Cleveland, Ohio, is home to 372,624 people, 14% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. Individuals in this age group are particularly at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is one of the leading causes of death among seniors in the United States. According to the CDC, the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths rose by 11.53% between 2014 and 2018, and the number of deaths from all causes rose by 6.25%. This is a smaller increase than in other U.S. cities, suggesting that Cleveland has a good care system for Alzheimer’s already. However, a 2020 study has predicted that the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s will rise from 6 million to almost 13 million by 2050.
Cleveland offers excellent memory care communities that provide secure, homelike settings for seniors with memory loss. The facilities are specifically designed for seniors who have Alzheimer’s and dementia, and the team of staff is trained in caring for memory-impaired seniors. This guide goes over the pros and cons of living in Cleveland and the costs associated with memory care and other types of care. There is also a useful list of resources for seniors and their families.
Sunrise at Parma is conveniently located near Broadview Road in Cleveland, a short distance from many restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. The facility does everything possible to ensure resid
… (read more)
Sunrise at Parma is conveniently located near Broadview Road in Cleveland, a short distance from many restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. The facility does everything possible to ensure residents feel right at home, from the cozy rooms, to the friendly staff who ensure everyone feels important, to the beautiful gardens with relaxing areas outside. Residents can choose between pet-friendly assisted living, Alzheimer’s care and hospice, and there is a cat and a dog on the premises. There are numerous common areas so relaxation is never far, and residents are encouraged to participate in engaging daily activities.
(read less)
Sunrise at Parma is conveniently located near Broadview Road in Cleveland, a short distance from many restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. The facility does everything possible to ensure resid
… (read more)
Sunrise at Parma is conveniently located near Broadview Road in Cleveland, a short distance from many restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. The facility does everything possible to ensure residents feel right at home, from the cozy rooms, to the friendly staff who ensure everyone feels important, to the beautiful gardens with relaxing areas outside. Residents can choose between pet-friendly assisted living, Alzheimer’s care and hospice, and there is a cat and a dog on the premises. There are numerous common areas so relaxation is never far, and residents are encouraged to participate in engaging daily activities.
(read less)
The Woodlands of Shaker Heights, located just outside Cleveland, is located a few minutes from Shaker Heights Public Library. Visitors appreciate the proximity to town and the clean, welcoming environ
… (read more)
The Woodlands of Shaker Heights, located just outside Cleveland, is located a few minutes from Shaker Heights Public Library. Visitors appreciate the proximity to town and the clean, welcoming environment. Residents enjoy on-site amenities like the salon/barber shop and garden and have fun with the array of planned social activities. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are available with cable TV, individual climate controls and in-room meal service. The friendly staff is ready to help with any need that may arise, and courtesy transportation is provided for trips to town.
(read less)
The Woodlands of Shaker Heights, located just outside Cleveland, is located a few minutes from Shaker Heights Public Library. Visitors appreciate the proximity to town and the clean, welcoming environ
… (read more)
The Woodlands of Shaker Heights, located just outside Cleveland, is located a few minutes from Shaker Heights Public Library. Visitors appreciate the proximity to town and the clean, welcoming environment. Residents enjoy on-site amenities like the salon/barber shop and garden and have fun with the array of planned social activities. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are available with cable TV, individual climate controls and in-room meal service. The friendly staff is ready to help with any need that may arise, and courtesy transportation is provided for trips to town.
(read less)
I liked the smallness of Forest Hills Place. I like the number of residents they have and just the whole layout; the way it was set up and the function of it. We visited the memory care, and it’s a sa
… (read more)
I liked the smallness of Forest Hills Place. I like the number of residents they have and just the whole layout; the way it was set up and the function of it. We visited the memory care, and it’s a safe unit. They can have their own room and shower. I saw a studio, and it was clean and spacious. There’s an activity center with a lot of different stuff, as well as a calendar that showed different times and different activities. They also have a beauty shop, and they go out on different social outings. I met one person, and she was very nice, friendly, and informative. They encourage all the residents to come down to the dining room, but they allow them to eat in their own room if they want.
