Tulsa, Oklahoma, is home to roughly 413,066 people. Around 14% of its residents are aged 65 or older, a risk group for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer’s is the seventh-leading cause of death in the country, and data released by the CDC regarding Tulsa’s Alzheimer’s-related deaths seems to support this, as fatalities rose by 50.81% between 2014 and 2018, while in the same period, deaths from all causes increased by a much lower 12.73%. This is increasingly concerning as a 2020 study found the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s to more than double to 12.7 million by 2050.
Fortunately, Tulsa’s memory care communities can offer safe, comfortable environments staffed 24/7 by people specially trained to support seniors with cognitive impairments. The facilities also provide therapists who apply the latest treatments to slow down dementia’s advance. This guide considers the pros and cons of living in Tulsa and the costs of memory care and alternatives for seniors at different stages of the aging process. It also lists some useful resources for seniors and their families.
Memory Care Facilities in Tulsa, OK
701 W 71st St South, Tulsa, OK, 74132
Legend at Tulsa Hills is located eight miles south of downtown Tulsa, close to the Arkansas River, Turkey Mountain Park and Highway 75. Residents and visitors admire the attractiveness of the facility
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Legend at Tulsa Hills is located eight miles south of downtown Tulsa, close to the Arkansas River, Turkey Mountain Park and Highway 75. Residents and visitors admire the attractiveness of the facility’s modern, clean, upscale and hotel-like appearance. They appreciate that the community offers a choice of apartment styles and large rooms with varying layouts. Loved ones praise the nice dining area and the delicious, well-balanced meals. Legend at Tulsa Hills also staffs an activities director who oversees a range of activities for residents, including an exercise room, arts and crafts, movies, cooking classes, book clubs and more.
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Legend at Tulsa Hills is located eight miles south of downtown Tulsa, close to the Arkansas River, Turkey Mountain Park and Highway 75. Residents and visitors admire the attractiveness of the facility
… (read more)
Legend at Tulsa Hills is located eight miles south of downtown Tulsa, close to the Arkansas River, Turkey Mountain Park and Highway 75. Residents and visitors admire the attractiveness of the facility’s modern, clean, upscale and hotel-like appearance. They appreciate that the community offers a choice of apartment styles and large rooms with varying layouts. Loved ones praise the nice dining area and the delicious, well-balanced meals. Legend at Tulsa Hills also staffs an activities director who oversees a range of activities for residents, including an exercise room, arts and crafts, movies, cooking classes, book clubs and more.
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18001 E 51st St., Tulsa, OK, 74134
Bellarose is an assisted living community located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Residents like that they are allowed to have small pets in their rooms and that the rooms feature modern decor. The f
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Bellarose is an assisted living community located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Residents like that they are allowed to have small pets in their rooms and that the rooms feature modern decor. The facility is competitively priced, which appeals to families searching for a safe, fun place for their loved one. There is an exercise room, a heated pool and numerous activities for the residents to enjoy. The dedicated memory care center provides loved one’s peace of mind that their family members with dementia get the care they need.
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Bellarose is an assisted living community located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Residents like that they are allowed to have small pets in their rooms and that the rooms feature modern decor. The f
… (read more)
Bellarose is an assisted living community located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Residents like that they are allowed to have small pets in their rooms and that the rooms feature modern decor. The facility is competitively priced, which appeals to families searching for a safe, fun place for their loved one. There is an exercise room, a heated pool and numerous activities for the residents to enjoy. The dedicated memory care center provides loved one’s peace of mind that their family members with dementia get the care they need.
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7807 S Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK, 74133
I would recommend this facility to anyone. It was very clean and everyone who works there is so very nice. My Dad was in this facility and everyone there was always nice and friendly and he was always
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I would recommend this facility to anyone. It was very clean and everyone who works there is so very nice. My Dad was in this facility and everyone there was always nice and friendly and he was always taken good care of.
