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 Hemet’s senior population continues to grow (20.15% growth between 2013 and 2018), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Hemet, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 42.06% between 2013 and 2018. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 16%, 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 (9.8% in Hemet 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 Hemet. 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 Hemet, 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:
Aqua Bella Residential Care is in a pleasant residential neighborhood, and its a couple of blocks from Celebration Park and located around a mile from Riverside University Health System Medical Center. The home setting of this privately owned, family-operated residential care facility offers a comfortable, welcoming environment that supports the independence of each resident. In addition to companionship and 24-hour assistance with daily living, the staff provides medication administration, ambulatory and non-ambulatory care and ongoing Alzheimers and dementia care as needed. The facilitys common area consists of an inviting dining space, open kitchen and spacious lounge used for various activities such as supervised exercises, active group conversations and relaxing meditation. Residents can enjoy the California sunshine and fresh air in the tropical backyard and nearby park, and there are scheduled field trips for learning and enjoyment.
People love the personal touch to senior care that Aqua Bella provides. A residents granddaughter shares, "Our family feels welcomed by the staff and owners. She has a routine and is very comfortable. The neighborhood is quiet and safe and the house is clean. All accommodations are geared to satisfying all our needs and wants!
Citrus Gardens is a memory care facility offering private and semiprivate rooms, many of which open out to a park-like central courtyard. This tree-lined space features paved walkways for strolling and umbrella-covered tables perfect for socializing. Interior areas have a homey feel, with open floor plans that meld the shared living and dining spaces. Vibrant art hangs on the walls, while brightly colored centerpieces and modern flatscreen televisions contribute to the stimulating environment. The memory care program focuses on providing a dynamic social environment for residents. Staff, residents and their families work closely to develop a customized care plan based on the person's unique needs and preferences. Accommodations are offered fully furnished, or residents can provide their own for a more personal touch. Safety is the top priority at Citrus Garden, which offers fully gated outdoor spaces and staff on call 24/7.
Staff at Citrus Garden are flexible and accommodating to ensure maximum comfort for residents. One reviewer writes, "The staff is wonderful at Citrus Gardens. My father is in a private room, but they also have semi-private rooms. It is nice. They brought in a full-sized bed where he could be more comfortable. He says the food is excellent."
Desert Hills Memory Care Center is conveniently situated along California State Route 74, located only over a mile from Hemet Valley Medical Center and downtown Hemet, California. Each of these pet-friendly cottages is designed for up to eight or nine residents, creating comfortable homelike settings for personalized attention and support. Through the Excellence in Care program in partnership with the Alzheimers Foundation of America, the facility adheres to the highest standards of dementia care. Based on The Best Friends Approach to Dementia, the facilitys Mosaic Memory Care Program involves meaningful relationships among residents and caregivers, life enrichment activities, special dining experiences and family support groups. Desert Hills has 24-hour licensed nurses on hand to coordinate health care services through the EverWell Program, while the EverFit program offers stimulating activities for physical wellness.
Families find Desert Hills Memory Care Center as a safe, caring place for their loved ones. A former residents daughter recalls, "My dad was admitted to this facility after being denied twice because of his aggressive behavior due to the dementia. They were able to redirect his behavior and did an awesome job for the 2 years he was there.
Emory Terrace is a single-story residential facility situated in a quiet area of Beaumont, California, across the street from a Walmart Supercenter, just blocks from DeForge Community Park and the Sun Lakes Country Club. The community's dedicated staff has specialized training in memory issues including, vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease and mixed dementia, and they're equipped to provide 24-hour daily service that includes medication management and help with personal grooming. An on-call doctor provides specialized medical care, while laundry and linen services give residents the freedom to pursue activities they're interested in. Emory Terrace residents can get pampered with on-site hairdressing and manicures, and they receive three home-cooked meals daily, which can be made with dietary restrictions in mind. Weekly bingo games give seniors the chance to participate in social get-togethers, and year-round birthday and holiday celebrations offer festivities for residents to enjoy.
Tucked in the quiet residential city of Banning, California, Golden Meadows offers seniors intimate residential care and picturesque mountain views. With just 49 residents, this facility is an ideal choice for seniors in search of memory care services with a tight-knit, community atmosphere. Studios, private and semiprivate rooms are available, and some offer separate entrances with access to the cozy outdoor courtyard. The community's common living and dining rooms have been recognized with the Banning Chamber of Commerces beautification award. Golden Meadows offers personalized memory care services, and staff works with each resident and their family to build a custom care plan. Three tiers of memory care are available that provide increasing levels of care for those with early-stage dementia, more advanced memory loss and severe cognitive impairment, allowing residents to comfortably age in place.
The staff at Golden Meadows go above and beyond to create a positive environment, writes this reviewer, "My mother has been at Golden Meadows for a couple of months now. It's great and reasonably priced. The rooms are really nice. They do things to lift their energy, which is really good because my mom is 100% better than she was before."
ICARE is located on nine acres of landscaped grounds in Moreno Valley, California, surrounded by views of the San Jacinto mountain range. This residential care facility is designed for seniors in need of memory care, and the 24-hour team of caregivers is trained to accommodate Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other chronic conditions. Physical health is maintained through a comprehensive schedule of medication assistance, weekly health assessments and supervised exercise. Safety is ensured via a computerized emergency call system. To make daily life more convenient, ICARE provides residents with laundry and housekeeping services. For recreation, residents can exercise in the fitness room, relax in the sunroom or garden in the outdoor flower beds. Seniors live in uniquely designed residence buildings, with central common rooms circled by private and shared bedrooms. This easy-to-navigate design gives seniors privacy and easy access to the dining and living rooms.
