TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 Houston, 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:
Located in a quiet neighborhood, Apex Oaks is a family-oriented assisted living and memory care facility that’s focused on preserving the quality of life for the seniors who live there. The facility works hand-in-hand with residents’ family members to ensure the best quality of care for seniors. Apex Oaks encourages socialization between residents by providing daily group activities, such as games, entertainment and exercise programs. Seniors can relax while enjoying the community’s large aquarium or media center. An on-site chef prepares three healthy meals for residents each day.
What Residents Are Saying
One online reviewer says, “The staff provides excellent service, and the manager gives her good treatment. I would recommend it to anybody,” says one reviewer. Many others praise the community’s friendly staff, while another has said, “Apex Oaks is everything I was looking for. The staff is friendly and kind. The facility is clean.”
REVIEWS: 4.89 out of 5 stars; 16 reviews
PHONE: (281) 469-8800
ADDRESS: 13702 Wimbledon Oaks Dr., Houston, TX 77065
WEB: apexoaks.com
Bedford Residence is owned by a licensed pharmacist and located in a quiet neighborhood. There’s a focus on health and wellness with many opportunities to socialize, such as church, singing activities, and board games. Residents always have an assortment of activities to choose from. A variety of care levels lets residents age in place while receiving the help they need, including personal assistance, medication management and incontinence services. Thanks to locked and secured exits and a wander guard who keeps a close eye on residents, everyone remains safe and accounted for. Electronic monitoring provides another layer of security within the facility.
What Residents Are Saying
Visitors comment on the nurturing staff and nutritious food provided by Bedford Residence. One reviewer states, “I am blown away by the staff. They are sincerely caring, nurturing and patient. After one week, my father wants to treat them to dinner at a restaurant.”
REVIEWS: 4.1 out of 5 stars; 27 reviews
PHONE: (281) 498-3301
ADDRESS: 11718 Bedford St., Houston, TX 77031
WEB: bedfordresidence.com
Ella Springs Senior Living Community is a pet-friendly, luxurious assisted living facility that aims to provide its residents with a retirement lifestyle that’s focused on enrichment and enjoyment. The community boasts multiple dining rooms, each featuring a daily selection of healthful chef-prepared meals. A variety of planned activities are offered every day and seniors living at Ella Springs can enjoy the facility’s vast amenities that include a movie theater, spa, salon and dog park. Several apartment floor plans are available to accommodate residents who reside alone or with a companion.
What Residents Are Saying
Visitors of Ella Springs frequently praise the community’s clean and bright atmosphere. In an online review, one resident’s family member says, “the minute I walked into Ella Springs, I knew this was the place for Mom. It was clean, bright, spacious and tastefully decorated … The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, loving and very patient.”
REVIEWS: 4.09 out of 5 stars; 17 reviews
PHONE: (281) 215-5985
ADDRESS: 16700 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77090
WEB: ellasprings.com
Nestled in a peaceful setting on 15 acres of land in Houston, Texas, Parkway Place offers assisted and independent living services along with hospice and memory care. Skilled nurses are on-site 24 hours per day to provide the care that is needed for seniors as they age in place. This continuing care community offers an array of amenities, including a swimming pool and state-of-the-art wellness center to ensure residents are healthy and happy.
What Residents Are Saying
Family members describe the facility as warm and beautiful with a staff that is caring and attentive. Visitors give high marks to Parkway Place for the many activities offered, such as Bible studies and exercise classes. One family member said, “It’s a beautiful place. The meals, space and care are good. We’re very happy. The staff has been very helpful and taking very good care of him. The residents seem nice. They have a lot of activities every day.”
REVIEWS: 4 out of 5 stars; 28 reviews
PHONE: (281) 556-9200
ADDRESS: 1321 Park Bayou Dr., Houston, TX 77077
Pathways Memory Care at Villa Toscana is a luxury memory care community located in the north end of Houston. The quiet neighborhood is dotted with churches, shopping centers and restaurants. The secure community provides personalized care to residents at every stage of dementia. In this relaxed environment, residents are encouraged to sleep in and eat meals whenever they’re ready for their pick of dietician-approved menu options. Residents can enjoy fresh air in the courtyard, browse the gift shop or pursue their favorite hobbies in the activity center. The community’s social calendar also includes on-site workshops and literary presentations to keep residents entertained.
