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 Salem’s senior population continues to grow (14.5% growth between 2013 and 2017), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Salem, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 41.5% between 2013 and 2017. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 6%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (5.31% in Salem vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
In order to help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's find the support and care that their loved ones need, we've compiled information below about the cost of Memory Care, how to get financial assistance to help make care more affordable, free resources, etc. Also included are reviews of the best memory care facilities in the area, which cover pricing, types of care provided, residents' reviews, and more.
Note: Memory care is typically provided in communities licensed as assisted living facilities, and in general, costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living services. No authoritative cost data is available for this type of care, so we estimated memory care rates by adding 25% to assisted living fees in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
The average cost per month for memory care in Salem is $6,875.
At an average of $6,875 per month, memory care in Oregon's capital city is several hundred dollars higher than the average for the state of Oregon at $6,306. Salem is also more expensive than the national average of $5,625. Costs vary within the state of Oregon, with those in the largest metro, Portland, paying slightly less than their Salem counterparts at $6,219, while those in Corvallis and Medford pay less at $5,606 and $5,800, respectively. At $7,029 per month, memory care costs in Eugene are higher than in Salem.
The average monthly cost of memory care in Salem is higher than the average cost of assisted living, which is $5,500 per month. The average cost of in-home care or home health care in Salem is $6,101, which is several hundred dollars less than the average monthly price tag of memory care. However, nursing home care in Salem is substantially higher than memory care. A semiprivate room in a Salem nursing home costs an average of $10,615 per month.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for memory care out-of-pocket, it's important to find alternative methods to help make memory care more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Memory Care in Salem.
Oregon residents have several resources available for those experiencing age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease, as well as their families and their caregivers.
resource | contact | description | location |
---|---|---|---|
The Alzheimer's Association Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter | 800-272-3900 | The Alzheimer's Association Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter is a voluntary health organization that provides information and support to those with Alzheimer's and their loved ones. Services include care consultation, referrals to relevant local and national resources and support for family members. The organization also maintains a 24/7 helpline. | Salem, OR |
Long Term Care Ombudsman | 503-378-6533 | Those in long-term care communities, including memory care facilities, can receive advocacy, investigative services and support from trained volunteers and staff members of the Long Term Care Ombudsman program. All services are completely confidential and free of charge. | Salem, OR |
Oregon Care Partners | 800-930-6851 | State-funded Oregon Care Partners provides free, high-quality educational services for family members and professional caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Caregiving classes are available in person and online. | Tigard, OR |
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon | 503-304-3420 | As the Area Agency on Aging for Oregon, the Aging and Disability Resource Connection has offices throughout the state. Seniors, their families and their caregivers can connect with resources through these offices. Direct services include case management, counseling for those needing long-term care and their families to promote good decisions and support groups for the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's and other age-related cognitive disorders. | Salem, OR |
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 Salem, 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:
Brookdale Salem is located in Salem, Oregon, and is a unique facility because it specializes in memory care for seniors. The staff at Brookdale Salem receives ongoing training modules to keep them up-to-date with the quickly changing memory and dementia care field to be able to provide the best possible care for residents at all times. Residents enjoy a large front porch and private bathrooms along with a piano and ice cream parlor. A 24-hour security system and skilled staff members provide residents with security at all times.
Reviewers describe the facility as nice and clean with an attentive staff. One reviewer said in an online post, "I will always be grateful we were able to bring my mother to Brookdale. From her first days there and until the day she passed, they were unfailingly kind and gave her excellent care. Thank you to everyone who worked with her."
Located in the capital city of Oregon, the Brookstone Alzheimers Special Care Center in Salem is close to several parks and recreational venues. Its location offers its residents and their families opportunities for a variety of cultural activities, such as Broadway productions and Chamber Orchestra concerts. Inside the facility, the residents enjoy a homelike environment complemented with gourmet-quality meals, daily social activities and round-the-clock care delivered by a professional staff. Its distinctive brand of memory care program, the Meaningful Moments, designs customized treatment plans based on residents background and preferences. The facility also encourages the active involvement of family and friends in its specialized care team to create a nurturing, familiar environment. The Brookstone Alzheimers Special Care Center is part of the JEA Senior Living and upholds the groups mission of providing quality care while honoring the experience of aging.
Reviewers described the facility as good, clean, cozy and with a homelike atmosphere. The quality of care and the variety of social activities also received positive comments. One relative says, They pursue activities that get the residents perhaps remembering about their own lives. The facility also does outside excursions and short day trips in their van.
Farmington Square Salem's emphasis on physical and emotional well-being is reflected in its Transitions program for memory care residents, a care program designed to grow with the needs of each individual to minimize dementia's impact. Additionally, the Enhanced Care program pairs higher needs residents with two staff members for 24-hour care and tailored recreational activities. Tai chi, yoga, strength classes and walking clubs keep residents fit and moving, while guest lectures and cultural outings inspire intellectual stimulation. Creativity is encouraged through art classes and special live music events featuring jazz piano or classical guitar. Residents enjoy always available snack and beverages as well as restaurant-style dining for well-balanced meals cooked with fresh, nutritious ingredients.
Loved ones remark on the facilitys kind, attentive staff and active community environment. One family member says, They care about the people that live there and that really makes a difference. There are larger tables where the residents gather around and sing songs and study. They keep them busy. They have something scheduled in the morning and afternoon every day.
