Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Holland's senior population continues to grow (11% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Holland, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease decreased 13% between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 27%, showing that while Alzheimer’s is a serious concern in the region, the associated deaths have decreased recently. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (8% in Holland 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 Holland. 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 Holland, 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:
Freedom Village Holland offers memory care according to the Heartfelt Connections program, which focuses on creating opportunities for seniors to use their knowledge and abilities and retain their life legacy and connections with loved ones. Arts and crafts therapy is central to this program, for it allows for mental stimulation, personal expression and increased self-confidence. Staff members guide residents through fitness classes and swimming pool sessions to keep them physically active and supervise group outings for enrichment. Other activities include puzzles, games, trivia, movies complete with popcorn and religious devotions. Most activities are small-group based to reduce stress and promote one-on-one interactions. The community offers full assistance with daily living activities, housekeeping and laundry and personal concierge services for each resident as well as complete security and 24/7 supervision. Meals focus on engaged eating for nutrition and comfort.
Residents and their families appreciate the abundant amenities and friendly staff at Freedom Village Holland. One reviewer whose father lives in the community remarks that "residents have good care and the food is excellent and the staff members are really nice."
American House Holland provides individualized memory care geared toward the needs and abilities of each resident. Staff members provide full assistance with personal tasks, including bathing, grooming and dressing. They also take time to help with shaving or make-up. Medication management is included, as well as housekeeping and laundry services. The community serves three meals per day plus snacks, and caregivers are on hand to assist as needed. The community's programming blends physical, social, recreational and spiritual activities that can keep seniors' minds and bodies busy. Staff members reach out to family members through open communication and personalized attention. The community is fully secure, and amenities include gardens and walking paths, an on-site beauty salon and barber shop, and common areas for relaxation and socializing.
One reviewer remarks that American House Holland offers a "wonderful caring environment." She adds that "The caregivers are willing to help in whatever way they can and are very friendly." Families "are included at all times," too. Other reviewers remark that the food is excellent and varied, the community clean, and the activities plentiful and enjoyable.
Vista Springs Holland Meadows provides residents with memory care services while keeping them engaged in an active and enriching community. Residents will find specialized buildings on-site for both early memory care and advanced dementia care, each equipped with amenities such as a spas, cafés and a chapel to promote a communal feel. The staff at Vista Ridge provides a full range of daily assistance as well, including medication management, housekeeping and laundry. Residents are also encouraged to partake in an array of cognitively enriching activities, such as community games, arts and crafts, and live music.
Residents praise the caring staff at Vista Ridge, with one reviewer writing that a loved one "enjoys all the attention that the staff gives her" and that the community "is certainly a perfect fit for mom and I couldn't be more pleased knowing that she is so well taken care of."
Appledorn Assisted Living Centers offers both assisted living and memory care. Memory care residents live in the community's secured Terrace neighborhood and have around-the-clock access to staff members for assistance with their daily living needs. The Terrace was built purposefully to accommodate residents and lower their stress levels via visual prompts and natural apartment layouts. Personalized care plans are developed by licensed practical nurses who acknowledge the individual needs of memory care residents. Three daily meals are provided, along with unlimited snacks and beverages throughout the day. Memory care residents are encouraged to stay active and participate in outings, games, workshop services, crafts and occasional theme parties.
Reviewers comment on the natural layout of Appledorn Assisted Living South and the excellent staff. One reviewer says, "We have had my father at Appledorn Assisted Living Centers for about a week now. Their rooms are very nice and spacious. The staff is excellent. Everything is excellent, and we are very pleased. They offer four to five activities every day."
Riley's Grove Assisted Living & Memory Care is located just 7 miles from Holland, MI, and only 5 minutes from Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital. Staff at the community are certified in Moments Memory Care, a trademarked program in Michigan designed to train caregivers on the specific needs of residents with memory loss, Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. This certification addresses both physical and emotional needs of those in need of memory care. Caretakers are encouraged to pass tests and demonstrate care skills specific to those with memory loss. The community is set up with dedicated wings for those with memory care and structured to provide a neighborhood environment.
Residents praise the kindness and care of staff along with the clean and spacious community. One says, "Riley's Grove is a beautiful assisted living place. Its very clean, the staff are friendly and very helpful. My son really likes it here - they have lots of things to do."
