Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Leominster’s senior population continues to grow (9.5% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Leominster, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 4.39% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 13%, 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 (4.89% in Leominster 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 Leominster. 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 Leominster, 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:
Sunrise of Leominster is a senior living community in the Boston metro area. It has been designed with senior independence in mind and provides stylish and comfortable common areas and residences that can be personalized. Its Reminiscence neighborhood has been created for residents with memory loss and features resident suites located alongside living and dining areas to promote ease of navigation. Residents are met with before their move-in dates so that special care assessments can be made. Care staff creates individualized service plans based on residents' needs and individual preferences. Seniors also receive personalized support with the activities of daily living such as grooming, medication management and meal preparation in a warm and secure environment.
Family members appreciate Sunrise of Leominster for their caring team members and personalized care. One says, "Sunrise has done a wonderful job taking care of my mom. The staff is friendly and competent and knows mom. They keep her involved with activities at a level that she appreciates, and they help her every day."
Opened in 1997, Manor On the Hill is a family-owned senior living community offering various levels of care and support to older adults in Leominster, Massachusetts. The community's Memory Care Lane program is designed to help residents with dementia or Alzheimer's maintain their independence and freedom in a secure, homelike setting. Compassionate caregivers are available 24 hours a day to assist seniors with daily routines such as dressing, bathing, incontinence care and taking medications. For added safety, all the entrances and exits are alarmed, and there is an enclosed patio for outdoor activities. Residents can have delicious meals in the elegant dining room, relax in the family-style living room or get pampered at the hair salon. Manor On the Hill also provides skilled nursing care at its on-site Adult Day Health Center.
Reviewers are happy with the level of care their loved ones receive from the warm and professional staff at Manor On the Hill. One remarks, "The staff seems to be attentive and concerned in regards to the cleanliness of the community. They are all around pretty good. The care services are good ."
Residents in memory care at Rivercourt Residences are part of the Reflections Program, which offers a flexible schedule and gives families the opportunity to interact with their loved ones in meaningful ways. The program provides 24-hour staff support and individualized care plans that are managed by the Reflections Program Director, who is a full-time RN. A higher than industry standard staff-to-resident ratio gives residents more support. The community also offers the Alzheimer's Association's Habilitation Therapy Model to reduce stress and give residents a sense of purpose. The full-time Reflections Life Enrichment Director organizes engaging activities at Rivercourt Residences, such as live music performances and weekly outings. Residents can also take advantage of a full-service beauty salon, a living room with games and puzzles and an outdoor courtyard with raised garden beds.
Families appreciate the high level of care their loved ones receive. One says, "We cannot overstate the exceptional care she received during her time at Rivercourt," when talking about their mother. In addition to the staff, reviews mention the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the community overall.
Benchmark Senior Living at Shrewsbury Crossings offers five levels of memory care to help seniors with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia maintain their independence and well-being. Residents at the lowest level receive reminders and cues throughout the day as needed, while seniors with advanced memory loss at the highest level of care receive complete assistance with their emotional and physical needs, including daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing and grooming. All residents in the memory care program are encouraged to participate in rewarding, multi-sensory activities and social events. Specialized lighting, aromatherapy and contrasting paint schemes are just a few of the other subtle yet powerful ways the community helps seniors with memory loss.
"We like the staff. They have trivia, and since they're in the memory care unit, they try to engage them. And they also read to the residents out loud. I saw them having exercise in the morning. It just felt like home," writes one resident's family member in a review. Other reviewers have also praised the community's engaging activities and friendly staff.
Nestled in a tree-lined neighborhood of the charming New England town Shrewsbury, this community is less than 15 minutes from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Based on a philosophy of empathy, expression and mindfulness, its Reflections Memory Care program connects with the whole person through physical fitness, wellness and self-care, continued learning, arts and culture and community connections. The highly trained caregivers, all certified by the National Institute for Dementia Education, are on-duty 24/7 to help with activities of daily living, such as grooming, showering and dressing. They coordinate with outside experts for advanced medical care and provide housekeeping and laundry services, medication management, continence care and hourly health checks. Seniors live in a dedicated memory care neighborhood with secure outdoor areas and participate in art therapies that stimulate memories and speech.
People praise the beautiful environment and helpful staff. A resident's son writes, "The Residence at Orchard Grove is a beautiful facility. The food is available 24/7. It's been very easy and a very wonderful experience for my father. The staff has been marvelous so far. They've been very helpful, and the residents have been nice, too."