(read less)
I liked the smallness of Forest Hills Place. I like the number of residents they have and just the whole layout; the way it was set up and the function of it. We visited the memory care, and it’s a sa
… (read more)
I liked the smallness of Forest Hills Place. I like the number of residents they have and just the whole layout; the way it was set up and the function of it. We visited the memory care, and it’s a safe unit. They can have their own room and shower. I saw a studio, and it was clean and spacious. There’s an activity center with a lot of different stuff, as well as a calendar that showed different times and different activities. They also have a beauty shop, and they go out on different social outings. I met one person, and she was very nice, friendly, and informative. They encourage all the residents to come down to the dining room, but they allow them to eat in their own room if they want.
(read less)
They have new memory care at Jennings in Garfield Heights. The young man that did the tour was very informative. I liked that it’s a new unit that they’ve opened up. There are only 18 residents that w
… (read more)
They have new memory care at Jennings in Garfield Heights. The young man that did the tour was very informative. I liked that it’s a new unit that they’ve opened up. There are only 18 residents that will be there. It’s locked down. I like it. They have private rooms. I like that if there’s something on the menu and my mom wanted something else, then they would get that for them. It’s 24-hour care, so someone is there all the time. The biggest issue for us was the location for the families. It was all centrally located for where we all live. The other thing is, I like that it’s new and there are only 18 patients that they’ll have. To me, that’s a big thing. The staff that showed me around was very knowledgeable. It’s new, so it’s clean, and where we came in, it was very bright, and I like that. It’s got a lot of windows, so I do like that.
They have a lot of activities. The staff did say that you can request that they be put in the common area. Whatever your needs are, you need to facilitate that to them so they can make that happen as much as they can. For example, we get my mom up and we don’t let her go back like maybe lay down for a nap like we don’t want that for the most part. So he said you can request that and then they can put her in the common area to watch people go back and forth or what-have-you. They have activities there that I think would be good for her, even though if she’s just sitting. And if you request that she just sit and watches because she can’t participate, they would do that.
(read less)
They have new memory care at Jennings in Garfield Heights. The young man that did the tour was very informative. I liked that it’s a new unit that they’ve opened up. There are only 18 residents that w
… (read more)
They have new memory care at Jennings in Garfield Heights. The young man that did the tour was very informative. I liked that it’s a new unit that they’ve opened up. There are only 18 residents that will be there. It’s locked down. I like it. They have private rooms. I like that if there’s something on the menu and my mom wanted something else, then they would get that for them. It’s 24-hour care, so someone is there all the time. The biggest issue for us was the location for the families. It was all centrally located for where we all live. The other thing is, I like that it’s new and there are only 18 patients that they’ll have. To me, that’s a big thing. The staff that showed me around was very knowledgeable. It’s new, so it’s clean, and where we came in, it was very bright, and I like that. It’s got a lot of windows, so I do like that.
They have a lot of activities. The staff did say that you can request that they be put in the common area. Whatever your needs are, you need to facilitate that to them so they can make that happen as much as they can. For example, we get my mom up and we don’t let her go back like maybe lay down for a nap like we don’t want that for the most part. So he said you can request that and then they can put her in the common area to watch people go back and forth or what-have-you. They have activities there that I think would be good for her, even though if she’s just sitting. And if you request that she just sit and watches because she can’t participate, they would do that.
(read less)
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Cleveland
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 Ohio. 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 Cleveland
Ohio memory care facilities are regulated by the Department of Health’s Division of Quality Assurance. The department inspects the facilities annually to ensure they are in compliance with the terms of their licenses and to issue warnings to facilities that are not compliant.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Cleveland
Crime rates in Cleveland are high compared to the rest of the country. Violent crime rates in Cleveland are significantly higher than the Ohio average at 16.86 per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to a state average of 3.06 and a national average of 4. The Cleveland average is 41.43 per 1,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than the Ohio average of 18.34 and the national average of 19. However, seniors in Cleveland shouldn’t feel unsafe because memory care facilities are secure and take measures, such as video surveillance and 24/7 staffing, to ensure residents are safe.
The cost of living in Cleveland is lower than both the state average and U.S. average overall. On a 100-point scale where 100 is the national average, Cleveland scored 82.4 for health care, compared to the state average of 87.4. The cost of transportation was also lower than the national average at 90.5. Housing is also extremely affordable at 23.1, significantly lower than the Ohio average of 60.9.
