When to move to memory care
Signs and situations to look for
Find a list of memory care communities
A loved one's dementia creates a wealth of stress for families. As you negotiate stages in the progress of the disease, one of the many questions families face is when to move into a memory care community. Across provinces, there can be wait times for proper government-provided care for dementia sufferers. Private memory care serves as a helpful bridge for families.
Interim care may come in other forms, of course. Home care providers can provide dementia care at home, but there comes a point when home care is no longer the proper solution. Assisted living care can also be helpful to families, giving them the reassurance that a loved one is being watched over, 24/7.
Memory care communities provide the best environment for people in the middle to later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. Here, they are in community with others having the same condition. People who have difficulties elsewhere improve immensely in memory care. In a quieter, more manageable environment tailored to their needs, dementia sufferers feel more at ease. Read more about the advantages offered by memory care environments.
Here’s our look at situations and conditions under which you should move into memory care:
1. You know how long you'll be paying for memory care
You’ve calculated your budget, understand your estimated wait time for long-term care, and know how long you will require memory care. In other words, you are at a point where you are sure you can afford it. Part of this is understanding wait times for government-funded long-term care. Here's a province-by-province look at understanding wait times:
- Seniors’ Advocate in BC regularly publishes reports monitoring the availability of services and long term care.
- Alberta Health Services case managers will have information about wait times for long term care. You can also consult the local Community Care Access Centre for your region, within Alberta.
- In Ontario, you can get a detailed look at wait times for long-term care for specific long-term care communities near you. A case manager from you LHIN will be able to provide more details.
2. Wandering has become dangerous
Family members or other care providers can only provide a limited level of monitoring. Any wandering episode should be cause for concern and for many families, this will be when you take care to another level. Some technologies can help monitor your loved one. But if you have exhausted all options, the best place for your loved one is a secure memory care environment.
3. You're at risk of caregiver burnout
As a caregiver, you can apply for a respite care stay to help you manage stress. Many families also supplement their personal caregiving by hiring home care service but this has limits, also (see next). In a professional memory care environment, personal support workers and other nursing staff onsite are trained in the Gentle Persuasive Approach and many professional care techniques focused on the safety and security of your loved one. Pushing yourself to the limit is not helpful for anyone.
4. Home care costs are higher than you would pay for full time memory care
If you are supplementing family caregiving with home care, there comes a time when your loved one most definitely requires round-the-clock care. If you are paying more per day for home care than you would pay in a memory care community, it’s time to consider the move.
5. The living situation is otherwise no longer tenable
If your loved one’s home presents hazards that endanger his or her security, this is one example of a situation where you need to step up in finding better care. Certainly you can make renovations or other changes to deal with bathroom design, fall hazards and other issues. But again, there may come a time when it makes most sense to move forward.
Before you reach any of the situations above, we hope you have investigated memory care options near you, understand the costs, the care you will get, and the value of the environment created.
List of memory care communities
Click here to refine this list
The Dunfield Retirement Residence
The Dunfield Retirement Residence has established a new standard in senior retirement living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with 177 spacious apartments. Where people come to LIVE!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Swan Evergreen Village by Origin
Swan Evergreen Village is a leading Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care community in Southwest Calgary. Our Passion for Caring guides our active lifestyle. quality dining and supporting care needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Village of Erin Meadows
Mississauga's unique continuum of care concept featuring Independent Living Suites, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Suites with walk out patios, Assisted Care, Memory Care and Long Term Care.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Briton House
Family-owned and operated, the Briton House is dedicated to the highest standards of service. Offering a full continuum of care, a variety of amenities and suites, home-cooked meals, and a 15,000 sq. ft. indoor garden.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Origin at Longwood
Origin at Longwood offers a choice of spacious suites, featuring large windows with a variety of exposures to Nanaimo’s vistas or Longwood’s pristine forests – most suites also feature a private balcony or patio.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Shores of Port Credit
The Shores is designed for vibrant living with the highest quality of personal care. Amenities include pool, fitness & exercise club, restaurant, bistro & cafe, a golf simulator lounge & wine cellar.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Holland Gardens
Located in the heart of a vibrant community, Holland Gardens is the perfect place to live, laugh and enjoy life. An exciting community offering a luxurious resort lifestyle, an ideal place for inspired senior living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Hawthorn Park Retirement Community
Living at Hawthorn Park Retirement Residence means you have choices & can customize the services you need, as you need them. We offer three lifestyle opportunities; supportive living, assisted living & complex care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Promenade Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
With so much to do nearby, it’s easy to forget why you might want to stay home, but with its exceptional dining, impeccable design, and fun activities, you’ll find Promenade has many attractions of its own!
