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 Lebanon's senior population continues to grow (4% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Lebanon, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 15% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 16%, 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 (7% in Lebanon 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 Lebanon. 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 Lebanon, 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:
Seniors experiencing memory loss live in the Harmony Square Neighborhood at Harmony at Hershey and participate in the Reflections memory care program. Caregivers strive to create a comfortable home for residents as they assist with daily living activities and medication, and they provide plenty of personal attention and guidance. Reflections is family focused and combines music and art to give seniors plenty of stimulation and enjoyment. The Echoes in Time art therapy program allows for creative expression and sensory stimulation through colors and textures. Rhythms Music Therapy helps residents find comfort and connect with the world through music. Dining With Dignity assures that seniors receive proper nutrition through easy-to-eat menu options that taste great and promote independence. The staff at Harmony at Hershey tries to enter into residents' reality and meet them where they are with dignity and respect.
Residents and their families appreciate the spacious accommodations and caring staff at Harmony at Hershey. A reviewer notes that her mother has "her own apartment" with a bedroom, bathroom and "a very nice living room." She adds that staff members "are great" and "are really trying their best" to meet residents' needs. Meals and activities are enjoyable as well.
Artis Senior Living of West Shore provides home care services for seniors with Alzheimer's and other dementia in a homelike and secure environment that features four distinct smaller neighborhoods within a larger community. It has a dedicated team of 24/7 dementia-trained staff who are guided by The Artis Way program, which takes a holistic approach to care. Residents get personalized assistance with daily activities, such as dressing, finding their way around the facility, medication management and general hygiene. Skilled healthcare professionals innovative therapy and treatments that help residents increase engagement and slow down dementia. Seniors stay in furnished one-bedroom suites with secure outdoor areas with features such as colorful cues to encourage familiarity and independence. The four neighborhoods are connected by the Town center, which is the heart of the community and residents can access various amenities and programs including, a creative arts studio, community center for fitness, entertainment and celebrations, and a beauty and barber salon.
Families speak highly about their experience with Artis Senior Living. One person says, "My mother-in-law has lived at Artis for 10 months. I am overly impressed with the way the team at Artis has handled her care both before and during COVID. The communication from the care partners, the nursing team, and especially Serenity, the Director of the Artis Way Experience, has been phenomenal."
Featuring a dedicated memory care unit, Palmyra Senior Living offers 24-hour assistance and supervision to seniors who can no longer live independently. Caregivers are always on-site and complete hourly safety checks to ensure the well-being of residents. A staff nurse works in the community to oversee care, and a visiting physician does regular wellness checks. The community coordinates medical services for residents with outside providers. Staff takes care of housekeeping and laundry, including daily linen service. Three meals are served each day in the community dining room, and snacks and beverages are available between meals. Residents can participate in a range of community-sponsored activities, including spiritual services.
Residents and their loved ones appreciate the community's small size and homelike atmosphere. One family member writes, "This little facility has a hometown touch that sold our family on it. The staff actually know our dad and we can tell they genuinely care for him."
The Woods at Legend of Lancaster offers a distinctly positive atmosphere for those living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. From the fully-trained team members to the personal care plans crafted by the on-site clinical team, every facet of the thoughtfully designed neighborhood aims to provide a comfortable and supportive home-like setting. The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care ensures that each resident feels supported and respected while working toward independence through tailored interventions. Residents benefit from convenient in-house access to a range of professional services like podiatry, portable X-rays, therapy sessions and weekly housekeeping. Additionally, there is a recreation room and fitness center so residents can stay fit and active. A post office and salon/spa offer added convenience, while the on-site movie theater allows residents to have an enjoyable night out right at home.
As a result of the friendly staff, family members are happy to see their loved ones settle quickly. One reviewer writes, "My uncle has moved into Legend of Lancaster. The staff is very friendly. He seems to like it, and he seems to be doing well there."