The ICARE staff often receive praise from reviewers, with one relative of a resident noting, "the care team treated my father with great respect, patience and thoughtfulness." Residents also appreciate the homelike environment. When describing their experience at ICARE, one senior reviewer says, "I could not be more comfortable and satisfied."
With its mission-style architecture, community gardens and warm, vibrant landscaping, Renaissance Village offers residents the chance to make the most of California's lush climate. Memory care residents enjoy accommodations that are structured with minimal barriers, and nurses and care staff are on call 24/7 for support with daily living activities. This memory care neighborhood is also centralized within the Renaissance Village campus, so residents can feel safe and secure while also having lots of opportunities to socialize. Educational lectures, religious services, book clubs and gardening are all popular social options at Renaissance Village. Health and wellness are central to the memory care program, and this facility is the first in southern California licensed to offer the Geri-Fit exercise program. These 45-minute fitness classes help residents improve strength and balance with the aim of reducing falls and enhancing overall health.
Residents and families love this facility's well-rounded service, and one reviewer writes, "We put our mother at Renaissance Village Rancho Belago. It's immaculately clean, airy, open, has lots of light, and the rooms are large, spacious, and well laid out. Their activities are wonderful. The staff is fantastic, friendly, and helpful. We ate there, and the food was good."
At Sun City Gardens, memory care residents have access to a wide range of stimulating daily activities, including painting classes, gardening, dances and regular off-site excursions. The campus features beautifully groomed lawns, landscaped with vibrant flowers and shrubbery. The in-ground pool and hot tub are an ideal place for residents to relax and socialize while absorbing the luxurious grounds. Assisted living residents benefit from Sun City Gardens Reflections program, in which specially-trained staff promote a stimulating, comfortable lifestyle in an intimate setting. Residents can choose between studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, many of which feature oversized, double windows overlooking the central lawn and pool. Sun City Gardens is part of the Retirement Housing Foundation (RFH), which is one of the nations largest nonprofit providers of senior housing. Special reduced-price housing options may be available at this facility for low-income seniors and those with disabilities.
Staff at Sun City Gardens offer special attention to mobility-impaired residents, writes this reviewer, "There were a lot of residents in wheelchairs and walkers, and they were well attended to. I saw a room with a bath, a built-in closet, and a small refrigerator. I also saw a 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom apartment, which had more elaborate kitchens "
This intimate, one-level senior living community with an 81-resident capacity offers assisted living and memory care as well as respite and hospice services. Sunny Rose Glen prides itself on being a boutique-style community, where caregivers get to know residents and their families to ensure seniors enjoy the highest quality of life possible. The memory care staff are specially selected and participate in comprehensive, ongoing training to provide residents with dementia-related illnesses, such as Alzheimers or Parkinsons disease, with the best care. Structured activities in the secured memory care neighborhood engage the residents physically and mentally. These include memory games, such as trivia, and music and movies that stimulate memories. Residents enjoy daily walks outside in the lovely courtyard and visiting with family in front of the indoor lounge's fireplace. The memory care neighborhood has 21 studio apartments that are private or semiprivate. Each includes built-in closets, cabinets and private bathrooms with safe, no-threshold showers and 24-hour emergency call systems.
Frequently cited highlights of this cozy community include the easy-to-navigate layout, quiet surroundings and attentive caregivers. "It has been a pleasurable experience for my wife's father. Great staff, plenty of activities and personnel for him to enjoy, says one gentleman.
Over 200 seniors reside at The Lakes at Banning, a Careage community. Those experiencing Alzheimers or other forms of dementia participate in the Life Enrichment Program in the state-of-the-art memory care center. This intimate and nurturing environment provides sensory and mental stimulation to help residents connect with the world around them and freely express themselves. Caregivers empower residents to engage in meaningful activities based on their specific abilities, needs and preferences. The jam-packed memory care calendar of events features daily morning exercise classes, such as chair yoga, bend and stretch, and a walking club. The rest of the day is filled with various forms of musical entertainment, brain games, arts and crafts, and evening movies. Weekly specials residents look forward to include hand massages, scenic rides and Sunday afternoon worship services. An enclosed courtyard enables outdoor relaxation while keeping residents safe.
"It's really a lovely community. Everyone knows your name and gets to know you, and everybody is pleasant. They do everything they can to help you, says a current resident. A few of the facility highlights that residents and families appreciate include the all-day dining, plentiful entertainment and social activities, and the cleanliness of the facility.
Seniors living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimers and dementia find specially designed living spaces, supportive environments, and a passionate, dedicated staff at Yorkshire Village. What began as a six-bed facility is now a 100-bed community covering six acres that offers memory care, independent living, hospice and respite care. Well-trained and highly experienced caregivers use a person-centered approach to ensure each resident experiences feelings of belonging, contribution and purpose in daily life. This helps memory care residents maintain a strong sense of self. The beautifully landscaped grounds include panoramic views, plentiful outdoor sitting areas and a nature trail. A robust activities schedule keeps residents engaged with pet, music and art therapy, movie nights and baking classes. The communitys quaint village feel is reflected in the old-fashioned ice cream shop and general store.
Family members with relatives residing at Yorkshire Village praise the extraordinary level of care and compassion the staff delivers, which lets them feel at peace knowing loved ones are "safe and secure. One daughter shares, "This is the best place my dad has lived. The staff is excellent and always very involved with the residents. The residents are clean, comfortable and seem content.