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 Leawood’s senior population continues to grow (25.07% growth between 2013 and 2018), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Leawood, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 5.3% between 2013 and 2018, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (4.2% in Leawood 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 Leawood. 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 Leawood, 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:
Aberdeen Village is a community with assisted living, memory care and independent living services. Whispering Meadows, its memory care neighborhood, provides compassionate care for those struggling with memory needs. This community takes a holistic approach to wellness and has 24-hour staffing to ensure each resident's needs are met well. All seniors are assisted with activities of daily living, including dressing and bathing assistance, based on personal care plans. Regular activities encourage residents to explore their physical and emotional well-being. Private bedrooms with half-baths give seniors their own place to live. The facility is secure and equipped with an emergency call system. An indoor pool and fitness center provide a place for residents to exercise within the safety of the community.
The varied amenities and activities are what residents and guests often mention about Aberdeen Village. One guest said, "They have a wonderful dining room. They have like a snack bar or coffee bar that you could visit 24/7. They have a very nice courtyard to get together with your friends. It was shaded, and they have a putting green also."
Located right off I-35 and close to a metropolitan shopping area and the Olathe Medical Center, the Anthology of Olathe is a luxury memory care, independent living and assisted living community. Memory care residents receive personalized care in the secured facility and are escorted to locations outside of the memory care neighborhood by qualified caregivers. A licensed nurse is always on-site to assist with medical issues, and the staff carefully prepares recreational, cultural and social activities each day in an effort to promote cognitive activity and engagement. Within the memory care community are common areas where residents can interact, including reading rooms and the library. A salon is located on the premises of the larger community.
One satisfied family member wrote that "my dad was made to feel welcomed and loved and added that all of the staff "treated him as if he was a member of their family. Another family member noted "the facility is beautifully decorated and very clean and added that her mother was "well taken care of.
Opened in 1992, Bickford at Mission Springs was one of the first assisted living communities in the state of Kansas. Its owner created the community to help fill a need that he discovered when his mother-in-law required assistance that they couldnt find in the state. Today, the mission statement of Bickford at Mission Springs is to provide assisted living and memory care residents with support for their core needs while supplementing their care with a life enrichment program. Daily meals are offered via the Bread Basket Scratch Kitchen and daily activities, such as grocery shopping trips, music programs and manicures, are always on the docket. Residents can be found throughout the day enjoying the breeze on the wide spacious patio, relaxing in the billiard room with friends, or listening to the jukebox in the activities room. All community members have their own personalized care plan, and memory support is provided on an individual basis.
Reviewers speak highly of Bickford at Mission Springs, with one family member describing the staff as "warm, kind, and compassionate. She added that it feels like "a home instead of an institution.
Bickford of Overland Park is a memory care facility that helps seniors battle back against memory loss through its Lifesong program. Upon joining the community, staff members get to know new residents' history and interests and use these to make daily activities as meaningful and helpful to them as possible. All staff members are trained to assist with memory care, and caregivers place a strong emphasis on one-on-one care to help make the transition to memory care as seamless as possible. Pull cords are used to alert staff when a resident needs help at any point of the day. The property offers several activities, including popular music, manicures and shopping trips. Meals are prepared from scratch on-site, served restaurant-style and using fresh ingredients whenever possible.
Residents and loved ones describe the property as feeling more like someone's home than a care facility, with one saying, "The rooms are quite large. The dining area is very well organized." Residents also appreciate the pride the staff takes in caring for the residents and the property, with one saying, "It's very well-cared for and nice. The staff members are wonderful."
Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village provides memory care alongside skilled nursing and assisted living services. This community is next to The Village Shops, where residents have a market and pharmacy as well as boutique shops to explore. The pet-friendly community provides residents with daily fitness, creative and social activities hosted by caregivers. All residents receive assistance with activities of daily living, which may include bathing or using the restroom. Daily meals and snacks are prepared by an award-winning chef and served in a community dining room, while weekly housekeeping and laundry service make life convenient for residents.
Residents and guests often comment on the friendly nature of the staff at Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village. One visitor remarked, "Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village was very nice, well kept up, and welcoming-looking. The staff was very nice. They have some really nice things like a Parkinson's support group, and it looks like they have a lot of activities."