Providence Place Senior Living of Lancaster is a senior living community with a memory care program that helps residents with Alzheimer's and other dementia maintain the highest quality of life. It has certified memory caregivers who receive additional dementia training through the community's Positive Approach to Care program. They provide need-based assistance with daily activities using the Resident Life Story guide. The Connections Club program provides customized programs for residents with mild memory loss problems that include additional structure, daily reminders, companionship and small activities to improve brain fitness and promote intentional living. The community is also thoughtfully designed to cater to residents in mid-to-late stages of dementia with features such as a secured courtyard and staff with extensive dementia training. Memory care residents stay in studio apartments with homelike furnishings and decor. They access a restaurant-style dining room, state-of-the-art Biodex fitness equipment, brain fitness games, Never 2 Late touch screen computer technology and a stimulating activities program.
People speak highly of Providence Place Senior Living of Lancaster. One Person says, "My husband was recently at Providence Place in Memory Care. The care and support of my husband by the entire staff were excellent. The staff went beyond and above to ensure he was taken care of 24 hours a day."
Cedar Haven Healthcare Center is a senior living provider in safe and secure residential apartments with two full floors dedicated to providing memory care services for seniors with Alzheimer's and other dementia. The Director of Memory Care and professionally trained staff members provide a person-centered approach to memory care. Residents receive 24/7 help with daily activities such as dressing, meals, mobility and general hygiene. Physical, speech and occupational therapists with memory care experience guide residents through rehabilitation programs that help preserve their cognitive abilities. Residents stay in safe, deluxe private and semi-private rooms designed to provide a comfortable and intimate setting. Residents receive three meals daily in the restaurant-style dining room. The memory care units feature in-house clinics and common areas, enabling residents to receive care in a familiar environment. Fun, brain-stimulating activities, special family events and cultural programs are regularly available.
Residents and families are pleased with the staff and care provided at Cedar Haven Healthcare Center. One reviewer says, "The nurses are very kind to all their patients and very helpful. If I see something that needs to be taken care of, they care of it right away. My aunt is happy with them and she's comfortable. I have nothing bad to say about it and I would recommend it to anybody that needs that kind of care."
Luther Acres features two levels of memory care for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's. For those in the early stages of cognitive decline, Level 1 care offers medication management and around-the-clock access to the care team. Caregivers provide gentle reminders for mealtimes and personal hygiene tasks and monitor residents's health and wellness. Light support with daily tasks is offered, as needed. Level 2 memory care provides more comprehensive services in a fully secured setting; caregivers assist with bathing, grooming, eating, diabetic monitoring and incontinence needs. CPR and first-aid certified staff are on-site at all times. Both levels of care include three daily meals, weekly housekeeping, coordination of ancillary medical services and daily trash removal. All residents can participate in the plethora of activities and events in the community, which are designed to keep seniors mentally, physically and spiritually engaged.
Residents praise the personable care and quality dining at Luther Acres. One reviewer writes, "They really take wonderful care of [my husband]. They treat my husband like he is family and do that with all of [the residents]. The meals are very good."
Memory care residents at Moravian Manor live in private and companion lodgings within the Herrnut Community, a memory care neighborhood located on the Founders Campus. Serving residents with early- to late-stage Alzheimer's or dementia, the staff receive periodic training on best practices and new forms of therapy to serve the dynamic needs of the community's resident population. Each resident receives a custom memory care program, tailored to their unique set of abilities and challenges, which includes innovative therapies such as light therapy, aroma therapy, pet therapy, music and memory, storytelling and sensory stimulation. Residents have access to an on-staff nurse, as well as a 24/7 emergency monitoring system. Three chef-inspired, nutritionist-approved meals are served daily in the communal dining hall, with a snack service offered in-between meal times. Transportation can be arranged for trips up to 25 miles, and laundry and housekeeping are available on-site.
Residents and families value the staff member's personalized attention to residents. One family member writes, "I have never seen a worker not address a resident by their name. There is a nurse there who my grandmother always talks about. Apparently this particular nurse spends time with my grandmother and has even played Scrabble with her in the nurse's spare time."