Oasis At Dodge Park is an upscale memory care community that also provides skilled nursing, hospice and assisted living services in a homelike environment near the center of Worcester, Massachusetts. This secure community features an elopement system, CCTV and a 1:15 staff-to-resident ratio. Seniors can get fresh air and sun via the courtyard and outdoor relaxation areas. Activities designed for specific levels of cognitive function and mobility, include brain games, joke telling, trivia, music and movies. Pet and music therapy are also available. Common rooms feature high ceilings, large sun-filled windows and open floor plans that make it easier for people to move around. Nurses are on duty 24/7, and physicians monitor the health of residents. Special meals are arranged by in-house dieticians, and care is available for diabetics and those who require oxygen support.
The son of two Oasis At Dodge Park residents is very pleased with the care given to his parents and notes his first impressions of the community itself, saying, "The building was impeccably clean inside and out. The residents were out of their rooms and participating in activities."
This community's Mind & Memory Care program helps seniors with cognitive impairment live fulfilling lives by offering positive human connections and person-centric care in a safe environment. Of the six levels of care available, the entry level is designed for older adults with mild memory loss and no behavioral issues. The highest level is dedicated to seniors requiring extensive behavioral support and assistance with all facets of care. Before crafting an individualized care plan for each resident that caters to their needs, the staff thoroughly assesses their health and abilities. Caregivers, supervised by a registered nurse, are on duty 24/7 to help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming and dressing. Residents can participate in research-based holistic activities developed in partnerships with local universities, including brain health programs, live musical performances and community outings. A chef serves three restaurant-style meals daily.
Family members rave about the devoted staff, engaging activities and beautiful environment. A resident's sister writes, "Most of the people are helpful and friendly. All staff have gone out of their way to welcome me and make me feel at home. The surroundings are beautiful and calming. I feel so relieved that my sister lives here."
Brookdale Eddy Pond West offers the Clare Bridge program in its memory care community. Clare Bridge promotes a structured routine that fosters security and physical and mental health. Residents may participate in planned programs each day, including games, discussions, exercise sessions with the B-Fit program and art classes. Secure outdoor spaces are available for walking and gardening as well. Those with early-stage cognitive challenges are enrolled in the Crossing portion of Clare Bridge that combats depression and frustration through journaling, outings and shared stories. Seniors with later-stage dementia experience the Solace program, which focuses on sensory awareness and comfort through music and aromatherapy. The community is fully secure, and residents are supervised 24 hours a day. Private and friendship suites are available, and family members are encouraged to decorate with familiar objects.
Residents and their family members appreciate the caring staff and comfortable accommodations at Brookdale Eddy Pond West. "The grounds and interior of the building were beautifully decorated and always clean," one reviewer notes. Reviewers also note that staff members are friendly and truly care.
Brookdale Cushing Park is a senior living community located on 100-acre grounds in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts. The community's apartments have a homelike feel, with plenty of natural light, large closets and cheerful colors. Floor plans in the memory care community are easy to navigate and have the same appearance and secure function as a private home. Its memory care program's person-centered approach to well-being helps residents develop a sense of belonging. Seniors are always surrounded by the familiar faces of those who assist them in maintaining their current skills and promote purposeful interactions throughout the day. Care staff handles household chores, such as laundry and housekeeping, while providing support with daily activities, including personal care, medication management and meal preparation. Seniors also have supportive dining experiences, featuring dementia-friendly menus, mealtime assistance and consistent seating arrangements.
Family members love the community for its dedicated staff and delicious menu. One says, "My mother loves living at Cushing Park. The staff is extremely friendly and hard working and help with anything my mom needs. We really enjoy the food!!!!!!!!!"
The Branches of Framingham offers a memory care program that combines supportive health care services with luxurious amenities and a vibrant social calendar. The community's Mind and Memory Care program provides resident-tailored plans using a tiered approach, from simple cueing and reminders for those with mild conditions to full assistance for those with late-stage conditions. Services may include mechanical or electrical lift transfers and behavioral support for those with extensive needs. Living spaces feature special colors, lighting and visual cues for easy, independent navigation, and private and shared units are equipped with accessibility features. Treasure chests, journey stations and audio programs enhance the multisensory environment. Certified dementia practitioners provide round-the-clock needs-based personalized care, and residents are free to choose their own health providers or avail themselves of on-site physician and rehabilitation services.
