The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Gaithersburg, MD for 2024

 

Gaithersburg is just a few miles northwest of Washington, D.C., and less than an hour from Baltimore, providing convenient access to several world-class hospitals and medical centers. The estimated population is 68,952 residents, and around 12.6% are aged 65 and over. As the general population ages, the number of seniors with Alzheimer's is expected to quadruple by the year 2050. Compiled CDC data indicates an overall increase in the number of Alzheimer's-related deaths, and Gaithersburg aligns with this, seeing a 23.71% increase from 2016 to 2020.

Thankfully, seniors have access to facilities geared toward high-quality dementia care. Memory care communities maintain professionally trained staff who offer 24/7 therapy services designed to slow the advancement of Alzheimer's and enhance cognitive abilities. Stimulating activities such as reminiscence therapy and ample socialization are also provided to improve the quality of life for seniors.

This guide highlights some pros and cons of living in Gaithersburg and offers financial assistance options for medical care. It also includes a brief list of memory care resources seniors and their families might find useful.

Maryland's Department of Health is responsible for licensing and monitoring health care facilities in the state, including those providing memory care services. The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) within the Maryland Department of Health is specifically tasked with overseeing and regulating care centers. They ensure facilities meet state and federal standards regarding quality of care, safety and resident rights.

 

• Gaithersburg's cost of living is a bit higher than both the statewide average and the national median, but it still offers residents low-cost options on groceries, utilities and health care, which provides some relief to those on fixed or limited incomes. Some services and assistance from the Department of Human Services may also ease any financial burden.
• Based on a 100-point scale, health care costs in Gaithersburg are just slightly higher than the U.S. average, with a score of 100.1. Several area hospitals provide comprehensive care, and holistic practitioners provide alternative options. Seniors have access to 506 physicians per 100,000 population, which is more than twice the national average of 210, so they can be guaranteed quality care when they need it.
• For medical services, Gaithersburg seniors have six hospitals nearby, some of them ranked nationally. More than one of the hospitals provides world-class stroke care. There are often connections between strokes and memory loss, and these facilities give seniors access to high-quality neurological care.
• Recreational opportunities in Gaithersburg offer many therapeutic benefits. Access to gardens and easy-to-navigate parks provide opportunities for walking, hiking and enjoying nature, which ensure seniors stay active and remain healthy. A rich array of cultural events, museums and theaters help improve cognitive connections.
• The subtropical climate in Gaithersburg does produce more rain than the national median, but the area has less snowfall. On average, there are 202 sunny days per year, and the city enjoys four fairly equal seasons, which is appealing for seniors who prefer the weather fluctuations. Gaithersburg also ranks 7.3 on a 10-point comfort scale, which means it's viewed as a pleasant and comfortable place to live in Maryland.
• Crime in Gaithersburg is low at an 18.9 ranking compared to the U.S. average of 22.7 on a scale of 1 to 100. Most cases reported are connected to petty theft or shoplifting, and violent crimes occur even less. This makes the city safe for residents of all ages. Furthermore, those in memory care communities can rest assured that the 24/7 security keeps seniors free from harm.

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.

Seniors in Gaithersburg pay an average of $7,435 per month for memory care, but the location of the community can cause those costs to rise or fall.

Memory care in Gaithersburg costs $900 more than Maryland's statewide average and about $1,800 more than the national median. This is largely due to the proximity to Washington, D.C., and the increased costs near the nation's capital. Baltimore comes in at $1,500 less than Gaithersburg, and Hagerstown is $1,700 less. Cumberland is the closest at only $900 under, and even across the Virginia state line, Winchester costs $1,200 lower.

Several care options are available in Gaithersburg in addition to memory care. Adult day health care is the most affordable at $2,282, offering relief for caregivers. Non Medical in-home care and light medical home health care are also less expensive at $5,339 and ideal for seniors preferring to remain at home. Assisted living costs around $5,948 and includes room, board and 24-hour staff access, but seniors who need around-the-clock skilled nursing might consider a semi private nursing home room for $11,467.

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 Maryland page.