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I would recommend this facility to anyone. It was very clean and everyone who works there is so very nice. My Dad was in this facility and everyone there was always nice and friendly and he was always
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I would recommend this facility to anyone. It was very clean and everyone who works there is so very nice. My Dad was in this facility and everyone there was always nice and friendly and he was always taken good care of.
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6022 East 71st Street, Tulsa, OK, 74136
My wife has moved into Brookdale Tulsa 71 st and Sheridan. It looked very good, and it was clean. Everybody seemed nice; the staff and everybody else was friendly. The staff seem to know what everybod
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My wife has moved into Brookdale Tulsa 71 st and Sheridan. It looked very good, and it was clean. Everybody seemed nice; the staff and everybody else was friendly. The staff seem to know what everybody was doing. I didn’t see her room, but my understanding is, she has a large, shared room.
The residents were just kind of sitting around in the dayroom, where some of them were watching TV, and some weren’t. The facility is very clean. They have a large dining area. It accommodates the staff and everything, all of the patients at one time. This area was large, with a lot of tables and chairs. The staff was all very accommodating. I got there after lunch, so everybody was just sitting around and taking it easy.
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My wife has moved into Brookdale Tulsa 71 st and Sheridan. It looked very good, and it was clean. Everybody seemed nice; the staff and everybody else was friendly. The staff seem to know what everybod
… (read more)
My wife has moved into Brookdale Tulsa 71 st and Sheridan. It looked very good, and it was clean. Everybody seemed nice; the staff and everybody else was friendly. The staff seem to know what everybody was doing. I didn’t see her room, but my understanding is, she has a large, shared room.
The residents were just kind of sitting around in the dayroom, where some of them were watching TV, and some weren’t. The facility is very clean. They have a large dining area. It accommodates the staff and everything, all of the patients at one time. This area was large, with a lot of tables and chairs. The staff was all very accommodating. I got there after lunch, so everybody was just sitting around and taking it easy.
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5211 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74105
My mom moved in. The staff were great and very caring. The rooms were good-sized and she was the single occupant of the room. She started in the assisted living unit and eventually moved to the memory
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My mom moved in. The staff were great and very caring. The rooms were good-sized and she was the single occupant of the room. She started in the assisted living unit and eventually moved to the memory unit, and everything worked great without confusion. I would recommend this facility to other people.
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My mom moved in. The staff were great and very caring. The rooms were good-sized and she was the single occupant of the room. She started in the assisted living unit and eventually moved to the memory
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My mom moved in. The staff were great and very caring. The rooms were good-sized and she was the single occupant of the room. She started in the assisted living unit and eventually moved to the memory unit, and everything worked great without confusion. I would recommend this facility to other people.
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7210 S Yale Avenue,, Tulsa, OK, 74136
So far, we haven’t had any issues with Aberdeen Memory Care. They’ve been really helpful, they keep me abreast of how my mother is doing, and they’ve been really nice. My brother has been there; I hav
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So far, we haven’t had any issues with Aberdeen Memory Care. They’ve been really helpful, they keep me abreast of how my mother is doing, and they’ve been really nice. My brother has been there; I haven’t been to the place yet because I’m in Texas. My brother likes everything about it: it’s nice, it’s clean, and everybody there has been helpful, so we have no problems. They’re very good with updating us. When I call for whatever information or to check on her, they tell me everything, really. They’re very good with communicating, so we really have no complaints. She’s been eating quite a bit, and everything’s been really good. I think the value is pretty good. I think it’s more reasonable than a lot of places, and they’re really doing a good job in taking care of her. All these places are way overpriced, but I would not think about doing the work that they have to do to take care of people with Alzheimer’s; it’s a lot of work.
