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 Elkhart's senior population continues to grow (15.48% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Elkhart, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease decreased by 0.94% between 2014 and 2019. The number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 9.88%. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is slightly higher than the rest of the nation (7.87% in Elkhart 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 Elkhart. 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 Elkhart, 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:
Greenleaf Health Campus provides compassionate care in a serene, ranch-style environment. The Best Friends approach to memory care mitigates daily uncertainty while fostering emotional bonds among caregivers, families and residents through responsive verbal and nonverbal communication, such as compliments, conversation and cueing. Tailored care plans incorporate life stories into daily activities that maintain emotional, physical and cognitive well-being. Residents can participate in enrichment programs involving small-group sensory activities, scheduled outings and clubs, religious services and intergenerational dialog. Cozy indoor areas with flat-screen TVs and fireplaces offer opportunities to relax, while the outdoor BBQ area and private putting green allow residents to enjoy the fresh air. Restaurant-style dining offers homelike comfort through multiple menu options, themed dinners and Sunday brunches, with resident input into menus encouraged. Accommodations include move-in assistance and transportation to scheduled outings.
Residents and family members praise the staff's deep commitment to care. One family member writes, "We love the folks at Greenleaf! They take great care of Dad and are helpful at every turn. We have come to know some of the staff and are really impressed with their deep levels of care."
Caregivers at the North Woods Village at Edison Lakes' New Directions memory care program strive to obtain an ideal balance between optimal resident independence and dignified, engaging dementia and Alzheimer's disease treatment. This community's resident-centered approach includes 24/7 on-site nursing care, ongoing wellness monitoring, assistance with daily living activities and medication management services. Its three separate, secured memory care neighborhoods feature a special use of color on the walls and memory boxes outside each suite to guide seniors to their rooms. Visual cues are also used throughout the common areas to help seniors find their way around independently. Residents participate in numerous cognitive-enhancing activities throughout the week, including pet therapy, zoo therapy, arts and crafts sessions and live musical performances. On-site physician and physical therapy visits are available.
Family members rave about the compassionate, conscientious staff's family-like treatment of them and their loved ones. They also note the enthusiastic resident engagement, with one reviewer saying, "The entire staff is very caring and attentive! They show such love, not only to my mom but also to our family. They truly work hard to engage my mom and ensure she has the best quality of life she can."
Located in a small town, StoryPoint Granger offers an idyllic living environment with easy access to shops, places of worship and health care services. This community helps seniors with cognitive impairment live purposefully by providing person-centric care in a safe setting. The staff, trained and certified in dementia care, learns each resident's life story and thoroughly evaluates their health before crafting an individualized care plan tailored to their needs and preferences. Seniors can participate in fitness programs customized to suit their abilities or join social clubs to make new friends and learn new hobbies. For spiritual wellness, church services and Bible studies are available. The 24/7 caregivers help with activities of daily living, and residents with off-site appointments can schedule rides with the community transportation. The culinary team serves three meals every day using fresh ingredients. Amenities include a fitness center and movie theater.
People rave about the friendly staff and beautiful environment. A reviewer writes, "I would highly recommend StoryPoint Granger to anyone. The staff is friendly and always eager to help residents. The building is well-maintained for comfort and safety. The landscaping in the courtyards is beautiful and my favorite place to sit and visit."
Heritage Point provides a robust memory care program that incorporates the Six Pillars of Wellness: physical engagement, sensory stimulation, spiritual support, social connection, emotional expression and intellectual discovery. Life skills stations replicate residents' former career types or hobbies and listen to era-specific music to stimulate memory. Dining uses colored plates, music and aromatherapy to stimulate appetite. Activity options include community movie nights, outings to local points of interest and educational seminars. Circular coordinators and enclosed walking paths make it easier for memory care residents to navigate on their own, while memory boxes outside of each residence makes identifying living spaces simpler.
Family members point out the efficacy of the memory care approach taken by this community. One relative notes, "My mom is a resident of Heritage Point. The rooms are nice, and it's a very nice community. They have exercises, games and activities for the residents. They are very friendly, and the staff is excellent."
Brentwood at Niles promotes a people-first approach to care that ensures each resident's unique needs are met. Memory care residents are encouraged to participate in programs that foster social and creative growth, including cooking classes and creating a personalized jukebox. They receive healthy meals and snacks tailored to meet specific dietary needs. Dedicated staff members are on-site 24/7 to assist with daily tasks including personal hygiene and laundry. The community features outdoor courtyards and lounges where residents can gather communally, and transportation to local appointments is available.
Families are impressed with this community. One says, "Overall experience with Brentwood at Niles is excellent. The director is very informative and very helpful. The staff is pleasant, and the food is great. My mom has a one-bedroom with fresh carpeting in. It's nicely painted and very clean with a large bathroom, a large walk-in closet and a small kitchenette.
Morningview Assisted Living Residences emphasizes the importance of trust, care and quality of life for all its residents. The community offers premium private suites to individuals living with Alzheimer's, dementia or other degenerative memory diseases. The memory management program aims to engage residents through both social interaction and scheduled activities, with tailored plans carefully devised based on the needs of each resident. A secure environment, highly qualified nursing staff and dedicated medication management all preserve the health and safety of residents and may offer peace of mind to their family members. An on-site dietitian creates individual meal plans based on each resident's medical and nutritional needs. Entertainment is provided via a range of activities that include wine and canvas painting, bingo and balloon valley, and residents who are able to are encouraged to join regular excursions and community events.
Reviews for Morningstar Assisted Living Residences show consistent praise toward the attentive staff, who are described as "kind, professional and always helpful," and who provide "warm, even loving, care and mental stimulation." Special mention is also given to the varied activity schedule and the ambience of indoor spaces.
