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 Providence County's senior population continues to grow (10.83% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Providence County, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 0.9% between 2014 and 2019. The number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 0.78%. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is slightly higher than the rest of the nation (7.7% in Providence County 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 Providence County. 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 Providence County, 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:
Wingate Residence on Blackstone Boulevard boasts an elegant exterior and a homey interior. Memory care programming is split into two neighborhoods within the larger community: The Neighborhood and The Terrace. Both have individual care plans for residents and dedicated activities directors. There is a secured courtyard and outdoor garden area for memory care residents to enjoy. Pet and aromatherapy are offered as well. The environment is a multi-sensory one including meals, where residents can choose specialized dining plans. The memory care community also offers residents the option to participate in the Connection, Advocacy, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Club, which focuses on family support and advocacy for memory care conditions. Group exercise also provides an outlet for residents and group socialization increases engagement among residents.
Residents talk positively about themes like the quality of care, knowledgeable and experienced staff members, a diverse activity schedule and efficacy of memory care programming. Family involvement is also a point of note. One family member writes, "We're happy with Wingate. They are doing a good job. The rooms look spacious, well kept, and clean."
Conveniently situated on the East Side of Providence at a short distance from Brown University, the Wingate Residences on the East Side has long-standing partnerships with an elite group of dementia physicians and researchers in Boston that enable it to optimize its memory care program. Each memory care resident receives an individualized care plan after an initial assessment. Residents live in a secure neighborhood featuring a secured outdoor patio designed to stimulate memory and cognitive function by providing a multi-sensory environment. The care team, available 24 hours a day, helps residents with activities of daily living, such as housekeeping and laundry, and provides healthcare services, including medication management and hourly overnight wellness checks. Residents can pamper themselves at the onsite beauty salon and barbershop, enjoy summer afternoons floating in the swimming pool or join one of the many weekly outings.
People rave about the staff of this community. A reviewer writes, "I love Wingate Residences on the East Side. There was something about the atmosphere that I really like. They had many activities, a book club, and activities were very good. The people were lovely and the place was very nice. They had very good communication."
Trained staff members are on-site at Capitol Ridge at Providence 24/7 to maximize resident wellness within the community. Thoughtful touches, visual cues and tailored amenities enhance the daily lives of residents living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The community offers five signature Mind and Memory levels that provide personalized treatment plans for mild, moderate and advanced memory loss. Caregivers assist residents with daily living activities, emotional and behavioral support and feeding assistance if necessary. The specially designed resident memory care neighborhood is equipped with lighting that reduces the effects of late-day confusion, secured outdoor courtyards and treasure chests, engagement boxes and journey stations that provide opportunities for residents to remember the positive experiences of their past careers, hobbies and interests.
Family members appreciate the trustworthy staff and level of personal care found here. One says, "We trust Mom's care in the memory community at CR because from the director to the nurse's aides that care for her daily, they have earned our trust. Mom's always clean and dressed nicely, she is safe, well-fed and although she would like to be back home, she is happy and loved at Capitol Ridge."
The Highlands on the East Side ensures resident safety with skilled nurses, 24/7 staff, an emergency response system, medication management, as well as any other assistance residents may require. Staff provides assistance to memory care residents as needed during tasks such as bathing, dressing and other day-to-day activities. Amenities include a laundry service, housekeeping, a private kitchenette or community dining room for meals, transportation and a beauty salon/barbershop. Activities include off-site excursions, gardening, cooking, arts and crafts, music and a fitness room to exercise in. Residents enjoy relaxing and socializing with each other during game nights, book club meetings, religious services and organized lectures and discussions. In addition, The Highlands on the East Side comes up with a social calendar packed with shopping trips, sightseeing and various other types of excursions to keep residents engaged.
Family members enjoy how clean the facility is, the high food quality and friendly staff. The grandchild of a resident wrote, "The Highlands on the East Side is nothing short of home for my Grandma Pat. I have had a guest meal in the past and the food is to die for."
Greenwich Farms at Warwick cares for seniors with dementia and other conditions using a tiered treatment system that accounts for each resident's level of independence, whether they face mild impairment or require assistance at all times. Caregivers help residents handle tasks such as dressing themselves or brushing their teeth, and skilled nurses make sure that everyone takes the right medicine on schedule. Greenwich Farms at Warwick offers a robust selection of activities, games and social opportunities so that residents can be entertained and engaged with the community. Shared spaces such as a raised gardens, patios and walking paths enable those living here to relax and regroup throughout the day.
Many residents and their loved ones are pleased with the management at Greenwich farms at Warwick. One says, "What a beautiful, well managed facility for the one's you love with everything you need in one building. You have to see it to believe it."