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Metta Lifestyles Queens Estate Retirement
At Queens Estate, we offer a complete range of care services in a welcoming environment. Whether it's our compassionate staff, fresh homemade meals, or exciting and engaging activities, you will truly feel at home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace a variety of suites styles with kitchenettes and incredible mountain views. It's the perfect residence for seniors who are active, require some assistance, or have memory care needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Sagecare 147 Elder Street
Enlightened dementia care touches more than memory. 147 Elder St. is a place that provides opportunities for the joy and meaning still ahead when wellbeing can no longer be realized at home.
Lifestyle Options: Memory Care
Park Place Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
Whether you're looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, you can access them all in one location at Park Place. We are a vibrant, social community surrounded by parks and close to many amenities.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Baycrest Terraces
We are Toronto's Finest Kosher Retirement Residence. Located on the Baycrest campus in the heart of North York's Jewish community. Baycrest Terraces, "Where Life Thrives". Call us today for more information.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Metta Lifestyles McCowan Retirement Residence
McCowan Retirement Residence is a vibrant and family oriented retirement home located in Scarborough. With team members who have been here since we opened in 2004, you can expect a warm welcome and a feeling of home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Wintergreene Estates
At Wintergreene you'll discover a combination of independence, privacy, activities, health and wellness programs & friendly companionship to savour throughout your retirement.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Carp Commons Retirement Village
One visit to Carp Commons Retirement Village and you’ll see the difference in terms of amenities, food, services, programs, and the little touches that make it feel like home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Aster Gardens
Aster Gardens, an Optima Living community, opened in March 2021, we are transforming Senior's living. You are going to love living here....Let Us Welcome You Home!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Sweetgrass
At Sweetgrass, we are dedicated to promoting maximum independence, choice, and dignity for each resident and encourage the involvement of family, neighbours and friends.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Credit River
Credit River is a 6-storey condo style residence, with an array of well-appointed suite styles to choose from and our highly-skilled health care professionals are available around the clock if you need them.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Whitehorn Village Retirement Community by Origin
Our life enrichment calendar is full of activities to help you answer the question “What do I want to do today?” Attend our fitness classes, enjoy movies in our theatre, or share laughs over coffees in our bistro.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Village Langley
We believe that the desire for fulfillment and living a life with purpose does not diminish with a diagnosis of dementia. We focus on the possibilities of each person, supporting each to live with laughter, love and joy.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Metta Lifestyles Greenview Retirement
At Greenview Residence, we offer a complete range of care services in a welcoming environment. Whether it's our compassionate staff, fresh homemade meals, or exciting and engaging activities, you will truly feel at home.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Golden Sands
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Metta Lifestyles Governors Walk Retirement Residence
A former monastery and friary, Governors Walk is designed to pay respect to the past while featuring a modern touch. Governors Walk is steps away from the picturesque Rideau River and Stanley park.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Origin at Spring Creek
Origin at Spring Creek is Bow Valley’s leading independent, assisted living, & memory care community. Nestled in the luxurious mountain town of Canmore, we empower our residents to remain happy, healthy & active.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Don Mills Retirement Residence
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Riverwalk Retirement Residence
Riverwalk Retirement Residence is centrally located in the Cliff Bungalow-Mission community of Calgary. We offer a continuum of care including Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Village of Arbour Trails
Guelph retirement home offers Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care. Includes 24 hour onsite nursing team and medication support within a Village-like setting. It takes a Village to care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Village of Tansley Woods
At The Village of Tansley Woods we offer the full continuum of care - Independent Living Suites, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Retirement Suites, Assisted Care, Memory Care and Long Term Care all in one village.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Village of Winston Park
This elegant retirement residence in Kitchener-Waterloo offers a continuum of care from independent living seniors' apartments to assisted living and long-term care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Village of Glendale Crossing
A true retirement hub featuring independent Living Apartments with full kitchens, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Retirement suites with walk out patios, Assisted Care, Memory Care and LTC.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Village of Riverside Glen
This elegant Guelph retirement home offers a range of care including assisted living and long term care, serviced by a friendly, caring staff.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Village at University Gates
Now welcoming our Retirement Home Residents to the Village. We offer Waterloo a range of services for today's Senior including Retirement Apartments, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Long Term Care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Village of Humber Heights
The Village of Humber Heights in Etobicoke offers different levels of service from independent apartments with meals to assisted living to long-term care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Village of Taunton Mills
The Village of Taunton Mills in Whitby presents several levels of service from seniors' apartments with meals to assisted living to long-term care.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Village of Wentworth Heights
The Village of Wentworth Heights is a full-service retirement living community offering retirement apartments, full-service suites, assisted living and memory care.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Forest Valley Terrace By Symphony
Forest Valley Terrace is proud to be the only community that is specifically designed & dedicated to the unique needs of seniors with all stages of Alzheimer’s, dementia or other forms of memory impairment in Ottawa.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Hamilton High Street Residence
Welcome to where independence meets peace of mind. Experience Richmond's cruise-inspired community offering gourmet meals, active living, entertainment & services that are not in-your-face, but there when you need them.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Waterford, The
Featuring bright suites surrounded by pedestrian pathways, and a two-acre water feature in Tsawwassen town-centre. Two choices in all-inclusive senior housing: independent living and a licensed Care Centre suites.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Richmond Care Home
Richmond Care Home is a unique 16-unit retirement home specifically designed for women living with dementia. We offer cutting-edge exceptional memory care, that's very reasonably priced in an intimate home-like setting.
