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 Saratoga Springs' senior population continues to grow (12.5% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Saratoga Springs, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 34% between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 12%, 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 (4% in Saratoga Springs 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 Saratoga Springs. 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 Saratoga Springs, 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:
Peregrine Senior Living Clifton Park is a close-knit community that specializes in providing memory care for seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia. Its southern Saratoga County location offers beautiful scenery and convenient access to shops, medical centers and local parks. The campus is designed for residents' comfort and safety, offering well-appointed private apartment suites, spacious common areas and a secure outdoor garden and patio. The community's innovative approach to memory care, known as The Peregrine Way, focuses on helping seniors connect with their past and present to find meaning and purpose in each day. Caregivers work to connect with each resident on a personal level to deliver emotional support in addition to one-on-one assistance with daily living tasks. Residents have opportunities to participate in recreational activities and wellness programs catered to their strengths and interests, including music, games, gardening and fitness classes.
People love the community's personalized care and programming. According to one reviewer, "The staff is kind and caring and attentive to the resident's comforts and needs. They took the time to get to know mom's hobbies and habits before she arrived and welcomed her warmly. The place is spotless bright and cozy and the residents are engaged in many fun activities."
Peregrine Senior Living at Colonie is a dedicated memory care community roughly 24 miles south of Saratoga Springs. Residents live in studio apartments and companion suites with individual climate controls and private bathrooms with safety modifications. The community's seven signature services, known collectively as The Peregrine Way, offer meaningful and stimulating opportunities for people with Alzheimer's. Some of these services focus on personal growth, reflection and familiar memories. Others, such as Around The World, give residents something new to explore each month. Staff are on duty 24/7 to provide care, and they receive weekly training on topics including behavioral management, communication, pain management and medication safety. The community has its own on-site chapel for spiritual care and comfort.
The daughter of a Peregrine resident appreciates the secure indoor and outdoor environment that also gives residents a chance to safely get out and about. "They take them out to places. They can go outside and different things like that, so it's really nice. It's a great place."
Memory care at Peregrine Senior Living at Guilderland follows a unique approach that includes family involvement. Meaningful connections are made possible through informational seminars, sensitivity training and other family support services that fall under The Peregrine Way Memory Care Program. Signature programs, such as Time Capsules, Legacy Stories and Radio Days, provide calming experiences and stimulate long-term memory. Additionally, spiritual growth is sustained through faith services hosted by the community's spiritual director. Licensed nursing care is available around the clock, and residents have access to routine health observations and physician services. Peregrine Senior Living also ensures everyone gets adequate nutritional support, with a compassionate staff lending assistance and guidance to residents during meals.
Residents and family members express satisfaction with the community's amenities and services. A resident's daughter says, "My mom has improved in a number of ways physically and mentally being among the constant stimulation, good food, and incredibly loving care by the staff. The building, grounds and units are incredibly well-maintained also. I am grateful for the experience."
Brookdale East Niskayuna is a senior living community that focuses on the needs of seniors with memory loss disorders. The community uses a person-centered approach to memory care. Staff members work with residents to help them find a sense of purpose in their daily lives. A program of daily activities assists seniors in maintaining their current physical and mental abilities through exercise classes, brain games and music classes. The Solace section of the community is designed for seniors in the advanced stages of memory loss. This section provides additional support services, and staff is always on hand to compassionately guide residents through each part of the day. The community is completely secure, and seniors have access to enclosed courtyards and outdoor seating areas where they can safely enjoy the sunshine. Each resident has a personalized care program that's updated as needed.
Family members appreciate the excellent communication received from the community, with one person saying, "The staff communication with the family is very good. They are responsive to our questions, and they will reach out to us if there are changes with my loved one. The community will send a monthly report out as well to family."
The Promenade at University Place is located in Albany, NY, close to local medical facilities such as the Samaritan Albany Memorial Hospital. Memory care is provided through a secure unit with intensive 24-hour supervision and improved safety features for residents with Alzheimer's. However, seniors can also access dementia services and associated activities, such as music therapy, through the supportive assisted living program, graduating to a higher level of care later. The community employs licensed nurses to manage its medication administration program and also has internists, podiatrists and other specialists on-site to handle most health care needs. Residents can take advantage of comfortable suites featuring kitchenettes and accessible bathrooms. Accommodations also include individually-controlled heating and cooling and an emergency call system in the bedrooms and bathrooms. Housekeeping and laundry services are provided weekly.
Reviews highlight the community's knowledgeable, friendly caregivers and the extensive range of amenities and scheduled activities. One resident's daughter writes, "The place was very clean. It's a perfect fit and meets my mother's needs. They also have a salon, a courtyard, activities, and private rooms."
Ingersoll Place Assisted Living lies in a scenic suburban area, near major roads and local conveniences. It offers safe, personalized memory care in a dedicated wing that features well-appointed suites equipped with walk-in showers, handrails and individual heating and cooling systems. Staff members trained in handling challenging behaviors provide close monitoring as residents go about their daily routine of recreational and social activities. Personal medical alert devices and emergency call systems also provide an added sense of security. To ensure a pleasant dining experience for everyone, the community's food service director works with a registered dietitian in preparing delicious, balanced meals. Ingersoll Place also provides ambulation assistance, catheter care and other enhanced care services at an additional cost.
Positive reviews mention the warm, welcoming environment and attentive service. A resident's family member says, "They have done all kinds of magical things to make my mom's room feel homey. They have been very involved with her too, and I assume they are very involved with others as well. It is a very attractive setting, and the [community] is very well cared for."