Brookdale College Square is dedicated to providing dignified memory care services in a bright, comforting environment. This community is rich in amenities and encourages residents to explore interests in its arts and crafts studio, greenhouse and gardens and the community kitchen. Each day, residents participate in six activities that promote social interaction and enhance cognitive retention. Some activities that the community offers include music therapy, fitness classes and French or Spanish lessons. It also has a unique dining program that is specially designed for those living with dementia. Three meals plus snacks are served daily, and the menus have numerous options crafted to prevent weight loss. Finger foods are served to promote independence and dignity while routine and consistent seating provide a reassuring environment.
Many reviewers speak highly of this community's memory care program, including one who said, "We moved my husband in June to Brookdale. I have been very impressed with both the facility and the staff. I have not met a single person here who lacks enthusiasm and care for the patients and the job they are doing."
Brookdale Leawood State Line is specially designed to cater to the individual needs of its memory care community members. Its enclosed courtyards, small spaces decorated to look like residents' homes and shadow boxes filled with personal mementos help seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease maintain their sense of purpose and overall life satisfaction. The 24/7 care team ensures that seniors receive assistance with all aspects of daily living, including bathing, eating and medication management. Specialized daily activities that strengthen each community member's mind and spirit are scheduled each day, including pet therapy sessions, ice cream socials, live musical entertainment and guided exercise classes. Mealtime guests allow each resident's family and friends to remain an active part of their lives, while the on-site gardening club and arts and crafts studio can help seniors continue to engage in their favorite leisure activities.
Reviewers state that they are pleased with the level of care found at Brookdale Leawood State Line. One says, "The staff and the administration are great. My mother is happy there, and she's making friends. It's a nice place, it's in a nice neighborhood, and it's clean."
Brookdale Overland Park is a continuing care retirement community offering a robust array of amenities and services to complement its full suite of memory care options. In addition to the nutritious meals served in the main dining area, residents can grab a light snack at the cafe and satisfy their sweet cravings at the ice cream parlor. Exercise classes at the fitness center encourage seniors to improve their balance and strength while the brain gym offers programs designed to support mental acuity. Between the arts and crafts studio, billiards table, woodworking shop and the game room, seniors at Brookdale Overland Park are always steps away from a variety of engaging activities. Outside, residents can socialize in the courtyard, tend to the plants in the garden and join a group stroll down the landscaped walking paths. The community is fully secure to prevent wandering, and caregivers trained in dementia care are on-site 24/7.
The dining program at Brookdale Overland Park consistently leaves residents and visitors impressed. One resident's child said, "They're wonderful; they're very good The physical therapy and occupational therapy people were fantastic with my dad. The food was good too. My dad was happy with it."
Colonial Oaks at Leawood is a senior community in Leawood, Kansas, that strives to put the needs of residents first through personalized services delivered with exceptional dedication. The community's memory care program, known as Generations, is run by highly trained and certified professionals who take the time to really know each person and their family. Staff members help residents take advantage of signature programs designed to promote exploration, social cohesion and achievement. Outdoor courtyards and gardens are secured for the safety of residents. The living spaces at Colonial Oaks include functional kitchenettes, pet-friendly features and colonial-style architecture. In the common areas, residents can participate in everything from devotional services in the chapel to games with friends in the spacious lounge. There are also beautiful outdoor areas, including a courtyard and garden, for enjoying pleasant weather.
The relative of one resident said, "I am very pleased with this facility for my father-in-law. The staff is diligent and works hard It is clean, spacious, and has a lovely outdoor area. Food is good, and overall a warm, friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend for [a] loved one." Many other reviews mention the delicious food.
Colonial Oaks at Spring Hill is conveniently located off Highway 169. The assisted living community also features a memory care community within it for residents that are suffering from memory loss as a result of dementia or Alzheimer's. Residents are cared for in alignment with the Generations Memory Care program aimed at creating well-being in all aspects of life. The progressive programming is geared at providing individualized care suited to fit a residents specific needs by providing culinary treats from the past, current hobbies, and chances to connect with the community. Within the community residents receive assistance where needed, have access to a 24/7 nurse, and enjoy a secured patio and outdoor porch area designed for relaxing in the sunlight with family and friends.
Reviews of the Colonial Oaks at Spring Hill community are generally positive with one person describing it as a "company that truly cares from corporate to the housekeeper in the building adding that it's the "next closest thing to home. Another reviewer wrote that "the staff is so very courteous, helpful, and friendly.
