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 Mount Pleasant’s senior population continues to grow (25.62% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Mount Pleasant, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 35.44% between 2014 and 2019. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 17.55%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (8.75% in Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant, 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:
Ashley Gardens is a retirement community in Charleston, South Carolina, that provides memory care services in a residential environment to adults who need various kinds of assistance with medical needs and daily routines. This community takes an approach to memory care based on the Montessori methodology and offers a multitude of activities and programs that keep residents physically and emotionally active and socially engaged with their peers and loved ones. Meals are provided with 24/7 availability. Residents also have access to amenities such as a sensory spa, different enrichment programs and group activities. Private, semi-private and companion suites are available.
Relatives speak highly of the support offered by caregivers at Ashley Gardens and the level of attentiveness offered by the facility. One says of her mother's experience "Ashley Gardens is a respite and memory care center and it is absolutely amazing. The staff cared, was really dedicated, and the director was very easily accessed."
Nestled in a peaceful suburban setting, Ashley River Plantation provides a vibrant lifestyle paired with award-winning Alzheimers and dementia care. The Bridge to Rediscovery program offers a nurturing environment where care plans and medical resources are tailored around residents unique needs. The highly trained, 24/7 caregivers specialize in memory care, learning the latest approaches to help residents thrive while assisting with the activities of daily living. Daily activities are designed around intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional needs to help residents retain their strength, skills and health, with goal-setting to help track their progress. Recreational and occupational therapy are both offered on-site, and residents can enjoy nutritious, chef-prepared meals, a full-service beauty salon, scheduled events and transportation to off-site appointments.
Visitors are impressed by the diverse programming. One reviewer says, "They were very good in providing activities. They have areas where they can interact, or if they have interests in carpentry, they have areas where they have tools they can use, or dress-up areas where they can put on jewelry, or things like that."
Atria Mount Pleasant is a senior living community specially designed for assisted living and memory care lifestyle needs. Private and companion residences offer private bathrooms, open floor plans and emergency alert systems. Secure indoor and outdoor areas provide safe navigation and engagement throughout the community, including an indoor swimming pool, comfortable library and secured outdoor courtyards with walking paths and community gardens. The trained staff is on hand at all times for personalized daily care and an intimate understanding of changing personal and health needs. The Life Guidance memory care program revolves around individualized programming based on personal histories and current interests, such as educational classes, creative workshops and daily exercise sessions for full-body engagement. Additionally, therapeutic sensory programming makes up an essential part of each day's schedule, featuring interactive art, favorite music and soothing massages.
Residents praise the community for its environment of complete and friendly care. One resident says, "Everyone is so friendly and caring. I feel a sense of family here. I like the idea that if I need to go to assisted or memory care, I can stay in the same community with the same caring staff."
At Benton House of West Ashley, the Beacon neighborhood is purpose-built for residents living with Alzheimers and related dementias with an open floor plan that allows them to safely explore. Experienced caregivers are on-site 24 hours, so residents always have the support that they need. From assisting with the activities of daily living to encouraging socialization, staff members personalize care around every seniors distinct needs. A familiar routine helps provide assurance, so dining and activities occur at the same time each day. These include fitness classes and walking clubs, educational lectures, volunteer programs, performance art and unique events based on fun facts for that day. Weekly happy hours bring residents together, and monthly special events encourage loved ones to attend. Restaurant-style dining features a dozen menu options daily, all prepared with fresh ingredients and crafted around dietary needs.
Loved ones appreciate the attentive staff. One says, "The staff is friendly and caring and their attention to her needs has exceeded my expectations. (Everything from medication management, daily life reminders or help with her tv remote or flip phone.) When I have a question, they are responsive. I am so very relieved."
Brookdale West Ashley is an assisted living and memory care community that offers a lively lifestyle paired with quality care around the clock. The highly-trained team is on-site 24 hours a day, offering residents assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing and medication. Clare Bridge, the communitys memory care neighborhood, is designed for residents living with Alzheimers and related dementias. It features an easy-to-navigate environment with walls painted in soothing colors and plenty of natural light, along with secured entryways and exits and doorbells to monitor in/out movements. Clare Bridge provides highly personalized care and is divided into two programs: Crossings, for early-stage dementia residents, and Solace, for those with later stages. Engaging activities are tailored for each residents cognitive level and physical abilities, with brain games, fitness programs, dancing, art classes, journaling and music therapy all available.
