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 Madera’s senior population continues to grow (6.5% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Madera, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 1% 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 (10% in Madera 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 Madera. 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 Madera, 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 will find resort-style memory care at Carmel Village A Generations Community, which is surrounded by urban amenities in the heart of Clovis. The homelike community features open concept spaces designed for calmness. Person-centered care, which draws on each senior's unique life story, nurtures body, mind and spirit through daily routines that respect seniors' independence. They involve stimulating activities such as meditation, guided fitness and ping pong. Additionally, families can participate in multigenerational social events that allow seniors to bond. Sleek and welcoming living rooms and a private courtyard provide opportunities to play games and engage in fireside chats, and secure walking paths invite refreshing strolls. Three daily meals are served in the dining room, with snacks and special dietary menus offered. Apartments come with Wi-Fi, cable TV and scheduled transportation services.
Residents and family members value the luxurious accommodations and depth of care. One resident's son-in-law writes, "The staff demonstrate kindness, love, care and professionalism beyond our expectations. We visit daily and always leave knowing that our loved one is safe, loved and receiving wonderful care. The facility is beautiful."
At Magnolia Crossing, seniors who require memory care receive one-on-one support that is focused on dignity, positive interactions and engagement. Staff members develop a personalized care plan for each resident that may include help with daily living activities and medication but also a full calendar of possibilities for meaningful experiences. The music program is especially popular, as it allows seniors to explore and reconnect with their memories. Brain games are also helpful for seniors experiencing memory loss, and these provide a sense of accomplishment. The community is designed for a homelike environment even though it is fully secure, and residents can retreat to their private rooms or gather with others in comfortable common areas. The dining program offers a variety of healthy and delicious options. Families are encouraged to participate in their loved ones' care and to visit frequently.
Reviewers of Magnolia Crossing appreciate the comfortable feel and friendly staff. "The residents have their own private rooms," one reviewer notes, and there is a secure patio. The community is clean and beautifully-decorated. Staff members are friendly and helpful. Other reviewers praise the food and remark on the many tasty options available for all meals.
Cedarbrook Memory Care Community is a distinctive memory care community for seniors aged 60 and over. Seniors can choose to stay in private or companion suites with shadow boxes filled with personal handwritten letters or postcards, photographs, collectibles and trinkets to help them reminiscence past experiences and boost their memories. Licensed nurses and dementia-trained caregivers provide 24/7 personal care services, including assistance with daily activities, medication management, and wellness checkups. The Koelsch dining experiences provide residents with daily chef-prepared meals with special consideration for Alzheimer's and Dementia needs. The program coordinator creates a full-time calendar of activities based on individual preferences and cognitive needs to help residents remain active and independent. Concierge services such as laundry and housekeeping and transportation to shopping and medical appointments are available.
Residents and family appreciate the compassionate staff and amenities at Cedarbrook Memory Care Community. One resident says, "Our aunt has been in care at Cedarbrook for one year this month. We, nieces and nephews, are her children and we have been very impressed with the beautiful, homey feel of CB. The staff here have been wonderful to our aunt, professional, caring, kind, and respectful. We appreciate the large and roomy bedrooms with double beds and bathrooms."
The memory care program at Westmont, designed by a nationally recognized gerontologist, provides seniors with care that is life-affirming and respectful. The Compass Rose memory program utilizes a life history assessment to assess the needs of each senior. From this assessment, staff create an individualized care plan and tailor services to the special needs of each resident. As part of the care plan, an individualized activities guide details specific activities for each resident that promote retention of function and memory through physical movement, social interaction and meaningful activities. The inviting, homelike environment is fully secured and monitored 24/7 so that residents have the freedom to explore safely. Professional caregivers are available around the clock to help with tasks of daily living, ambulation, incontinence care and medication management. Housekeeping, laundry services, maintenance and meals are included in the cost. Therapy services are also available on-site.
