The 6 Best Memory Care Facilities in Saint Augustine, FL

Silver Creek's enchanting setting contributes to its inclusion on the list, particularly the small lakes to the front and the woodland protecting the rear. Staff is on-hand 24/7 to administer all aspects of care, including the memory care program, which draws on the senior's life experiences. They create meaningful activities for each resident that help them make connections through memory, such as conversations centered on family photographs. Care and entertainment merge with some activities, such as movie nights with classics from seniors' younger years and board games that double as brain training. Gentle exercises each morning help residents maintain their fitness, and managed activities, such as sing-a-longs, promote the social aspects of care.

Brookdale St. Augustine's peaceful location within walking distance of several medical facilities helps it make the list. The community's two memory care programs designed for residents at varying stages of cognitive decline also factor. The focus of Clare Bridge is the delivery of six planned events every day. Each event covers a different aspect of the senior's care, such as mentally stimulating games and B-Fit, a health program involving walking groups and dancing. Seniors with more advanced dementia enter the Solace program, which provides more comprehensive care, including extra time for grooming and aromatherapy. Numerous features help keep residents safe, including an enclosed courtyard and emergency alert systems. Seniors' living spaces are studio apartments with private bathrooms.

Senior Living at the Greens is nestled within acres of landscaped grounds enclosed by woodland, so may appeal to families looking for a particularly peaceful environment. Its award-winning SPARKS program has a dual purpose: it strives to help seniors fulfill their potential through various memory care activities and find joy in everyday life through social events. Staff tailor the program for each resident and manage their care night and day, including assistance with daily living tasks, such as toileting and eating. Several amenities double as sources of care and entertainment, such as the swimming pool and putting green. For residents' safety, the facility has secure entry/exit doors.

Silver Treasures at St. Augustine's three communities allow for a continuum of care: independent living, assisted living and memory care. It sits within landscaped grounds backing onto Fort Mose State Historic Park, offering its residents a relatively peaceful environment. Specially trained staff is on-site 24/7 to assist with activities of daily living and implement personalized memory care plans. Residents are served three nutritionally balanced meals daily in the communal dining room, which can be tailored for personal needs, such as puréed and vegetarian. Calm-inducing pastel colors throughout and thoughtfully designed bedrooms and common areas add to the overall sense of serenity that families would expect from a memory care community.

Riverside Cottages at the Shores is a family-owned community nestled within five acres of landscaped grounds framed by woodland. This, combined with the purposefully designed, easily navigable corridors and calming color scheme creates a relatively ambient environment. Keycode-entry doors and a state-of-the-art security system ensure seniors are safe within the community, while some amenities, such as the visiting beautician, mean they needn't travel for necessities. Staff are specially trained to support residents dealing with cognitive decline in addition to more practical aspects of care, such as assisting with activities of daily living and managing medications. There's also a registered nurse and registered nurse consultant with specific experience supporting seniors with dementia.

Benton House of St. John's many awards factor in its inclusion on this list, as does its thoughtfully chosen location in a peaceful area of St. Augustine. Attention to the environment extends indoors, with lots of wide open spaces in common areas. The effect is to reassure residents that they're not alone as they can always see others from wherever they are. Personalized memory care plans focus on creating familiar routines that bring structure and familiarity to residents' daily lives. These typically include a combination of gentle exercises and relaxation periods, sometimes in the enclosed courtyard and garden. The entire community is keypad-protected for the safety of its residents, each of whom is issued with a personal emergency response pendant.