Nestled in a beautiful Michigan neighborhood with plenty of greenery, Chalet of Niles offers residents a peaceful stay. All memory care residents have a care plan tailored to their needs. Skilled nurses are on call 24/7, and all staff members have training in dementia care. Medical services include dental care, a registered dietician and pharmacy services. To promote residents' independence, banking, mail and postal services are available. For recreation, the community offers church services, a full-service beauty salon and activity programs that include special holiday event programming. Spacious sitting and dining areas offer views, and each room comes with generous closet space, cable TV and free Wi-Fi.
Family members love the attitude and attentiveness of the staff in this community. One person says, "Caring and compassionate staff that really goes the extra mile. They truly make your family member feel like they are part of their family."
The Residence at Waterford Crossing is a premium senior care community conveniently located close to medical facilities. The secure memory care neighborhood offers easy access to spacious communal rooms and landscaped outdoor courtyards. The community uses the Best Friends approach to memory care, which encourages residents and caregivers to get to know each other as friends. This approach means that seniors can learn to trust their caregivers, which may help to reduce confusion and the frequency of aggressive behavior. The Daily Rhythms program provides each resident with a personalized schedule that follows the same basic pattern each day. Activities, including discussion groups, card games, puzzles, music therapy, fitness classes and art therapy, are tailored to meet the interests and abilities of each senior. Scheduled transportation is provided to nonemergency medical appointments.
Reviewers praise the number of activities offered, with one reviewer saying, "There are a lot of different activities for residents, from social activities like playing cards, to exercise groups, to worship services, and more. The residents also seem to enjoy the nearby elementary school, which often has the kids come in and do performances for the residents."
Buchanan Meadows is a senior living community that offers a homelike and welcoming atmosphere. The secure memory care section makes every day special for each resident, getting to know them and talking about positive events. Family members and caregivers work together to create diverse activities that meet the interests and abilities of each resident and promote mental and physical health. Activities include gardening, cooking, yoga, music therapy, art classes and religious services. The on-site caregiving team is available 24/7 to assist residents with the tasks of daily living.
Family members are impressed by the level of communication and compassionate staff. One reviewer says, "Tucked away in a neighborhood, it's quiet, safe and cozy with a homey atmosphere. The staff goes above and beyond to meet the resident's needs and keep them functioning at their highest potential. (Truly impressive.) They are on point in communicating with the family any needs/issues, good/bad, the resident may have. "
Elkhart Meadows is an inviting memory care senior living community located minutes from Elkhart General Hospital. Everything from the community's cozy decor and open floor plan to its secure environment and stimulating activities provides seniors with dementia-related issues a safe place to maintain a sense of purpose and belonging. Seniors are encouraged to bring items from home to instill feelings of familiarity and security. The community utilizes the Auguste's Cottage memory care program, which takes a person-centered approach to wellness and overall care. Skilled nurses and caregivers provide around-the-clock assistance with activities of daily living, such as grooming, bathing and mobility. Residents can enjoy relaxing in the enclosed courtyard, socializing in the common areas or eating with friends in the main dining room.
Reviewers can't say enough about the staff's responsiveness and level of care. One family member writes, "The staff is caring and wonderful. My mom has improved immensely in just a few short days. They care about each and every resident here. They are on top of everything that goes on."
Woodland Manor Nursing and Rehab is a community by the shores of the St. Joseph River that provides short-term and long-term care services, including for seniors with memory loss. 24/7 staff help seniors with daily needs, such as bathing and dressing, in addition to managing programs that mitigate the effects of dementia. Podiatrists, audiologists, dentists and optometrists make regular visits. Housekeeping, linens and laundry are provided. The beauty salon and barbershop provide professional hair, face and nail treatments, and multi-denominational religious services cater to residents' spiritual needs.
Reviewers mention the community's readiness to engage with families to provide the best treatment for their loved ones. One relative says, "My mother was there for over three years, and I could not ask for better staff, and the administrator and social services [were] always available and open to suggestions, all I had to do was ask."
Riverside Village provides short-term and long-term care for seniors, including those with dementia and Alzheimer's. The memory care community, Auguste's Village, is designed with memory care residents in mind. The decor combines pastel shades, noise reduction methods and thoughtfully placed plants and flowers to stimulate the senses and provide a calming environment. Staff manage four programs that mitigate the effects of dementia, with a strong emphasis on holistic treatments and strategies to help residents recall past events. The self-contained memory care unit keeps residents are safe, including outdoors in the secure courtyard. Riverside Village accepts Medicare and has staff on-hand to help families navigate the claims process.
Residents appreciate how hard the staff work to give the best care possible. One says, "I came in two years ago. Then I didn't know that I would have other problems, and when I did they were [right] there to help me through. The work with me on what I like to eat, because I can't handle the spice things."
Wellbrooke of South Bend is a senior living community offering various levels of care. All staff members in the secure memory care neighborhood are trained in the Best Friends approach to Alzheimer's and dementia. Seniors can rely on consistent and easily understood daily schedules. Meals are served in communal dining rooms, and caregivers sit with residents to offer assistance. Residents are encouraged to reminisce and to recall special events and treasured moments in their lives. Licensed nurses supervise care, administer medications and perform regular wellness assessments. Caregivers are always available to help residents with activities of daily living. Each resident has a personalized care plan, and seniors can stay at Wellbrooke even if their needs change. Life enrichment teams organize activities such as word games, trivia, gardening, reading out loud, ice cream socials, art classes and group discussions.
Families praise the professional, attentive staff. One relative says, "It's very nice, the staff is very knowledgeable, and they have a rehab facility on the campus. They've been very accommodating with the food, my mom is a vegetarian. They have a lot of activities a library, and a room where they can view films."