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So far, we haven’t had any issues with Aberdeen Memory Care. They’ve been really helpful, they keep me abreast of how my mother is doing, and they’ve been really nice. My brother has been there; I hav
… (read more)
So far, we haven’t had any issues with Aberdeen Memory Care. They’ve been really helpful, they keep me abreast of how my mother is doing, and they’ve been really nice. My brother has been there; I haven’t been to the place yet because I’m in Texas. My brother likes everything about it: it’s nice, it’s clean, and everybody there has been helpful, so we have no problems. They’re very good with updating us. When I call for whatever information or to check on her, they tell me everything, really. They’re very good with communicating, so we really have no complaints. She’s been eating quite a bit, and everything’s been really good. I think the value is pretty good. I think it’s more reasonable than a lot of places, and they’re really doing a good job in taking care of her. All these places are way overpriced, but I would not think about doing the work that they have to do to take care of people with Alzheimer’s; it’s a lot of work.
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9494 E 101st St South, Tulsa, OK, 74133
I have eaten several meals here with my sister and will never eat there again. Managers should stop by for lunch some Saturday – unannounced.
I have eaten several meals here with my sister and will never eat there again. Managers should stop by for lunch some Saturday – unannounced.
6800 South Granite Avenue, Tulsa, OK, 74136
Montereau is a non-profit assisted living facility nestled in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s located on top of a hill within a wooded area for privacy and is close to St. Francis Hospital and a sh
… (read more)
Montereau is a non-profit assisted living facility nestled in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s located on top of a hill within a wooded area for privacy and is close to St. Francis Hospital and a shopping mall. Residents go on a lunch outing once a week with supplied transportation, and the available on-premises activities include yoga, swimming and massages. Family and residents give Montereau high marks for the elegant and resort-like facilities and rooms. The staff at Montereau are known to be caring, attentive and flexible to meet residents unique needs.
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Montereau is a non-profit assisted living facility nestled in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s located on top of a hill within a wooded area for privacy and is close to St. Francis Hospital and a sh
… (read more)
Montereau is a non-profit assisted living facility nestled in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s located on top of a hill within a wooded area for privacy and is close to St. Francis Hospital and a shopping mall. Residents go on a lunch outing once a week with supplied transportation, and the available on-premises activities include yoga, swimming and massages. Family and residents give Montereau high marks for the elegant and resort-like facilities and rooms. The staff at Montereau are known to be caring, attentive and flexible to meet residents unique needs.
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10802 E. 81st Street, Tulsa, OK, 74133
My mother lived at the Linden for a little more than a year and I can’t say enough good things about the staff and the facilities. Everyone, from the nursing staff to housekeeping was extraordinarily
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My mother lived at the Linden for a little more than a year and I can’t say enough good things about the staff and the facilities. Everyone, from the nursing staff to housekeeping was extraordinarily kind and competent. Mom started in the Assisted Living section then moved to the Memory Care wing at the appropriate time and was able to hospice in place. The ability to seamlessly move from one stage of care to another in the same beautiful facility was very helpful. In addition to all of this, the food was always delicious and the choices were varied and nutritious.
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My mother lived at the Linden for a little more than a year and I can’t say enough good things about the staff and the facilities. Everyone, from the nursing staff to housekeeping was extraordinarily
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My mother lived at the Linden for a little more than a year and I can’t say enough good things about the staff and the facilities. Everyone, from the nursing staff to housekeeping was extraordinarily kind and competent. Mom started in the Assisted Living section then moved to the Memory Care wing at the appropriate time and was able to hospice in place. The ability to seamlessly move from one stage of care to another in the same beautiful facility was very helpful. In addition to all of this, the food was always delicious and the choices were varied and nutritious.
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3701 Martin Luther King, Jr, Tulsa, OK, 74106
Saint Simeon’s Senior Community is situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a few minutes away from Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa Zoo and Mohawk Park. Loved ones are impressed that the facility has a playgro
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Saint Simeon’s Senior Community is situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a few minutes away from Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa Zoo and Mohawk Park. Loved ones are impressed that the facility has a playground so that the resident’s grandchildren have somewhere to play when they come to visit. Guests note the large garden is well-maintained and that rooms in the community are spacious and well-designed for the requirements of senior citizens. Saint Simeon’s receives praise for its amenities, including a pool, gym and bistro. Relatives appreciate the professional, kind and caring staff who know every resident by name.
