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 Williamsville’s senior population continues to grow (6.51% growth between 2013 and 2017), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Williamsville, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 49.66% between 2013 and 2017. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only decreased by 0.8%, 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 (2.95% in Williamsville 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.
In Williamsville, the average price of memory care is $5,926. The national average is $5,625 per month, and New York state’s average rate is $5,725.
Williamsville’s average is $201 more than the state average and $301 more than the national average. Memory care in Rochester is priced at $4,719, $1,207 below Williamsville’s average. Albany, the state capital, has an average of $6,586, costing residents an additional $660 for memory care. The most expensive city, Watertown, has fees of $10,519. This is an increase of $4,593 compared to Williamsville.
Home health care at $5,053 per month is slightly higher than in-home care, which is $4,957 per month. This makes their averages $873 and $969 lower than the cost of memory care in Williamsville. The rate for adult day care is $4,756 less than memory care’s average at $1,170. Seniors can expect to pay $4,741 per month for assisted living, $185 less than memory care. Semiprivate rooms in nursing homes run $7,068 above the cost of memory care at $12,994 per month.
Note: Data for Williamsville was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Buffalo, was used instead.
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 Williamsville.
In Erie County, seniors and loved ones who are looking for memory care can reach out to the Alzheimer's Association to learn more about local services and resources. Research opportunities and diagnostic services can be found at The Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease, along with assistance exploring treatment options.
resource | contact | description | location |
---|---|---|---|
Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter | Amherst Office: 716-626-0600; Toll-free 24/7 hotline: 800-272-3900 | The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association help seniors assess their personal needs and develop a long-term care plan through care consultations. It also hosts chapter-wide conferences led by experts in their field that are aimed at caregivers and health care professionals. Additionally, family consultations can address various issues, such as differing opinions in care methods or long-term placement. | Amherst, NY |
University of Buffalo, Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease | 716-829-5432 | The University of Buffalo’s Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease offers screening and treatment for various types of dementia. Working with the National Institutes of Health, the center conducts clinical trials to help determine Alzheimer's risk factors. The comprehensive clinical team can also assist seniors with finding other community-based services. | Buffalo, NY |
Erie County Veterans Service Agency (ECVSA) | 716-858-6363 | Veterans in Erie County can contact Service Officers for assistance with filing a VA claim or appealing claim denials. Seniors can inquire about hospital and outpatient services as well as health and rehabilitation programs. Financial aid may also be available in the form of tax exemptions and disability compensation. | Buffalo, NY |
Center for Elder Law and Justice | 716-853-3087 | The Center for Elder Law and Justice has a wide range of services, including assistance with managing Social Security and health insurance. Representatives have experience helping seniors find transportation for medical needs. The organization also provides power of attorney services and defense during guardianship proceedings. | Buffalo, NY |
New York State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | 716-817-9222 | Certified by the state, ombudsmen work with residential care staff and seniors to mediate any issues or complaints. They investigate abuse and neglect as well as violations of visitation rights. Families can learn about local memory care communities and how to find the right placement for their loved ones. Ombudsmen are required to stay up to date on federal and local regulations. To find a local ombudsman, seniors should contact People Inc. at the number provided. | Williamsville, NY |
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 Williamsville, 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:
Nestled just outside of Williamsville, New York, Bristol Village provides a homelike environment for seniors with Alzheimer's and other types of memory loss in the quiet, suburban community of Clarence Center. The facility offers comprehensive care that serves the needs of its residents in terms of their physical, emotional and medical health. Trained staff are available 24 hours a day to provide attentive one-on-one care, including individualized assistance with activities of daily living, medication management and financial guidance. Residents can spend time socializing in the well-appointed common areas, take a leisurely stroll on the walking paths or enjoy views of the pond and open fields. The facility's diverse calendar of daily activities lets residents participate in a variety of programs that focus on sensory experiences, memory recall and interaction, such as exercise groups, art classes, trivia games, friendship visits and off-site group outings.
Reviewers consistently mention the pleasant environment and level of care offered at Bristol Village. A family member of residents shares, "This place is extremely well kept, and the people are very friendly. We chose it for the general appearance and the staff who was extremely knowledgeable and extremely concerned about my parents' well-being.":
At Brookdale Williamsville, the Alzheimer's and dementia care community operates on a people-centric model. The memory care program uses an evidence-based approach with six planned programs per day to help residents maintain their abilities and increase their skills. Residents choose their food and the activities they participate in. Dedicated staff members assist residents in finding a sense of purpose while enjoying cognitively engaging activities, such as dancing, music, art classes, trivia, brain games and bingo. The trained staff also provides 24-hour supervision in a homelike environment that has communal dining and indoor and outdoor seating areas for social gatherings and visitors. The facility hosts cookouts in the summer, annual holiday parties, Mother and Fathers Day buffet luncheons, Sunday dinners and regular trips to the drive-in theater for popcorn, candy and a good movie.
Visitors praise the facility and pleasant staff. "Brookdale Williamsville was very pleasant, bright and clean. The residents appeared to like it, and it was very nice. The staff was very pleasant, welcoming and introduced themselves." Family members also appreciate the community's inviting common areas. "They had a patio, a dining room and a kitchen where they could invite family to eat in private."
Glenwell is a homelike community in the suburbs of Buffalo that offers assisted living and memory care with all-inclusive services and amenities. Residents enjoy pleasantly landscaped grounds with plenty of areas to walk and sit, and they can visit and relax with loved ones in a spacious, homelike environment. In addition to an on-site beauty/barber shop and restaurant-style dining room, staff help plan regular outings to nearby attractions throughout the Buffalo area. Case management and budget planning are also available to those who need assistance. Family members are actively encouraged to participate in activities with the residents at Glenwell, creating a very warm and welcoming ambiance for everyone.
