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 Summerville’s senior population continues to grow (36.05% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Summerville, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 21.32% between 2014 and 2019, 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 (5.2% in Summerville 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 Summerville. 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 Summerville, 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:
Ashley Gardens maintains a high quality of life for memory care residents by providing services specifically tailored to keep them physically, spiritually and mentally engaged. The program includes aromatherapy, dog therapy, music therapy, sensory and VR therapy, socialization among residents and spiritual support. Staff also assist with medication management and monitor residents' health as well as help with everyday activities such as getting dressed and maintaining hygiene. Residents can grab a bite to eat 24/7 in the dining room. The welcoming, well-kept landscape encourages residents to get some fresh air and go for a stroll. Outdoor activities such as yoga, volleyball, gardening and other fitness activities are also popular. Events such as dance socials, movie nights and crafts allow residents to connect with each other and staff.
Reviewers praised Ashley Gardens' well-maintained grounds and buildings and the staff that goes above and beyond to provide the best experience for residents. One enthusiastic reviewer wrote, "The facility is clean! Almost luxurious! The staff are so friendly and more than accommodating! Overall, it's an absolutely lovely place, and they treat our family like their own!"
Ashley River Plantation provides the atmosphere of a residential community alongside 24/7 care specially designed for those with dementia and similar conditions. This community boasts an award-winning dementia program called Bridge to Rediscovery, which incorporates many stimulating activities intended to engage and entertain residents. Caregivers also ensure that seniors take their daily medication and maintain personal hygiene routines. At Ashley River Plantation, meal plans are designed to meet unique nutritional needs, and restaurant-style dining makes mealtimes special. Residents can stop in the barbershop and beauty salon before attending one of the many community-hosted social events or gather with friends in the expansive activity center.
Reviewers consistently mention satisfaction with caregivers at Ashley River Plantation. One person says "Ashley River Plantation Senior Living has been a very positive experience for our family and 92-year-old father, who has mild dementia. The staff took the time to thoroughly address our family's numerous questions and demonstrated a level of compassion towards our father."
Located 10 miles from the heart of Charleston, Atria Mount Pleasant is a lively community for senior living. Life Guidance, the community's memory care program, focuses on personalized, compassionate care from the specially trained staff while creating an environment of familiar comfort. Ample physical activity and social engagement form the cornerstones of Life Guidance, and residents have access to a wide range of daily fitness options and therapeutic, music-based group events. The community is secured and features many designs specific to the unique needs of memory care, including navigation cues, recognizable and memory-invoking artwork and furnishings reminiscent of home. Outside in the secure courtyard, walking paths meander through the landscaped yard, and patios provide comfortable seating and space for activities. An indoor pool offers aquatic therapy and relaxation year-round, and the community theater plays resident-favorite films every day.
Residents and their families praise the community's warm and inviting environment. One family member says, "I was impressed with the comprehensive services and quality of life that Atria could offer to my Aunt. Knowing that all of her medical and personal needs could be met in a loving and caring environment was reassuring."
Senior care at Benton House of West Ashley revolves around the four keys of service excellence " safety, caring, exceptional quality and consistency. The entire community sits on one level, ensuring safe and easy navigation. The Beacon memory care neighborhood features a beautifully enclosed courtyard where seniors can relax while enjoying the company of friends. The area is equipped with keypad entry, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, so families can have peace of mind knowing loved ones are safe and secure. While the team strives to make residents feel at ease with familiar, structured routines, it adds some excitement by incorporating a variety of fun activities into its daily programming. Full-time social directors ensure seniors experience unique experiences through the Every Day is Special program, and friends and families are invited to monthly special events.
Family members appreciate the community's intimate setting and the staff's attentive support. One writes, "The facility is very nice and is small enough to allow the staff to establish relationships with the residents and the residents' families. [The] team have been phenomenal and are always ready to assist with any questions the family may have. Mom has transitioned beautifully."
