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 Johnson City’s senior population continues to grow (13.54% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Johnson City, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 12.24% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 31%. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (4.05% in Johnson City 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 Johnson City. 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 Johnson City, 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 Johnson City helps memory care residents feel at home and maintain their current skills with the care of highly trained, considerate staff. The pet-friendly apartments are cozy and secure, and residents may decorate with mementos and furniture from home to provide familiarity. The dedicated staff work with language losses associated with dementia to get to the root of conflicts and find compassionate resolutions. Enrichment activities incorporate residents' interests and hobbies, adding comforting structure to each day. The community dining room keeps meals stress-free with assigned seating and serves familiar, healthy selections from a dementia-friendly menu. A landscaped walking path or a seat on the porch encourage seniors to enjoy the outdoors, while an on-site beauty shop and comfortable seating near the piano or fireplace offer indoor places to socialize with other residents, family and friends.
Family members love the individualized care and kindness of the staff at Brookdale Johnson City. One reviewer writes, "The staff is warm, kind and very considerate. My mother has never lived on her own in 89 years. Now with dementia, this has been an adjustment for all of us. I strongly feel we have found a good partnership at Brookdale."
American House Johnson City provides dedicated memory care services to older people who need constant supervision and emotional and physical support, allowing those living with dementia to socialize with others at their level. Residents also build relationships with caregivers who understand their unique needs and help keep them with grooming, eating and medication management. Available 24/7, the caregivers help residents participate in activities and use common areas safely. Management handles all the cleaning and laundry for the residents. Access controls throughout the campus keep seniors safe and accounted for while still giving them a sense of freedom. American House Johnson City features an activities program with recreational, social and spiritual activities available throughout the week.
Residents describe a pleasant social environment and attentive and kind staff members at American House Johnson City. A resident's spouse says, "I am extremely happy with it. It has a wonderful atmosphere, the employees are wonderful to the people there, and my husband is doing exceedingly well."
Christian Assisted Living of Johnson City is an intimate community for older people living with dementia. The 18 residents living in its memory care unit receive consistent attention from a care staff that facilitates their personal care and helps them to do things they enjoy. Caregivers bathe and dress residents, help those who face mobility challenges and keep up with their medications. Christian Assisted Living of Johnson City emphasizes constant memory care training, so staff members are versed in the latest techniques to calm frustrated residents and communicate with them more effectively. This community also structures activities that residents are capable of engaging with so they have recreational and social outlets every day.
Residents describe a lively campus with kind staff members at Christian Assisted Living of Johnson City. A resident's child says, "It's a pleasant place to be, and I think my mom will like being there. She's not been there long, but they told me they have daily devotions, bingo, games and things to keep the residents entertained and active."
Dominion Senior Living of Johnson City serves residents who need specialized support for memory loss and supervision. Caregivers used evidence-based therapy methods and specialized care techniques to keep residents on track as they navigate daily routines, activities and challenging moments. This community offers personalized care plans created in collaboration with each resident's family members so that care fits the individual's psychological, personal and cultural needs. Caregivers also maintain the residents' personal hygiene, keep them fed and hydrated and facilitate their participation in activities that can entertain them and help them socialize. Dominion Senior Living of Johnson City is a secured campus, so residents can't wander away as they spend time in communal areas.
Residents offer very positive comments about the living conditions and efforts of staff members at Dominion Senior Living of Johnson City. A resident's child says, "The community is extremely well-maintained and exceptionally clean. It's also wonderfully hospitable to residents and guests alike. It very much feels like a hotel resort to me, and I visit frequently."
American House Bristol provides quality care in a nurturing setting. For those living with Alzheimer's and related dementias, the community offers a secure, healthy environment with around-the-clock support for residents at every stage of memory loss. Staff takes an individualized approach to care, taking residents' personal needs into account as they assist with the activities of daily living, medical needs, personal care and physical therapy. By maintaining open communication with loved ones, they ensure that residents' unique needs are met. Activities are designed to nourish the mind, body and soul, so seniors enjoy an engaging calendar of recreational, social, spiritual and physical programs each day. Three chef-prepared meals are served daily with assistance available. Secure walking paths and gardens let seniors safely explore the outdoors, while a library, arts and crafts studio, beauty salon and barber shop offer plenty to do.
Visiting relatives compliment the caring team. "The people there at the facility seemed to be very caring and very knowledgeable about their jobs," says one reviewer. "They seemed to be focused on those that are there, on their care and their needs.. They do have lots of activities. They seemed to provide all of his needs."
