Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs comprising New York City and is home to 2,641,052 people. Seniors 65 and older make up 15% of Brooklyn’s population, a demographic at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Between 2016 and 2020, Alzheimer’s deaths in Brooklyn increased by 0.69%, as the condition became more prevalent in its aging population. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates one in nine seniors have Alzheimer’s, and the number of Americans living with the disease is projected to reach 12.7 million by 2050.
Given the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s, community-based dementia care is more important than ever. Brooklyn seniors and their families can take comfort that the borough is home to many memory care communities that employ the latest treatment methods to increase the quality of life for seniors with memory-loss disorders. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, memory care communities offer a safe and secure environment for seniors with the disease. This guide offers an overview of memory care options in Brooklyn to help families make the best choice for their loved ones.
Directory of Memory Care Facilities in Brooklyn, NY
The Waterford on the Bay is good for somebody with medium budget in New York. The rooms were spacious and clean. However, when I went for the tour, it wasn’t exactly planned well. The staff member who
… (read more)
The Waterford on the Bay is good for somebody with medium budget in New York. The rooms were spacious and clean. However, when I went for the tour, it wasn’t exactly planned well. The staff member who took me for the tour wasn’t even informed that I was coming, and she wasn’t expecting me. I waited in the lobby for about 10 to 15 minutes before she came. She was nice and she took me for a tour, but I felt a little lack of energy there. The bathrooms were OK, but the tiles looked very old. Also, for a shared room, they were charging a budget price in New York. For that kind of price, it’s reasonable. The dining area wasn’t fancy, but it was nice. The staff showed me the nursing station at the memory care unit. She did mention that they have activities to engage people. In the summertime, they would take them outside, too.
(read less)
The Waterford on the Bay is good for somebody with medium budget in New York. The rooms were spacious and clean. However, when I went for the tour, it wasn’t exactly planned well. The staff member who
… (read more)
The Waterford on the Bay is good for somebody with medium budget in New York. The rooms were spacious and clean. However, when I went for the tour, it wasn’t exactly planned well. The staff member who took me for the tour wasn’t even informed that I was coming, and she wasn’t expecting me. I waited in the lobby for about 10 to 15 minutes before she came. She was nice and she took me for a tour, but I felt a little lack of energy there. The bathrooms were OK, but the tiles looked very old. Also, for a shared room, they were charging a budget price in New York. For that kind of price, it’s reasonable. The dining area wasn’t fancy, but it was nice. The staff showed me the nursing station at the memory care unit. She did mention that they have activities to engage people. In the summertime, they would take them outside, too.
(read less)
I toured Sunrise at Sheepshead Bay. They were on par with the other facility. The rooms were a little bit smaller, but the facility appeared to be a little bit newer. The staff was equally friendly, o
… (read more)
I toured Sunrise at Sheepshead Bay. They were on par with the other facility. The rooms were a little bit smaller, but the facility appeared to be a little bit newer. The staff was equally friendly, outgoing, and honest with expectations. The location is also very good, but presents its challenges. For example, parking at that facility is not that easy given its location. I also didn’t pay attention to their amenities, and the reason I didn’t pay attention is because my father would not be able to participate in any of those anyway.
(read less)
I toured Sunrise at Sheepshead Bay. They were on par with the other facility. The rooms were a little bit smaller, but the facility appeared to be a little bit newer. The staff was equally friendly, o
… (read more)
I toured Sunrise at Sheepshead Bay. They were on par with the other facility. The rooms were a little bit smaller, but the facility appeared to be a little bit newer. The staff was equally friendly, outgoing, and honest with expectations. The location is also very good, but presents its challenges. For example, parking at that facility is not that easy given its location. I also didn’t pay attention to their amenities, and the reason I didn’t pay attention is because my father would not be able to participate in any of those anyway.
(read less)
I toured Sunrise at Mill Basin. The staff members that I met were incredibly friendly, outgoing, certainly caring, and at the same time, being honest with regards to what the expectations may be as fa
… (read more)
I toured Sunrise at Mill Basin. The staff members that I met were incredibly friendly, outgoing, certainly caring, and at the same time, being honest with regards to what the expectations may be as far as the level of care that they may offer, are able to offer, and strive to offer. The rooms and the dining area appeared to be larger and better furnished than some of the other facilities that I visited. They had superior facilities to others. The location was also very nice. They have very nice grounds, but limited given the location. It is Brooklyn, New York, and not a real estate to go around. But the grounds were by far superior to many others I saw. There were activities happening, and then there were people present, like people who were not really participating in the activities. There was a TV time. People were sitting and watching a show. Some people were taking walks while supervised. Others were reading at the time of my visit in an organized manner, kind of sitting in a group.