Nestled in a peaceful neighborhood, Brookdale West Ashley is a memory care and assisted living community minutes away from St. Francis Hospital and MUSC hospital. Trained staff provides 24-hour service and is vigilant to the needs of residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and other memory loss impairments. The community prepares individual care plans tailored to the needs of the residents. A dedicated memory care neighborhood, which features industry-leading safety features such as a 24-hour security system and keypad entry, provides a secure and nurturing environment. The community follows a person-centered approach and the Clare Bridge Daily Path approach, which provides a daily planned structure of six programs to help residents maintain their physical and mental well-being. Residents can savor dementia-friendly menus served in the spacious dining room. Seniors can access a library, theater, porch, therapy room and game room.
People love the plentiful amenities of the community. One relative writes, "My husband is in Brookdale West Ashley, and it appears to be wonderful. Everyone seemed very nice, very clean, very efficient and very responsive. I have no complaints whatsoever. He has a nice, big room. It's adequate, with a nice little kitchenette and nice little table."
Harmony at Wescott Plantation in Summerville offers comfortable and spacious apartment homes in a relaxing environment for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and memory loss problems. Highly trained and compassionate staff is available 24/7 to provide assistance and individual support to residents with medications, a friendly escort to the dining room and other daily chores as per their needs. The community follows The Best Friends�� Approach to help residents build rapport with the staff, other residents and family members. Residents actively participate in specially designed health and wellness programs and other engaging and stimulating activities to maintain their physical and mental well-being. An emergency call system and concierge services, weekly housekeeping and laundry services, customized medical management by the licensed nurse and chef-prepared nutritious meals served in restaurant-style dining make this community a safe and comfortable place.
Families appreciate the plentiful activities organized by the community. One writes, "My husband is at Harmony at Wescott Plantation. I can visit him anytime I want. For activities, they have everything, like karaoke, bridge games, two libraries, and bingo. They have a list of activities every day. The staff there is very friendly and very accommodating."
Located just a short drive from the center of Charleston, Harmony at West Ashley offers assisted living, independent living and memory care options. The community aims to help residents maintain their independence by providing restaurant-style dining options, a busy activities schedule, and amenities that help residents stay fit and healthy. Memory care residents participate in the Best Friends program that promotes engagement as the basis for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. A full program of activities is provided daily with many activities aimed at preserving cognitive function. Activities include echo-in-time art, armchair travel and dance fitness classes. Residents also enjoy monthly outings that take in the sights of the area.
Family members comment on the activities program and care their brother received, with one family member saying, ".With regards to the staff members and the care he is getting, I'm also happy with all of them. He has a private room with a bathroom. They take the residents on outings once a month, they have different classes they can do or outings they can go to, they also do arts and crafts."
Magnolias of Summerville is a senior living community designed around the needs of its residents. Within the community, residents are organized with neighbors of similar health needs and cognitive levels, allowing living areas and social settings to best reflect the requirements of each resident. For memory care residents, the secured community provides trained specialists to assist with the unique daily needs related to memory loss, including help with daily tasks, medication management and assistance with mobility and engagement in activities. These activities are designed to suit each residents' skill levels and interests, such as hobby classes for mental engagement, outings and parties for socialization and plenty of quiet rest for therapeutic peace. Delicious meals are homecooked each day, filling the community with comforting scents of home while delivering tasty and nutritious fare.
The community is often praised by residents and their families for their compassionate and friendly commitment to each resident. One family member says, "Magnolias has a wonderfully caring staff that gets to know the residents. My uncle is a resident at Magnolias, and the entire staff has such kind words for him."
Conveniently located just off Highway 17, Merrill Gardens at Carolina Park is only 25 minutes from downtown Charleston. Residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and other cognitive issues receive 24/7 care from specially trained staff in the Garden House neighborhood within the beautiful community, with care plans to meet the health, physical, social and mental needs of each resident. Comfortable, spacious apartments that are comfortable and spacious are surrounded by lush landscaping and secured outdoor courtyards. Amenities include a swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness center.
Reviewers praise the staff and love the family-oriented relationship between staff members and residents. One relative writes, "I have a family member who lives at Merrill Gardens. The staff is very attentive, and my family member is very happy. She says the GM treats every resident like a member of her family and knows every resident by name."
