10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Tallahassee, FL

Families looking for somewhere beautiful and peaceful for a loved one may like Pacifica Senior Living Woodmont. It's on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by woodlands and just off 1-10 (so, easier to visit). The memory care program is person-centered but also covers the overall environment. Therefore, walls and furnishings are typically in calm-inducing pastel shades, and corridors and living spaces are designed to be easier to navigate. The staff works to create a positive environment because people with dementia often respond positively to lots of smiles, softly spoken words and conversations about their histories. Pet therapy's success in helping combat dementia is well-established, so families may be pleased to know Pacifica is a pet-friendly community.

Brookdale Centre Pointe Boulevard joins this list because it's ranked as one of the country's best memory care facilities. It's also in a relatively peaceful part of Tallahassee's northwest and less than 5 minutes from HCA Florida Capital Hospital. There are two memory care programs, each developed for seniors at different stages of their memory loss journeys. Clare Bridge delivers six planned programs every day. They focus on helping residents maintain and build on their current physical and cognitive abilities. Solace is for late-stage dementia. It builds on Clare Bridge, with staff spending more time with seniors to help with personal elements of care, such as grooming.

HarborChase of Tallahassee rests in a peaceful area, enclosed by mature trees and within minutes of several houses of worship. It offers memory care services for seniors at every stage of their memory loss journeys. The Sound at HarborChase aids those with mild dementia or short-term cognitive impairments. It's a more vibrant environment focused on helping the person maintain their independence. The Cove at HarborChase is for residents with mid to late-stage dementia. Activities are personally meaningful to the resident, such as recalling and elaborating on positive memories. Objects from their past are also key as these can jog memories while also stimulating senses, such as touch and smell.

Although close to I-10, Tapestry Senior Living Lakeshore sits in the serene neighborhood of Town and Country. Its memory care philosophy is that each resident has an interesting life story which trained staff help them recall and tell. Consequently, staff get to know residents to help them fight the effects of memory loss by staying grounded in their past and present. Staff also work with seniors' families and physicians to ensure each resident receives individual care. The design of the private studio apartments with bathrooms reflects the unique needs of seniors with dementia. For example, the temperature is controlled centrally because people with dementia can often struggle to read their body's cues.

Azalea Gardens sits in the attractive Foxcroft neighborhood of Tallahassee. It's listed here because it provides standard memory care services and transitional care for people with early-stage dementia. The Montessori philosophy is at the core of the facility's focus of care. This emphasizes how important independence, engagement and dignity are to seniors with dementia. The staff focuses on what the facility calls its "Six Pillars of Wellness", each of which supports the core philosophy. Various therapies stimulate residents' physical abilities, spiritual needs, emotional expressions and intellectual skills. They include listening to favorite songs from the past, using aromas that inspire specific memories (such as a partner's perfume) and exercising with walks in the secure courtyard.

Canterfield of Tallahassee sits in the vibrant Glenview-Pinegrove area of Tallahassee. Residents' personal care plans are developed by the care team in concert with the senior's family and physician. For example, someone with Alzheimer's may receive aromatherapy, pet therapy and massage. Someone with vascular dementia might get an emotional support system to supplement their physician-prescribed medications. A full-time activities coordinator ensures everyone receives one-on-one companionship and access to group activities. These might include painting for hand-to-eye coordination and word games to strengthen cognition. The facility's beauty salon/barbershop can offer a little boost to the self-esteem of seniors worried about their health. Those needing help with activities of daily living should find staff is compassionate and respectful.

Villas at Killearn Lakes joins the list because it's an award-winning facility and families may like the simplicity of its all-inclusive services. Seniors made anxious by noise may like the peaceful location beside the luxurious Golden Eagle Community on the city's outer edge. There is one trained caregiver for every six seniors, which may comfort families worried about a lack of care and attention for their loved ones. Staff use various methods to help seniors reconnect with their pasts such as their favorite music, TV shows, films and books. Sensory aids are also used, including favorite foods served in the dining room. Family members can join these meals to potentially boost the person's ability to recall.

Southern Pines Senior Living is just over the border in Thomasville, Georgia. It's a peaceful setting with landscaped grounds peppered with trees. The facility provides two levels of memory care — The Inn, for early-stage dementia and The Pines, for more advanced cases. There are also respite services for families caring for loved ones with dementia at home. The methodology employed for all options is Flourish Memory Care. It's focused on boosting self-esteem and introduces activities that can minimize feelings of boredom, loneliness and difficult emotions, such as anger. The Oshibori Experience is a sensory activity focused on food and aromatherapy. Velocity employs more traditional methods, such as watercolor painting and word games.

Capital Square at Tallahassee sits in The Vineyards, an almost rural area on Tallahassee's northeastern edge. The community's tree enclosure reduces noise and adds the calming scents of nature to the air. Inspiritás is a holistic memory care program, which celebrates the resident's life while keeping them comfortable and safe. Staff help residents explore their histories by reintroducing them to aspects of their personal lives, such as their favorite music and movies. Using familiar objects, such as family photographs, they help residents recall loved ones and specific life events. The secured private garden and courtyard protect residents and provide them with the sensory benefits of sight, touch and smell.

The Grove at Canopy makes the list because of its location in the beautiful and peaceful Hidden Valley district, less than 5 minutes from HCA Florida Capital Hospital. Residents live in private studios and companion suites with ADA-compliant bathrooms and 24-hour emergency call systems. Personal care plans typically focus on health and wellness as physical fitness is known to combat the effects of memory loss by improving the senior's sense of self-esteem. Certain foods can help seniors retain memories, so the chefs try to make meals that have meaning for individual residents. Art-based activities are also a common feature as these help the senior focus and improve hand-to-eye coordination.