Pacifica Senior Living Victoria Court assists seniors with cognitive impairment disorders to live happy and fulfilling lives. The highly trained team of caregivers works with seniors at all stages of memory loss. The high ratio of staff to residents ensures all community members receive personalized care and they're always treated with the utmost compassion and respect. Registered nurses are on-site every day to oversee the general health and well-being of seniors. Physical and speech therapists visit the community on a regular basis. The building is secure, allowing residents the freedom to walk around and decide where they want to spend their time each day. Activities are designed around each resident's abilities and may include Brain-in-Play International games, life skills, arts and crafts, musical entertainment and gentle fitness classes.
Online reviewers praise the welcoming atmosphere, "Everyone has a smile on their face and are going out of their way to help!" says one. "I could not be more impressed with the staff and management team at Victoria Court. Residents are well cared for, engaged, and given the freedom to use the whole building as their own space."
Atria Bay Spring Village takes a multi-faceted approach to memory care, including physical and social components. Residents are encouraged to work with weights, participate in restorative yoga and walk around the exterior of the property. Social options include discussions of past events and important memories and listening to music to promote nostalgia. The community is designed to make navigation easier for memory care residents, and each person is encouraged to fill the memory display by their individual door with personal mementos. Furniture in common areas is also arranged to promote additional social interaction among residents. Amenities include chef-prepared meals and weekly housekeeping services
Residents and their loved ones discuss the robust nature of the memory care activities and high social engagement among the entire community. One writes, "My dad literally said "everybody here is so nice, I have not met one mean person. Everybody, I mean EVERYBODY here is super nice ALL the time. And my dad can be a tough cookie!!!"
The Courtyard memory care unit at Tockwotton on the Waterfront is a circular building that was designed to promote a sense of resident calm and stability while decreasing senior confusion and agitation. Each resident's day starts with breakfast at their preferred time, followed by participation in one of the many memory care-specific group activities or wellness checks from one of the community's dementia-trained staff members. After lunch, music therapy sessions are often scheduled, followed by dinners that are enhanced with fresh flowers and soft music. Residents' evenings are usually filled with memory-provoking games and movies that help residents relax and better unwind for a good's night sleep. The grounds feature a pub, a general store, a full-service salon, library and fitness center.
Family members select this community above others for all of the services that they offer. One says, "I chose Tockwotton on the Waterfront for my 90-year-old mother with dementia after online research and visiting over 20 facilities in Northern Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. The facilities are impressive, and they offer a full continuum of care - assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation and nursing home."
Situated in two adjacent secure buildings, Darlington Memory Lane offers seniors with dementia symptoms a safe social living environment, therapeutic programming and personalized service plans. All in-house staff members undertake Alzheimer's Association dementia care training, and the director of wellness is a registered nurse. The community contains a multisensory therapeutic room where familiar objects, textures, sounds, visuals and odors stimulate lethargic senses, support long-term memory recall and calm Alzheimer's-related agitation. Regular on-site aromatherapy sessions, hand massages and music therapy also help those with declining communication abilities remain connected to their surroundings. Residents live in intimate neighborhoods featuring homelike decor, full-spectrum lighting, dementia-sensitive floor patterns and easy-to-navigate circular floor plans. Centrally located kitchen and seating areas encourage social interactions and safeguard wanderers. The community matches residents with the most compatible roommates and neighborhood groups.
Family members and visitors praise the community's compassionate care teams, decor and cleanliness. One remarks, "The rooms are cozy and homey, and everything is clean. Everyone is so kind, helpful and patient; they treat the residents with respect and dignity." Another says, "The staff is amazing and they treat residents like family the [community] always smells so nice."
Brookdale Centre of New England provides Clare Bridge memory care programming within a warm, welcoming setting. Designed for residents at every stage of memory loss, this specialized neighborhood is staffed by a team highly trained in the latest dementia care techniques. Available around the clock, caregivers use a person-centered approach to assist with tasks such as bathing, medication and eating. Daily programs offer structure tailored to every resident's physical and cognitive level. Crossings, for early-stage dementia residents, features art and dance classes, excursions to museums and sharing stories. Solace, for those in later dementia stages, adds more multisensory options, such as music and aromatherapy. Within Clare Bridge, residents enjoy spacious, well-lit apartments with easy-to-navigate floor plans, walls painted in cheerful colors and 24-hour secured entryways with doorbells to monitor in/out movements. Amenities include a coffee shop, fitness center, beauty/barber shop, general store and library.
