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 Glendale’s senior population continues to grow (23.1% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Glendale, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 11.98% between 2014 and 2019, 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 (8.55% in Glendale 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 Glendale. 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 Glendale, 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:
Avista Senior Living North Mountain is a continuing care community that offers assisted living and memory care options to the Phoenix area. The memory care community enjoys access to a large outdoor patio, three nutritious meals daily and the option of a private or companion studio. Staff get to know residents' history properly to develop personalized care plans that evolve as the needs of each resident change. At this well-designed, modern community residents can get to know each other through social events, daily activities, and scheduled outings.
Family members are impressed with the memory care and staff, with one family member saying, "Everyone there took such great care of my mom and have been a HUGE support to my dad during and after mom's passing.also do such a great job. I can't say enough about what a wonderful community this is and how hard the staff here works. Excellent"
BeeHive Assisted Living in Glendale is a thoughtfully designed small community that prioritizes the needs and interests of residents, who benefit from daily housekeeping and laundry services, 24-hour caregiving, and an on-call consulting nurse. Staff can help design individualized plans of care to ensure that memory care residents get the attention they deserve. If at any time a residents needs change, staff can adjust the service and support available to fit their new requirements. Community-provided phone services, Wi-Fi, cable, and bedroom linens are provided. In addition, the community has an on-site beauty salon. All meals served in the community family room are dietician-approved to meet each individuals requirements. The courtyard lets residents get outside and stretch their legs as well enjoy a quiet moment in nature.
BeeHive Assisted Living prides itself in its intimate community feel that provides attention and care to all residents. "BeeHive Homes of Arrowhead is small enough to ensure that each resident can express their likes and dislikes and feel like the staff really cares about them as a person, shares one reviewer about their parent's experience at BeeHive.
Located in Moon Valley, Blue Sage Assisted Living offers pet-friendly assisted living and memory care options. As a small community, residents enjoy all the intimacy and comforts of home with a large communal living room, open-plan kitchen and dining area and comfortable private rooms. Three delicious meals are prepared by staff then enjoyed together as a family. Seniors can enjoy walking in the large, landscaped garden or take a quick dip in the outdoor pool on hot days. Each resident benefits from a personalized care plan, which is adapted to meet changing needs. Memory care residents enjoy the safety of a secured community with an emphasis on one-to-one interactions. The small environment is ideal for promoting empowerment with activities modified to encourage engagement, although the regular pet therapy sessions remain a favorite.
Family members are impressed by the small intimate community, with one family member saying, ".Inside, the home is FULLY renovated and gorgeous from top to bottom! The lead caregiver here is also an exceptional cook and all the caregivers on site are sweet, loving, experienced and compassionate. It is a beautiful home and a wonderful setting."
Brookdale Arrowhead Ranch delivers on memory care programming in a homelike setting complete with comfortable amenities. The community is pet-friendly and boasts an on-site library, a beauty salon and barbershop, concierge service and 24-hour security. Brookdale Arrowhead Ranch incorporates the Clare Bridge Daily Path program, which offers six group programming options seven days a week. This includes group fitness classes, spiritual discussions and musical performances. Each memory care resident is encouraged to fill the memory box outside their door with personal mementos as a way to express themselves and help others learn more about their lives. It also serves a visual identifier for living spaces. Residents are encouraged to bring with them mementos and favorite furnishings from home to make their personal spaces feel more comfortable.
Reviews of this community from residents and family members emphasize the professionalism of the staff and the busy activities calendar that keeps residents fully engaged. Of this, one writes "We placed my mother-in-law in Brookdale Arrowhead Ranch. The staff is attentive. My mother-in-law likes playing bingo. They have get-togethers during the day, and she participates in them as well."
Dedicated exclusively to memory care support, Brookdale North Glendale provides its residents with an elevated lifestyle on a well-appointed campus. Brookdale's proprietary Clare Bridge Daily Path program guides seniors with dementia and similar types of memory loss, providing an activities structure that takes their individual interests and histories into account. A focus on brain-stimulating activities, such as art classes and music programs, helps seniors maintain and develop their existing skills. The community's sunny, peaceful patio features a well-maintained garden and ample comfortable chairs in which to lounge, making it an excellent spot to socialize. Brookdale North Glendale's seniors also have access to a stately library, a game room and a barbershop/salon.