Nestled in a beautiful setting with palmettos, willows and laurel oaks, Mount Pleasant Gardens provides a homelike and safe environment for its residents, minutes away from East Cooper Medical Center and Vibra Hospital of Charleston. The community follows an exclusive Meaningful Moments approach, which focuses on building a safe and nurturing atmosphere for those with Alzheimer's, dementia and other forms of memory loss. This unique approach helps caregivers better understand the physical, spiritual, emotional, mental and social needs of the community members and helps them prepare personalized care plans following a comprehensive assessment of each resident's interests and needs. The program's programming encourages purposeful living, striving to engage seniors in meaningful moments and aiming to build trust among residents, staff and families. Community members can enjoy delicious meals that promote health and hydration and participate in mealtime interactions to socialize and connect.
People praise the caring and compassionate staff of the community. One writes, "The facility is beautiful, light, modern I visited many places to care for my wife and, this was the winner by a long shot. The staff is just amazing, very caring and responsive to both me and my wife's needs."
Somerby of Mount Pleasant's staff members are specially trained to provide empathetic support to memory care residents. Each community member is continuously monitored by staff who use problem-solving interventions to deal with the anxiety, paranoia, pacing and wandering habits of seniors with Alzheimer's. Somerby's customized senior care plans include assistance with daily living tasks such as bathing and dressing, medication management and administration services and housekeeping and laundry services. The memory care unit is equipped with life-enriching stations that help trigger seniors' memories. All entry and exit doors are secured and the outside memory garden is locked and monitored.
Family members recommend this community highly, saying, "We have been so happy with our experience with Somerby. I stayed with my mother over Christmas, and the food was excellent! The friendliness and helpfulness of the staff were amazing. My mother is very happy at Somerby."
Stratford Place Assisted Living and Memory Care is newly constructed and specially designed to help residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and other cognitive issues retain their independence by providing an array of life-enriching activities and programs. The curriculum is geared to increase mobility, stimulate the mind and encourage socialization. Compassionate staff is trained to encourage and guide residents to participate in activities that include kitchen help to create a sense of purpose and projects that give seniors the opportunity to use their relevant life skills. Staff is also available 24/7 to help residents with personalized care such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding and other daily needs. Housekeeping and laundry services are included together with three delicious and nutritious meals daily. Residents can enjoy the outdoors in a secured beautiful park-like setting with supervision.
Reviews often describe the beautiful community and roomy apartments, with one reviewer saying, "Opened January 2020 very nice with spacious rooms."
Sweetgrass Court, a Five Star Senior Living community, offers its signature Bridge to Rediscovery memory care services for residents living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Seniors receive personalized attention with all aspects of daily living and participate in memory care-specific recreational and occupational therapy activities throughout each week. Group exercise classes, beauty salon services and on-site physician visits are also available. Residents enjoy three freshly prepared meals per day, with renal, low fat, low salt and diabetic menu options provided for residents with special dietary needs. Pets are welcome to live with their resident owners here, and housekeeping is performed regularly.
Family members are pleased, saying, "My mother-in-law has been a resident at Sweetgrass for one and a half years. We have been very pleased with the care and attention that she has received. The staff has been very accommodating to her and to us. We feel welcomed every time we come to visit."
Seniors living in this community facing cognitive challenges related to dementia have access to a wide array of specially designed amenities and programs. Each resident in The Blake's memory care community is matched with an individualized monitoring system that reflects their behavioral patterns to provide enhanced protectiveness and security without being invasive or disruptive. Activities that stimulate the senses and all areas of the brain help keep seniors cognitively, physically and emotionally healthy and engaged in the areas they feel most comfortable are based on an interactive program called It's Never Too Late. This system is designed to help lessen memory impairment and engage seniors in reminiscing while taking part in different types of games and activities. Around-the-clock nursing care, delicious chef-prepared meals and spacious suites are some of the desirable amenities available within this community.
Visitors to this community are impressed with its friendly, professional staff, overall cleanliness and spacious rooms for residents. One resident's family member remarks that "it was always clean..and there was no odor. They had good activities."
