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 Metairie's senior population continues to grow (16.18% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Metairie, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 4.72% between 2014 and 2019. The number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 12.36%. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is slightly lower than the rest of the nation (4.87% in Metairie 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 Metairie. 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 Metairie, 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:
Nestled in a convenient location near medical services, shops and restaurants, Sunrise of Metairie provides personalized memory care with the best of New Orleans culture. The secure Reminiscence neighborhood focuses on the individual, with a team of specially trained caregivers available around the clock. Each resident is partnered with a life enrichment manager who consistently cares for them and uses validation therapy to understand their personal preferences and interests. From help with bathing, dressing and grooming to support with socializing and mobility, staff members use evidence-based dementia-care practices to lend a hand with daily living. The easy-to-navigate neighborhood features a schedule of social, educational, recreational and devotional programs, including multisensory experiences, art projects, crafts, puzzles, exercise classes and outings. Club meetings are held in soft-lit reflection rooms with soothing music, and secured outdoor spaces offer safe access to nature.
Loved ones praise the compassionate care team. "I can't say enough about the excellent care my Mom received while there at Sunrise of Metairie," says one reviewer. "From the nurses to the care givers she always received compassionate care with the focus on promoting wellness whether in mind, body or spirit."
Conveniently located in a New Orleans suburb, Inspired Living Kenner offers a resort-like environment close to nature preserves, shops and medical services. This community's Inspired Journeys Specialized Memory Care Program utilizes cutting-edge research to lower stress for seniors with dementia and their families. It takes a unique approach to behavior management and redirection to reduce the need for medication while slowing cognitive decline and improving recall. The programming team offers activities focusing on six dimensions of wellness: intellectual, social, emotional, purposeful, physical and spiritual. Seniors can participate in sensory stimulation, brain puzzles and music therapy, while a team of specialists provides physical, occupational and speech therapies. The culinary team offers all-day dining with menus developed by dietitians, and residents with off-site appointments can take advantage of the community transportation. Amenities include a fitness center, a swimming pool, a beauty salon, a tiki bar and putting greens.
Family members praise the devoted staff, beautiful environment and personalized care. A resident's niece writes, "The staff is genuinely caring and very attentive to the residents' needs. The [community] is extremely clean and beautiful. It looks like a resort. They offer a full line of senior care tailored to the needs of their residents."
SummerHouse Vista Shores is a senior living community with beautiful views of Bayou St. John. Staff in the secure memory care unit are trained in research-driven techniques to support residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Caregivers help residents with activities of daily living and encourage seniors to participate in and celebrate successful tasks. A chef and culinary team prepare meals that are easy and fun to eat, and staff members sit with residents in a communal dining to provide assistance as needed. Residents can choose from a variety of recreational and social activities every day. Seniors can also use the arts-and-crafts room and a multifunction game room with staff supervision. An enclosed court yard with gardens, shade trees and benches is perfect for enjoying warm, sunny weather in a safe environment. Care teams help families stay involved and use technology to facilitate communication and share experiences.
Families praise attentive, caring staff. One relative says, "When we say the staff members there are top notch, they are top notch. They are the most pleasant and most giving of their time. The memory care unit is amazing, they have met every expectation. We are truly grateful."
The Jefferson Assisted Living is a community for seniors with cognitive issues, in addition to those who need help with daily tasks, such as dressing. Staff is trained to support residents with Alzheimer's and dementia, and registered nurses perform the roles of wellness coordinator and medication manager. There is a music therapy program that can improve cognitive abilities while also giving residents opportunities to socialize. The building was designed around the needs of its memory care residents, with easily navigable bedrooms and corridors and spacious common areas painted in calming pastel shades. Amenities include a TV room with seating similar to a theater and an on-site chapel to serve the residents' spiritual needs. Freshly prepared meals are served three times daily in the dedicated dining area and the rocking chairs on the porch provide residents with somewhere peaceful to relax and enjoy views across the secure yard.