Brookdale North Glendale's overall online ratings and reviews for both staff and accommodations are above average. "My dad recently moved to Brookdale of North Glendale," says one resident's son. "The staff have been wonderful in making his transition seamless. Consequently, he is adjusting well and is very happy in his new surroundings."
Brookdale Union Hills provides an active and engaging community that helps memory care residents maintain their independent lifestyle as much as possible. Studio apartments and common areas look and function like a private home which creates a sense of security, safety and belonging for Alzheimer's and dementia residents. Garden walking paths, arts and crafts, musical equipment, a theater room and a game room offer social interaction, physical activity and learning opportunities that allow seniors to connect with their peers, maintain current abilities and increase cognitive thinking skills. The community's daily activity schedule often includes dancing, lawn games, trivia and spa nights. Meals are prepared daily and served in the dining room, and caregivers are available 24/7 to assist with bathing, dressing and mobility needs. A Personal Solutions program allows personal care items to be ordered and delivered directly to residents. Brookdale Union Hills is also a pet-friendly community.
Residents and family members appreciate the homelike environment of Brookdale Union Hills. One reviewer notes, "Beautiful community! The staff are so warm and caring to their residence, and it truly feels like you are walking into their home."
Conveniently located just off Arizona State Route 101, Deer Valley Senior Living is a modern, elegant assisted living and memory care community that offers seniors spacious apartments with calming window views. The caring staff is available 24 hours a day to assist residents with personalized care and encourage residents to engage in activities geared to stimulate the mind, increase mobility and promote socialization. There's an on-site pharmacy, beauty shop, theater and wellness center with washers and dryers on every floor. Residents can enjoy some fresh air in the beautifully landscaped outdoor seating area or sit by the outdoor fireplace. Seniors can take a refreshing swim in the pool or relax at the spa. There's also a cybercafe, private pet park and putting green to keep residents busy. Three gourmet meals are served daily in the dining room.
Family members praise the staff, cleanliness and great meals. One relative says, "Great staff, clean environment, amazing management team, they all are super friendly and thoughtful. Food is the best. Rooms are large and bright. I love to see their happy team when I visit mom. Makes my heart happy knowing she is taking care of. Deer Valley is HOME
Glencroft Center for Modern Aging takes a nuanced approach to memory care. It offers a specially designed memory care program that provides tailored support for varying levels of dementia " mild, moderate and advanced " combined with differing levels of physical challenges. There are a total of six memory care neighborhoods providing different levels of clinical care and security. Memory care residents can take part in Glencrofts general wellness program, ZoeLife, which takes a holistic approach to healthy aging by focusing on six pillars of wellness: physical, intellectual, emotional, vocational, spiritual and social health. Residents can participate in various ZoeLife activities, such as socialization, emotional support, fitness, spiritual engagement and lectures. For residents with Parkinsons disease, the community offers the ZoeLife Parkinsons Immersion Program, which focuses on motor skills, balance and fall prevention.
Family members love the amenities and the people of this community. One husband writes, "My wife has moved into Glencroft. She loves it there. The food, amenities, and the people she has met have been fantastic. They got three restaurants, an indoor swimming pool, and an exercise facility. They have entertainment every Friday night, they got church right there.
Inspira Arrowhead offers assisted living, independent living and memory care options to the local community. Memory care residents participate in the Revere Memory Care Program, which is personalized to the individual needs of residents and designed to highlight their strengths and cognitive skills. Each memory care resident can enjoy daily fitness, intellectual and creative activities. Activities include regular social events and cocktail parties by the pool, with restaurant-style meals served daily. The beautiful campus with landscaped gardens, an outdoor heated pool, and plenty of walking paths makes it easy for residents to spend time in the outdoors.
Family members praise the activities and caring staff, with one family member saying, "Inspira Arrowhead is wonderful. My mother is really enjoying it.They have a pool that's kept at 90 degrees year-round, an exercise room, a craft room, movies every day, and it comes with Alexa in every apartment."
Mariposa Point at Algodón Center offers a wide range of memory care programs for its residents, such as Life Story Display, which honors the life story of each resident, Tune Into Me, which creates a personalized jukebox and Culinary Creations, which recreates recipes from the past. Other memory care programs are designed to strengthen intergenerational ties, connect residents with the local community and highlight the individuality and creativity of each resident. Each of these programs focuses on creating an immersive environment to celebrate each residents strengths and instill a sense of achievement. The caregivers are available 24 hours a day to assist residents with daily living tasks, such as hygiene, dressing, eating, mobility and bathing. Residents can participate in a wide range of therapies, including physical, art, occupational, music, speech and pet.