Nestled into a peaceful residential community, Dominion Senior Living of Bristol provides memory care in a serene setting, with nearby Volunteer Parkway providing easy access to hospitals and medical facilities. For seniors living with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other forms of memory loss, the community offers personalized assistance 24/7. The wellness director meets with residents and families to customize individualized plans with behavioral, environmental and programming needs in place. Multiple levels of care are available to address residents at every stage of memory loss, with specialized support by a highly trained team, help with the activities of daily living and evidence-based therapies to aid emotional and spiritual well-being. Social, wellness and spiritual activities keep residents stimulated each day, helping give seniors a sense of purpose and meaning, and chef-prepared dining offers delicious, nutritious choices at every meal.
Loved ones praise the compassionate team. "Staff at Dominion of Bristol were nothing short of incredible in working with her to make the transition," says one reviewer. "Their cheerful attitude each day brought a smile to Mom and helped her feel safe. The care she was given was all that we could've hoped it would be."
American House Kingsport offers 24-hour medical assistance and memory care in an assisted living environment. Residents of the community can participate in social, recreational, physical and spiritual activities. Common areas feature a fireplace, piano and TV. The proximity of the Great Smoky Mountains makes for great views and experiences when residents go out. The front porch offers a cozy social area complete with rocking chairs. The courtyards and patio are secure, and residents can read in the library, get their hair styled and cut in the beauty salon and barbershop and get moving in fitness classes. Scheduled transportation, housekeeping and laundry services are available. Small pets are welcome inside the community. Residents can get assistance eating the three chef-prepared meals a day.
Family members overall like the community. One said, "It was clean, and a lot of the residents were out wandering, but they were all in one common area. It's on a dead end, so there's no traffic coming in or out. The layout was very nice and very easy, and it's all on one level."
Brookdale Colonial Heights provides memory care and assisted living in beautiful Kingsport, Tennessee. Seniors have access to walking trails to enjoy the nature surrounding the community. If any medical emergencies arise, Brookdale is located near the Holston Valley Medical Center. The community is staffed 24/7 with skilled professionals who are dedicated to the well-being of residents. Amenities include a fitness center, library, game rooms and arts and craft studio, with many opportunities for socializing. A community kitchen and a private dining room with a culinary chef and registered dietician provide delicious, nutritious meals.
Family members appreciate the caring, professional staff. One says, "My mom has lived at Brookdale for over a year now. The staff has been wonderful to her in all that time. She is kept very active, which was important for Mom. We were very lucky to find such a wonderful memory care facility for our mother."
The Blake at Kingsport is an elegant assisted living and memory care community that offers a resort-like atmosphere to seniors who need assistance with some or all of the daily activities of living. From attractive decor and stunning architecture to plush carpeting within bedrooms and innovative technology designed to engage memory care residents, the Blake at Kingsport provides seniors with cutting-edge memory care. It keeps residents safe via the Vigil Dementia System, which involves motion detectors and sensors to alert 24/7 caregivers if assistance is needed or a senior leaves their room. An enclosed courtyard with walking paths, garden areas and amenities such as an on-site movie theater provides residents with safe freedom within their home environment.
The Blake at Kingsport has a host of favorable reviews, with one resident's son noting the "staff really care for the residents and have a true passion for what they do." A resident's spouse echoed the same thoughts stating her husband "is so happy there and feels secure, thanks to all the fabulous caring staff."
Sycamore Springs Senior Living Community in Elizabethton is a short drive from Johnson City, TN. This residential memory care community specializes in providing live-in memory care support services. Sycamore Springs supports local area seniors who suffer from memory impairment or memory loss issues. Seniors with memory-affecting diseases such as Alzheimer's or dementia receive quality memory care services in a homelike setting. Sycamore Springs provides three home-cooked meals daily. Its 24-hour care assistants offer daily living support for grooming and dressing. Additional memory care support services include housekeeping and laundry, as well as on-site medication management for residents. Seniors at Sycamore Springs have access to life enrichment activities and transportation for local appointments. Residences at Sycamore Springs feature private apartments and studios. Seniors have access to a licensed memory care support team available 24 hours a day.
Residents' families say they're happy with the community. "Sycamore Springs is a wonderful senior living community. They provide excellent care and go above and beyond to work with residents and family members to ensure that they have a safe and friendly living environment. My dad has lived there for over 5 years and he calls it home. He says his needs are met and he is happy living there. I rest easy at night knowing my dad is taken great care of."
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Trail, Hermitage Health and Rehabilitation is surrounded by gorgeous views of fields, trees and mountains. The community's skilled nurses and trained healthcare professionals provide quality care, supplementing wellness by facilitating one-on-one and group activities tailored to the interests of the residents. Memory care caregivers help individuals diagnosed with dementia, supervising activities that are engaging to those who are cognitively impaired. The staff provides three delicious meals a day, and residents are free to eat whenever they would like.
Family members love the friendly atmosphere and warm ambiance of the community. One says, "This is not the typical nursing home, it's more than that. The staff here makes the residents feel like this is their home. They provide personalized patient care and physical therapy. The residents have a wide array of activities to do during their stay. Overall, the atmosphere is great, and you get a warm homelike feeling while you're there."