Peregrine Senior Living at Shaker is situated in Albany, NY, just down the road from Albany Memorial Hospital. The community's Peregrine Way memory care program incorporates personalized care targeting the goals and interests of each resident. It also offers growth opportunities and continuous learning to stimulate cognitive processes and help improve memory recall. Activities cater to the individual's preferences and level of function, allowing seniors more input into how they spend each day. Staff provides 24-hour supervision and assistance with daily tasks, and nutritional support is available through a registered dietitian. Residents can relax in many shared spaces, including comfortable enclosed courtyards, which lets them spend time outdoors on warm days. The community provides housekeeping and laundry services, in addition to support services for family members to come to terms with their loved one's memory loss.
Reviewers praise Peregrine's cleanliness and well-maintained grounds. Families also express gratitude that loved ones can participate in stimulating activities. One person writes, "It has a beautiful landscape and many interactive activities for my dad. I felt that he would progress. He had the best chance of prolonging his life and enjoying the rest of it there."
At Loudonville Assisted Living Residence, seniors receive daily assistance and support while enjoying all the warmth and comforts of home. The campus features three distinct communities of care: assisted living, enhanced assisted living and memory care. The Gerald Levine Center for Memory Care is the designated neighborhood for individuals living with cognitive conditions and memory loss. There, residents can benefit from a highly individualized support plan and 24-hour supervision. A high staff-to-resident ratio helps establish a sense of consistency and familiarity between seniors and caregivers. The community embraces a holistic approach to care that incorporates a variety of alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy, meditation and music therapy. Residents also have daily opportunities to participate in structured life enrichment programming based on their individual strengths and abilities. These may include painting, gardening, brain games and gentle exercises.
Loudonville Assisted Living Residence is known for its warm, friendly staff. One reviewer shares about their mother, "The care she receives is genuine. They go above and beyond to help each resident feel heard and like they belong and matter. In Memory Care every day is a challege and yet there are always smiling faces and a hug to be given."
Conveniently located on the East Greenbush YMCA campus just off I-90, Eddy Memory Care at Eddy Hawthorne Ridge is a senior community dedicated to those with early to mid-stage memory conditions. It boasts a safe and engaging environment, with secure interior courtyards, outdoor garden pathways, a bistro and a full-service beauty salon and barbershop serving as relaxing leisure spaces for residents and visiting loved ones. Memory care programming supports residents' unique lifelong patterns and preferences, supervised by caregivers who receive regular dementia education and communication coaching. Additionally, the community's resource center hosts support groups, family forums and workshops. On-site physician, pharmacy and podiatry services are also available, and continuum of care is accessible through the St. Peter's Health Partners Network.
Families consider the community a blessing for their loved ones. "My mom has been living in Eddy Ridge Memory Care," a daughter writes. "She has received personalized care by truly the best! . Hawthorne Ridge helped us . with constant updates from the director and communication with the staff whenever we had questions. This has become my Mom's home."
Eddy Memory Care at Marjorie Doyle Rockwell Center is a secure community designed for seniors experiencing cognitive disorders and memory loss. Medical professionals, therapy specialists and a pharmacy are available on-site, and convenient access to health care services through the St. Peter's Health Partners Network ensures a full continuum of care for each resident. All caregivers undergo extensive dementia education and communication coaching, equipping them to provide the best support possible when assisting with daily living activities and medication management. The QuietCare monitoring technology installed in each private space helps caregivers detect changes in behavior and evaluate resident well-being. A full-time activities staff encourages purpose and engagement through organized outings and tailored activities to support life enrichment. Residents can also relax in the full-service salon or enjoy the interior courtyards and outdoor garden pathways.
Family members appreciate the knowledge and care shown by the staff. "We were instantly impressed. After talking to them, we've found some people who really understand Alzheimer's and dementia! ... there hasn't been a single day we've been disappointed or regretted making the move ... the location is very convenient for members who live all over the Capital Region."
The Glen at Hiland Meadows sits on a beautifully manicured lot near Glen Lake in Queensbury, NY. It provides a full spectrum of care, from independent and assisted living to short-term stays and memory care for seniors with dementia. The professional staff in the memory care community manages several programs for seniors with memory loss. This includes the Dakim brain fitness system, which adaptively challenges seniors' long- and short-term memory, critical thinking and ability to communicate. Other programs The Glen offers include intergenerational get-togethers and outings. It also utilizes EmpowerU, a developmental therapy approach that promotes whole-body senior health. Residents enjoy complimentary concierge service and access to a resident services advisor. To ensure a homelike feel, pets are welcome, and guest suites are available for overnight guests.
Families whose senior loved ones have stayed at The Glen at Hiland Meadows frequently leave glowing reviews online, often describing the exceptional care services and chef-prepared cuisine the community offers. One reviewer described several things she liked in this five-star review: "The food is fabulous here. Everything is made from scratch. Plenty of activities to participate in. The property is beautifully maintained."
Located approximately 18 miles north of Saratoga Springs, The Landing at Queensbury offers assisted living and memory care in a secure, supportive environment. The community is in a relatively quiet area, with dense woodland to one side, and it features a fenced rear garden with a gazebo and walking paths. Residents can benefit from evidence-based wellness services, including brain-enhancing nutrition, adaptive fitness and engagement programs. The community also offers neuroplasticity therapy, which is a relatively new development designed to increase cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's. Activities such as aromatherapy, SingFit, painting and crafts are known to have positive effects, such as reducing agitation, elevating mood and improving speech. These and other opportunities are provided via the community's own Connections program directed by doctors with decades of experience in memory care.
The daughter of a man with Alzheimer's enjoyed the tour and says the staff is nice and helpful, while also complimenting the activities and outdoor spaces. "Their activities room was well-stocked with arts and crafts and different things for people to do. The grounds were nice and well kept."