Families appreciate the friendly, compassionate care their loved ones receive. One reviewer says, "This facility has been a godsend to my mother and to her family. Every caregiver is encouraged to know the residents by name." Another reviewer says, "The staff is amazing. Very patient with her and accommodating even when she can be a bit cranky. "
Truewood by Merrill, Clovis provides memory care services with professional caregiving staff available 24/7. Residents can move and commune safely and freely in the spacious and secure courtyards around the tailor-made apartments. The community provides supervised concierge services, including laundry, housekeeping and linen services and transportation to trips, shopping errands and medical appointments. The activities coordinator creates a daily calendar of social, educational and fun programs aimed at stimulating brain action and helping residents lead an active life. On-call therapists offer speech, physical and occupational therapy at the fitness center. Registered nurses assist residents with wellness checks and medication reminders and administration. On-site pet therapy services help seniors with physical exercises, emotional support and reminiscence. The dining area provides three meals daily and gives residents flexible options depending on their preferences, nutritional needs and culture.
People have positive reviews about Truewood by Merrill, Clovis. One person says, "The staff at Truewood by Merrill, Clovis was very attentive to my party. The management staff was outstanding. They were very knowledgeable, very friendly, and answered any of our questions without hesitation. The conditions of the overall facility that we saw were outstanding. We also took the opportunity to view the residential dining room and it's very clean and very well thought out."
River Bluff Memory Care provides dignified care to seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's. With a focus on person-centered care, professional staff assist with personal care tasks, perform regular observations or safety checks and help with daily tasks like laundry or cleaning. Caregivers can also assist with light medical tasks, medication management and incontinence care. Independence is important to most seniors; River Bluff Memory Care is fully secured and monitored to ensure resident safety as they enjoy freedom in the community. The Life Enrichment Program offers a full calendar of events 7 days a week, with activities such as physical fitness classes, musical memories therapy, games and social hours. All activities are thoughtfully planned with memory care enrichment in mind. The culinary team prepares three meals a day with locally sourced ingredients. The team can accommodate special diets, and snacks are available throughout the day.
Many families praise the wonderful caregivers at River Bluffs Memory Care. The daughter of a resident states, "We are beyond thankful for the loving team at River Bluffs Memory Care. The entire team makes my mom feel loved and cared for. The staff is great with updates and ensures that my mom has what she needs."
Cedar Creek Retirement is a luxury senior living community that offers a continuum of care, including memory care accommodations. Memory care residents receive around-the-clock assistance with the activities of daily living and specialized care plans in line with the Generations Memory Support Program. Staff members are trained to foster a person-centered culture that identifies the needs of the whole person instead of the behaviors caused by their disease. As part of the program, residents receive their own personalized jukebox of songs designed to invoke positive memories and a life story display that helps emphasize their individual achievements and interests. All residents receive chef-prepared meals via the Elevate dining program, and feeding assistance is available. Throughout the day, memory care residents can be found at the beauty salon, taking part in activities or participating in music, art, or pet therapy.
Reviews rave about the great staff and accommodations at Cedar Creek Senior Living. One reviewer writes, "The grounds are beautiful, with a swimming pool, and it is pet friendly! There are multiple activities throughout the day! The food is chef prepared and delicious. "
Oakmont of Fresno memory care community combines luxurious and roomy style accommodation with professional care services in a secure setting. Intentional interior design in the light-filled resident apartments and communal areas is oriented towards navigational ease, safety and sociability. The community's award-winning chefs provide a high-end dining experience across a range of indoor and outdoor settings, with private dining options available for family and occasion gatherings. Other onsite amenities include a spa, movie theater, library and enclosed pet park. The Traditions memory care program provides proactive and personalized care regimens that foster enhanced cognitive, physical and social well-being. Activity stations dispersed throughout the neighborhood offer immersive activities centered around sensory, aural and tactile stimuli, connecting residents to memories and present satisfaction through music, art and discourse. Residents can access a 24/7 concierge physician to arrange on-site healthcare visitations as well as coordinate allied health appointments.
Reviewers praise the dining and high staff to resident ratio. One writes, "They have a great program for the residents with memory issues They have a lot of people there constantly helping them get on with their daily life. The food is delicious, nutritious, and they have a nice variety."
Sunrise of Fresno offers a continuum of coordinated services aimed at helping seniors cope with memory loss in a home-like setting. Memory care is delivered via the Reminiscence program. This approach offers various care levels to suit residents' abilities and includes medication management, housekeeping and cognitively enhancing therapies. Residents also have access to staff members 24 hours a day for help with grooming and basic activities as needed. Gated outdoor spaces provide a safe space for seniors to enjoy the temperate California weather. Snacks and three healthy, restaurant-quality meals are available daily in the bistro. Seniors also receive a custom recreational calendar designed to stimulate their social, motor and cognitive skills with music therapy, guided meditation and sorting activities.