Families are pleased to see loved ones actively engaged and thriving in the community's vibrant environment. "This is an extremely social community and very friendly. We really appreciate how much the staff members engage with the residents and keep them active. They have a ton of activities - physical and mental activities," writes a resident's family member.
At Sunrise of Wayland, seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia get around-the-clock personal care and medical supervision in the Reminiscence Neighborhood. Apart from the gracious accommodations and regular chore services, seniors in this neighborhood can enjoy a wide range of social and educational programs designed to improve cognitive engagement. Each resident's health needs are given high priority through the Sunrise CareConnect record system and regular health visits and nutritious dining options. Loved ones of residents at Sunrise of Wayland get a family engagement app that keeps them connected through photos, videos and messages.
Reviews for this community commonly mention how dedicated and caring the staff is towards residents. One family member said, "Sunrise of Wayland had a higher staff ratio and a different philosophy than some of the other places, which appealed to me." Other reviews mention the abundance of amenities.
The Residence at Valley Farm's Reflections Memory Care program enriches the lives of seniors with dementia and helps them express themselves by offering empathy and mindful life experiences. Each new resident receives a personalized wellness plan catering to their needs after a thorough assessment by the staff. The caregivers, all certified by the National Institute for Dementia Education, are on duty 24/7 to help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, grooming and bathing. Medication management, continence care, hourly health checks, housekeeping and laundry services are also available. Seniors live in a specialized memory care neighborhood featuring secure outdoor spaces and enjoy daily social activities, including tai chi, cocktail hours and movie nights. They can also participate in art therapies that use music, storytelling and visual art to trigger memories and spark positive emotions. Amenities include a library, beauty salon and bistro.
Family members love the compassionate staff and delicious food. Two residents' daughter writes, "The Residence at Valley Farm is absolutely perfect for my parents. Everyone on staff is happy, compassionate, upbeat and always there with a smile. This is evident when you see how happy the residents are. The food is always fresh, healthy and delicious."
Traditions of Wayland offers senior living in a lovely residential building replete with historical charm. Well-appointed indoor spaces and landscaped grounds blend with state-of-the-art amenities, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, Amazon Echo and modern safety systems. The Reflections memory care neighborhood features spacious common areas, secure outdoor spaces and fully furnished apartments. Certified by the National Institute for Dementia Education, the community's caregivers provide personalized support, including hourly resident checks, continence care and medication supervision. The team also coordinates with third-party providers for advanced health care needs. Memory care residents engage in expressive art therapies, encouraging them to make meaningful connections through storytelling, visual arts and movement exercises. Managed by seasoned chefs, Traditions' Everyday Gourmet program serves constantly evolving menus that help promote brain health and physical strength.
Families note that life at Traditions is easy and enjoyable for loved ones. "Traditions has been a welcoming home for my mother," writes a resident's son. "Although she participates in fewer activities now and is receiving more support services from Tradition, it continues to be a safe and comfortable home where she has made some strong friendships. The staff has been great."
Carriage House at Lee's Farm follows the Avita Memory Care program, which offers a safe space for seniors with dementia to live engaging and fulfilling lives. The staff thoroughly assesses each resident's health, abilities and preferences before developing an individualized care plan catering to their needs. Caregivers, all professionally trained in dementia care, are on duty 24/7 to help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and mobility. Other services include medication management and reminders, continence care, housekeeping and linen service. Residents live in a specialized memory care neighborhood equipped with an emergency response system, and they participate in Cooking Up Memories, a reminiscence therapy using nostalgic smells and tastes to trigger pleasant memories and foster positive emotions. The culinary staff serves delicious meals daily using fresh produce and seafood sourced from local purveyors, and scheduled transportation is available for personal appointments off-site.
Family members love the responsive staff and clean environment. A resident's daughter writes, "It's a very lovely community, the people are very friendly, and they're very responsive. It's clean, there are activities, and the food is really lovely. The facility is very spacious, nice and the setting is good. The rooms are very nice, very large, and spacious."