(read less)
I toured Sunrise at Mill Basin. The staff members that I met were incredibly friendly, outgoing, certainly caring, and at the same time, being honest with regards to what the expectations may be as fa
… (read more)
I toured Sunrise at Mill Basin. The staff members that I met were incredibly friendly, outgoing, certainly caring, and at the same time, being honest with regards to what the expectations may be as far as the level of care that they may offer, are able to offer, and strive to offer. The rooms and the dining area appeared to be larger and better furnished than some of the other facilities that I visited. They had superior facilities to others. The location was also very nice. They have very nice grounds, but limited given the location. It is Brooklyn, New York, and not a real estate to go around. But the grounds were by far superior to many others I saw. There were activities happening, and then there were people present, like people who were not really participating in the activities. There was a TV time. People were sitting and watching a show. Some people were taking walks while supervised. Others were reading at the time of my visit in an organized manner, kind of sitting in a group.
(read less)
Signature Senior Living was a very nice place. The rooms in the memory care were private. They’re very roomy, spacious, clean, and airy with windows in them. They have a lot of activities and they hav
… (read more)
Signature Senior Living was a very nice place. The rooms in the memory care were private. They’re very roomy, spacious, clean, and airy with windows in them. They have a lot of activities and they have a beauty salon. They also have dinners and trips that they take. The staff were very kind, very understanding, and were not pushy.
(read less)
Signature Senior Living was a very nice place. The rooms in the memory care were private. They’re very roomy, spacious, clean, and airy with windows in them. They have a lot of activities and they hav
… (read more)
Signature Senior Living was a very nice place. The rooms in the memory care were private. They’re very roomy, spacious, clean, and airy with windows in them. They have a lot of activities and they have a beauty salon. They also have dinners and trips that they take. The staff were very kind, very understanding, and were not pushy.
(read less)
My friend is not happy at The Belvedere. It’s a locked place. She can’t eat the food there because it’s all kosher and she’s losing a lot of weight. She has a studio and it has the bathroom, the bedro
… (read more)
My friend is not happy at The Belvedere. It’s a locked place. She can’t eat the food there because it’s all kosher and she’s losing a lot of weight. She has a studio and it has the bathroom, the bedroom, and the living and eating part, but you can see right where the bed is and stuff. There’s just a little partition there. She said they have nothing for her to do. I think they had bingo or something, but she’s an active person, so this is not good for her. She sits downstairs. She likes to get her hair done and her nails done, but they don’t have that there. She never mentioned playing anything.
There’s a seating area right where you dine or you sit out front. They have a couple of benches out front. I didn’t go any further than that. They have a backyard for them. The facility looked clean. Her room wasn’t too bad, but they had a flood. Her room got flooded out, and it took them a long time to get that cleaned up, and there’s carpet on the floor, so it took a long time to dry it out and clean the room up. Some of the staff are kind of nice. It’s a locked place, so you got to get buzzed in and stop at the desk to let them know who you’re trying to see or whatever.
(read less)
My friend is not happy at The Belvedere. It’s a locked place. She can’t eat the food there because it’s all kosher and she’s losing a lot of weight. She has a studio and it has the bathroom, the bedro
… (read more)
My friend is not happy at The Belvedere. It’s a locked place. She can’t eat the food there because it’s all kosher and she’s losing a lot of weight. She has a studio and it has the bathroom, the bedroom, and the living and eating part, but you can see right where the bed is and stuff. There’s just a little partition there. She said they have nothing for her to do. I think they had bingo or something, but she’s an active person, so this is not good for her. She sits downstairs. She likes to get her hair done and her nails done, but they don’t have that there. She never mentioned playing anything.
There’s a seating area right where you dine or you sit out front. They have a couple of benches out front. I didn’t go any further than that. They have a backyard for them. The facility looked clean. Her room wasn’t too bad, but they had a flood. Her room got flooded out, and it took them a long time to get that cleaned up, and there’s carpet on the floor, so it took a long time to dry it out and clean the room up. Some of the staff are kind of nice. It’s a locked place, so you got to get buzzed in and stop at the desk to let them know who you’re trying to see or whatever.
(read less)
At Atria Kew Gardens they do memory care, but the residents have to be physically mobile. The facility was very nice and very clean. They seemed to have a lot of attention to the needs of their reside
… (read more)
At Atria Kew Gardens they do memory care, but the residents have to be physically mobile. The facility was very nice and very clean. They seemed to have a lot of attention to the needs of their residents. They had activities, in particular social activities to keep them active, and the ability to customize your room so that it feels like home to you. I didn’t taste the food, but they said they adjust the menu for people who have specific needs. They focus on communal eating, so people come down to have their meals together to be more social. The dining room was very nice. You have the flexibility to come get your relative and take them out.