Loved ones appreciate the quality care, meals and activities. One reviewer says, "The staff members at this community are amazing, as well as the care service that they provide. Our loved one is the world's pickiest person and she even says the food is amazing. The activities they offer are fabulous."
Halcyon at West Bay is an assisted living, memory care and respite stay community tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. Reflections, the neighborhood for seniors living with Alzheimer's and related dementias, features 24-hour support from a dedicated dementia coordinator and caregiving team. Specialized plans are tailored for the individual, so seniors receive the support that meets their needs best, all within a secure wing that helps prevent wandering. A curated calendar of activities is designed to keep residents minds' active and stimulated, with opportunities available for diverse hobbies and interests. Dining at Halcyon is personalized for every resident, with nutritious choices crafted from the freshest ingredients and family-style meals. Amenities include a hair salon, library, gym and outdoor space, with frequent field trips to local attractions and transportation to appointments.
Visiting family members like the kind staff and inviting atmosphere. One says, "Mom is doing great here. She loves the place. We liked it right from the beginning when we toured the place. We like the environment; it is very clean, updated, and absolutely beautiful. The staff is very warm and welcoming."
At Atria Harborhill, seniors can receive a full spectrum of care just minutes from downtown East Greenwich. In the Life Guidance neighborhood, residents living with Alzheimer's and related dementias receive around-the-clock support with a forward-thinking approach that keeps them engaged and joyful each day. Dedicated team members receive specialized dementia care training, so they know how to best support seniors with the activities of daily living. Using research-based programming, they encourage physical activity through opportunities such as walking, dancing and restorative yoga. Through music, staff helps boost residents' moods, reduce stress and improve focus, and they actively encourage social connections. This environment features furniture arranged to feel like home, artwork with local landmarks and memory displays outside residents' rooms to aid navigation. Chef-prepared dining features fresh choices daily, with flavors from around the world and accommodations made for diverse diets.
Loved ones appreciate the extensive amenities. One reviewer notes, "Wide variety of activities are offered to keep the residents entertained. Restaurant-style dining facility is available with menus prepared by their Registered Dietician. Miscellaneous amenities include dining, house-keeping, weekly linen, indoor water fitness, movie theater, daily religious services, transportation, ice cream parlor and outings to please everyone."
All American Assisted Living at Warwick offers seniors a quiet, peaceful community only a short distance from Providence. Comfortable lifestyle options are available including assisted living, memory care and respite care. Apartment-style suites are designed for seniors with memory or cognitive issues to live safely and securely, as well as comfortably. Support and structure provided by trained staff promote a lifestyle of comfort and ease. Residents can visit with friends while enjoying delicious home-style meals in the dining room. Socialization is also encouraged with a rotating calendar of events and activities for community fun and enrichment.
Residents and their families appreciate the friendly staff and quality of care. They love the activities offered and enjoy the meals in the dining room. One says, "We have peace of mind that our Mother is being well taken care of."
Spring Villa Memory Care specializes in caring for seniors with memory loss. The community encourages residents to remain independent while offering assistance if necessary in a homelike atmosphere. In addition, the community offers activities that focus on the wellness of its residents. Activities such as memory boxes and trivia games keep the mind active, while one-to-one activities are there for those in need of special attention. The building's state-of-the-art heating system provides floor heat in every room, keeping residents warm and cozy. Private and semi-private rooms come fully furnished, cable TV-equipped and with full bathrooms and linen service. A surveillance system in all the common areas ensures the safety of residents while giving loved ones peace of mind. All employees at Spring Villa are accredited by the National Family Caregiver's Association and screened for their compassion.
People appreciate the care and consideration the Spring Villa staff shows to residents. Seniors have lots of fun with social and physical activities, delicious food and a warm environment. As one reviewer says, "They have been taking fantastic care of my mom since July. Very clean, nice dining hall and very social environment. I cannot say enough about the incredible staff."
Atria Lincoln Place offers a full spectrum of senior care under one roof, paired with 24-hour support and deluxe amenities. The thoughtfully designed Life Guidance neighborhood is purposefully designed for residents living with memory loss, with spaces that promote independence and easy navigation. From artwork with nostalgic images to memory displays with personal pictures and furniture arranged to encourage conversation, residents can feel right at home. Dedicated caregivers offer around-the-clock assistance with tasks such as bathing, grooming and medication management using an individualized approach. Each day features two physical opportunities, including walking, stretching and restorative yoga, while musical events help awaken old memories. Seniors enjoy chef-prepared cooking with cuisine from around the world, master cooking classes and visits from guest chefs. A heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub, instructor-led fitness center and full-service salon and spa round out the amenities.