Memory care residents at Foxwood Springs live on a beautiful 100-acre campus close to the Kansas City Zoo and local parks. This community offers assisted living, independent living and skilled nursing care in addition to memory care. The memory care program allows residents to live in a community that functions like a private home. The Clare Bridge dementia care program takes residents through a daily path of enrichment plan, which uses cognitive games and activities to encourage overall wellness. The pet-friendly community is set up to look like a small rural town, with a pond, library and town center at its heart. It has a number of amenities and activities to make life comfortable and fun, including an arts and crafts studio, cafe, snack shop, planned social events and an indoor pool.
The many floor plans are a benefit of Foxwood Springs that residents often note. As one said, "Foxwood Springs had houses that people live in. They have independent living in the main building, apartments, assisted living, and a care center. I love the community."
Golden Oaks is a senior living community in Shawnee, Kansas. Seniors live in a convenient location close to attractions, such as the Shawnee Town Museum and the shops at Merriam Town Center. Caregivers are available on-site 24 hours a day to supervise seniors who may be prone to confusion or disorientation as a result of their dementia symptoms. The caretakers are backed up by qualified medical professionals who are on call day and night. The community includes beautifully landscaped gardens and has been carefully designed to be soothing and calming. A program of life-enrichment activities can help seniors feel grounded, stimulated and at home. Meals are served in a homelike dining area, and family members are welcome to join residents for a meal whenever they wish.
Residents and their loved ones praise Golden Oaks for its homelike feel and quality of care, saying "The care is wonderful, the staff is professional and they genuinely care about all the residents and their well-being. I know my mother is in a safe, clean environment and has delicious, home-cooked meals." Many residents stay at the community for several years and make it their home.
Heritage of Overland Park is a specialist memory care community that focuses on assisting seniors with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other cognitive impairment disorders. The full-time medical director is able to provide on-site physician services to residents and provides clinical direction to staff members. Each home in the community is staffed by highly-trained caregivers who are available 24/7 to assist the residents with medication management and personal care needs. Physical, speech and occupational therapy services are provided in the comfort of the resident's room. All residents have a personalized care plan that is updated on a regular basis as their care needs change. Activities are based on the personal passions of each resident and may include pet therapy, art classes, musical events and fitness classes. Three dietician approved meals are provided on a daily basis and snacks are always available.
Family members praise the friendly staff and the comfortable layout of the facility with one reviewer saying, "I am continually amazed at the love and compassion of those working there. The residents are happy and content, always doing an activity." Another notes, "I was thoroughly amazed at the smaller home-like set up."
Located on a spacious, beautifully landscaped campus with gardens, walking paths and a gazebo, Morningside Place provides dignified memory care services. The community is equipped with a state-of-the-art alert and silent alarm reporting system to prevent residents from wandering, and the team members are thoroughly trained in safety protocols. Residents live in private or companion suites, depending on their preferences and budget, and they have access to common areas and corridors that enable safe freedom of movement. The caring staff provides personal care and hygiene services, and the on-site professional hair and nail salon keeps residents looking and feeling their best. A nurse is on duty 24/7, and visiting physician, nursing and podiatry appointments are available. The community utilizes technology-based programs and tools to foster a comforting, enriching environment, and it offers a range of social activities and events that cater to residents' individual interests.
One reviewer whose brother was a resident of this community said, "He felt at home and received good care at Morningside. His dementia caused him trouble with his precious television and the staff made every effort to keep it running so he could watch his beloved sports program."
The homelike environment of Our Home Senior Care can help memory care residents feel more comfortable. Seniors have the freedom to safely move through the home using the common living areas, including a library, gazebo and walking trails. Whether a resident is receiving memory care or assisted living, they receive help with activities of daily living, including dressing and bathing assistance, based on personal care plans. In addition to in-house rehabilitation services, physicians, dentists, and eye doctors are available to provide care. The staff strives to develop bonds with residents, which helps with anticipating and meeting needs for those who have memory concerns. Personalized and group activities are provided to engage the residents, including exercise programs, yoga classes, spa days, dominoes and card games.
Guests of this senior living community note the quality surroundings. One visitor remarked, "I toured this community with my sister a couple weeks ago for my father. This home is absolutely beautiful. The rooms are nice size and nicely decorated and even furnished with new beds and TV something you don't usually find at other communities."