Family members love how accommodating the staff is. A son writes, "Love this place! My parents moved in over a month ago. The caregiving staff is fantastic. They have always responded within minutes when called at all times of the day or night with courteous professional help. The staff is very accommodating for last-minute visitors.
MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead is a pet-friendly community that emphasizes active living and effective memory care programming. The community uses the Lavender Sky approach to programming, which encourages thoughtful and explorative interactions with residents. The BrainWise program prioritizes the use of brain health ingredients in menu options, including super foods such as dark greens, açai berries and Omega-3 fats to reinforce cognitive health. Foods are varied in texture and are plated according to individual resident needs. The Life Enrichment Team creates activity calendars that include scheduled outings, special interest club meetings and group social gatherings. Upon move-in, memory care residents work with the wellness coordinator to create a plan based on each person's specific circumstances and needs.
Residents and their loved ones note the community's approach to resident care, social interactions and health care needs. They also laud the community for creating a vibrant social calendar. One writes, "The caregivers are patient, attentive, and truly have your loved ones best interest at heart. They go out of their way to connect and do special things for my mother."
MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge offers a memory care program known as Lavender Sky, which provides loving support and embraces each memory care residents history and preferences to create a personalized care plan. Memory care residents can access the staff 24/7 through the emergency call system found in their residences. This community provides a secure courtyard exclusively for its memory care residents. Transportation is available to residents with doctor or hospital appointments off-site. Amenities include a saline swimming pool with hot tub, library, spa, fitness center and outdoor dining patio.
Family members love the amenities and the staff. A reviewer writes, "My brother is in MorningStar at Golden Ridge. The decor is very modern. They have weight rooms, a bistro where you can get snacks, a library and a heated swimming pool. The food is very good. The staff is very nice, friendly, helpful and responsive.
For its memory care residents, Orchard Pointe at Arrowhead provides a cozy and secure environment that includes private suites and comfortable common areas. The memory care program, known as Portraits, is based on the theories and philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori and centered on enhancing each resident's abilities by focusing on what they can do instead of what they cant. The goal of Portraits is to find each residents level of ability and provide appropriate stimulation to add meaning to daily life. The memory care team of this community is trained in accordance with the guidelines of the Alzheimers Association of America. Caregivers are available 24 hours a day to help residents with daily living tasks such as dressing, bathing, medication management, grooming and guidance. Residents can enjoy a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, music and games.
People love this community's engaged staff. One reviewer writes, "Beautiful community with loving and caring staff. Many of the caregivers have worked at the community since it opened. The food is excellent and the activities are tailored to fit what the residents are interested in. Highly recommend!
Pacifica Senior Living Peoria is a quiet, gated neighborhood offering residents shady porches with garden views. The shared or private suites are divided into cottages with 14 residents maximum. While 24/7 staff and on-site nurses assist with day-to-day needs and medication management, they also guide residents through activities including gardening, exercise and equine therapy. To help residents remain in the larger community, staff organize outings to movies, shopping and local events. The Music & Memory program lets residents reflect and discuss memories through personal playlists and a community piano. To help residents feel at home, staff use familiar sensory cues like sights, sounds and smells. In the dining room, residents enjoy three nutritionist-crafted meals a day plus snacks that can be adjusted for many diets. To support families, Pacifica hosts monthly support and social meetings.
Residents and loved ones highlight the engaging community. One says, "my mom is making friends, engaging in group activities, enjoying time outside, sleeping good & looking happy. All staff seems genuine, knowledgeable, engaged, supportive & caring."
Located about 10 minutes northwest of Phoenix, Terra Pointe Memory Care specializes in supporting seniors with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Caregivers are available to assist residents with medication management and help them maintain cognitive function through conversations and brain games. The community's Life Engagement program features activities designed to encourage socialization, such as arts and crafts, live music performances, and visits with friends and family. Terra Pointe's courtyard spaces give residents an appealing option for relaxing outdoors, and the community's on-site beauty salon provides personal grooming services. Respite care services are also available.
Residents and their loved ones laud the community for its array of activities and energetic staff. Says one resident's husband, "I have no problem recommending [Terra Pointe Memory Care] My wife is getting better, she's more active, more talkative My wife loves the food. She eats it all the time, and she's usually not crazy about food."
