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 Orem's senior population continues to grow (14% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Orem, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 62% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 27%, 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 (10% in Orem 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 Orem. 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 Orem, 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:
Rocky Mountain Care Spring Hollow Assisted Living and Memory Care provides a caring community environment and quality care services for residents who struggle with the effects of memory-related conditions. Certified nursing staff and registered nurses are available 24/7 to provide personal assistance, incontinence care, medication management and health monitoring. Medical alert systems and en suite emergency assistance are provided to each resident as well as laundry and housekeeping services. The community offers an engaging calendar of activities and outings each month in addition to community and family-sponsored entertainment and spiritual or personal development programs and classes. Rocky Mountain Care Spring Hollow provides meal and activity reminders to ensure memory care residents don't miss out on the community's delectable chef-prepared meals or fun activities.
Residents and their families have nice things to say about Rocky Mountain Care Spring Hollow Assisted Living and Memory Care. "Great staff!" says one reviewer. "Nice, clean place. The people are nice." says another.
Highland Glen provides memory care according to the Connections for Living by MBK program. Caregivers work as partners with residents and family members to provide personalized care plans based on seniors' life stories. Staff members provide full assistance with daily living activities to promote independence and cognitive function. Daily activities are designed to encourage physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and to increase connections and engagement. Each memory care resident lives in a private studio apartment filled with natural light, but comfortable common areas are also available for socialization and fun. Outdoor spaces include a community garden, walking paths and a patio with mountain views. The community's dining program offers restaurant-style meals with plenty of delicious variety. An on-site salon and barber shop add convenience, and housekeeping and laundry services are provided.
Reviewers of Highland Glen are pleased with the caring staff and wide variety of activities at the community. "The staff is just so kind and patient," says one reviewer whose mother is a resident. She loves the "sweet way" caregivers help her loved one. Multiple activities each day include bus rides, games, dancing and singing that residents truly enjoy.
Memory care residents at Covington Senior Living of Lehi live in a secured wing of the community, and staff take their safety very seriously. Each resident has a fall monitoring pendant that alerts staff of any falls and is also equipped with a button allowing seniors to notify staff if they are in need of assistance. Residents participate in activities specifically designed for memory care patients, including animal therapy, exercise and scenic drives. Unlike other apartments in the community, rooms in the senior care wing do not include kitchenettes. Instead, they are outfitted with emergency call buttons and bathroom grab bars for safety. Memory care residents have their own communal dining room where they gather for mealtimes.
Residents praise the care they receive. One reviewer comments, "I have lived here for seven months and couldn't be happier. I am treated with respect, receive great medical care and the food has been exceptional. I quickly came to see that the senior staff are wonderful people and are aware of my needs and love me. They are very competent and supportive of me and my health."
Ashford Assisted Living and Memory Care works with older adults with dementia or other memory loss concerns, and provides a full spectrum of care that accommodates both those in the early stages of memory loss and those who need full care. Residents live in a secure community with staff on-site 24/7, and are provided with three healthy meals a day
assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and eating
Heritage Gardens of Springville, UT, offers a clean, secure community for seniors with memory loss. A registered nurse is on staff, and licensed CNAs provide 24/7 care. The community is single-level, to keep residents safe and allow for more mobility. It offers both personal care and medical care. Residents receive assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing and grooming, and all housekeeping and laundry services are handled by staff. Residents receive three meals a day, with daily snacks available. Home health care services are available, including medication management, continence management and memory care support. Transportation for appointments and special outings can be arranged by the community.
Family of residents appreciate the staff and community. One family member says, "The workers there are also very kind. It is very clean and always decorated really cute It is hard to get her to eat but they have done all kinds of things to help her with her eating. They even have a girl helping her eat in the kitchen."
At Spring Gardens Senior Living of Lindon, caregivers work with each resident in the memory care program to develop a personalized plan designed to maintain current abilities and provide the right level of assistance. Staff members are on hand to administer medication, help with personal care needs, and provide housekeeping and laundry services. The community also offers a range of daily activities such as crafts, games, music and exercise sessions to keep seniors physically and mentally active. Meals include a variety of delicious options that are also healthy, and residents can choose their own dining schedules. While memory care residents live in a secure neighborhood, they still have access to the community's common areas, including a movie theater, 1950s-style ice cream parlor and game lounge. There is even an on-site health clinic and hair salon.