The activities looked great. They have movie sessions and things that keep the residents active and social. It looked like they had quite a few people come in to provide entertainment and activities as well. They were having a movie being played, and it was down in the movie room, and there were quite a few residents there. I wasn’t there long enough to see the full experience. The only negative is it’s lacking a parking lot for the people visiting, but that’s a common issue in New York City. The staff I met there were very nice.
(read less)
At Atria Kew Gardens they do memory care, but the residents have to be physically mobile. The facility was very nice and very clean. They seemed to have a lot of attention to the needs of their reside
… (read more)
At Atria Kew Gardens they do memory care, but the residents have to be physically mobile. The facility was very nice and very clean. They seemed to have a lot of attention to the needs of their residents. They had activities, in particular social activities to keep them active, and the ability to customize your room so that it feels like home to you. I didn’t taste the food, but they said they adjust the menu for people who have specific needs. They focus on communal eating, so people come down to have their meals together to be more social. The dining room was very nice. You have the flexibility to come get your relative and take them out.
The activities looked great. They have movie sessions and things that keep the residents active and social. It looked like they had quite a few people come in to provide entertainment and activities as well. They were having a movie being played, and it was down in the movie room, and there were quite a few residents there. I wasn’t there long enough to see the full experience. The only negative is it’s lacking a parking lot for the people visiting, but that’s a common issue in New York City. The staff I met there were very nice.
(read less)
Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills was a bit odd in terms of getting around, but they were really friendly, and it felt really good. They had buses to take people on tours and activities, and it was
… (read more)
Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills was a bit odd in terms of getting around, but they were really friendly, and it felt really good. They had buses to take people on tours and activities, and it was really well done. They have knowledgeable staff, and whatever they needed to do, they will tell you about it.
(read less)
Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills was a bit odd in terms of getting around, but they were really friendly, and it felt really good. They had buses to take people on tours and activities, and it was
… (read more)
Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills was a bit odd in terms of getting around, but they were really friendly, and it felt really good. They had buses to take people on tours and activities, and it was really well done. They have knowledgeable staff, and whatever they needed to do, they will tell you about it.
(read less)
Sunrise of Edgewater is located between the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel, minutes from New York City in Edgewater, New Jersey. Visitors note the facility’s great location and spacious
… (read more)
Sunrise of Edgewater is located between the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel, minutes from New York City in Edgewater, New Jersey. Visitors note the facility’s great location and spacious apartments. Residents of Sunrise of Edgewater are impressed with the level of care provided to them by a well-trained and friendly staff. The staff brings in performers from piano players to singers to entertain residents. Dominoes Club, exercise classes, religious services, arts and crafts socials and bingo are some of the activities residents can choose to participate in. Some amenities include menu choices for meals and snacks and security features.
(read less)
Sunrise of Edgewater is located between the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel, minutes from New York City in Edgewater, New Jersey. Visitors note the facility’s great location and spacious
… (read more)
Sunrise of Edgewater is located between the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel, minutes from New York City in Edgewater, New Jersey. Visitors note the facility’s great location and spacious apartments. Residents of Sunrise of Edgewater are impressed with the level of care provided to them by a well-trained and friendly staff. The staff brings in performers from piano players to singers to entertain residents. Dominoes Club, exercise classes, religious services, arts and crafts socials and bingo are some of the activities residents can choose to participate in. Some amenities include menu choices for meals and snacks and security features.
