tasks of daily living or to escort them to and from meals and activities. A dedicated coordinator oversees the daily routines of all the seniors and ensures they find purpose and fulfillment in each day. Seniors are encouraged to interact with the culinary team and become a part of the meal-making and menu creation processes. Seniors can choose between dining in the dining room, pub and patio.
One family member notes the welcoming community and supportive care provided to his father, saying, "The nursing staff was incredibly supportive and helpful as we navigated his dementia and health challenges. The entire staff, the aides, dining staff, maintenance, everyone was warm and welcoming. He made good friends with the other residents and was truly part of a community."
Maplewood at Orange is a memory care and assisted living community situated close to Interstate 95 and the Orange Promenade Shopping Center in Orange, Connecticut. This community uses HEART, an emotion-based care philosophy, to encourage memory care residents to enjoy life to their full potential. There are two levels of memory care available: Tides and Currents. Tides is for seniors with early-stage memory impairment and offers access to enrichment programs and a secure environment where they can enjoy supported independence. Currents is for seniors with moderate- or advanced-stage memory impairment and provides individualized services and additional support. Memory care residents in both Tides and Currents can also spend time at the on-site Brain Fitness Center.
Maplewood at Orange receives good reviews for being a well-designed community in a convenient location and for offering a variety of care options. "Maplewood was exceptional It was a modern facility with different levels of care, which was important. The location was opportune for us and very elegant, writes one reviewer.
Maplewood at Stony Hill is a senior living community that focuses on assisting seniors with memory loss conditions. The community was designed to allow residents to remain as independent as possible and give them some measure of personal freedom in their daily lives. The doors are secured for the safety of the memory care residents. Seniors are encouraged to decide which activities they would like to participate in each day, and family members are always invited to take part in the daily activities and social events. Residents can participate in holiday celebrations, arts and crafts, music therapy and fitness classes. Musical entertainment is also provided. Three nutritious meals are served each day, and meal assistance is available for those who cannot feed themselves. A team of caregiving staff is always available to provide compassionate care and assistance.
Family members praise the well-maintained building, with one reviewer saying, "Maplewood at Stony Hill is a very beautiful place. It has three levels with a nice garden, it's in a nice location, and seems well-run overall. The place seems open, but they have a locked door so people can't just wander anywhere."
Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull is a senior living community nestled in a peaceful neighborhood in the charming town of Trumbull. The memory care unit is housed in a separate secure building and residents have access to a spacious courtyard area with walking paths and shaded seating areas. The building has been designed to allow seniors with memory loss disorders to easily navigate where they want to go on their own. A team of care providers offers round the clock care and assistance to the residents. Activities are based around the six dimensions of wellness and each day includes physical, social, intellectual, purposeful, spiritual and emotional activities. Three chef-prepared meals are served each day in the bright and colorful dining room. Special diets can be accommodated and assistance is available for those who have difficulty feeding themselves.
Family members praise the caring staff and well-maintained community with one reviewer saying, "Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull is fine in all aspects. It's attractive and fabulous. I give the workers a compliment every time I see them. They are doing a wonderful job. The staff is warm and friendly. The dining room is most inviting."
Sunrise of Wilton offers gracious assisted living and memory care services to seniors who require extra support with daily activities. Residents receive personalized assistance in the privacy of their own apartments, which helps them maintain their independence and dignity, and the community is staffed 24 hours a day to ensure requests are fulfilled quickly. The pet-friendly campus features beautifully landscaped walking paths and gardens that residents can use for outdoor leisure and exercise, and multiple indoor common areas make it easy for individuals to enjoy social opportunities with their peers. Staff members create daily programming to help residents remain active and engaged, and the fun activities are carefully designed to meet the unique needs of seniors with cognitive impairments. Delicious meals are prepared by an in-house chef three times a day, and the healthy menus include seasonal and pureed dishes.
