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 Eagan's senior population continues to grow (14.1% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Eagan, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 65% between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 36%, 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 (7.7% in Eagan 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 Eagan. 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 Eagan, 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 a dedicated memory care community that provides support for seniors experiencing memory loss through its Clare Bridge and Solace programs. Clare Bridge, which is geared toward people with mild to moderate dementia, focuses on personal care and activities. The whole day is packed with activities to keep residents busy and engaged. Mornings begin with B-Fit exercise sessions that focus on balance, flexibility and cardio. Brain games and trivia come up next. There's music nearly every day, as well as prayer, outdoor activities and crafts. The Solace program is somewhat quieter, since it's designed for people with greater memory loss. While those in Solace can still participate in the community's activities, they also receive more relaxation time and sensory stimulation through music and aromatherapy.
Reviewers of Brookdale Eagan are pleased with the community's caring staff. A reviewer whose mother lives in the community says, "All the staff there are so loving and so attentive to all residents...They also have a room called a Solace Room that has three different programs to sooth somebody when they're having sundowning issues."
The Commons on Marice offers memory care using the Pearls of Life program, which focuses on quality care and a positive approach. This program utilizes the Montessori method to engage residents with the world around them and help them discover purpose in life and meaningful connections. Caregivers assist seniors with medication, personal care and mobility, and they're available to provide guidance and support 24/7. Since this is a secure community, residents can't wander away, and each one receives a safety pendant for added peace of mind. Seniors can participate in a variety of life-enrichment programs each day, including fitness classes, pet therapy, games and music, and they can enjoy the many fresh options served up by the community's culinary team.
Reviewers of The Commons on Marice rave about the community's caring staff. "I've told many other people about ... the great care my mom is receiving," a reviewer says. "Every time I've been there, the staff has been extremely sweet and helpful. As I was moving her things in, one of the staff stopped her break to come in to help."
New Perspective Eagan offers a welcoming environment where seniors with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia can feel safe and receive the care they need while continuing to maintain an active lifestyle. Its Betty's Harbor memory care neighborhood is designed with comfortable and nonintimidating living spaces, including a library and a secured courtyard so residents can safely enjoy the outdoors. Both private and companion apartments are available, and all suites are pet-friendly so residents can continue to enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their furry companions. Seniors have access to 24-hour supervised care, with nurses on-call around the clock to assist as needed. To help reduce feelings of isolation and keep residents active in mind and body, the community offers a dynamic range of resident clubs, social events and daily activities.
Reviewers praise the attentiveness of the staff and the wealth of amenities available at New Perspective Eagan. The daughter of a resident shares, "The entire staff is always available to answer any questions or concerns we may have. Activities for the residents are fun and inviting. My family and I are very comfortable and satisfied with the move our mother made."
Brookdale Edina offers memory care in a luxurious environment. This community is actually a part of the fantastic indoor Edinborough Park, where the temperature is always 70 degrees and residents can stroll through manicured gardens year-round. The memory care programs in this community focus on personalized care and activities. Seniors with mild-to-moderate memory loss participate in the Clare Bridge program. Caregivers assist with daily living activities, medication and housekeeping, and residents can take part in at least six scheduled activities each day. B-Fit exercise sessions start in the morning, and puzzles, games, club meetings and music follow, with evening movies providing a fun end to the day. For people with more advanced dementia, the Solace program concentrates on time for personal care and sensory relaxation through music and aromatherapy, although seniors are welcome to participate in activities, too.
Reviewers appreciate the caring staff at Brookdale Edina. "This community is very tidy," one reviewer explains, "and our loved one even compliments the housekeeping when they come to clean his room. Most of the staff members are wonderful and have been so kind. ... Our loved one even says the food is the best he has ever had."
Sunrise of Edina offers personalized memory care in the Reminiscence neighborhood, where seniors experiencing memory loss live securely. They're surrounded by compassionate caregivers, who are on hand 24/7 to provide help with daily living activities and medication as well as mobility, meals and housekeeping. Staff members also use the Validation method to affirm residents and gently guide them through their days. Seniors have plenty to keep them busy, too. Exercise sessions, including SingFit classes, fill the days along with games, chats and devotions. Socials and crafts are popular, and most days end with opportunities to watch classic TV shows or vintage movies. The community's dining experience is tailored to each resident's tastes and dietary needs. The culinary team takes special requests, and multiple options are on the menu at every meal.