Briarwood Assisted Living & Memory Care is a community for seniors that supports diverse geriatric needs. For residents undergoing dementia or Alzheimer's, Briarwood uses Moment's Memory Care, Michigan's first trademarked program targeted at care for memory loss. The staff is certified in this program, which promotes a trusted caregiver/resident relationship with personalized attention and a comprehensive approach. The rooms are wheelchair friendly and contain walk-in showers with safety bars; the layout of the grounds encourages familiarity with the surrounding buildings and structures. Staff members handle all housekeeping and laundry tasks. At mealtime, seniors can enjoy freshly prepared food either in a group setting inside or under the outdoor pergola. Briarwood is pet-friendly.
Family members are happy with the care of their loved ones. One reviewer says, "Choosing a place to have your mom stay was a difficult process. Briarwood made the choice easy. Rooms are nice, staff is always on top of things and the price is well worth the stay."
Golden Orchards is an assisted living community offering around-the-clock care to residents with memory conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer's. The experienced staff is dedicated to providing quality memory care that meets each resident's unique needs. Housekeeping and linen services are available to allow residents to focus on improving their general well-being. The in-room emergency response systems are monitored by the staff 24/7. The buildings and grounds are also specially designed to offer security and safety to residents with memory disorders. Residents can access a beauty/barber shop, garden and patio to socialize with others or enjoy solitude. Three healthy and nutritious meals are provided daily, including around-the-clock snacks. Residents are encouraged to participate in activities and social programs tailored to each resident's history, interests and preferences to promote cognitive and sensory skills.
Family members praise the caring community. One reviewer says, "Very happy that there are more activities. [I'm] happy for Mark helping my brother with therapy. Outreach for the community " I love the care and love you show each and every one. Every time I call, I never feel that my questions are a bother. Always helpful and kind."
Rivertown Ridge is a memory care community in Wyoming, MI. Residents receive 24/7 assistance with eating and grooming from caregivers. Medication management is handled by staff members trained in memory care treatment. The community sensory room allows residents to relax all five senses simultaneously, and physical activity is encouraged at the pool and wellness center. The wellness center also includes a hot tub. Rivertown Ridge hosts daily educational lectures and recreational community events that aim to mentally engage residents. Crafting activities and an on-site movie theater provide entertainment, and outdoor gardens give residents a place to relax and socialize. Rooms receive housekeeping and staff does laundry on a regular basis. Residents receive three meals every day.
Visitors to the community praise the amenities and the attentive staff. One says, "Rivertown Ridge is a really nice place. They have activities in different parts of the facility. The staff was awesome and did a really thorough job. The rooms are beautiful. We really liked it."
Grand Brook Memory Care of Grand Rapids is located in the tree-lined South Grandville neighborhood of Wyoming, MI. This community has two residential homes, each with their own living areas. These homes surround a central courtyard garden with a fireplace and covered patio and are connected by a clubhouse with a chapel, café and larger spaces that can accommodate gatherings with families and group activities. Its Life Engagement Program is built around the idea that each memory care resident has a personal history full of traditions, stories and accomplishments that should be recognized and celebrated. Staff members engage residents with aromatherapy, music and dance, and organize activities that can accommodate their unique preferences. Residents are able to attend spiritual services, join outdoor walking groups and enjoy day trips, family cookouts and holiday parties.
Reviewers are impressed that Grand Brook Memory Care of Grand Rapids is a well-designed, homelike community. One says, "It has a very homey environment, and you just feel like it's home. It has an open kitchen concept. There is also a wonderful inner courtyard with sitting areas and areas for grilling and watching TV outside."
Sitting on a tree-lined campus close to Lake Michigan, American House Spring Lake is less than 10 minutes from the North Ottawa Community Health System. This community's memory care program nurtures the mind, body and spirit of seniors in all stages of memory loss in a safe and compassionate environment. The highly trained team creates an individualized care plan for each resident that caters to their needs. Caregivers are on duty 24/7 to provide light medical assistance and help with activities of daily living, including bathing, eating and grooming. Recreational, physical, social and spiritual activities are also available. Seniors can play card games in the game room, take fitness classes in the activity room or curl up with a good book in the library. The culinary team serves three meals daily in the dining room with snacks available all day.
Friends and families love the clean environment, friendly staff and engaging activities. A resident's friend writes, "It was very clean and the staff was very nice. The staff treats you very well, is very informative, helps you out, and they seem very caring. The place is modern and the rooms are a nice size."