Situated along the Charles River in a tranquil setting, Maplewood at Weston is located near the junction of Interstate 90 and 95. It's just minutes from Boston, Massachusetts, and many hospitals and medical centers. The senior living community specializes in memory care for seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Residents receive personalized care and assistance with daily living activities and medication management. Resort-style amenities include a full-service salon, spacious common areas and a heated indoor pool. Physical, recreational and social activities include exercise classes, worship services, games, music, painting classes and cultural events. The memory care dining room creates a multi-sensory experience where residents can savor meals in a restaurant-style setting. Healthy snacks and beverages are also available.
Family members love the family-like atmosphere and outstanding care their loved ones receive. One resident's relative says, "My mother currently resides in their memory unit, and I have to say that the care they provide is superb. The staff develops a true bond with the residents and treat them as if they were their own family."
Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings is an assisted living and memory care community conveniently located right off I-95 and minutes away from Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. For seniors living with the challenges of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, this award-winning community offers five tiers of care to support residents through various stages of memory loss. Care plans are personalized to individual needs and preferences, and all combine different forms of sensory stimulation to help seniors feel at ease and connected with their environment. Gardening and art and music therapy are among the programs that have earned this community the most recognition. While residents of Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings can receive assistance with their daily living activities 24/7, the community has implemented features such as specially chosen paint schemes to help residents navigate on their own, enhancing their independence.
The professionalism and attentiveness of this community's care team frequently impress residents and visitors. One former resident's child wrote, "The staff was very nice, helpful and kind. The nurses would come in and check on them. The rooms were nice. She had a small apartment unit. The bathroom was a good size and equipped nicely. I had no complaints."
Wingate Residences at Needham partners with Boston's elite network of researchers and clinicians in the development of The Neighborhood memory care program, which helps seniors with cognitive impairment live fulfilled lives in a safe environment. The highly trained staff conducts a person-centered memory care assessment of each resident before crafting an individualized care plan catering to their abilities and preferences. Certified nursing assistants are on duty 24/7 to provide medication management and overnight hourly health checks. Pharmacy delivery services, dietitian care and on-site physician visits are also available. Residents live in a dedicated neighborhood featuring secure private entrances and a 24-hour emergency response system. A certified memory care activities director organizes enrichment activities, such as aromatherapy, wellness classes and pet therapy. Seniors can also participate in Music for One, a music therapy program that uses personalized playlists to spark memory and improve mood.
People praise the friendly staff and engaging activities. A resident's family writes, "Have had a very good experience with a family member in the memory care unit. The staff are excellent, engaged, respectful and friendly to residents and their family. They have made big efforts to provide appropriate activities and care for individuals with different needs."
Bridges by EPOCH at Sudbury is a dedicated memory care community. A highly skilled team of caregivers is on-site 24/7 to support and assist residents as needed. Physicians visit on a regular basis, and a registered nurse is always available to oversee the medical care of seniors. The diverse life enrichment program includes pet therapy, group outings, art therapy, exercise classes, gardening and life skills stations. The community has three distinct households that group together seniors with similar cognitive skill levels. Comprehensive security systems guard against wandering behaviors and keep residents safe at all times. Seniors have access to spacious communal rooms, a salon, a library and a secure courtyard with raised gardening beds. Family support groups and memory loss education programs are offered. Three chef-prepared meals and healthy snacks are served daily.
Family members praise compassionate staff and appreciate that the community's focus on memory care, with one reviewer saying, "The best of memory care facility. Bridges specializes in memory care in that this is all that they do. Their staff from maintenance, to CNAs to activity directors to nurses, are committed to providing top-notch care for those with memory impairments. "
Sitting in a tree-lined neighborhood of Newton, The Falls at Cordingly Dam is less than 10 minutes from Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Its Mind & Memory Care program helps older adults with cognitive impairment live with a sense of purpose and belonging. Six levels of care are available, from the first level, catering to seniors with mild memory loss and limited behavioral issues, to the highest level, dedicated to residents who need assistance in all aspects of life and extensive emotional support. The staff, specially trained in dementia care, is available 24/7 to provide medication management and help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and grooming. Residents live in a dedicated neighborhood featuring secure common areas with specialized lighting and visual cues to help them navigate. Cognitive programs, including treasure chests, journey stations and art therapy, are available.
People praise the friendly staff and diverse activities. A resident's husband writes, "The staff at The Falls at Cordingly Dam is great. They're friendly, nice, and competent. The food seems to be very good. The place is in excellent condition. I think they do a good job maintaining it. They have activities going all the time."