Seniors who have memory impairment, they may be more comfortable getting specialized seniors transportation. Senior Transportation Connection offers transportation to seniors over the age of 60 Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Cleveland has 22 hospitals, including nationally recognized hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic which is ranked first in the nation for cardiology, fifth in the nation for cancer care, third in the nation for gastroenterology, second in the nation for geriatrics and in the top 20 for a range of other disciplines.
Paying for Memory Care in Cleveland
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.
The average price of memory care in Cleveland is $6,175 per month, which is slightly more than the state average of $5,793 per month and the national average of $5,625 per month.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Cleveland is one of the least affordable cities for memory care in Ohio. In the other major cities of Columbus and Cincinnati, care is cheaper at $5,106 and $5,832 per month, respectively. Nearby in Akron, the cost of care is one of the most expensive in the state, at $6,241. In Toledo, seniors typically pay around $5,273 per month for memory care.
$6175
Cleveland
$5793
Ohio
$5625
The United States
$5106
Columbus
$5832
Cincinnati
$5273
Toledo
$6241
Akron
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
There are different care options available to seniors in Cleveland. The most affordable care option is adult day health care, which typically costs around $1,788 per month. For seniors who prefer to stay living at home, home care and home health care both cost $5,196 on average. For the highest level of care that nursing homes provide, a semiprivate room typically costs $8,395.
$5196
Home Care
$5196
Home Health Care
$1788
Adult Day Health Care
$4940
Assisted Living Facility
$8395
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Cleveland
In Cleveland, 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 Ohio 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 Ohio page.
Free Memory Care Resources in Cleveland
Senior citizens in Cleveland can access a variety of resources that offer support. The following resources may be useful to residents in memory care communities and to families who desire more information about Alzheimer’s to help support their loved ones.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for seniors living in long-term care facilities such as memory care homes. The team of staff and volunteers visits the communities regularly to investigate concerns and complaints, advocates for higher quality of life and educates and empowers residents to promote dignity and well-being.
The Cleveland Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association offers free care and support services to seniors and their families in the Cleveland region. Some services available include support groups, counseling and educational programs.
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland offers legal aid to low-income individuals in Cleveland. It provides legal services at no cost, and there is a special program for seniors aged 60 and over. Some services offered include deeds, wills, power of attorneys and health care.
The VA Regional Cleveland Office offers a wide variety of support services to veterans and their families. Services include assistance with obtaining veterans benefits and support groups for older veterans and their caregivers. There are also mental health counseling services for needs such as PTSD, depression and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Cleveland
Cleveland Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Ohio are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Ohio page for more information about these laws.
My mother was only in Sunrise at Parma for a month, then she passed away. I visited several nursing homes and Sunrise seemed the best. They were very easy to work with, no difficulty trying to get ...
Read more
Review of The Woodlands of Shaker Heights
I was very impressed with the facility and the staff at The Woodlands of Shaker Heights. They were very, very helpful, polite, and just forthcoming with information. The tour of their memory care w...
Read more
Review of The Woodlands of Shaker Heights
I toured The Woodlands of Shaker Heights. It was a very positive experience. It was a very comfortable community atmosphere. Everybody was friendly and people spoke. It was very well maintained, an...
Read more
Practical steps you can take when you're wondering, "Where do I start?"
Let reality sink in.
Whether you've suspected the diagnosis for ages or it's come as a shock, absorbing the reality a...
Unlike many health conditions, which tend to develop or at least come to light all at once, dementia comes on gradually, and the signs can be confusing and easy to miss -- or misunderstand. And the...
Stress and burnout are the most common problems for those who care for someone with Alzheimer's disease. And, in turn, caregiver stress -- the emotional strain of tending to a loved one -- is one o...
About seven in 10 adults over 65 will require long-term care at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If your parents or other aging loved on...
Choosing the right residential care facility is hard, and choosing the right memory care facility is even harder.
Here are some questions to ask to help make the decision easier. As with any resid...
A relatively new alternative to at-home care for someone with dementia is a residential community that specializes in dementia care. Known as "memory care" or "Alzheimer's care," such housing is in...