Residents and their families love the caring staff at Sunrise of Edina. One reviewer notes, "Every person I have talked to has been helpful. They've all been knowledgeable, and if they couldn't answer me, they got me to someone who could. They proactively reach out to me with updates. ... I feel like my loved one is extremely safe there."
The serene setting of Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley includes views of the nearby Legacy Park and pond. it houses two memory care neighborhoods, Terrace and Vista. These are designed to support the independence of memory care residents without compromising on safety, including secured outdoor spaces and motion sensor technology. Ecumen follows a holistic approach to memory care with the Ecumen Awakenings program that uses therapies such as sensory stimulation, cooking, massages, art therapy and aromatherapy to stimulate cognitive responses. Residents have access to a 24-hour on-call registered nurse and a certified nurse visits once a week for checkups. Other care types available here include independent and assisted living. There is a second resident fee for married couples who prefer to stay together, and a guest suite is available to loved ones staying over.
Relatives find the sense of community endearing, and one writes, "My Dad utilized some of the Assisted Living options briefly but soon needed to move to a studio apt. in Memory Care on a different floor. This was such a stressful time for our family and the staff and residents couldn't have been more kind, caring or helpful."
Situated among towering trees is Suite Living Senior Care of Inver Grove Heights, a memory care community. It emphasizes safety and security through 24-hour supervision and has a whole-person approach to memory care that includes a resident's needs and personal preferences. Staff are trained in behavior therapy to assist memory care residents with dignity and compassion. Residents can join in on scheduled activities such as gardening, art classes, card games and cooking classes. There are plenty of seating areas to encourage social interactions, which helps stimulate cognitive function. On-site amenities include a salon and barber, beautiful outdoor spaces and a community garden. Residents receive assistance with daily living tasks, medication management and diabetes management.
Relatives appreciate the level of care their loved ones receive. A relative writes, "Thanks for taking great care of our Mother, she is enjoying her time there. Also thanks for making her feel at home in your beautiful facility."
Seven Hills Senior Living offers personalized memory care geared to each resident's individual needs. Seniors receive compassionate and discreet assistance with their activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing and mobility, according to a personal care plan developed in conjunction with their medical team. Trained staff members administer medication and take care of housekeeping and laundry chores as well. A daily "I'm OK" check provides peace of mind, and a monthly wellness check monitors vital signs and health issues. The calendar is packed with exercise sessions and life-enrichment activities so that residents remain busy and engaged. Seniors might play games, enjoy parties, work on puzzles and do crafts. The community's dining program offers plenty of choices to accommodate personal tastes and dietary needs, and meals are home-cooked and made with fresh ingredients.
Reviewers of Seven Hills Senior Living appreciate the community's well-organized, caring staff. One reviewer says, "I really like
Havenwood of Richfield offers an advanced memory care program called Heartfelt Connections that focuses on an individual's current abilities and remaining memory to provide a better quality of life. The program encourages strong relationships between the residents and their families and caregivers to help create a sense of normalcy, increased trust and routine. Residents have access to care 24/7 and receive assistance with daily tasks, including grooming, bathing, dressing, mobility and medication reminders. Activities fit each individual's abilities and range from board games and puzzles to time outdoors, baking and gardening. Residents are encouraged to bring their room decor to create a homelike atmosphere. Security is provided around the clock for peace of mind.
Residents enjoy the site amenities, with one individual stating, "...overall our experience with this facility has been wonderful! The cleanliness and friendliness are great. The staff and quality of care are also great! We have no regrets about moving mom here. It has been the best decision. I would recommend this facility to family and friends."
Suite Living Senior Care of Burnsville is a small community aiming to give residents the individualized attention they need to thrive. Custom care plans focus on a resident's preferences at meal times and for hobbies, worship and daily life. Pets are also welcome. The community provides 24-hour supervision and a security gate for increased peace of mind. There's also a secure patio and garden for those who enjoy being outdoors. Registered nurses are available to provide care for additional health conditions, including diabetes. The various services include assistance with the activities of daily living, catheter care, injections and feeding tubes. Doctors are on call by phone 24/7 for emergencies.
Family members comment on how friendly the staff members are and the beauty of the accommodation, with one individual saying, "The staff was very friendly, accommodating, and helpful. It would be really easy to have family members visit."