Residents appreciate the purpose-built facility's senior-friendly features, such as wheelchair-accessible ramps and spacious shared bathrooms, which makes it easy for them to get around with little help. They also like the regular visits from specialists, such as hairdressers and podiatrists, whose skills help them look and feel their best.
Located near New Orleans, Laketown Village provides homelike memory care in a stimulating environment. The Connections program offers research-based, individualized care plans that mitigate cognitive decline. Therapeutic activities such as chair yoga, SingFit music therapy and aromatherapy decrease agitation. Caregivers incorporate hobbies from each resident's past into care plans, accompanying supervised exercise, brain games and socialization to foster positive mental health. Residents are encouraged to participate in outings to cultural attractions, shops and eateries in the Kenner area. Movie nights and inviting community spaces, such as the enclosed outdoor courtyard, encourage social connection. Seasonal restaurant-style meals are prepared with brain-healthy ingredients. Spacious apartments are pet-friendly, providing a kitchenette, walk-in closet, walk-in bathroom and individual climate control. Rent includes transportation, utilities, housekeeping and laundry.
Residents and family members appreciate the accommodating warmth of the caregivers. One family member writes, "The staff treat you like you're family. They are very warm and helpful. It is more than what I expected. My mom is on a low-salt diet, and they are maintaining that well."
Brookdale Mandeville provides highly specialized care in a homelike environment, with two distinct programs for residents living with Alzheimer's and related dementias. Both feature a highly trained team that's available around the clock. Since individual needs and interests are incorporated into every care plan, residents receive personalized assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, medication and meals. Consistent care assignments create close relationships between residents and their caregivers. Clare Bridge, for residents in the early-to-moderate stages of memory loss, features activities designed to foster socialization and self-esteem and help reduce dementia symptoms. Seniors enjoy an active calendar filled with fitness classes, lemonade socials, indoor golf, art projects, dancing, brain games, journaling and sharing stories over the table. Solace, for those with more advanced dementia, features these same programs while incorporating additional sensory activities, aromatherapy, music and extra time for daily grooming.
Loved ones like the staff, activities and ambiance. "It is like being in a cruise ship without leaving the dock, that's how nice it is," says one reviewer. "I am very happy that my mom is there. The staff is great. They take good care of her. They have daily activities and the food is good."
The Peristyle at Beau West is a memory care community surrounded by landscaped grounds with secure courtyards where residents can enjoy the outdoors in safety and comfort. The community was awarded the Dementia Care Specialists' Distinguished Provider Award. Its full-time director of health and wellness manages programs aimed at slowing down dementia's advance, while a full-time activities director who helps residents get the most from entertainment and social programs. Trained 24/7 staff tailor care to the needs of individual residents, and three nutritious meals are served daily, with snacks and beverages available throughout the day. The community is near several medical facilities, including Lakeview Regional Medical Center.
Families love the high standard of care provided at The Peristyle at Beau West. One says, "The staff is amazing and very caring. The people there were very nice to my grandmother and made sure that she was well taken care of throughout the day. Every time I go, every resident I see is happy and absolutely loving their life!"
St. Anthony's Gardens is a nonprofit senior community founded by the Archdiocese of New Orleans in Covington that offers memory care, assisted living and independent living. Seniors in the memory care unit can enjoy dedicated walking areas, 24-hour security and scheduled transportation. Residents with Alzheimer's and dementia benefit from a schedule full of mentally engaging activities. including music therapy, continuing education and physical fitness classes. The community features an open lobby with a piano and concierge, a big-screen movie theater, a beauty salon, an auditorium, an arts and crafts room and a games center.
Reviewers mention the great activity schedule, the cleanliness of the facility and the modern amenities. A relative of a resident writes, "St. Anthony's Gardens has been great. I couldn't say enough good things about them. My mother loves it, and we love it. The staff has been fabulous."