The Brookdale Harrisburg community provides memory care near Lebanon, PA. Each pet-friendly apartment has customized entry and navigation reminders like colored hallways to help show the way home. Brookdale has spent 30 years developing its Clare Bridge Daily Path, providing six planned programs per day, stimulating residents to practice life skills and build friendships. Challenging activities include art projects, fitness and karaoke, giving a sense of accomplishment within a fail-free environment. Staff with memory care training is available 24/7. Residents see the same staff consistently to build personal relationships. Private studios have large restrooms, wider entries and provide soothing colors and natural lighting to create a comforting space. Seniors add their keepsakes, furniture and mementos. Raised bed gardening, an enclosed courtyard, cooking, happy hour, music, a chapel and social engagement provide a wide range of choices for seniors to find fulfillment.
Visitors and residents appreciate the staff and manicured campus. One family member writes, "They were wonderful. The apartments were pretty large and had a more open concept. There was a hair salon, a little coffee shop and a small banking area where they could do some of their banking there as well. It's very clean."
Viva Senior Living at Harrisburg has more than 25 years of experience caring for seniors in a safe and welcoming environment. Specially trained caregiving staff and associates are always available to lend memory care residents a hand with bathing, dressing, toileting and other daily living tasks. For peace of mind, accommodations include a 24-hour emergency call system, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and housekeeping services. A variety of engaging activities and social events encourage memory care residents to keep their minds stimulated throughout the day. The staff uses a proactive clinical care model to keep further memory loss at bay. Seniors receive nutritious chef-prepared meals throughout the day in the community's comfortable restaurant-style dining room. Viva Senior Living also offers short-term respite stays.
Families love the attentive staff's commitment to developing lasting relationships with each senior. The loved one of a resident writes, "My Mum has been here 22 months and has had the most amazing treatment. The staff are so friendly and helpful. I am so glad she is living here. I would highly recommend this community to anyone who is seeking a home for their loved one."
Residents of Magnolias of Lancaster in Lebanon, PA, can look forward to living somewhere that specializes in memory care. As well as a fantastic calendar of social and recreational activities on offer, you can have peace of mind knowing there is a 24-hour emergency response system and around-the-clock care. Magnolias of Lancaster also offers specialist therapy, including iN2L touch screen content therapy, to help build confidence around technology and interact with engaging memory care therapy content, and the Life Stories Memory Care Support Groups program, focusing on personal history and provoking memories. Memory care residents can live either in their own private studio or in one of the community's "cozy companions" rooms with their significant other. The community is designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere for its residents and includes a music room, an aviary and a fully equipped salon. Small pets are allowed at this facility.
Visitors appreciate the quality of care and attitude of the staff. One reviewer notes, "It's a great place, they care about their residents. They're friendly and they pay attention to each person. It's the best place I could have found for my mother."
Keystone Villa at Ephrata is a memory care provider that with a jovial and resort-like environment. Seniors can select their living quarters from a range of spacious layouts and are welcome to furnish rooms to their tastes. Suites are regularly maintained by housekeeping and a linen service. This community creates highly tailored memory care plans for each resident and stimulates cognitive functioning with multisensory activities and continued learning. Seniors can also participate in civic outreach projects in order to have meaningful personal interactions. Residents can receive prompt medical attention thanks to a visiting physician, pharmacy services and a registered nurse on-site. The common area has several amenities that allow residents to enjoy a stimulating and social lifestyle, including a movie theater, a library and a landscaped courtyard.
Reviewers are very complimentary about the courteous and accommodating staff. One reviewer says, "This place is tremendous. Most important is the care received and it is top notch from what I can see. Staff were always happy to work with me or my parents on requests or questions and were very polite."
Legend of Lititz provides specialized memory care services in a thoughtfully designed neighborhood suited to seniors coping with degenerative mental disorders. The campus employs an experienced team trained in the best practices of dementia care, including the Best Friends Approach that hinges on interaction among residents and 24/7 support. Seniors benefit from PARO, an FDA-approved therapeutic technique that combines robotics, animal therapy and biofeedback technologies to create powerful experiences for seniors in cognitive decline. The program leverages neuroplasticity to allow the brain to build new memories and reconnect old ones. The approach also reduces stress and depression and helps soothe residents struggling with wandering, loneliness and physical pain. Residents can also participate in lifestyle enrichment activities that preserve sensory skills and enhance mobility and motor function. The community's Gold Leaf Dining Experiences allow seniors with memory loss to enjoy delicious meals that nourish the body and mind.