Hayden Grove Senior Living offers memory care services to individuals who've been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. The community has staff members available 24 hours a day to help with daily needs, including toileting, mobility, grooming and bathing, and there's an emergency response system in each personal living space. The memory care suites include kitchens, individual thermostat controls and private bathrooms with walk-in showers. The community also offers a variety of amenities that are available to all residents, including an exercise facility, crafting and community rooms and a controlled entry system for increased security. Residents can enjoy their meals in a shared dining room or in their private rooms.
Reviewers appreciate the wide range of activities, with one visitor commenting, "They had two exercise rooms, they had a lot of activities, and they had a bistro. I talked with a couple of ladies that were residents, and they were very pleased there."
The Waters of Highland Park is a hospitality-focused community committed to helping seniors thrive. Its memory care program, known as PETALS, is offered in a secure neighborhood, which provides an intimate, homelike environment for seniors with memory loss conditions. Each resident receives a personalized plan of care based on a comprehensive assessment. Specially trained team members and licensed nurses are on-site around the clock to assist as needed. Memory care residents have access to common areas throughout the campus, including a wellness center, a creative arts studio, a full-service salon and spa and an enclosed outdoor courtyard. A full range of evidence-based programming is available, with activities designed to promote socialization and engagement while reducing feelings of stress or anxiety. These may include morning exercises, art projects, pet therapy and sensory games.
The Waters of Highland Park is recognized for its compassionate care and engaging lifestyle. A reviewer shares, "Our mom lives on the Memory Care floor. The care and attention she gets is outstanding. She is engaged in the community life and enjoys being with the other residents. We couldn't be happier to have her there, and she loves it, too!"
Ecumen Centennial House is a nonprofit agency that provides memory care and assisted living to seniors ages 62 and older. Through Ecumen's Awakenings program, memory care residents receive customized plans that evolve with their individual changing needs. All staff members who work with residents with cognitive impairment must complete at least eight hours of dementia care training annually. Specialized activities like picture bingo, adult coloring, puzzles, cards and music are provided daily to help stimulate the mind. There's also Bible study and church services for those who are interested. The dining room offers a choice of three meal plans per day, and there's also secure outdoor patios and walking areas, as well as secured points of entry and exits.
Family members choose Ecumen Centennial for their loved ones due to their expertise in memory care, with one person stating, "The people at Ecumen Centennial House's memory care are very caring and very knowledgeable about Alzheimer's and dementia."
NorBella Senior Living provides an intimate setting for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The memory care community has 16 apartments, and seeing familiar faces every day helps reduce stress, making it easier for residents to form relationships. All apartments have a private bath with a walk-in shower and kitchenette, and staff members are available to offer individualized attention as they help with daily activities, such as grooming and bathing. A daily activities calendar with card games and puzzles helps stimulate cognitive abilities, and social events such as bingo nights and backyard barbecues enhance the quality of life. There are secure outdoor spaces to keep residents safe, and the dining room offers homemade meals with special accommodations made for restrictive diets.
Family members commented on the staff to resident ratio with one person mentioning, "The memory care unit appears to be clean and well-staffed. They staffed according to the needs of the residents, rather than a fixed number of staff on hand at all times."
Nestled in an exclusive residential neighborhood near Thompson Oaks Golf Course, Brookdale West St. Paul provides an engaging social environment for seniors who require a degree of daily assistance. The campus features separate neighborhoods for its assisted living and memory care residents. Its industry-leading memory care program, the Clare Bridge Daily Path, focuses on helping seniors find a sense of belonging and security through a personalized daily routine. This routine includes a range of challenging and stimulating, failure-free activities that are tailored to each individual's skill level and cognitive ability, including a B-Fit exercise program, walking groups and brain fitness. The community also offers a Solace program that provides an extra layer of programming for individuals with late-stage dementia.
People love Brookdale West St. Paul for its intimate size and the efforts of its staff to provide highly personalized care. As one reviewer shares, "It's wonderful....It's a smaller community...So, it's not crowded... The staff is just super accommodating. They've been willing to help him out with anything he needed. They're very knowledgeable, and they all take the time to get to know the residents."