Loved ones praise the community's homelike ambiance. One says, "My mother moved into Brookdale Charleston (Brookdale West Ashley) and she's doing great. It's like a home, and it has that homey feel to it. Their staff is good and very professional, very loving and caring. Their activities person is excellent. I love the place."
The memory care neighborhood at Harmony at Wescott Plantation features a homelike environment and a highly trained care team that is available 24/7. The industry-leading memory caregiver-to-resident ratio ensures all memory care residents receive the personal attention they need to thrive. Team members are trained in the Best Friend Approach to memory care, which promotes physical and emotional well-being by encouraging connections between residents, family members and staff. The community's amenities and services include a 24-hour fitness center, pub, beauty salon, bistro and restaurant-style dining.
Family members love that the staff is friendly and accommodating. They also like how beautiful this community is. A wife writes, "My husband is at Harmony at Wescott Plantation. For activities, they have everything, like karaoke, bridge games, two libraries, and bingo. The staff there is very friendly and very accommodating. The facility is also beautiful.
Harmony at West Ashley is located close to the thriving arts and entertainment hub in Charleston, South Carolina. The high caregiver-to-resident ratio in the memory care unit of this community means that all memory care residents receive personalized attention and recognition. The memory care team members are trained in the Best Friends Approach, which promotes physical and emotional well-being by encouraging connections between residents, family members and staff members. Memory care staff members join residents in various activities, such as games, gardening and fitness classes, to act as their best friends and give them a sense of community. A licensed nurse is available on-site to provide ongoing wellness monitoring for all memory care residents, who also have access to the staff 24 hours a day through an emergency call system.
Family members are happy with the memory care provided by this community. They also love the staff members. One resident's brother writes, "We're very happy with the community. With regards to the staff members and the care my brother is getting, I'm also happy with all of them. They take the residents on outings once a month.
Located just outside historic Charleston, Indigo Hall provides quality senior care paired with upscale amenities. The community takes a holistic approach to memory care, getting to know the skills, needs and past experiences of residents living with Alzheimers and other dementias. Through personalized care plans, the staff ensure that every resident receives services tailored just for them, including assistance with personal care and medication management. On-call physician services make medical support readily available. Daily life enrichment programs keep residents stimulated in both body and mind, with group and one-on-one activities, exercise programs, live entertainment and celebrations for social occasions. Chef-prepared meals are served in the community dining room, with a bar and bistro for refreshments. Amenities feature spacious common areas and lounges, a beauty salon, a private spa, and a secure outdoor courtyard that provides a space for residents to safely enjoy the outdoors.
Loved ones appreciate the dedicated staff. "[W]e were greeted with smiles and warmth," says one resident's daughter. "Everyone answered all our questions and concerns including safety. Indigo Hall is an absolutely beautiful building. It is very evident now after only 2 months that Mom is thriving well under the Indigo Hall's loving care of all the staff."
Magnolias of Summerville is a Schonberg living community serving seniors in need of memory care, offering residents opportunities to socialize with others at their levels of ability. Using the Schonberg Neighborhood Concept, residents are kept with peers who they can relate to and best interact with. Caregivers work closely to help each resident with memory care needs function as fully as possible, while keeping them safe and taking care of daily chores for them. Members of this community receive complete care 24/7 and assistance with getting dressed, personal hygiene, grooming and other needs. Magnolias of Summerville keeps residents entertained and engaged with activities and group outings as well as family events. Residents live in private apartments that have modern bathrooms and complete handicap accessibility. This community also welcomes small pets.
Many relatives are satisfied with the level of care provided and the way residents are engaged with activities at Magnolias of Summerville. One woman says, "Very accommodating to Moms special needs. The activities director is awesome."
Merrill Gardens at Carolina Park is a senior living community located in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The secured memory care neighborhood, Garden House, offers comfortable private and companion residences with resident call systems and routine housekeeping to ensure a safe environment. Trained staff members get to know each resident on an intimate level, understanding residents' health and personal histories in addition to current needs to create completely customized, 24/7 care programming. The Anytime Dining program allows residents to enjoy their favorite meals and dishes, fresh and prepared to order at any time. Structured daily schedules are designed to encourage participation and socialization, including fitness sessions, interactive art programs and pet therapy, and families are invited to join activities and mealtimes to provide a familiar, homelike environment. Additionally, a secured courtyard features greenhouses and patios for soothing outdoor relaxation and exciting activities.
Residents offer high praise for the caring and compassionate staff. One resident says, "I really love it here! What impresses me most about Merrill Gardens of Carolina Park is the sense of family between the residents and the staff! These are truly caring people whose job is not just a job but a calling."