Nestled in the heart of Salem, Four Seasons Residential Care Facility offers assisted living and memory care within a small-town atmosphere. Access to dining, shopping, recreation and medical services is quick and easy via public transit or automobile. The facility is just a few minutes away from Riverfront City Park and Willamette Town Center. Since 1998, Four Seasons has been committed to delivering high-quality care at affordable prices. Their core values include compassion for residents, honesty, integrity and accountability. A team of skilled caregivers, including a dedicated registered nurse, works hard to provide a family atmosphere with everything from health monitoring and safety checks to home-cooked meals and medication management. A wide range of activities are planned daily to promote physical fitness and social gathering.
Families love Four Seasons Residential Care Facility because the staff is passionate about improving lives. One reviewer writes, "Words cannot express how thankful we are for Four Seasons RCF! I've seen my husband blossom again, and he is receiving the type of care and compassion that he so deserves."
Prestige Senior Living located in Orchard Heights, Salem, Oregon, provides assisted living and memory care services in a community-based setting. Believing that life is an activity at whatever age, it implements an innovative wellness program, Celebrations, that nurtures the mind, body and spirit while providing the residents the freedom to enjoy life. It strives to take away the stress of household chores, allowing the residents to focus on the things they love. Amenities, such as complimentary laundry service and first-class dining, are just some of lifes luxuries that Prestige Senior Living incorporates into the residents daily lives. Planned events, activities and learning opportunities also form part of their lifestyle program. The community offers the award-winning Expressions Memory Care Program that uses innovative care techniques and life enrichment programming to help memory care residents live a productive life treated with dignity and respect.
Reviewers say the facility is nice, clean and spacious. They also gave positive comments about the food, describing it as great-tasting, first-class and with a good variety of choices. The dining area was described by a relative as a gorgeous and beautiful restaurant area, and its very light and cheery.
A family-owned residential care facility specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia care, Rosewood Court promotes comfort and security in a serene, natural environment. Outside, residents can stroll along the facility's numerous walking paths, visit the pond and hear water trickling from the outdoor fountains. Comfortable furniture and an abundance of potted plants line the well-sized interior courtyard. For a touch of luxury, classic artwork adorns the walls, and the on-site beauty salon is available for residents' personal needs. The designated activities director schedules interactive fitness classes, bible study and card games throughout the day to encourage socializing and mental stimulation.
Friends and family members comment on Rosewood Courts loving and capable staff. One relative states, Hard working staff. Knowledgeable and caring. Lots of experience when it comes to both dementia and end of life. They can deal with behaviors most can't. Another says, Excellent care. They treated my mom like family.
The Village at Keizer Ridge is in the northern Salem suburb of Keizer, Oregon, near McNary Golf Club. The facility focuses on what it refers to as healthy living, emphasizing the health of the body, mind and spirit. Amenities include a fitness studio and walking paths to help residents get active, and strength training and group classes are regularly offered. An outdoor garden is also available for relaxation and meditation. Other activity options include religious services, wine tastings and book clubs. The property prepares meals on site, and residents are given an everyday menu that features many favorites and a list of daily specials.
Residents are pleased with the demeanor of the staff members and their helpfulness in difficult situations, calling them, "very serious about striving for excellence in their care for their clients. They are quick to respond." The facility also earns high marks for its cleanliness, with residents saying it is "totally accommodating, perfectly clean and beautiful"
The Woods at Willowcreek is an assisted living and Footsteps memory care facility designed specifically for those with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Surrounded by shady trees, nearby wineries and Salem's waterfront, the community promotes serenity, security and warmth through nature and its low staff-to-resident ratio. Residents enjoy rooms with kitchenettes, roll-in showers and access to a Whirlpool tub. The chef's seasonal meals of locally-sourced ingredients can be eaten in the shared dining hall, garden or in one's apartment through take-out or room service. Brain teasers and word puzzles stimulate residents' minds, while guided meditative walks, country drives and watercolor painting promote feelings of peace and restoration.
Reviewers comment on the facilitys attentive and communicative staff. One family member says, I cannot say enough good things about this place. The staff really care about their folks. My mother was treated with love and respect by everyone there. They were on top of any physical changes and notified us immediately, including when they felt she needed hospice care.
WindSong at Eola Hills is a state-of-the-art memory care community that offers the person-centered Montessori Method of treatment to individuals with Alzheimers disease and other dementias. The specifically trained staff provides familiar tasks focused on each residents careers, hobbies and interests to forge a deep and meaningful personal connection. Residents are encouraged to be as active and independent as possible as they engage in experiences that mimic those they enjoyed in the past. This encourages socialization while also instilling a sense of pride in accomplishment that enhances self-esteem. The community provides 56 memory care suites with private or shared bedrooms and private or shared baths. Rates are based on which of the five levels of care a resident requires, as determined by the Registered Nurse after a personal assessment is completed. These levels refer to the medical, functional and psychosocial status of the resident.
Family members with loved ones living at Windsong often cite the caring staff and engaging activities. Good communication between the facility and family members is also highlighted. One woman whose mother resides there wrote, I am very thankful for the loving dedication of the entire Windsong staff to their residents during this pandemic season. Many times when I have talked to mom over the phone I would break down in tears because of our inability to socialize as we did before. She would immediately respond by saying 'things will get better soon and not to cry.' I know her calming response to me is due to the fact that she feels safe, secure and loved by the Windsong staff. I am so very grateful to all of you for your loving care of our precious family members!