Residents and their families appreciate the caring staff at Spring Gardens Senior Living of Lindon. One reviewer remarks that her mother "said many times that the staff were just like her own kids." They take time to guide residents patiently through activities and even go on walks with them. They greet family members by name and with a smile.
BeeHive Homes of Provo offers individualized memory care services to older adults living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. When a new resident enters the community, the staff creates a care plan with the resident, their family and their medical providers, to ensure that health care needs are handled and the resident is given everything they need to be happy and safe. BeeHive Homes of Provo focuses on the safety and happiness of their residents, and works to provide them with daily moments of joy. Staff offers 24/7 care such as assistance with activities of daily living, medication management and delicious meals. The community offers public Wi-Fi, weekly housekeeping, cable TV, a secure outdoor courtyard and an on-site hair and nail salon.
Families of residents appreciate the delicious food and caring staff. One resident's loved one says, "They take really good care of my father at BeeHive Homes of Provo. The food there is very good, and they always respond quick when the buzzer is pressed for assistance. Everything about them has been very good and I would recommend them."
Situated in Draper, UT, Escalante at Draper offers memory care and assisted living just a half hour drive from Orem and Provo. Its Generations Memory Care program is built around the idea that residents' whole selves should be celebrated, from their past experiences to their current abilities. Staff members learn about each memory care resident's favorite hobbies and personal routine to help support their strengths and capabilities. Residents can make a personalized life story display, customize their own jukebox and re-create favorite recipes from their pasts. They may also enjoy participating in pet, music and art therapy, basking in the sunshine from the secured courtyard, and sitting in the shade under the covered porch.
Families compliment Escalante at Draper for having kind, attentive staff members. A resident's loved one remarks, "You can see that the staff and the residents are just happy to be there. The staff are so cheerful and sweet. They even dance and sing with the residents. It makes me feel good to see my dad so happy."
Springs Gardens Lindon is a senior living community that provides individualized care to residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of memory loss. The community collaborates with residents to create plans and activities that draw on each resident's strengths, past hobbies and preferences to give them a sense of belonging. Residents can enjoy treats in the ice cream parlor, watch their favorite movies in the movie theater, take art lessons, exercise and participate in games and fun family events organized in the community. Highly-trained staff is available 24/7 to provide quality memory care per each resident's needs. All-day, restaurant-style dining is available with various options, including cooked-to-order meals and daily specials. Family members and friends are welcome to share a meal with the residents.
Family members praise the friendly and experienced staff, with one member saying, "Spring Gardens Lindon is a very warm, inviting, and welcoming place. Their rooms were clean, and the staff seems to be wonderful. They're very friendly and a little more seasoned than other places I looked at."
Spring Gardens Mapleton is an independent living, assisted living and memory care senior community. Memory care residents have apartments in dedicated wings and floors to ensure their safety. They receive care from trained caregivers and are welcome to participate in an array of arts, crafts and activity programs designed to help them remain engaged. Meals are served three times a day in a restaurant-style dining area and snacks are available upon request. Experienced staff works hard to redirect and defuse behaviors often associated with dementia so that residents are comfortable and able to participate in planned life-enrichment activities. With supervision, memory care residents are also able to enjoy the amenities of the senior community including an on-site movie theater and full-service hair salon.
Multiple reviewers comment on how nice the Spring Gardens Mapleton community and staff are. One reviewer writes, "The staff is caring and competent. It's a nice, clean facility, and the location is convenient for me. I've sat with [dad] while he's eaten several meals
The Cottage, the memory care community at Legacy House of Spanish Fork, is staffed around-the-clock by certified nursing professionals. Residents receive assistance with basic activities of daily living, including dressing, grooming and ambulation. The Cottage is a fully secured environment, with keypads on all doors to ensure resident safety. The community also includes a secured outdoor area where memory care residents can enjoy seating areas and walking paths. Residents eat in a family-style setting and The Cottage also has its own craft and activity areas. Regularly scheduled activities are aimed at maintaining residents' physical, mental and social health. Activities at the Cottage are specifically tailored for residents experiencing Alzheimer's or dementia.