Grand Village Assisted Living & Memory Care focuses on caring for residents with Alzheimer's and other memory loss conditions. Staff trained in the Moments Memory Care program are available 24/7 to provide individualized care to the residents. The community encourages the team to form and nurture relationships with the residents, so they feel at home and part of the community, improving their well-being. This also allows the staff to understand the resident's individual needs and organize individualized activities and programs to improve each resident's physical and cognitive abilities. Some activities include religious services, cooking classes, gardening, games, live musical performances and day trips. Residents live in neighborhood pods, so they are familiar with their surroundings and with each other. Chef-prepared meals are available three times daily in the restaurant-style dining room. Pets are also allowed in the community.
Family members praise the beautiful units and friendly staff, with one saying, "I toured Grand Village Assisted Living & Memory Care It's very beautiful. The units were perfect as well. They seem to have a variety of units and levels of care. The staff, I think it was the director I spoke with, was very nice, helpful and informative."
Commonwealth Senior Living at East Paris, located in Grand Rapids, MI, offers the Sweet Memories memory care program to deliver high quality care and support to seniors with cognitive impairment in a warm, homelike environment. The staff learns each resident's life story before developing an individualized care plan that includes structured schedules and signature programs. The Program of Fine Arts sparks cognition through creative arts, including dance and theater, and the Expressions Art Program helps seniors express themselves using nonverbal means such as drawing and painting. Sweet Melodies recreates positive memories through personalized playlists of nostalgic music, and Life Kits collects meaningful mementos to trigger reminiscence and alleviate stress. The medical team is available 24/7 to provide medication management and health care services, while the caregivers help with activities of daily living, such as eating, toileting, bathing and dressing. Daily housekeeping and weekly linen services are also available.
Family members rave about the beautiful environment, diverse programs and caring staff. A resident's daughter-in-law writes, "Wonderful community, my husband's father lives in the memory care, and we enjoy the staff and other residents." Another reviewer adds, "The facility itself was very nice. They had all kinds of activities and programs. The staff was wonderful."
River Ridge is a leisure care community in South Haven, a lakeside town one hour from Grand Rapids, MI. River Ridge utilizes the Moments Memory Care program for residents, the first of its kind in Michigan for seniors suffering from memory loss. The program features a balance of the physical and emotional needs of the residents. Caring team members are specifically trained and certified to provide individualized care to each resident, with an emphasis on fostering close relationships. Residents reside in dedicated wings within the community, so they can be enveloped by familiar and comfortable surroundings. Residents are also encouraged to engage in activities, visit with other residents or enjoy the courtyard in a supervised capacity. Every personal need is accounted for, from general housekeeping and meal preparation to medication management, bathing and dressing. The community is also pet friendly, so special bonds formed with furry companions don't have to be severed. Ensuring the highest level of care and comfort is a top priority.
Residents and their families can't say enough about the quality of the staff at River Ridge. One family member says, "Every member of the staff went above and beyond in the care of my mother. The atmosphere is bright and cheerful. South Haven is very fortunate to have a facility of this caliber in our small town."
Vista Springs Northview Royal Hideaway is located north of Grand Rapids, MI, in the suburb of Northview Heights. Vista Springs specializes in memory care, and the community is designed with safety features particular to those with memory challenges. Staff is trained to provide residents with personalized memory care support, which can be adapted as their needs change. Caregivers also provide assistance with daily tasks such as grooming and bathing and carry out chores such as housekeeping and laundry. The community has a variety of on-site amenities, including outdoor patios, a salon and spa. Residents can take part in enriching activities, designed to slow down memory loss and optimize physical and mental well-being. Activities include bingo, trips to Grand Rapids, cooking classes, chair workouts and volunteer opportunities. Three chef-prepared meals are offered daily, which residents can enjoy together in the dining area.
Family members appreciate the attentive staff and the great food, with one reviewer saying, "It was very nice, and they were very helpful. They were there to support skilled nursing, and he had physical therapy from an outside agency. His room was very nice, and the food was wonderful."
Commonwealth Senior Living at Grand Rapids provides memory care in western Michigan. The program individualizes care based on the daily needs of each resident through its Sweet Memories program. Physicians coordinate with family members and 24/7 caregivers to create an effective treatment plan. Staff members trained in memory care manage medication for residents. These caregivers also provide support with eating, grooming and toilet assistance. The memory care neighborhood includes outdoor gardens and patios to give residents a space to safely socialize. The community has fine art programs including creative writing and drawing, as well as musical dance and theater. Private and companion suites are available, with housekeeping and laundry services provided for convenience. The community sources its food from local farms, and three healthy meals are served each day.