Seniors and their families praise the community's recreational offerings and friendly staff. One reviewer writes, "I have been impressed with the attention to detail that makes Sunrise an elegant, yet comfortable home environment for the residents They have put a lot of thought into all the different kinds of activities and emotional enrichment that the residents would enjoy."
Paintbrush Assisted Living provides memory care to seniors living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia near Madera, CA. Its signature memory care program, Live Intentionally, helps residents stay active and maintain their independence through customized care. Each resident's abilities, hobbies and interests are considered to create a meaningful daily experience that encourages cognitive engagement. Two other special programs, Feels Like Home and Hands to Help, aim to foster relationships between residents, staff and visitors. A full calendar keeps residents engaged with activities such as jewelry making and napkin art, and an array of amenities is available to help residents feel at home. Amenities include a movie theater, salon and bistro. Meal service is available all day, and meals are served restaurant-style in the community dining room. A private family dining room is also available.
Residents and loved ones appreciate the appetizing meals and flexible meal service. One reviewer writes, "I have eaten here twice and love it, the food is great, and they are higher end meals. I would compare them to nice restaurants. The meals are not served on a strict schedule which is great so your loved one will never go hungry."
Kingston Bay Senior Living offers seniors access to a continuum of care, including memory care accommodations in a specialized neighborhood. All memory care residents receive a personalized care plan with access to trained caregivers around the clock and nursing oversight. Three family-style meals are served each day, and staff offers guidance as needed to assist with feeding needs. Memory care residents can opt for a private or shared suite and have access to secured common areas to encourage socialization. Occupational, speech and physical therapy are also available on-site. Residents are encouraged to stay busy and participate in daily activities, which include active activities such as hallway bowling or corn hole as well as quieter activities like puzzle time and painting.
Reviews of the staff and accommodations at Kingston Bay Senior Living are positive, with one person writing, "They were wonderful at Kingston Bay. They were really good. The staff was excellent. The rooms were gorgeous and very nice. Everything was top notch. They had so many amenities. They have a private chef who cooks their meals, they have entertainment, and they have a farmer's market."
River Bluffs Memory Care is a community where residents with dementia and other cognitive impairments benefit from continuous supervision and assistance from nurturing and dedicated professionals. This includes help with bathing, grooming, room cleaning, and household chores. Residents at River Bluff also have access to nutritious, chef-prepared meals three times a day, plus snacks. River Bluff features electronic monitoring and call systems to alert staff whenever they are needed, and keep residents safe. The community has established partnerships with local pharmacies, concierge physicians, and home health/hospice agencies to help residents obtain reliable health services. Regularly scheduled activities include devotional activities on and off-site, religious services, day trips, art and cooking classes, music and dance performance, pet therapy and birthday parties.
Residents and their families praise the compassionate staff and wonderful amenities at the community. One reviewer says, "We are thankful and lucky for being served by the loving team at the River Bluffs Memory Care facility. The team makes my mom feel special and loved. The staff is professional and provides updates and ensures my mom has what she needs. She even gets her hair and nails done which makes her feel happy and special."
Summerfield of Fresno is a senior memory Care community in a quiet residential neighborhood in Madera, CA. It provides care services for seniors with Alzheimer's and other dementia by following the LIVE Intentionally Memory Care guide. A team of dementia-trained caregivers embraces individuality in providing 24/7 assistance with daily activities such as dressing, grooming and general hygiene. Seniors can choose to stay in private or shared studios with private bathrooms and access to weekly laundry and housekeeping services. Common areas such as the activities room and the light-filled cherry dining area offer family-style meals prepared by a celebrity chef from Food Network with special considerations for their unique dietary needs, seasonal favorites and preferences. The Sagely's smart technology is a state-of-the-art technology that allows seniors to create personalized monthly calendar programs to help them socialize, live an active life and improve their cognitive abilities.
Families and residents are pleased with the more personal level of care and state-of-the-art therapies offered at the community. One reviewer says, "The best place for those with dementia and Alzheimer's. This smaller community allows for more personalized care. The latest therapies surround the residents. From the moment they wake up till the time they go to sleep."