Residents and their families appreciate the care shown by the staff at Legacy House of Spanish Fork. One reviewer comments, "The staff is amazing and so concerned about the residents and attentive to every need. The Cottage House for those with memory care needs is an amazing facility and the staff truly care about the residents. It is a home like atmosphere designed to cater to every need of the patient and the family of the patients."
Hearthstone Manor provides memory care in a fully secure environment. Safety is a top priority, and the community uses technology like motion detectors and pressure sensitive pads to alert staff members of potential issues. Caregivers assist seniors with their daily living activities, such as bathing and grooming, and with medication administration. Monthly wellness reviews ensure that residents' needs are being met. Staff members also handle laundry and housekeeping and serve three meals per day. A house physician is available for convenient appointments on-site. Planned daily activities, such as games, book clubs, crafts and gardening keep seniors physically and mentally engaged, and common areas allow for socialization, relaxation and fun. Bus trips are popular for scenic drives, shopping and special events. The community also features an on-site beauty salon and scenic views.
Reviewers are pleased with the family atmosphere at Hearthstone Manor. One reviewer is pleased with the caring staff, large rooms and comfortable common areas, saying, "Each person has their own place at the table," which contributes to the community feel.
At The Beehive Homes of Payson, residents can choose from short-term respite care services, memory care, and assisted living options. Three nutritious meals are served per day, and there are furnished rooms available for residents. Caregivers are available 24/7 to ensure residents take their medication on time and as directed. Nursing assistants help residents with personal care tasks like dressing and personal hygiene, and there's housekeeping and laundry staff to ensure residents' rooms stay clean and tidy. There are consulting nurses available 24-hours per day. Memory Care residents are in a secure wing to ensure they receive more intensive care. There are emergency call alert switches throughout the facility so residents can get help fast when they need it.
Family members have high praises for the Beehive Homes, with one saying, "The home has such a positive and light atmosphere. The staff is wonderful in every way--kind, compassionate, upbeat, positive, personable, hard-working, and professional."
Pheasant Run Alzheimer's Special Care Center offers innovative memory care services specialized to the needs of seniors who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's. The community provides person-centered care and utilizes the latest technology. The aim is to augment residents' care experience with unobtrusive digital technology to monitor resident safety 24/7. Residents receive assistance with the activities of daily life and health monitoring as well as medication management and custom meal plans. Pet visits are allowed in addition to community-sponsored activities and events. The staff at Pheasant Run foster a purpose-filled environment for residents that fits each senior's individual needs and abilities.
Pheasant Run Alzheimer's Special Care Center is praised for the smooth transition it provides for residents entering care and their families. "I can't say enough good things about this facility, they became family to us and we will forever be grateful to them," says one reviewer.
Covington Senior Living of Orem is a full-service memory care community offering assistance with daily living tasks such as preparing meals, cleaning and taking medications as well as health care services such as doctor visits, physical therapy and counseling. These services may include assistance in remembering names, recalling conversations and knowing where they are located. Residents receive round-the-clock nurse staffing and access to a personal care assistant that gives residents compassionate care that is tailored to their needs. Each resident also receives an advanced fall monitoring pendant, which they may press to alert caregivers when they need help. The pendant instantly alerts caregivers if a resident falls. The community provides a variety of social activities such as animal therapy, arts and crafts, religious services, live music experiences, ice cream parties, exercise classes, yoga and reading time. Cooking demonstrations are also available for seniors to learn new skills and experience new food tastes.
Family members are impressed by the facility's beauty and atmosphere. One says, "Covington is a beautiful facility with such a fun environment. The memory care unit is beautiful, clean, and homey, which is perfect for a dementia patient that needs good care."