Visiting family members mention their family members are happy and that the building is well maintained. One family member writes, "I was there today for a get together with my family. It was clean, smelled good and my grandma was happy! I'd highly recommend."
American House Wyoming is an independent living, assisted living and memory care senior living community. Memory care residents are offered individualized care plans designed to meet residents where they are at. Throughout the day, they are supported with 24/7 care from trained caregivers and 24/7 medical assistance as required. Each day a schedule is carefully crafted to include activities that nurture the brain and body. Every apartment features a private bath, and the unit is carefully controlled to ensure the safety of residents. Three meals are provided daily, along with snacks.
Many reviewers comment on the nice accommodations at the American House Wyoming and mention the caring staff. The spouse of a resident writes, "My husband was in American House Wyoming. He enjoyed the food, he told me many times, and the staff treated him very well.His room was a nice size, had plenty of light, had its own bathroom, and was nice."
American House Kentwood offers a fully secure memory care neighborhood where residents receive 24/7 support and supervision. Every resident receives an individual memory care plan that may include help with daily living activities, such as bathing and grooming as well as medication administration. Housekeeping and laundry are provided as well. Residents in memory care have supervised access to the community's many amenities, including the library, activity and game rooms and beauty salon/barber shop. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with gardens and walking paths. Scheduled activities are designed to keep seniors' minds and bodies active and may include games, crafts, musical entertainment and religious services. The community serves three restaurant-style meals per day, and assistance is available for residents who require it. American House Kentwood is a pet-friendly community, so seniors can enjoy the companionship of their furry friends.
Residents and their families appreciate the caring staff at American House Kentwood. One reviewer whose father lives in the community notes that staff members are "efficient, kind and fun." They show great compassion and treat residents like family. Other reviewers praise the good food and plentiful activities. They are pleased that their loved ones are "safe and enjoying life."
Addington Place of Lakeside Vista is located just 2 miles from downtown Holland, MI, and only minutes from Holland Hospital. The community offers apartment neighborhoods, clear sight lines, medication management, secure entryways, 24-hour emergency call systems, and on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy. Memory care services include a specialized plan tailored to the individual needs of residents with Alzheimer's and dementia. The plans are designed to support the mind, body and soul of residents dealing with memory loss. Care is also available to help with bathing and personal grooming. The community also offers short respite visits, enabling potential residents to experience the services before making a commitment. These short-term residents have access to all the activities, meals and amenities as permanent residents, providing the opportunity to socialize and build connections within the community.
Residents praise the individualized care the staff provides. One says, "My twin brother has been a resident of Lakeside Vista for 6 months. He loves the staff at Lakeside Vista! They are caring, understanding and assist him with all of his needs. He has developed a close relationship with a number of them that he likes to joke with."
Residents entering the American House Jenison will have an initial consultation and tour. Seniors' needs are assessed and a customized plan of care is created. The community's atmosphere is vibrant, and residents enjoy a maintenance free lifestyle where their social, mental, nutritional and medical needs are met. A secure wing is dedicated to memory care residents where they can get a higher level of care. Memory care services include 24 hour medical care, assistance with hygiene and basic living tasks, medication management and life enrichment programs. Residents in memory care also receive the same amenities available to independent living and assisted living residents. An emergency call system is available. Chef-prepared meals are created based on residents' nutritional needs, care plans and medical requirements. Transportation is provided to and from appointments. There is an area for private parties where family members and residents can meet.
Family members and residents appreciate the community environment. One says, "A beautiful community to live in, or work. The 20 apartment manors make it feel more like home than the larger-style senior living centers. The care is person-centered but also family centered."
Care Cardinal Kentwood provides care for residents who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating. It offers Alzheimer's care and other dementia services as well as skilled nursing care. Its amenities include an onsite dining, housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation assistance, personal assistance and laundry. Other services include 24-hour emergency support, brain fitness and wellness programs and customized meal plans. Residents can participate in various activities including art classes, cooking classes, dancing, group events, pet therapy, trivia games, yoga and more. They also have access to free Wi-Fi and several onsite amenities including a TV room, library and beauty salon.
Family members are pleased with the staff's compassion and care. One said, "We have been truly blessed with amazing staff who have shown compassion to my mother from the beginning. Even during her difficult dementia journey, my mother has maintained her dignity and always has a smile on her face."