Mount Pleasant Gardens is a senior living community devoted to compassionate memory care services. Residents live in private and companion residences, featuring easy-to-navigate floor plans and residences ready to decorate with favorite furnishings from home. Lounge areas are inviting and decorated in peaceful decor, with plenty of activity space and quiet areas for rest and private moments. The Meaningful Moments program creates personalized care plans for each resident based on their personal histories and family input. Close daily support and friendly companionship from the specially trained care staff ensure that residents live and celebrate their day-to-day achievements. Through this care philosophy, residents have access to daily activities designed to engage their interests and enhance independence, such as planned and interactive mealtimes, hobby workshops and plenty of socialization through group classes, movie nights and community parties.
Residents and their families commend the inviting community and its resident-focused staff. One family member says, "From the minute she walked in the door, everyone acted in a loving, kind, and professional manner. She is treated with respect and dignity. At Mount Pleasant Gardens, communication with family members is clear, timely, and helpful."
Located on a 24-acre campus, Shem Creek Health Center at South Bay at Mount Pleasant is a senior community with spacious accommodations comprised of one and two-bedroom open-concept apartments. It offers a full range of assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care services, as well as in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation care. Its Life Enrichment program focuses on providing support for those living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other cognitive impairments. Care staff assist residents with daily living tasks and encourage them to participate in the community's brain-stimulating activities. Amenities available at Shem Creek include a salon, pool, lakeside walking trails, library, an art studio, putting green, poker room, fine dining and pub. Plus, weekly housekeeping, laundry and maintenance services help keep resident's apartments and grounds neat and tidy.
Shem Creek fulfills the needs of its residents. One reviewer remarked, "After shopping around extensively in the greater Charleston area for a place for my parents I believe I have finally found the perfect place for my parents. The facility looks modern, spacious and full of amenities that will fulfill my parent's needs and more."
Somerby of Mount Pleasant is a gated senior community located near Charleston that offers spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as villas. For those with cognitive impairments, its memory care program helps ease wandering, pacing, anxiety and paranoia by providing a safe and calm environment. Residents are given assistance with daily living tasks such as bathing, grooming and dressing from a trained 24-hour personal care team. An on-site licensed nurse is available to provide help with medications and other health issues. A variety of brain-enriching activities, fitness exercises and social events are tailored to meet the interests and abilities of memory care residents. Each day, three meals are served in the dining room along with juice, fruit and snacks. Weekly housekeeping, laundry and scheduled transportation services are also provided by Somerby.
Seniors are well cared for by a friendly staff at Somerby. One resident wrote, "I have been pleased with Somerby. You can tell that everyone who works here really enjoys their job and is happy to be here. The community is very clean, and there are multiple activities daily."
A single-story community situated in a peaceful park-like environment, Stratford Place Assisted Living and Memory Care provides a high standard of support in a quiet atmosphere, including specialized services for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia. Caregivers are available 24 hours a day, a licensed nurse is always on call, and residents receive medical services from visiting physicians. Using a resident-centered approach, the staff offers guidance with the activities of daily living and encourages seniors to get involved in community life. Activities feature diverse options, such as kitchen help, crafts and projects that keep residents engaged throughout the day. A state-of-the-art emergency response system ensures peace of mind, and limited rehabilitation services are also available on-site.
Residents enjoy the community's many amenities. They can stroll through the park-like grounds or curl up in the library with a selection of books and magazines. The movie theater offers entertaining evenings, while the craft room provides space to get creative. Religious services occur at the chapel, and regular family nights help loved ones stay involved.
Sweetgrass Court offers residents pet-friendly private and shared studio, one- and two-bed apartments. The community helps them retain independence through recreational and occupational therapy activities that include game and movie nights, exercise classes, pet therapy and various hobbies in the spacious activity center. Avid readers are likely to enjoy the on-site library, and those who like a little pampering can visit the beauty salon or barber shop. Residents experience restaurant-style buffet dining, and home chefs are encouraged to try out easy recipes and cooking tips. Trained on-site staff deliver a fully personalized dementia care program that focuses on consistent maintenance of everyday routines to make residents feel more comfortable. Spaces are safe, secure and designed with visual cues to help residents find their way. Rooms are filled with comfortable, familiar furniture to create a homelike feel.
My wife's condition is such that group activities don't mean a great deal to her. They had a Mother's Day luncheon, which our children and I went to, and that was very greatly appreciated. They did an excellent job, says one reviewer. Friends and relatives of patients praise the staff for being "very alert and caring" and "friendly and accommodating."