Legacy Village of Provo is a memory care community that offers dementia and Alzheimer's care services. It provides an environment that is safe, secure and comforting to those who are suffering from memory impairments. It is staffed 24/7 with nurses and caregivers who are trained to provide the best care possible for residents with memory impairment. There are also activities and events that are designed specifically for residents with dementia. The community offers a variety of amenities, including a spa, cooking classes, art classes, a salon, a library and an outdoor garden for residents to explore. They also offer an on-site restaurant for the convenience of their residents and visitors.
Residents praise the community's emergency services. One says, "My mom has been living at Legacy for almost a year. I asked her recently for her thoughts about Legacy. A few months ago she fell and was thankful that within moments of pushing her help button [given to each resident to wear], she had help. This helped her feel secure. She likes the food and loves playing Bingo."
Bel Aire Senior Living offers individualized memory care in a serene lakeside town. Trained staff are available 24/7 to create a stimulating yet familiar atmosphere through care plans based on seniors' life histories. Individual and group activities involving reminiscence and creative expression. Sensory therapies maintain cognitive and emotional health while keeping seniors socially active. Additionally, the community weaves Dakim BrainFitness games into seniors' daily routines to improve memory and communication. A hydration program ensures that seniors with more severe dementia drink enough water. The sleek and cozy community offers a courtyard patio for resting and meeting with families. Seniors who want to see American Fork's natural beauty can participate in scenic trips on wheelchair-accessible buses. Latter Day Saints devotionals are held regularly, as are nondenominational religious services. Accommodations include three meals per day, daily snacks, weekly housekeeping and laundry services.
Residents and family members praise the joyful environment and homelike amenities. One resident's son writes, "I cannot speak highly enough of the care she received there. She always told me how happy she was there, how much she liked her apartment, how nice the people who worked there were, and how the food was so good too."
The Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living is a community that provides independent living, assisted living, memory care and short-term care. New residents are assessed and customized care plans are created for them. Memory care residents stay in a secure setting, and trained dementia and Alzheimer's staff are available 24/7 to help with medication management and activities of daily living. The community provides daily linen and laundry services to residents as well as healthy meals. A life enrichment program focuses on overall well-being and provides residents with social activities, companionship, mental stimulation and physical activity.
Residents appreciate the care they receive at The Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living Community. One reviewer says, "I feel safe, comfortable, and, perhaps most important of all, at home. I am here with my wife whom I dearly love. I know that if anything happens to me, she will be looked after, well cared for, and can go on in comfortable, beautiful surroundings, surrounded by caring, loving neighbors, friends, and staff. "
Cedarwood at Sandy's memory care program, Connections, promotes dignity and independence for all residents while ensuring their safety. Expert staff meets with incoming residents to assess their needs and create a custom "partners in care" plan with the resident and their family. Activities at Cedarwood are intellectually stimulating and help participants improve and maintain good mental, physical and emotional health. Staff helps manage activities of daily living including bathing, dressing and medication supervision. Residents can choose from studios, one- or two-bedroom units and can visit the restaurant-style dining room during meal times. There's a party space available for family get-togethers as well as an on-site barbershop and transportation for residents' needs. Cedarwood at Sandy is a 6-acre property with walking paths, a gazebo and fully landscaped courtyard where residents can gather and get the socialization they need.
Family members appreciate room amenities in particular. One says, "I like their floorplans. They have a deluxe studio apartment, it was the nicest studio that I've seen. It was cost-effective. They have several different outdoor spaces and they're all well-maintained."
Spring Gardens Draper is a senior living community offering memory care and assisted living services. Its memory care services are particularly designed for individuals with dementia or other cognitive impairments. The community is situated in a beautiful landscape with views of the mountains and local area. It includes secured indoor and outdoor spaces for memory care residents who need a safe and relaxing setting. The support staff at the community is highly trained and knowledgeable about the needs of seniors with cognitive impairments. Part of memory care includes psychiatric care to help manage mental health issues. In addition, staff members are committed to providing tailored care to meet residents' needs based on their history and interests. Fun games, music, and arts and crafts projects offer residents enriching experiences to keep them active and engaged, which helps to maintain cognitive function.
Family and friends of residents have given the facility high praise. One says, "Wonderful staff, the nurse, especially, was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The building is gorgeous, with lots of fun amenities! Beautiful view."