(read less)
<p>Come visit Sunrise of Staten Island, a warm, NY State Licensed, senior living community servicing NYC metro-area residents on the north shore of Staten Island, NY. Besides round-the-clock nursing c
… (read more)
<p>Come visit Sunrise of Staten Island, a warm, NY State Licensed, senior living community servicing NYC metro-area residents on the north shore of Staten Island, NY. Besides round-the-clock nursing care and restaurant-style dining, our cozy home offers daytime and evening programming seven days a week. Our activities focus on the mind, body and spirit, and three to five days a week; many of our residents are out and about visiting local area attractions. Our daily conditioning club challenges residents to maintain or improve their strength and mobility, and our life enrichment programming in our Reminiscence Neighborhood offers stimulation and support to residents with memory loss. Our team of Designated Care Managers tailors programs to each resident’s individual needs—whatever they may be. At Sunrise of Staten Island, residents can comfortably age in place and enjoy peace of mind knowing our family-oriented team will always be there for them. Our location to various parks, shopping and dining makes for fun outings for all to enjoy. Whether you were born and raised in the NYC area or have family living nearby, you’ll love being able to access all the amenities of the boroughs and Long Island from our assisted living community.</p>
(read less)
<p>Come visit Sunrise of Staten Island, a warm, NY State Licensed, senior living community servicing NYC metro-area residents on the north shore of Staten Island, NY. Besides round-the-clock nursing c
… (read more)
<p>Come visit Sunrise of Staten Island, a warm, NY State Licensed, senior living community servicing NYC metro-area residents on the north shore of Staten Island, NY. Besides round-the-clock nursing care and restaurant-style dining, our cozy home offers daytime and evening programming seven days a week. Our activities focus on the mind, body and spirit, and three to five days a week; many of our residents are out and about visiting local area attractions. Our daily conditioning club challenges residents to maintain or improve their strength and mobility, and our life enrichment programming in our Reminiscence Neighborhood offers stimulation and support to residents with memory loss. Our team of Designated Care Managers tailors programs to each resident’s individual needs—whatever they may be. At Sunrise of Staten Island, residents can comfortably age in place and enjoy peace of mind knowing our family-oriented team will always be there for them. Our location to various parks, shopping and dining makes for fun outings for all to enjoy. Whether you were born and raised in the NYC area or have family living nearby, you’ll love being able to access all the amenities of the boroughs and Long Island from our assisted living community.</p>
(read less)
The Brielle at Seaview is being touted by visitors and residents as a great, brand-new facility that is very clean. Located in the heart of Staten Island, New York, and surrounded by parkland, this fa
… (read more)
The Brielle at Seaview is being touted by visitors and residents as a great, brand-new facility that is very clean. Located in the heart of Staten Island, New York, and surrounded by parkland, this facility offers both assisted living and memory care services. Residents and loved ones give high marks to this senior living community for its excellent staff and spacious rooms. Residents can enjoy a game of cards or head to the library to check out a book. Transportation is available to take residents on trips to doctor’s offices, shopping or field trips.
(read less)
The Brielle at Seaview is being touted by visitors and residents as a great, brand-new facility that is very clean. Located in the heart of Staten Island, New York, and surrounded by parkland, this fa
… (read more)
The Brielle at Seaview is being touted by visitors and residents as a great, brand-new facility that is very clean. Located in the heart of Staten Island, New York, and surrounded by parkland, this facility offers both assisted living and memory care services. Residents and loved ones give high marks to this senior living community for its excellent staff and spacious rooms. Residents can enjoy a game of cards or head to the library to check out a book. Transportation is available to take residents on trips to doctor’s offices, shopping or field trips.
(read less)
My husband moved into Sunrise at East 56th. The place is gorgeous. The care is very empathetic and professional. I couldn’t be happier. The food is delicious. They have a variety of activities. They h
… (read more)
My husband moved into Sunrise at East 56th. The place is gorgeous. The care is very empathetic and professional. I couldn’t be happier. The food is delicious. They have a variety of activities. They have a lot of music, singing, walking, arts, and crafts. The rooms are beautiful. They are very accessible, and they listen to you. They are concerned about the family’s needs.
(read less)
My husband moved into Sunrise at East 56th. The place is gorgeous. The care is very empathetic and professional. I couldn’t be happier. The food is delicious. They have a variety of activities. They h
… (read more)
My husband moved into Sunrise at East 56th. The place is gorgeous. The care is very empathetic and professional. I couldn’t be happier. The food is delicious. They have a variety of activities. They have a lot of music, singing, walking, arts, and crafts. The rooms are beautiful. They are very accessible, and they listen to you. They are concerned about the family’s needs.
(read less)
A tremendous staff of professionals
A tremendous staff of professionals
I toured The 80th Street Residence. The location wasn’t very good; it’s a little bit farther away from my home. The facilities are adequate but also on the older side, or at least older than the two o
… (read more)
I toured The 80th Street Residence. The location wasn’t very good; it’s a little bit farther away from my home. The facilities are adequate but also on the older side, or at least older than the two others that I toured. I think they are the only facility I’ve seen that’s entirely dedicated to memory care. They don’t have independent senior residents like the others do, so they are really dedicated to memory care. They seem very competent. We saw the patients and the interaction of the aides with the patients, and I thought that was excellent. Except for the fact that the building was quite old, everything else was excellent.