Situated just off the 34th Infantry Division Highway is the memory care community of Havenwood of Burnsville. It follows the exclusive memory care program, Heartfelt Connections, which centers on strong relationship bonds between those with memory loss and their loved ones, other residents and caregivers. Memory care staff undergo training within the Heartfelt Connections to facilitate positive and rewarding activities, encourage autonomy and engage residents in a dignified manner. The floor plans are equipped with features to assist those with memory loss. Residents are encouraged to remain productive through activities such as cooking and gardening. Other care options include independent living, respite care, assisted living and enhanced assisted living.
Residents enjoy their time at Havenwood of Burnsville. One writes, "I feel like I'm staying at a Hilton! It is beyond beautiful at Havenwood. The staff is incredible! So glad I chose to be here. Thank you, Havenwood."
Bentson Family Assisted Living, located in the St. Louis Park, MN, area, features skilled, compassionate 24/7 staff that creates care plans tailored to each resident's needs to ensure they have a level of autonomy now and help prevent deterioration down the road. To keep residents suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia safe, the campus features controlled access and emergency call systems. A full calendar of events keeps seniors engaged, active and socialized, and kosher meals are served in the communal dining room. Assistance with the activities of daily living are provided, including laundry and housekeeping, and a barber and beauty salon on-site helps keep residents looking and feeling their best.
Residents and their families have good things to say about the community. One family member states, "Overall we're very pleased with Bentson Family Assisted Living! They're just really on top of things here. They've got good coverage for anything a senior might need. The staff is friendly and helpful, and they've got a good variety of events and activities!"
Minnehaha Senior Living offers flexible memory care to seniors with dementia, Alzheimer's or any type of cognitive decline. Registered nurses meet with residents upon arrival to create a personalized care plan, and these plans are reassessed regularly to meet the ever-changing needs of memory care seniors. Caregivers, who are certified in dementia care through the Alzheimer's Association, offer support with personal hygiene, toileting, medication, transferring and eating. The community's Inspire Wellness for Life program offers life-enrichment activities that encourage seniors to remain physically active, spiritually engaged and socially connected. This program has been shown to reduce falls and improve cognition in memory care residents. Seniors at Minnehaha can enjoy maintenance-free living; housekeeping, laundry services and daily meals are included in the monthly cost. For the safety of residents, the building and landscaped grounds are fully secured.
The activities and kind staff at Minnehaha receive praise. A resident states, "I'm living in Minnehaha Senior Living now. ... I like everything here. You get three meals a day and they have activities. They do an assessment of what needs you have, and then those needs are met. ... The staff is friendly and helpful. It's very clean and very well-maintained."
The Waters on 50th is a large senior living community located around 5 miles southwest of Central Minneapolis, near Lake Harriet and several parks. Accommodations in the secure memory care neighborhood are homelike and maintenance-free, with kitchenettes, private bathrooms and walk-in showers in all studio and one-bedroom apartments. The community has developed numerous signature programs focusing on hospitality, wellness, staff engagement and other dimensions of care, and it utilizes a unique evidence-based program called PETALS, specifically designed for seniors coping with cognitive decline. Residents with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia can receive extra support, access to healing therapies and opportunities for meaningful interactions via activities and groups appropriate for each individual. Personal response pendants are provided to all memory care residents and can be used 24/7 to request help.
After touring The Waters on 50th, one visitor noted the many scheduled activities while also complimenting the staff and design choices, saying, "Everything about it is very nice. The staff that showed me was very helpful. They're all very helpful and very nice. The dining area is very elegant."
BeeHive Homes of Lakeville offers comprehensive memory care services and 24/7 resident monitoring. Seniors live in private suites equipped with ADA-approved bathrooms to promote independence, and caregivers are always available to assist with daily tasks, such as bathing and dressing. The community's cognitive therapies are based on ongoing clinical assessments, allowing seniors' personalized care plans to change as needed. Daily programs include activities such as quilting, gardening and fishing, and caregivers encourage residents to join social events throughout the week. Seniors can also visit secured, monitored courtyards to safely enjoy the fresh air. On-site, residents can access medical services, including insulin management, physician consultations and lab services. Specially trained caregivers offer reminders and redirection as needed, and the staff performs frequent safety checks throughout the day.
Residents and their families appreciate the community's compassionate staff, describing them as dedicated and nurturing. One reviewer says, "BeeHive Homes of Lakeville provided a great environment for my mother. We always felt she was well taken care of and the staff was very involved and nurturing."