Loved ones compliment the skilled staff. "Her whole demeanor has changed for the better," says one relative. "The staff have always been friendly, helpful, and are visible through out the day. The director has always been accessible, has handle a number of issues, and has made this transition a very pleasant experience."
The Lighthouse at Lincoln uses the Four Pillars of Engagement as the core of memory care programming. They include physical, cognitive, social and emotional components to keep residents fully engaged. There is a private dining room for memory care residents, where they can enjoy three chef-prepared meals daily. There are also options for in-room dining for those that would prefer more privacy during meals. Therapeutic options include art and music activities as well as sensory exercises to reinforce cognitive skills. Residents can also engage in personal hobbies, including cooking. Family communication is a priority in this community, with daily or weekly updates as needed.
The Lighthouse at Lincoln's reviews praise the staff for experience and professionalism. Residents and their loved ones also note the community's cleanliness and the wide array of activities. One says, "My father-in-law was at The Lighthouse at Lincoln, and this place was absolutely wonderful. We love that place because they were just so wonderful. We love the staff, and the people were unbelievable."
The Village at Waterman Lake is a family-owned and operated community that offers specialized memory care in a peaceful setting. Memory care living spaces are designed to accommodate personal mementos and favorite furnishings. Additional activities for memory care residents include sensory stimulation and frequent off-site excursions. Relaxation exercises are offered daily, and low-exertion aerobics keep residents active. Family members are encouraged to participate in programming as well to maintain close ties with loved ones. Homemade meals are served three times a day in the communal dining room, and personalized care plans provide assistance with the activities of daily living. Community amenities include a putting green, on-site library and pub.
Residents and their loved ones heavily emphasize the memory care program in reviews, discussing the security of the community and the experience of the staff. One writes, "My mother is staying at The Village at Waterman Lake's memory care. It's a very clean and very open area.The gardens there are beautiful, it's also fenced-in so the residents can't wander."
With five levels of memory care, the Village at Willow Crossings has a large continuum of care. The first level is appropriate for those requiring gentle reminders, while the top level offers full physical, social and cognitive support. This may include help with eating, medication management, hygiene and mobility. Supported by certified dementia specialists, residents may enjoy treasure chest memory activities, multi-medium art therapy, gardening and reflective journey stations. Common areas include a fitness room, pub and a tea room. To support recognition, memory care residents have their own amenities with added security and visual cues. Adaptive, restaurant-style meals can be tailored to many diets and texture needs.
Residents and loved ones are impressed by the intimate and comprehensive care. One says, "Every day, across activities, meals, little moments of conversation or times of celebration, my mother feels important, understood and valued. When my mother needs a little extra care or connection, the people here are also totally present for her and for us, as a family."
Brookdale Attleboro provides seniors with a comfortable and active setting that engages their minds each day. On-site amenities include a fitness, center, library and concierge service. This community is also pet-friendly. Memory care programming is delivered through the Clare Bridge Daily Path program, which offers six activities each day to reinforce cognition, including musical performances, group fitness, brain games and excursions to local attractions. Dining for memory care residents is also specialized to ensure socialization and wellness through small groups, consistent seating and individualized meal plans. Games like bean bag toss or cornhole keep residents active in a fun way, while cooking or painting classes are available for seniors that want to explore hobbies or new interests.
Loved ones of Brookdale Attleboro residents say the community has an excellent selection of activities to keep seniors engaged. One says, "Brookdale has taken care of my dad for last two years. He was in a wheelchair when he arrived and now walks and has better quality of life than he has had in years. He loves all the activities, the food, and the socialization he gets with other residents."
Chapel Hill Senior Living is a welcoming and engaged assisted living and memory care community that uses the Montessori Moments in Time memory care program to help residents with Alzheimer's and other memory impairments live fulfilling and dignified lives. Trained staff get to know residents individually and use carefully tailored programs to provide mentally, spiritually and physically stimulating daily activities that encourage seniors to socialize, live at their highest potential and feel a sense of purpose. Additionally, residents can benefit from diverse on-site amenities, ranging from an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness center and a beauty salon to a community kitchen, an arts-and-crafts studio, a games room, a library and a living room. The attractive restaurant-style dining room provides opportunities to connect with others over delicious meals. Outside, residents can garden, relax in the courtyard and enjoy peaceful walks through the beautifully landscaped grounds.
Reviewers particularly appreciate the rich variety of activities, events, outings and amenities. One family member writes, "They go out for lunch; they have bingo, movies, and music during the day. They do arts and crafts. They have guest speakers coming in. They have their own pool. It's a beautiful place."