The Blake at Carnes Crossroads is a senior living community located in Summerville, SC. Residents with moderate to severe memory impairments live in a secured memory care neighborhood, featuring purposefully designed residences that are easy to navigate and offer familiar touches from home. Specialized security systems track residents' behaviors and patterns, allowing for discreet monitoring at all times to keep residents safe. The Walk With Me program includes personalized care plans that take health histories, family input and residents' personal needs into account to ensure constant adaptation to daily care. This program also creates customized daily schedules that engage the entire body, including therapeutic exercise sessions, mental engagement through touch-screen technologies and comfortable social activities. Additionally, stimulation of all senses is an essential aspect of day-to-day schedules, with extra attention paid to ensure full sensory and mental engagement.
Residents and their families commend the community for its dedication to resident care, especially the warmhearted staff. One family member says, "The management team literally laid out a red carpet for my mother when she moved in! The staff is extremely attentive and adaptive."
The memory care program at The Palmettos of Charleston offers support for everyday challenges, assisting with daily living tasks such as showering and bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and grooming, medication coordination and incontinence management. The nursing staff is available on-site 24/7, and residents can call for help using the emergency response system found in each apartment. In addition, the care team members provide escorts to medical appointments. A chef on staff prepares delicious, restaurant-style meals based on menus developed by a registered dietitian. To promote social engagement, the community provides gathering spaces that include verandas, a theater, club lounges, living rooms, porches and sunrooms.
Family members love how kind and helpful the staff is. They also love that the facility is clean. A reviewer writes, "My aunt lives at The Palmettos. The staff could not be kinder and more helpful. My aunt's room is very nice and has a lovely view. The facility is always clean and smells fresh, not antiseptic.
Situated near the citys top shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, The Palms of Mount Pleasant provides a continuing spectrum of care paired with a lively lifestyle. Its award-winning Bridge to Rediscovery Alzheimers and dementia program takes an individualized approach to caring for residents with memory loss, getting to know their distinct needs and preferences for tailored medical support. This environment is designed to feel like home, with a specially trained, 24-hour team that knows how to help dementia residents stay stimulated. Enriching activities are whole-person focused, with options that engage residents socially, intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Comfortable living spaces allow seniors to relax and connect with each other, while chef-prepared dining offers nutritious choices that meet diverse dietary needs. With social and educational events, a beauty salon and in-house doctor visits, residents have everything they need all in one place.
Residents like the friendly staff and inviting ambiance. "I have lived at the Palms for the last seven years," one says. "The staff here has taken excellent care the entire time, including that spent under COVID-19 restrictions. I have made many friends among the residents and have enjoyed a wide variety of activities."
The Retreat at Summerville offers a signature memory care neighborhood that combines a comfortable, homelike environment with the safety features and modifications needed to care for seniors diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimers. To promote active reminiscing, the memory care team carefully places memorabilia and home furnishings in the neighborhood to simulate a familiar setting. They also assist memory care residents with daily living tasks, such as bathing, grooming, medication management and dressing. As part of this communitys Live, Love, Learn care program, each resident receives an individualized care plan to help them to increase their wellness in six dimensions: cognitive, physical, social, emotional, spiritual and occupational. Residents can also receive physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
Family members love how warm and professional the staff is. One daughter writes, "My mother is a current resident and has had a wonderful experience. The staff is very respectful and warm as well as very professional. There is always something going on in the activity room or at the clubhouse.
Wellmore of Daniel Island is both an independent and assisted living community and serves residents with memory-related challenges while caring for them in a luxury, island resort-style environment. A team of experienced caregivers facilitates wellness programs that incorporate certified dementia practitioners to keep residents comfortable and reduce their stress. As part of the memory care program, residents receive medication management services, full housekeeping services and assistance with daily routines. This community offers on-site therapy for physical, speech and occupational needs. Residents can access a library, various activity rooms and both indoor and outdoor spaces including a landscaped courtyard. Wellmore of Daniel Island offers one and two-bedroom apartments and studio apartments for assisted living residents along with private rooms for memory care residents. Private and semi-private units for skilled nursing needs are also available.
Relatives express satisfaction with the level of care and comfort offered to residents here. The wife of one resident says, "My husband is a resident of the Memory Care facility. The staff treats us both like family. The rooms are well kept and the food is outstanding. They offer stimulating activities along with genuine care and support."