Residents and family members appreciate the level of care provided by the staff. One resident notes, "The most important thing to me, is the staff that works here. They are friendly, open and are always available to help me when I need it. I have a very nice apartment, and I'm very happy here."
Complete Care at Berkshire is a memory care community in a peaceful rural setting. Tailored memory care programs are designed around each resident based on the stage of their condition. Seniors have easy access to healthcare services on-site thanks to a community physician and registered nurses. Residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia may benefit from speech, occupational and physical therapies, which are delivered on-site thanks to a number of visiting specialists. Cognitive functioning is promoted through a wide range of cultural and educational activities. Rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and cable television, and the common area has several amenities that allow residents to enjoy a relaxing and leisurely way of life, including guest areas, a beauty salon and a large landscaped garden. Three healthy and nutritious meals are served daily in restaurant-style setting.
Reviewers speak highly of the attentive staff and the charming common area. One relative says, "Everybody I've met and talked to has been very helpful. She likes it. They have their own living room area on each floor where they have games, and there's a little deck where I take my mother every Saturday night to eat outside."
Evergreen Estates Retirement Community is a Lancaster-based community for residents requiring assisted living, memory care and respite care. The community offers transportation for shopping trips, medical and social appointments. The on-site chef plans and prepares meals similar to the home-cooked ones residents have enjoyed for years. Special vegetarian, low-sodium and sugar-free diets are also available. The community offers residents several social, physical and cognitive stimulation activities to keep everyone engaged in the community. Community events are organized regularly. Each resident can express themselves and remain social and active. The staff assists with housekeeping, medication reminders and personal care such as showering and offers friendly company. Residents also benefit from ambulatory, diabetes, incontinence and medication management care.
Both residents and their loved ones find the Evergreen Estates Retirement Community friendly and engaging, with one reviewer saying, "An extremely beautiful assisted living home. Big rooms and elegant bathrooms with top-notch safety features. So many activities and services for residents that my head was spinning. The director gave me a complete tour and was very knowledgeable about every aspect of the center. I would be pleased to have my mother living at Evergreen Estates."
Arden Courts of Susquehanna is a safe and secure senior memory care community designed to instill a sense of home and enable residents to stay as independent as possible. Residents can get personalized 24-hour supervision and personal care services such as bathing, toileting, dressing, mobility and personal laundry services from a team of compassionate Alzheimer's and dementia-trained staff. Professional nurses provide around-the-clock light medical services, including monitoring vital signs, medication reminders, emergency response and transfer assistance. Seniors stay in comfortable self-contained houses with a living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and full bath. They can take advantage of common areas such as a secured backyard with a porch, activity and craft studio, wellness center, barber and beauty salon, expansive landscaped walking paths and restaurant-style dining area with visual cues. The ProMedica Memory Care Fund provides financial support to memory care residents and community activities.
Families appreciate the staff and level of care at Arden Courts of Susquehanna. One person says, "My husband has been placed into Arden Courts of Susquehanna. They are very caring and compassionate. The staff members pay attention to details about each individual resident. Everyone has a private room, but they are encouraged to come out of their rooms and take part in community activities. The food is good and very tasty. Everyone seems to be friendly."
A key component of The Woods at Cedar Run's memory care program is keeping residents' dignity while protecting their remaining skills and abilities. As part of the staff's efforts to encourage positive behavior and reduce the risks related to challenging behavior, they employ a number of evidence-based strategies. A Life Stories Memory Care Support Group can also provide education and support to family members. Music, games, stories, arts and crafts, cooking, and religious services are among the activities that offer emotional, spiritual, and social fulfillment. Moreover, residents can also relax in the secure courtyards or participate in gardening activities surrounded by beautiful landscaping. Residential transportation is available to ensure prompt arrival to essential appointments and additional amenities such as a beauty salon and general store.
Having everything they need right on-site makes residents feel at home. One resident wrote, "I like living at The Woods at Cedar Run. You don't have to go out in bad weather! The library, chapel, hair salon and many more are in your building. Everyone is helpful and friendly."