Avanti Senior Living at Covington is a community situated between rivers and historic plantation homes. It's also close to many shopping, dining and recreational areas. The community has been designed by leading architects and interior designers, offering choices in apartment selection and comfortable common areas to relax in. Avanti has a contemporary feel with arched ceilings, oversized windows and original artworks decorating walls and alcoves. Its memory care community offers a 24-hour emergency response system, medication management, wellness services, fitness classes, housekeeping and chauffeured transportation. Residents can enjoy a menu of fresh, nutritious meals from the kitchen which offers local favorites and can cater to special dietary needs. Community amenities include a fitness studio, a salon, art studio, outdoor patios and a dog park.
A resident's daughter praises the community's appointments and team members, saying, "The place is new It's close to a hospital and clinic. It's beautiful and modern inside. The dining room is beautiful and the menu is great. The people are wonderful and the pricing is very great."
From a distance, the imposing mansion housing The Trace is the cliche of southern luxury, with its Classical Greek design and towering trees set amongst lush greenery. Inside, however, the community is bright and inviting. Cognitively impaired residents live in a secured neighborhood within The Trace that utilizes SHINE memory care programming. Seniors receive customized care from a specially trained team of activity coordinators, culinary experts and caregivers. Some staff members help with housekeeping and personal care needs, including continence care, bathing and eating, while others work with seniors to help them maintain or improve their memory recall and other cognitive abilities. Using the My Story care plan, team leaders help residents choose daily activities and social opportunities that match their personal interests, such as patio picnics, movie/game nights or music and memory classes.
Visiting family members love The Trace for its location and dedication to improving the quality of life of its residents. One visitor writes, "The place is very nice and it's like a hotel. Everyone's very nice and accommodating. They have activities going on all the time."
SummerHouse Park Provence supports seniors through a holistic approach to health and wellness in a pet-friendly residential community. Staff members in the secure memory care neighborhood learn evidence-based techniques to foster positive interactions with residents affected by Alzheimer's and other types of cognitive impairment. Caregivers use encouraging cues and clearly explain each step while helping residents with activities of daily living. Chef-prepared meals are carefully crafted with a variety of colors, textures and flavors to stimulate appetite. Staff eat with residents in a quiet, calm communal dining room and provide cues and assistance as needed. A memory care team interacts with residents to learn their histories and personal preferences, and then they design personalized activities for physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Family involvement is encouraged, and staff use technology for communication and sharing pictures or videos.
Families praise the excellent staff and amenities. One relative says, "Staff is really caring You can see the water from the room, and it has beautifully landscaped lawns and places to sit outside. The building itself has a lot of light. They have an entire calendar of activities exercises, coloring, and they bring in therapy dogs"
Oak Park Village at Slidell is a small senior community located in a bustling, urban neighborhood. It's less than a mile from Ochsner Medical Center-Northshore and other medical options. As they enter the community, residents find themselves in a huge, open lobby sectioned into a lounge, cafe and post office, complete with storefront facades. Memory Care seniors have access to a team of 24-hour staff members specially trained through Relias Learning to meet the needs of dementia residents. These caregivers assist with mobility, personal care and mealtime support. A full-time activities director provides seniors with activities designed to encourage social interaction and improve long-term memory recall. Residents follow a daily routine that includes morning coffee and news, music and reminiscing time, puzzles and one-on-one sensory sessions.
Memory care families value the quality of care and attention to detail that Oak Park Village at Slidell provides. One visitor writes, "The staff here is friendly, professional, and very attentive to the needs of the residents! I visit all the time, and I'm always impressed with how often the staff check in on everyone!"
Anderson at Summerfield offers a secure, comfortable environment designed specifically for seniors living with Alzheimer's and related dementias. A team of nurses and caregivers learns each resident's needs, likes and dislikes to help them formulate individualized service plans with the input of physicians and loved ones. Plans include 24-hour assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, personal hygiene, escorts to meals, mobility, transferring, continence management and involvement in daily activities. Staff members undergo ongoing dementia training to help them stay updated on the latest care techniques, and a high caregiver-to-resident ratio helps make care even more personalized. The daily schedule includes reminiscence games and activities, social activities, events and outings, and three home-cooked meals are served restaurant-style or in residents' rooms. Cameras are located throughout the building, with a secure outdoor space and an emergency response system to provide peace of mind.
