The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Delray Beach, FL for 2023

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 55 million people worldwide live with some form of dementia. It also expects this rate to increase in the upcoming years. Delray Beach’s senior population, which represents 25.8% of the city’s 67,030 residents, is at a higher risk for developing dementia-related illnesses. Fortunately, local access to dementia care services may help slow down memory loss. CDC records show that the rate of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in Delray Beach decreased from 2016 to 2020. In 2016, 5.45% of all reported deaths in Delray Beach were related to Alzheimer’s. This rate dropped to 3.12% in 2020.

Memory care communities provide a safe and secure environment to prevent seniors with dementia from wandering off and getting lost. These communities also offer around-the-clock supportive services, including medication management and assistance with activities of daily living, as well as specialized memory care services, such as cognitive, art and music therapies.

This guide discusses the advantages and disadvantages of living in Delray Beach and compares the cost of various senior care services. It also provides a list of free and low-cost local resources for seniors.

The Bureau of Health Facility Regulations monitors and regulates memory care communities in Delray Beach. This agency grants licenses to qualified care communities and conducts regular inspections to ensure these facilities meet the required standards. It also investigates reported complaints.

• Seniors living in Delray Beach have access to multiple health care facilities, including the Delray Medical Center, Bethesda Hospital East, Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Delray Beach VA Clinic. One of the state’s top hospitals, Mount Sinai Medical Center, is also located in nearby Miami.
• The Delray Beach area is at risk of tropical storms and hurricanes from June to November. However, residents can enjoy an average of 235 sunny days per year compared to the national average of 205 days. Even winters in Delray Beach are quite mild, with average lows of 57 degrees. 
• Delray Beach has more than 250 physicians per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 210 physicians. According to a 100-point scale, health care costs in Delray Beach are also more affordable than the national average.
• Although the cost of living in Delray Beach is about 5% higher than the national average, there is no state income tax. Additionally, the local costs of housing and utilities are about 6% and 3% lower than the national average, respectively.
• While the crime rate in Delray Beach is higher than the national average, it has steadily decreased over the last 2 decades. Violent crime rates are now just 5 points higher than the national average property crimes are 23 points higher. Memory care communities typically have monitored gates and security cameras to protect residents.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

While costs can vary based on amenities and services, the average cost of memory care in Delray Beach is $5,481 per month.

Monthly memory care costs in Delray Beach are $481 higher than the state average but $144 lower than the national average. The city’s memory care costs are on par with nearby cities, such as Cape Coral, but significantly lower than other areas, such as The Villages, which costs over $1,000 more monthly. Gainesville offers the most affordable memory care costs in the state with average monthly costs of $2,938.

Seniors who don’t require 24/7 skilled nursing care may consider more affordable options, such as in-home or home health care, which cost an average of $4,195 and $4,385 respectively. Adult day health care is even cheaper at $1,517 monthly. Assisted living is about 25% more affordable than memory care services and is for mostly independent seniors who require some supportive services. Nursing home services are for seniors that require around-the-clock skilled nursing care. This is the most expensive senior care option, at an average of $9,019 per month.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Florida page.