The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Indianapolis, IN for 2023

Indianapolis is the biggest city in Indiana and home to more than 110,000 adults who are aged 65 and older. It’s this group that’s at the highest risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. From 2016 to 2020, the number of Alzheimer’s deaths in the city rose by 27.22%, which is a higher percentage than the overall increase in fatalities according to the CDC. As more Indianapolis residents retire in the next few decades, these numbers are expected to rise even further.

Seniors and families facing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in Indianapolis can count on the city’s numerous memory care communities to make life a bit easier. These safe and comfortable living facilities are staffed round-the-clock by skilled professionals who are trained in caring for residents experiencing cognitive decline. This guide helps families decide if Indianapolis is the right place to get memory care by describing the benefits and drawbacks of city life and comparing costs with other locations. It also lists resources in the community that may be beneficial to families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Indiana State Department of Health, Residential Care Facility Licensing Program, monitors and licenses memory care facilities in Indianapolis and the rest of the state. This agency ensures a high standard of care for residents by enforcing regulations that govern staffing, care planning and facility features. It also conducts criminal background checks on employees and investigates reports of substandard care. 

• Indianapolis is home to some of the most respected hospitals and medical centers in Indiana, including the Indiana University Health Medical Center and Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. These facilities offer a range of specialties to meet the needs of seniors managing chronic conditions such as dementia. The city has 272 doctors per 100,000 people, which is about 30% more than the national median, and health-related costs such as doctor’s office visits and dental care are 13% cheaper than in the nation as a whole.  
• Indianapolis has a low overall cost of living, making it a budget-friendly option for those seeking affordable long-term residential care. Housing prices are particularly low, which may drive down memory care costs or make it easier for residents to maintain ownership of their homes while they’re in long-term care.  
• Indianapolis’s crime rates are very high compared to the rest of Indiana and the nation, which may make memory care a good option for seniors with dementia who would otherwise live alone. On a 100-point crime index on which the nation scores 22.7 for violent crime and 35.4 for property crime, Indianapolis’s respective scores are 63.4 and 66.9.  
• Indianapolis scores 8.6 on a 10-point comfort index compared to the national score of 7.8, indicating that its weather is generally comfortable throughout the year. July is the warmest, most humid month, with daytime highs in the mid-80s, but temperatures are milder during the spring, summer and autumn months. Winters are chilly, with nighttime temperatures in the 20s, and the city gets 22 inches of snowfall annually. To keep residents comfortable, many memory care facilities have individual climate controls in residents’ rooms.  
• Indiana taxes most types of retirement income, including pension income, withdrawals from retirement savings accounts and dividends from investments. However, Social Security benefits aren’t taxed at the state level, which may free up money to put toward long-term care expenses.

In Indianapolis, seniors obtain dementia services in assisted living facilities with special care units. This level of care typically costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living services due to additional requirements for staffing, staff training, security and care planning. Care cost data isn’t available for memory services, so the following rates are estimated by adding 25% to assisted living costs in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. 

Memory care costs $5,598 in Indianapolis, which is higher than the state median of $5,354 but competitive compared to the national average of $5,625. Only Columbus has higher monthly fees of $5,826. In Elkhart, rates are a little lower at $5,313, and in Muncie, seniors pay $4,619. Costs in Kokomo are significantly lower at $4,063. 

Memory care is among the costlier senior care options in Indianapolis at $5,598. Only nursing homes charge higher rates, with residents in semiprivate units paying $7,057 and those in private rooms paying $8,973. Seniors pay $5,053 for basic home care and $4,957 for home health care, which includes specialized skilled nursing services. Assisted living costs an average of $4,478, and adult day health care is the cheapest option at $1,625.  

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 Indiana page.