The staff members at The Palmettos of Charleston start their workdays by reciting the community's promises to residents before they begin their daily senior memory care services. Striving to promote resident independence, socialization and healthy living, the staff members work in unison 24/7 to support the seniors' planned and unexpected personal and health needs. Each day, caregivers emphasize residents' strengths and promote self-esteem by helping them achieve optimal personal hygiene and continence management. Staff members also encourage seniors to participate in art and music therapy activities to help them connect to their core strengths and favorite remembered past times. Registered dietitian-approved meals are served in the communal dining room each day, with alternate diet menu items available for seniors with special needs. On-site podiatry and optical services are available, and off-site medical transportation is provided.
Family members are grateful for this community, saying, "My mother was in the memory hall for three years. Previously in another Charleston home and one in Beaufort that was negligent! All I can say is, thank you Palmettos. My mother was loved there, and cared for, as she needed."
The Palms of Mt. Pleasant welcomes seniors with dementia and has specialized care options to maintain a high quality of life for them. Residents in the Bridge to Rediscovery dementia program receive extensive one-on-one attention from caregivers, and each resident is put on a daily regimen based on their abilities and needs. Family members are welcome to join residents for meals with seating dining service, and meals are prepared with respect for each resident's dietary needs and health concerns. Several community spaces are made available for open use and caregivers coordinate a variety of events as well. The Palms of Mt. Pleasant offers apartments with one or two bedrooms and studio apartments.
Many residents like that The Palms of Mt. Pleasant offers a high quality of care. One family member says, "Our Mom has been at the Palms for more than two years, first with our Dad in skilled nursing. Her three children and her best friends could not be happier with the care she receives, especially the BTR staff who provide the continuous love and compassion she needs and deserves."
The Retreat at Summerville is a senior living community offering individualized care plans that meet the unique needs of each resident. Its signature memory care neighborhood provides a comfortable and familiar setting for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dementia or other types of memory impairments. A team of trained caregivers assists seniors with daily living tasks and increases their cognitive abilities through the community's Live, Love and Learn program. In-house speech, occupational and physical therapists are available for residents who require rehabilitation after having surgery. Other amenities and services offered by The Retreat at Summerville include housekeeping, laundry, complimentary transportation and a full-service hair salon. Family caregivers can take advantage of the community's respite care services whenever they need to travel for work, go on vacation or just want a physical or mental break.
Reviewers appreciate that seniors living in this community are treated with plenty of care, respect and dignity. One relative writes, "My parents are living at the Retreat at Summerville. I am extremely pleased with the care they are receiving. The staff is caring, respectful, and responsive."
Wellmore of Daniel Island, located in a historic coastal region, offers extensive senior living services. These services include the Reflections memory care program, which focuses on family engagement and all-inclusive services under one roof. The community also provides assisted living with 24/7 care, independent living, short-term rehab and skilled nursing services. Community amenities include salon and spa services, fine dining and a cafe, as well as on-site rehab services. Residents enjoy many activities at Wellmore, such as low-impact exercise and religious services.
Residents and their families love the environment at Wellmore of Daniel Island. One wrote, "My husband is a resident of the Memory Care facility. The staff treats us both like family. The rooms are well kept and the food is outstanding. They offer stimulating activities along with genuine care and support. This place is a wonderful gift to our family!"
Set among the trees with views overlooking Beresford Creek, Wellmore of Daniel Island offers assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care options. Memory care residents participate in the Reflections Memory Care program, which provides activities that stimulate their minds. Residents complete reasoning, information processing and memory exercises regularly to help preserve cognitive function. Seniors can enjoy a range of amenities, including a well-stocked library, fine dining, and a salon and spa. A wellness program is available to all residents, helping them remain fit and active. The indoor pool hosts a therapeutic, low-impact aerobic exercise program for memory care residents that's safe and fun. Each senior receives a personalized care plan that matches programming and activities to their current needs and interests.
Family members praise the friendly staff and excellent amenities, with one saying, "The dining room, the swimming pool, the TV room, the quiet room, and the sitting room were all well manicured and clean. The staff was very friendly, and very helpful I was more impressed with the staff than the building, that's how good the staff presented themselves."