Located on the corner of College Avenue and Pflum, Silvercrest at College View combines comfort, care and active living. The campus features an array of amenities, such as a wellness center, chapel, library and lounge with bocce ball and billiards. A secured walking path gives seniors a safe place to get active and enjoy the outdoors. Residents are treated to three daily meals plus snacks, and can visit the on-site soft serve ice cream parlor for a sweet treat. Within the community, there's a dedicated memory care area for seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia that offers specially designed programming in a comfortable environment. Each day, caring staff members run a series of engaging group, individual and outdoor activities designed to meet residents' skill levels, interests and abilities, including playing games, listening to music and doing crafts. Memory care residents live in spacious studio suites, each equipped with its own private bath.
Widely known for its best-in-class service, state-of-the-art amenities and vibrant lifestyle, people love that Silvercrest at College View offers an "uplifting environment with lots of interest!" The daughter of a current memory care resident shares that the staff are "the most compassionate and qualified workers" she has encountered.
Sunrise of Leawood offers assisted living and memory care services in a caring environment that prioritizes comfort and engagement. Featuring high ceilings and large windows for plenty of natural light, this community provides an inviting backdrop for senior living. It offers robust memory care assistance through Reminiscence, a dynamic program that focuses on an individual's strengths, talents and preferences over their disease or lost abilities. Its memory care wing is divided into specially designed Reminiscence Neighborhoods with safe, comfortable environments. The community boasts large, secured outdoor spaces where memory care residents can experience nature. Inside, there are family-style living rooms where seniors can participate in group activities, kitchens where they can help prepare meals and quiet reflection rooms with soft lighting and soothing music. The community also partners with local day care centers, schools and homeschool groups who visit residents regularly.
Many residents and family members note the engaging environment of this community. One reviewer remarked, "They had a very good memory care director and were very eager to set up an individual care plan. They had the most phenomenal activities director of any place I went to. He was totally engaged with the residents."
Conveniently located steps away from the peaceful pond and winding walking trails at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Sunrise of Lenexa is an award-winning senior living community offering assisted living, memory care and respite care. Nutritious, freshly prepared meals are served in the spacious dining room, and residents are provided healthy snacks throughout the day. Compassionate caregivers specially trained in the challenges faced by seniors with dementia are available 24/7 to help residents navigate the property, find activities matching their interests and abilities and complete daily living tasks. Filled with physical fitness, social, educational and creative activities, the community event calendar is designed to appeal to seniors across a broad range of interests. Residents can choose between studio, one-bedroom and companion suites, and all of the cozy accommodations include weekly housekeeping and daily trash removal services. Sunrise of Lenexa also hosts on-site worship services, ensuring spiritual residents can stay in touch with their faith.
Residents and their families frequently praise the community's friendly staff members. One visitor mentioned, "The people at Sunrise of Lenexa were very nice. The staff who took us around was exceptional. We like the place real well. Everything was fantastic."
Sunrise of Overland Park provides multiple levels of care for seniors, letting them age in place even as their physical and cognitive needs change. Its Reminiscence Memory Care Program is oriented around fostering a safe, comforting environment for those with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Memory care services are provided in distinctly separate areas, memory-focused activities and a Life Enrichment Manager who is specially trained in memory care techniques like Validation Therapy. Residents live in comfortable studio apartments in a neighborhood-like layout near living and dining areas for easy navigation.
Residents and their family members speak highly of their experience at this community, including one who said, "My dad moved into Sunrise OP in August 2019 and we love this place! Everyone is so friendly to my dad. The food is fantastic and the place is spotless clean. He loves the outings,especially the fishing trips."
The Plaza at Santa Marta is a Catholic-based community that welcomes residents from all faiths. It sits on 45 acres of well-maintained land that includes a secure courtyard with walking paths, water features and gardens. Residents can maintain an active lifestyle by participating in planned outings and on-site activities, such as Bible studies, aqua fitness, computer classes and chair yoga. Staff members are CARE-certified and specially trained to care for residents requiring memory care services. They use music and memory sessions, along with pet therapy and other techniques, to promote psychological well-being. Caregivers and licensed nurses are available 24/7 to assist with mobility, medication administration and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing and housekeeping. Additional on-site amenities include a beauty salon, swimming pool and fitness center. Daily meals, including Sunday brunch buffets, are served in the dining room.
Residents and their family members rave about the quality of services they receive. One reviewer stated that they were, "So impressed with the professionalism of the staff at all levels and the high engagement of residents in quality community events and activities.