What Residents Are Saying
Residents are impressed with the community’s environment, which one reviewer described as “upscale and perfect for my brother’s needs.” People speak highly of the community’s staff, and one visitor notes that “the residents look well cared for.” Multiple reviewers mention the facility’s high level of cleanliness.
REVIEWS: 3.1 out of 5 stars; 20 reviews
PHONE: (281) 315-1450
ADDRESS: 2930 Cypress Grove Meadows Dr., Houston, TX 77014
Nestled on eight acres of beautiful land in Houston, Texas, the Abbey at Westminster Plaza offers a three-story assisted living facility that includes memory enhancement in addition to a 144-unit for independent living. The Alzheimer’s Community has been created to provide the best tools for those suffering from memory impairment and is designed to encourage family involvement and emotional support through success-based activities. It is secure and safe for all residents.
What Residents Are Saying
Visitors and family members describe the apartments and rooms for residents as nice, spacious and convenient. They appreciate the quality food that is prepared by a chef on-site and the number of activities offered, such as craft classes, yoga, movies and group outings to local attractions. They note the staff is attentive to residents’ needs and are professional and informative. They also say that the facility overall is clean, nicely decorated and well-kept.
REVIEWS: 4 out of 5 stars; 111 reviews
PHONE: (281) 556-6020
ADDRESS: 2865 Westminster Plaza Dr., Houston, TX 77082
WEB: abbeywp.com
The Buckingham is Houston’s premier, all-inclusive, continued care retirement community. The Life Care program imposes an entrance fee for seniors seeking independent residential living, with the reassurance that additional, affordable care is available should they need it. Skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care residents may enter directly without paying the upfront fee, although they are not eligible for Life Care benefits. The sophisticated, luxurious facilities feature a putting green, resident vegetable garden, woodworking shop and fitness center. Residents requiring memory support receive 24-hour supervised care in a customized environment that includes spacious private residences, an enclosed courtyard for safe wandering and a Real Food First program that features the Grind Dining (silverware-free) technique. The Buckingham earned a 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in every category and was named one of the nation’s “Best Nursing Homes” by U.S. News & World Report for 2017-2018.
What Residents Are Saying
Reviewers highlight the numerous engaging activities at The Buckingham. One wrote, “My precious family member is very happy here. The staff is kind and compassionate and knowledgeable. There is a lot to do if you want to do it. Awesome!”
REVIEWS: 4.1 out of 5 stars; 108 reviews
PHONE: (281) 979-3090
ADDRESS: 8580 Woodway Dr., Houston, TX 77063
Tucked away in a quiet Houston suburb, the Cottage of Spring Branch is a small community that provides its residents with a secure, homelike setting. The staff aims to provide individualized attention to every resident and invites families to take part in resident care to ensure that each senior’s unique needs are met. Every caregiver is specially trained to preserve the dignity and quality of life of those living with dementia. Many seniors living at The Cottage of Spring Branch take part in daily social activities and spend time outdoors in the facility’s beautiful gardens.
What Residents Are Saying
Families of residents speak highly of the facility’s caring and attentive staff. One online reviewer said, “The staff is very loving and caring. In my opinion, they go above and beyond in caring for the residents … I highly recommend The Cottage of Spring Branch for a relative who needs to be in a memory care facility.”
REVIEWS: 3.97 out of 5 stars; 48 reviews
PHONE: (713) 461-1500
ADDRESS: 1842 Hollister Rd., Houston, TX 77080
WEB: thecottagesb.com
The Farrington at Tanglewood is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood in Houston, not far from parks, churches and shopping centers. The luxurious facility offers a secure environment for its assisted living and memory care residents. With wall-to-wall carpeting and individual climate control, the community’s accommodations are designed with resident comfort in mind. Residents can enjoy meals in the full-service dining room, relax in the library or play bingo in the activity room. Nature lovers can explore the community’s outdoor walking paths. For memory care residents, the facility offers a variety of meaningful activities, such as kitchen work or gardening. To help residents stay healthy, the community offers specialized weight management and fall management programs.
What Residents Are Saying
Reviewers note the facility’s many on-site amenities. They also mention its full activity calendar, with one visitor saying, “They have outings and different things going on almost every day.” People also love the caring staff, and a family member of a resident says, “My mom has been in several places, and this is the best by far.”
