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 Sugar Land’s population continues to grow (50.4% between 2013 and 2018), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Sugar Land, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by a staggering 137% between 2013 and 2018. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 38.6%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is slightly higher than the rest of the nation (6.8% in Sugar Land 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 more than a dozen hours researching senior living communities in Sugar Land. 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 Sugar Land, 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:
Auberge at Sugar Land uses the award-winning Spark lifestyle approach as the cornerstone of its memory care program. The Spark program is based on the Montessori educational model and encourages residents to take on new challenges while embracing preexisting knowledge. Staff creates strong bonds with residents using specialized tools, such as biography boards and memory boxes. This hands-on approach puts residents' unique needs and preferences front and center. A full-time lifestyle coordinator is on staff to help keep residents active and engaged with social events, including cocktail hours and lifelong learning seminars. Gourmet dining is central to life at Auberge, with a rotating menu of daily specials and special events, including winemakers dinners. This facility takes a holistic approach to senior care that combines nutritious meals with physical fitness and spiritual well-being. A complete fitness studio is located on campus as is a dedicated, multidenominational worship space.
Staff at Auberge pay special attention to residents' daily needs, writes this reviewer, "The staff has become just like family to me. I certainly couldn't have given her better care at home. They engaged her in activities at every turn. But if she wasn't interested, they never pushed it If there are any negatives, I can't think of any."
Barton House is a dedicated memory care facility specializing in Alzheimers treatment. In business for over 20 years, this family-owned facility was founded on the principle that memory care residents are best served by a homelike environment. Each resident has a private, studio-like bedroom with a bathroom and kitchenette. The rooms are designed to feel welcoming with easy access to the shared dining and living rooms. Thanks to this facilitys low capacity, residents have extra freedom to enjoy the backyards lakeside views, stroll on the granite walking paths and garden in the raised planter boxes. The kitchen is a central hub and residents are welcome to join the culinary staff as they prepare fresh meals daily. Barton House also offers opportunities for residents to connect with the local community, including the Reading ALZ program.
Barton House is a tight-knit community with a family atmosphere, writes this reviewer, "They treat each and every person as though they are family members, extending not only excellent care, but even love to the residents. Barton House is a small, intimate facility and is always well maintained. The food is very good and served four times a day."
Conveniently located near shops and museums, Orchard Park at Southfork is a senior living community offering assisted living and memory care. To ensure memory care residents benefit from the latest research in Alzheimer's and dementia care, each of the community's 24-hour caregivers undergoes regular, specialized training. Patios and courtyards provide a peaceful setting for residents to bask in the sunlight, while complimentary transportation ensures everyone has a ride to their medical and dental appointments. When residents are dining on chef-prepared meals and participating in engaging activities such as art workshops, card games and exercise classes, staff members are taking care of the housekeeping and laundry. In addition to the facility's secure entries and exits, residents wear Wander Guards, and all of the private and companion suites include emergency response systems.
"The care is good. They have activities like puzzles for memory. They do exercise, and they also have bible studies. It is extremely clean," said one online reviewer. Other visitors and residents have also mentioned how impressed they are with the facility's cleanliness.
With its secure outdoor courtyard and emergency response system in every room, Sugar Land Health Care Center keeps resident safety a top priority. Internet, cable access and daily housekeeping service are included with all of the accommodations. In addition to on-site hospice and therapy services, residents have access to van transportation for traveling to their off-site medical appointments. The culinary team focuses on preparing savory entrees to meet the nutritional needs of seniors, while staff members at the beauty and barbershop ensure residents always look their best. Striving to provide a sense of purpose, caregivers in the memory care community encourage residents to participate in activities that utilize the individual's remaining skills, further increasing engagement.
Residents and visitors of Sugar Land Health Care Center are constantly impressed by the friendly and caring staff. One online review said, "The Staff is AWESOME. They were as concerned with my mother's wellbeing as I was. They went above and beyond to make her happy."
The Abbey at Westminster Plaza is an independent living, assisted living and memory care facility located between the HCA Houston Healthcare West hospital and the Westheimer Commons shopping center in Houston, Texas. Seniors have access to an on-site beauty salon, movie theater and wellness center. Residents of the memory care community can relax and socialize in a carefully designed living area, which includes a comfortable family room, a landscaped courtyard and a sunroom. Seniors can also play bingo, attend costume parties, workout in exercise classes and participate in music therapy. The memory care staff is trained to foster self-esteem by providing emotional support, encouraging family involvement and planning success-oriented activities.
This facility receives compliments for its resort-like ambiance, convenient location and engaging activities. "The Abbey at Westminster Plaza was nice and high end It was fancy. They were across from a hospital and had lots of different kinds of ways to keep their residents busy," remarks one online reviewer.
At The Avenues of Fort Bend seniors can relax and connect in the sun-filled dining room with natural wooden beams and the fireplace lounge. This facility uses signature programs, including the Ageless Grace fitness course and Sagely technology program, to help residents maximize independence and wellness. Memory care residents reside within a specialized neighborhood called The Cottages. This community offers memory care based on scientific research centering on cognitive, experiential, social, spiritual and stress-relieving activities. One such activity is the Dementia Live program, which uses virtual reality technology to expand and improve communication between residents and families. Memory care residents can also stay active by participating in the monthly chef action stations, which offers residents the opportunity to pitch in with mealtime prep and create tasty dishes, such as New Orleans BBQ shrimp and banana cream pie.
The staff at this facility work hard to keep every resident engaged, writes this reviewer, "I have been very happy with my mothers care, here. We love the staff, and they really love and care for my mom! I am especially pleased with the way the new Activities Director, Joy, has managed to get my mother involved again "
The Delaney at Parkway Lakes is an assisted living and memory care facility located in an upscale neighborhood of Richmond, Texas, close to local amenities such as the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center. This senior living community seeks to provide residents with the safe environment they need to lead independent lives, which is why nurses and security personnel are on-site 24/7. Specialized attention is given to memory care residents, who live in small, family-like neighborhoods known as hamlets. These memory care facilities take a person-centered approach to care, providing residential services such as custom clothing closets and memory boxes outside each resident's door. Seniors also have access to life-enriching amenities, including a cozy community great room, family-style dining room and full service salon and spa.
Reviews of The Delaney at Parkway Lakes often praise the community for its helpful staff members. One relative of a resident appreciates how effective the "wonderful" staff is at "accommodating his needs and keeping an open line of communication." The reviewer is also impressed by the activity options, which include "backgammon, dominoes, concerts that they bring in.[and] magic shows."