(read less)
I toured The 80th Street Residence. The location wasn’t very good; it’s a little bit farther away from my home. The facilities are adequate but also on the older side, or at least older than the two o
… (read more)
I toured The 80th Street Residence. The location wasn’t very good; it’s a little bit farther away from my home. The facilities are adequate but also on the older side, or at least older than the two others that I toured. I think they are the only facility I’ve seen that’s entirely dedicated to memory care. They don’t have independent senior residents like the others do, so they are really dedicated to memory care. They seem very competent. We saw the patients and the interaction of the aides with the patients, and I thought that was excellent. Except for the fact that the building was quite old, everything else was excellent.
(read less)
COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Brooklyn
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in New York. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Brooklyn
The New York State Department of Health licenses and oversees all types of residential adult care facilities in the state, including residences in Brooklyn that provide memory care to seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other cognitive disorders. The state develops regulations and performs inspections to determine compliance, all in an effort to keep these vulnerable residents safe and comfortable.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Brooklyn
- Brooklyn not only has its own sophisticated network of health care systems and hospitals; its seniors also have easy access to a wealth of options in other parts of NYC. For example, Columbia University has an acclaimed Memory Disorders Clinic where patients can access memory screenings, find treatment information and participate in clinical trials. In Brooklyn, the NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and the Maimonides Medical Center Memory Disorder Center both run excellent Alzheimer’s programs. And, at the Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn’s Center for Excellence Alzheimer’s, seniors and their caregivers can receive integrated care from specialists in the language of their choice.
- If New York City is famously expensive as a place to live, the cost of living in Brooklyn is even higher, about double the national average. For residents needing memory care, this translates to average monthly costs of $7,188, well above the state and national averages.
- Extreme heat during the summer months, periodic coastal storms, flooding and episodes of elevated ozone are climate-related hazards that can have public health impacts in New York City. The city works hard to control air quality, but air pollution remains an issue in Brooklyn due to factors that include construction, industrial activity and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway running through it.
- The crime rate in Brooklyn is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America, but it’s not among the communities with the highest crime rate. In fact, compared to other communities of a similar size, Brooklyn has a crime rate that’s lower than the average.
- New York, and by extension, Brooklyn became a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities in 2012. The network includes communities, cities and states that are committed to making urban spaces friendlier to seniors through design, public policy and improvements in a multitude of other areas.
Paying for Memory Care in Brooklyn
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.
Although data for Brooklyn is unavailable, statistics from New York City and its five boroughs, which include Brooklyn, are used here. Thus, memory care in Brooklyn costs an average $7,188 monthly. This is much higher than both the state average of $5,725 and the national average of $5,625.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
At $5,725, New York state’s average monthly costs for memory care is slightly above the national average of $5,625. The cost in Brooklyn is considerably higher at $7,188. Elsewhere in the state, Albany has average monthly costs of $6,586 and Buffalo is $5,926. The cost of memory care is lower in Rochester at an average of $4,719 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Memory care centers for Brooklyn-based seniors with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders provide specialized support delivered by trained professionals in a residential setting. It’s not surprising that only nursing home care is more expensive at an average of $12,471 per month. In-home care, which typically involves nonmedical assistance with activities of daily life, such as grooming and meal preparation, costs an average $5,529 each month. Home health care, which includes expert medical care, costs a bit more at $5,720. And assisted living in a facility costs an average of $5,750 in Brooklyn. The least expensive option in the area is adult day care, which costs an average of $1,950 per month.
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate)
Note: Data for Brooklyn was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, New York, New York, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Brooklyn
In Brooklyn, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in New York 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 New York page.
Free Memory Care Resources in Brooklyn
Resources that are free to seniors experiencing cognitive disorders and their families are plentiful in Brooklyn and surrounding boroughs. Many of the organizations listed below can provide further access to free community-based services and programs available across Brooklyn’s many neighborhoods.
This community service operates a helpline and provides in-person consultations for seniors and their families along with up-to-date educational materials and information. Staff include professional social workers and dementia and Alzheimer's specialists.
The Alzheimer's Association provides education, advocacy and support for the many New Yorkers living with cognitive disorders as well as their families and caregivers. Services include an early stages support group and a free online community called ALZConnected. All resources are delivered in several languages.
Located in Brooklyn, the center offers a range of programs, including Memory Life Services for those with middle- to later-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and it hosts a Therapeutic Thematic Arts Program.
An information clearinghouse for the latest advances in Alzheimer's research. The Fisher Center features online expert-reviewed news articles on dementia and Alzheimer's, and it publishes a magazine called Preserving Your Memory.
The Marks Jewish Community House in Bensonhurst hosts weekly memory cafés for people with mild to mid-stage dementia and their caregivers. Participants can share information and receive counseling and referrals from supportive professionals.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in New York are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in New York page for more information about these laws.