Both residents and visitors highly praise the thoughtfully designed activities at Sunrise of Wilton. The community's friendly caregivers also earn top marks. One individual states, "Sunrise of Wilton is a beautiful senior living option with excellent services and caring staff 24 hrs a day, with personalized programming and activities!"
The Hearth at Southbury is located in a peaceful area of Southbury, 17 miles outside of Danbury. The community features various lounge areas for residents to relax in, as well as a secure landscaped garden and patio. Residents can also stay active and engaged with the exercise area and activity room. The trained staff take a holistic approach to memory care, offering one-on-one psychological, physical, and emotional care to suit each individual. Residents are encouraged to build a daily routine and to engage in large and small group activities that promote feelings of belonging and slow the pace of memory loss. Daily activities include mini golf and world history lessons. The staff offers 24/7 care and support, as well as housekeeping and laundry services.
Family members appreciate the attentive care, with one reviewer saying, "I cannot recommend The Hearth enough. The staff has been overwhelmingly helpful, polite and caring for my mother. The building is kept in excellent condition inside and out. I have other facilities closer to my home but chose The Hearth because its hands down the best value and care. Thank you, Hearth, for taking such good care of my mom."
Nestled on a quiet hillside, The Village at Brookfield Common is a welcoming community that offers assisted living, memory care services and respite care. Through its Mind & Memory program, the community utilizes research to keep seniors with dementia active, healthy and engaged. The memory care neighborhood is specially designed for the comfort and security of seniors with memory loss, featuring special lighting, contrasting color choices, aromatherapy and visual cues to help residents navigate the neighborhood as independently as possible. To reduce challenges at mealtime, the community offers a sensory dining experience with carefully chosen tableware, aromas and music. Memory care residents enjoy a full range of individualized experiences and group activities that encourage creativity and socialization, such as art workshops, exercise classes, aromatherapy, gardening and volunteer projects.
Reviewers describe Village at Brookfield Common as "absolutely gorgeous and really well-appointed," and people love its many amenities and social atmosphere. As one reviewer shares, "They have a very nice little bistro where the residents can gather for coffee or entertainment. They also have outside entertainment that they bring in, there's a lot of activities every day for the seniors."
The Village at East Farms is situated on 34 acres of landscaped gardens and features stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The perimeter of the community is secured, allowing memory care residents to safely explore the walking paths and meander through the spacious gardens. A team of caregivers is always on hand to provide comfort and compassionate care to residents. All the staff members in the memory care unit are trained in the latest methods of assisting seniors with cognitive impairment disorders. Three nutritious chef-prepared meals are served on a daily basis in the dining room, and residents are encouraged to socialize at mealtimes. A number of activities are scheduled each day, and seniors are divided into groups with similar physical and cognitive abilities. Some of the activities offered include gardening, baking, social events, musical entertainment, fitness classes and arts and crafts.
Family members praise the compassionate staff, with one reviewer saying, "The Village has some of the most dedicated and caring and experienced staff in the area. Dads quality of life got so much better as a result of moving there. All of our fears went away and we have peace of mind that he is receiving the best care available."
The Watermark at East Hill injects meaning, purpose and comfort into residents' lives with its memory care, skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living programs. Watermark's Thrive Memory Care program offers a home-like environment, based in a dedicated community with just 14 memory care residents. Its suites are designed to capture maximum natural light so as to improve mood, reduce depression and stifle agitation. In addition to three daily nutritional meals, the community's Thrive Dining program allows residents to eat what they want whenever they desire, sporting a full-sized kitchen with numerous appliances. Its programming is split into two areas: physical wellness and expressive arts, the latter including art and music therapy to enrich residents' lives. At Watermark University, the community's in-house continuing education program, residents can involve themselves in dozens of classes that range from poetry to music history.
People praise The Watermark at East Hill's cleanliness, appreciating its beautifully landscaped community grounds. One resident's relative says, "I found the place to be one of the most cleanest places of its type I have ever been to. The staff is friendly, and they give me updates every time I come to see my grandmother."