A son of a former resident at Glenwell said, "My mom was in the memory care unit here for 10 months. I found the staff to be very kind and caring. The facility is pleasant and clean. They made a difficult transition much easier." Other reviews stated that the facility consistently had helpful and friendly staff as well as great food for every meal.
Located in Lancaster, GreenField Continuing Care Community is a full-service retirement community with services ranging from independent living to skilled nursing. Residents can choose from numerous floor plans, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom with fireplaces, patios or large bay windows. Scheduled transportation is provided within a 15-mile radius to doctors appointments and other planned activities. The Creative Arts Department offers many events and activities based on residents' suggestions, including gardening, fitness classes, outdoor picnics and book clubs. This facility is also a site for the University Express program, which invites a variety of content experts to present on topics such as history or ecology. Other programs include Paws for Love, a volunteer-led pet therapy organization, and Reflections, an interview-type experience that allows residents to record their life story on camera for loved ones or future generations. General housekeeping and laundry is also available.
Reviews for GreenField Continuing Care Community mention the quality physical therapy programs and nice facilities, including a gift shop. One resident's daughter commented, "GreenField assisted living is a small-scale place compared to others. My mom is getting all the attention she needs, and everyone is so great!"
Juniper Glen is a community dedicated to serving seniors with memory loss-related illnesses. The community prides itself on person-centered care that supports each resident with a custom program based on Montessori principles and innovative therapies. It offers a wide range of care options, including transitional assisted living, all-inclusive assisted living, and memory care. Residents enjoy many support groups and educational classes to stay mentally and socially active. Its goal is to cultivate an environment that honors dignity and respect, promotes health and independence through empowering choice, and improves quality of life through ample support.
Residents' family members report being pleased with the care their loved ones receive at this community. One reviewer says, "Juniper Glen is strictly for dementia and Alzheimer's patients. It is all about the dignity there. They keep everybody clean, showered, and fed. They treat the residents with a lot of respect. They have several activities daily too."
Nestled in the heart of downtown Buffalo, New York, Mary Agnes Manor offers Alzheimer's and dementia support with private rooms in its large facility. Comfortably furnished common areas give residents a place to socialize over coffee or tea with other residents or guests or enjoy an ice cream in the on-site ice cream parlor. A secure environment keeps residents safe, while therapeutic activities help those with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia maintain their skills and improve their memory. The calming decor provides a stable, homelike environment, and the Alzheimer's certified staff uses individual and group sensory activities to slow the progress of memory impairment. Residents at Mary Agnes Manor live within walking distance to stores, parks and the Niagara Branch Public Library.
Visitors appreciate Mary Agnes Manor's convenient location, "It is centrally located and easy for me to get to here and the city. They have a private room and do not have to share a bathroom. There are plenty of activities and little stores where my mother can go and purchase things she needs," stated one family member.
Peregrine Senior Living at Cheektowaga offers its residents assisted living and memory care in a community with a spacious layout, including different activity centers. Outside, this facility features expansive grounds and enclosed courtyards for enjoyable, safe leisure time. For seniors seeking spiritual involvement, it offers a full size, on-site chapel with a Spiritual Director who provides inclusive services for different faiths. Residents can select from either one-bedroom or studio apartments each with a private bathroom. Tenants can enjoy a restaurant-style eating experience in the dining rooms or cook their own food in the full-service, supervised kitchen. This facility is dedicated to preserving seniors' mental and emotional health through various activities, including Peregrine University, which offers in-house lectures on a variety of topics.
Reviewers of Peregrine Senior Living at Cheektowaga are pleased with the attention staff members give to individual residents. A daughter of a resident writes, "The administrative staff were so helpful and nursing staff were honest, attentive and caring. They were his angels and watched over him, we would joke that they knew more about him than his family."
At Tennyson Court, individuals with Alzheimers disease receive specialized memory care services and live in rooms close to the dining hall and common areas to make navigating the facility easier. Residents participate in activities and programs designed to enhance independence and quality of life, such as fitness classes, trivia games, art classes and daily happy hours. The facility consists of three distinct buildings organized by care type, and memory care staff go through specialized training in Alzheimer's and dementia care. All services are tailored to each resident. Tennyson Court is a classically elegant facility with posh dining and common areas. All rooms have private baths, and housekeeping and laundry services are provided.
Visitors say they like Tennyson and appreciate that the facility is on one level for easy navigation. "It just seemed very homey, and it was a standalone place, so it wasn't a chain." Relatives also state that the dedicated staff seems happy to be there. "Everybody I ran into has worked there for 10 or 12 years, which to me seems like a testament that staff must be happy, which means they do a good job."
The Amberleigh is a senior community in Williamsville that prides itself on providing top-notch amenities and services for its residents. Seniors here experience a vibrant lifestyle with access to restaurant-style meals, as well as beautifully manicured grounds, an on-site beauty salon and activity center. The event calendar is packed with activities, including lectures from guest speakers, live music, educational classes and special ceremonies. The Amberleigh encourages family members to get involved with all of the social events. Each room includes walk-in closets and climate controls to keep each resident comfortable throughout the year. The community has a separate wing for memory care where residents are safe, secure and get the individualized attention they deserve.
The grandchild of one of the residents said"So my grandmother has been a resident at Amberleigh for over two years now, and she is always telling me how much she loves it there. She always tells me about her friends, all of the activities they do, and even how wonderful her hairdresser Lisa is (They have a hair salon right off the Lobby)." The review also mentions how friendly and accommodating every staff member is.