8 Memory Care Facilities in Barnstable County, MA

In Massachusetts, where an estimated 130,000 residents have Alzheimer's, it's important for counties and cities to have enough memory care facilities to accommodate this population. This is no exception in Barnstable County, where there are eight memory care facilities. Barnstable County, which consists of Cape Cod and nearby islands, is home to 213,444 residents, 29.9 percent of whom are 65 or over.

In Barnstable County as in the rest of Massachusetts, memory care facilities are known as “Dementia Special Care Units”, (DSCUs). In addition, some assisted living facilities in Barnstable County may include a Special Care Residence, or SCR, for residents with dementia, Huntington's disease or other mental health issues. 

• Barnstable County, being located on Cape Cod, enjoys pleasant summers. The average July high is 80 degrees, and memory care residents can enjoy supervised outdoor walks during the spring and summer. During the fall, the area has beautiful foliage to admire. Winters can be a bit challenging; however, Barnstable County receives less snow than other parts of Massachusetts. They average about 33 inches per year, whereas other parts of the state, such as Boston, that are further inland, average around 50 inches.
• The cost of living in Barnstable County is about on par with the rest of Massachusetts. On a cost of living index where the national average is 100, Barnstable County sits at 141, while Massachusetts is at 139. Housing is the biggest cost of living difference in this part of the country. Families may want to keep this in mind when searching for memory care facilities.
• Massachusetts is considered to be moderately tax-friendly towards retired seniors. Social Security income and public pension retirement income are fully exempt from taxation, but other forms of retirement income are taxed at a rate of 5.1 percent, including withdrawals from retirement accounts such as an IRA or 401k.
• Barnstable County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Barnstable County

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Massachusetts page.

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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 Massachusetts page.

Barnstable County and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in a memory care community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free memory care resources in Barnstable County, please visit our Memory Care in Massachusetts page.

Directory of Winners in the Barnstable County Area

Barnstable County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Massachusetts are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Massachusetts page for more information about these laws.