The Auberge at Peoria is a senior living community offering a stable and secure living environment for seniors with memory-related challenges, while offering them easy access to businesses and attractions throughout the area. This community uses its customized SPARK program to keep residents cognitively engaged through activities, social events and various types of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Residents have 24/7 access to health care providers who work to maximize quality of life through routine health screenings. The Auberge at Peoria also provides a full range of amenities, such as housekeeping services, restaurant-like dining experiences and access to community rooms as well as group events. This community offers studio apartments.
Several people speak positively about this community, citing its cleanliness as well as the level of involvement extended by caregivers. One woman remarks, "The facility was always clean. The staff was incredibly caring and gave each resident support, hugs and talks. I was really impressed by how the residents responded."
The memory care residents at The Montecito Senior Living stay in the Clubhouse, an area specifically designed for their needs and staffed by a specially trained care team. The Resident Care Manager of the Clubhouse is an accredited dementia practitioner, and all care team members are trained in dementia care and behavioral based ergonomic therapies. Memory care residents can participate in curriculum-based activities designed for mental stimulation, including language arts, creative arts, history and science. They also receive regular job assignments to give them a purpose. Other Clubhouse activities include music, singing, fitness classes, social groups and weekly outings. The dining room, Artisan Grotto, is open daily to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Family members love how inviting this community is. A daughter-in-law writes, "We chose The Montecito for my mother-in-law because they were very inviting, and the people seemed awake, alert, interactive, communicating with each other, and involved in the lifestyle that they offer there. It's absolutely excellent. The food is very good, like five-star dining. It's amazing.
Residents of The Palazzo enjoy purposeful, independent living in a homelike environment that includes resort-style amenities such as a heated pool, 24-hour concierge service, movie theater and a pub. Memory care residents participate in the community's Montessori-based Dementia Programming model, which enhances the lives of seniors by reducing depression, anxiety and agitation. Gardening, water aerobics, yoga, arts and crafts, interactive games, community events and other engaging activities encourage social interaction and keep residents physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. Caregivers are available 24/7 to assist with medication management, housekeeping, laundry, bathing and dressing needs. Three meals are prepared daily by an onsite chef and served in the dining room. The community also offers a gift shop, beauty shop, library and computer center for continued learning. Transportation is provided for medical appointments and shopping.
The Palazzo frequently receives five stars for quality of care and outstanding amenities. One reviewer noted, "The staff is very friendly and professional, the place has recently been renovated and they have done a spectacular job! The restaurant is amazing, it's like a 5 star resort!"
The Woodmark at Sun City offers an award-winning memory care program, known as Legacies, that seeks to improve memory care residents' moods and cognitive wellness by providing daily opportunities for them to explore fun, hands-on activities with their peers. Each new memory care resident is assessed individually before moving in to determine the level of care they require. Residents receive help with daily living activities, such as dining, bathing, dressing, medication management and housekeeping. If a resident needs help to get to a doctors office or hospital nearby, they can schedule a ride with the transportation team. The care team is available to residents 24 hours a day through an emergency call system. Residents can participate in various lifestyle-focused activities, such as arts and crafts, brain games, individual therapies and group exercise.
People rave about how caring the staff is and how beautiful the community is. A reviewer writes, "The memory care area is stunning and will be a supportive environment for those with memory loss and other dementia. I met the staff who were warm, welcoming, professional, knowledgeable and caring. I would recommend this community.
Thunderbird Senior Living is a community in Glendale that helps seniors with memory-related challenges live more fulfilling lives. The community connects each resident with a dedicated caregiver, monitors and engages their brain health and organizes activities to keep them social and active. Residents have access to a beauty salon and barber shop along with community spaces such as a swimming pool and a party room. Thunderbird Senior Living offers communal dining options as well as room service and allows residents to tailor meals to their tastes and health needs. Residents can select from one or two-bedroom apartments or studio apartments. Housekeeping and laundry services are provided.
Several relatives and former residents remark on the cleanliness of this community and the attentiveness of caregivers. One resident states, "I can't say enough how pleasant and friendly everyone has been! Lots of fun activities are available on a daily basis for those that care to join in. The property is clean and safe. Great location close to supermarket, pharmacies, banks and local shopping plazas and restaurants."