Loved ones compliment the compassionate team. "The [community] is beautiful, and the staff is so loving," says one reviewer. "One of their aides came in on her day off to bring my loved a little bag of gifts on her birthday. It was so touching. The care they provide to her is just phenomenal."
Located blocks from the St. Charles Parish Hospital, SummerHouse Ashton Manor is a welcoming senior living community offering both studio and one-bedroom apartments. It takes a person-centric approach to memory care services that strategically focus on each resident's unique needs, interests and abilities. As the state's first recipient of the prestigious Dementia Care Specialists' Distinguished Provider Award, SummerHouse strives to provide seniors with the perfect blend of physical wellness, relaxation and socialization. Trained caregivers are on-site 24-hours a day to assist with medication administration, incontinence care, insulin management and activities of daily living. Additionally, residents can schedule on-site physical, speech and occupational therapy sessions as necessary. Daily meals are served in the main dining room, and residents can make full use of the community's on-site amenities, including the beauty salon, ice cream parlor and common areas.
Reviewers love the community's well-appointed rooms and amenities. One family member wrote, "My father is in Ashton Manor. The care and the staff have been very good. They do art activities and the food seems to be very good. The upkeep and maintenance of the facility is excellent."
Lafreniere Assisted Living and Memory Care provides its residents with round-the-clock support, offering a place where seniors can transition from one form of care to another without relocating. Staff are trained to help seniors who struggle with daily tasks, such as bathing, as well as those with declining cognitive abilities. All staff are also trained in first aid. Memory care residents reside in spacious, comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and basic kitchenettes, each designed to prioritize safety. Activities provide physical and cognitive stimulation, including exercise classes to develop strength and balance. Freshly prepared meals are served in the dining area, and afternoon tea is taken in the sunlit atrium.
Reviewers praise Lafreniere's rooms and diversity of activities. One says, "The rooms are very nice. They're little apartments and not just a room. For activities, they play games sit around and paint fingernails, and have people come in and sing to them. They go for walks, too."
Seniors dealing with cognitive decline receive 24-hour care from trained and certified staff at Dreyfous House, which also has doctors and registered nurses on call 24/7. Treatments to mitigate the impact of memory loss include pet therapies, speech therapy and games designed to stimulate the mind. Laundry and housekeeping are included in the all-inclusive fee, and the seasonal menu is rotated every three weeks. All rooms are decorated and fully furnished, although residents are welcome to bring their own furniture and personalize their rooms to taste. An on-site beauty salon is available, and the entire community is continually supervised by CCTV.
Residents' families appreciate the hands-on care of the owners. One says, "A loving home providing the best care. Their activities are very engaging. The meals are excellent and daily life is very positive. After moving my father it's so nice to know the owner's around making sure everyone is cared for!"
At Chateau de Notre Dame in New Orleans, Louisiana, residents enjoy full care in a beautiful, secure environment. Those who require memory care receive help with their daily living activities, medication management, meals, housekeeping and laundry services and specialized programming designed to meet their needs. Residents can be assured of the comfort and support of caring staff who interact with them to make sure they stay as active and sharp as possible. Activities are generally leisurely and relaxing, designed to be gently stimulating without being overwhelming. The community features common areas designed for ease of motion and safety. Spirituality is a prime focus at Chateau de Notre Dame, and care is faith-based to encourage residents to live peaceful, faith-filled lives.
Residents and their families are pleased with the caring staff at Chateau de Notre Dame. "Chateau Care professionals have been tender, respectful, and honoring of our adjusting senior residents," one reviewer explains. Residents receive the support they need while being encouraged to "maintain their physical, mental, and catholic traditions."