Lifestyle Options: Memory Care
Delmanor Elgin Mills
Award Winning Delmanor Elgin Mills, has proudly served the Richmond Hill community since 2002.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Parkland on Eglinton West
Parkland on Eglinton West offers Lifestyle Apartments, All-Inclusive Lifestyle and Supportive Lifestyle options for seniors. Parkland makes it easy for you to do more of what you love!
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Wentworth Manor
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Vineyards Residence
The Vineyards approach to assisted living & memory care allows people to go about life as they always have, despite health changes. Beautiful suites & homemade meals. Discover for yourself why we say Life’s Better Here
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Ravines Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
Ravines offers you tranquility in one of Ottawa’s most scenic neighbourhoods, Prince of Wales. A social, carefree lifestyle awaits you in a friendly community staffed with individuals who truly care.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Aspira The Barrieview Retirement Living
At Aspira The Barrieview Retirement Living our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Meadows of Aurora
The Meadows of Aurora is a Christian Seniors Lifestyle Community that promotes the wellbeing of individuals 65+. Residents experience nature’s green spaces, memorable dining experiences and great times with friends.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Active Living
Aspira West Park Crossing Retirement Living
At Aspira West Park our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Symphony Senior Living Kanata
Enjoy the natural setting of the surrounding Kanata Lakes with access to shopping, parks and churches at Symphony Senior Living Kanata. This pet friendly community offers a variety of service packages and suites to fulfill your unique needs.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Aspira Riverbend Crossing Retirement Living
At Riverbend Crossing our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
Lifestyle Options: Memory Care
Carleton Place Terrace by Symphony
We offer a truly all inclusive plan. We welcome pets: offer residents accommodation options .Our array of activities & chef-prepared meals keep our residents healthy & active. Offering beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Aspira Stonebridge Crossing Retirement Living
At Aspira Stonebridge Crossing our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
New Horizons Tower
From gracious dining to new suites and lounges, residents are enjoying the new management and upgrades found at 1140 Bloor Street West, in the Heart of Bloordale Village.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
OPAL by Element
438 West King Edward Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 0M5 Opal offers a full continuum of support from Independent Living, Assisted living all the way to Complex Care, allowing the opportunity for aging in place.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Magnolia Gardens
An oasis in the heart of Langley City, Magnolia Gardens features bright, spacious suites and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Two choices in senior living: 115 independent living suites, and a 40 suite licensed Care Centre.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Lanes Retirement Living
Conveniently located in the city's east end, our newest location provides an upscale retirement experience with unmatched services and amenities, personalized care, and a warm family atmosphere.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Aspira Douglas Crossing Retirement Living
At Aspira Douglas Crossing our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Manor Villages StayWell Manor
Staywell Manor Village offers elegant retirement living in the heart of Calgary. Whether you are looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, we have lifestyle options to meet your needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Chartwell Willow Retirement Community
A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Maple Ridge seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Empress Kanata Retirement Residence
A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Kanata seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Deerview Crossing Retirement Residence
A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Hamilton seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Georgian Traditions Retirement Residence
A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Collingwood seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Scarlett Heights Retirement Residence
A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Etobicoke seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Eau Claire Care Residence
A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Calgary seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Assisted Living
Home Care companies in all and area.
Qualicare
Qualicare offers reliable and consistent caregivers and nursing for patients with medical, dementia, and mobility challenges. We also support people during and after hospital stays and within assisted living residences.
Lifestyle Options: Respite care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care, Home Care
Nurse Next Door Toronto Beaches
Nurse Next Door Toronto Beaches provides compassionate 24 hour personalized senior care services with bonded, registered & licensed Nurses / RPN's, in your home, hospital, rehab, LTC & retirement communities.
Lifestyle Options: Respite care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care, Home Care
Lawbell Senior Home Care Services
Lawbell Senior Home Care Services We offers medical and non - medical care support for seniors and people of all ages, in their homes, retirement residence, hospitals and Long term care facilities.
Lifestyle Options: Respite care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care, Home Care