REVIEWS: 3.5 out of 5 stars; 63 reviews
PHONE: (713) 532-1718
ADDRESS: 505 Bering Dr., Houston, TX 77057
The Shores at Clear Lake, located just minutes from Houston’s Clear Lake, provides assisted living and memory care services. Residents are encouraged to participate in Vibrant Life, which is a unique, enrichment program that offers many opportunities for fun and learning. The program’s offerings include sing-alongs, exercise classes, field trips, live music and other activities. Memory care residents can reminisce by preparing recipes from their youth or creating a personalized jukebox that plays their favorite songs. Indoor amenities include a beauty salon, theater and private dining room where residents can entertain guests. Outdoors, seniors can enjoy fresh air and sunshine in the community’s secure courtyards.
What Residents Are Saying
People love the variety of activities offered by this community, and one reviewer says “there are activities everyone can participate in.” Reviewers speak highly of the facility’s caring, professional staff, and a family member of a resident said “we are very pleased with the care that she is receiving.”
REVIEWS: 5 out of 5 stars; 6 reviews
PHONE: (281) 823-8088
ADDRESS: 19400 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77406
The Solana at Vintage Park is an exclusive assisted living and memory care community in Houston. The community’s landscaped grounds feature walking paths, courtyards and other areas for residents to explore. Residents have access to a theater, fitness room, cafe, well-stocked library and arts and crafts room. Other on-site amenities include a salon, pharmacy and wellness center. Memory care residents are encouraged to participate in daily structured activities, including mental workouts to maintain their abilities. There is a full calendar of activities, such as bingo and movie nights, which are available to keep residents entertained. The facility’s dining program is designed with memory care residents in mind and includes easy-to-manage menu selections.
What Residents Are Saying
Reviewers are impressed by the luxury environment with one noting “the grounds are quite well-kept at all times, and the inside is very nicely decorated.” The community also receives compliments for its full activity calendar. The family member of a resident says “there are plenty of opportunities for him to get out and participate.”
REVIEWS: 4.02 out of 5 stars; 95 reviews
PHONE: (281) 320-9000
ADDRESS: 19929 Chasewood Park Dr., Houston, TX 77070
WEB: brookdale.com
The Tradition – Buffalo Speedway offers independent living, assisted living and memory care in a serene, welcoming community. Located inside the Interstate 610 loop, this 316-unit facility gives residents easy access to the Rice Village shopping mall, the Houston Zoo and the Houston Arboretum. The landscaped grounds are trimmed with courtyards and fountains, and the on-site communal spaces include a library, fitness center and movie theater. In addition to these amenities, the Tradition – Buffalo Speedway is equipped with state-of-the-art safety and security technology, such as a biometric key control system and surveillance cameras. Weekly activities help to foster continued enrichment. Water aerobics and Zumba classes are taught by a nationally-recognized fitness trainer, and brain fitness programs help residents optimize their memory skills. Weekly housekeeping services and 24-hour concierge services add to the resort-like atmosphere. The spacious living quarters come with kitchens, full-sized appliances and balconies, and the restaurant-style dining area boasts a diverse, dynamic menu.
What Residents Are Saying
Reviewers are impressed by the luxury environment with one noting “the grounds are quite well-kept at all times, and the inside is very nicely decorated.” The community also receives compliments for its full activity calendar. The family member of a resident says “there are plenty of opportunities for him to get out and participate.”
REVIEWS: n/a
PHONE: (713) 715-1905
ADDRESS: 9339 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025
Conveniently located near the West University Place, Bellaire and Meyerland neighborhoods in Houston, Texas, the Village of Meyerland is an updated, state-of-the-art facility that offers assisted living and memory and dementia care for seniors. Services administered by the well-trained staff are focused on mental engagement, health, wellness and social involvement while encouraging residents to maintain their independence and self-confidence. Along with exercise classes and social events, residents participate in an upscale activity each week, such as a trip to the Museum of Natural Science.
What Residents Are Saying
Visitors and family members of residents note the cleanliness of the facility as well as the great staff members. “They have open seating for meals and a fairly flexible mealtime,” said the daughter of one resident. Visitors note the huge, pretty rooms and the endless choices of fantastic, fresh food that is prepared by talented chefs. A bistro is also available for snacking anytime.
REVIEWS: 4 out of 5 stars; 46 reviews
PHONE: (713) 665-4141
ADDRESS: 4141 N Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77025