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Saint Simeon’s Senior Community is situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a few minutes away from Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa Zoo and Mohawk Park. Loved ones are impressed that the facility has a playgro
… (read more)
Saint Simeon’s Senior Community is situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a few minutes away from Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa Zoo and Mohawk Park. Loved ones are impressed that the facility has a playground so that the resident’s grandchildren have somewhere to play when they come to visit. Guests note the large garden is well-maintained and that rooms in the community are spacious and well-designed for the requirements of senior citizens. Saint Simeon’s receives praise for its amenities, including a pool, gym and bistro. Relatives appreciate the professional, kind and caring staff who know every resident by name.
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4402 South 129th West Avenue, Sand Springs, OK, 74063
I like the location of Green Tree. I was looking at the memory support unit. It had an outdoor courtyard. It had a circular layout of the apartments. The thing I didn’t like was that the apartments we
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I like the location of Green Tree. I was looking at the memory support unit. It had an outdoor courtyard. It had a circular layout of the apartments. The thing I didn’t like was that the apartments were small. The facility was very clean. They have a living area for the families when they visit, an area for arts and crafts, and an activity space. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. She had the best interest of my mom in mind. Even though we didn’t decide to choose them, she tried to help us find the best option for my mother.
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I like the location of Green Tree. I was looking at the memory support unit. It had an outdoor courtyard. It had a circular layout of the apartments. The thing I didn’t like was that the apartments we
… (read more)
I like the location of Green Tree. I was looking at the memory support unit. It had an outdoor courtyard. It had a circular layout of the apartments. The thing I didn’t like was that the apartments were small. The facility was very clean. They have a living area for the families when they visit, an area for arts and crafts, and an activity space. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. She had the best interest of my mom in mind. Even though we didn’t decide to choose them, she tried to help us find the best option for my mother.
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COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Tulsa
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 Oklahoma. 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 Tulsa
Oklahoma’s Long Term Care Service, a division of the State Department of Health, regulates, monitors and licenses memory care facilities. It inspects licensed facilities on an annual basis to ensure that they are adhering to the terms of their licenses, issuing final warnings to those who haven’t and removing them if they don’t improve.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Tulsa
- There are 16 hospitals in Tulsa, many offering the same treatments and some specializing in specific areas of medicine. St. Francis Hospital is possibly the city’s largest hospital and valued for its specialties such as colon cancer, heart failure, diabetes and kidney failure. The neurology and cardiology departments at Ascension St. John Medical Center are similarly admired within the medical profession.
- Published data shows property and violent crime are much more common in Tulsa than in the average city in the United States and Oklahoma. Seniors who live in low-crime areas, such as midtown, and those in memory care facilities, which are well-equipped with staff, security alarms, and video surveillance, are less likely to encounter criminal activity.
- Although Tulsa’s typical health cost index of 109.5 is above the national average, it’s significantly below normal for Oklahoma. An additional financial benefit is the city’s overall cost of living index of 83.2, which is below the state average and suggests Tulsa is one of the more affordable cities in the state.
- January is a chilly month in Tulsa, with temperatures averaging 26 degrees, with around 6 inches of snow throughout the winter. However, for most of the year the weather is pleasant, particularly in July, where temperatures average around 93 degrees. Tulsans typically get 22 more sunny days than the U.S. average of 205 and about 4 more inches of rain than the normal 38.
- Tulsa’s air quality is below the U.S. average but its water quality scores 59, which is 4 points above normal for the country. Commute times are about 8 minutes shorter than the average 26.4 minutes, and the city has almost 300 Medicare-registered physicians per 100,000 people, which is significantly more than the 210 found in the typical American city.
- Tulsa Transit operates a reduced fare program for adults aged 62 and older. The $1 transit card enables seniors to pay $0.85 per one-way trip on the city’s fixed-route bus services and receive discounted multi-ride passes.
Paying for Memory Care in Tulsa
Due to the intensive 24/7 support provided in memory care communities, fees are typically 20-30% more than the assisted living facilities they are located within. The average rates listed here come from adding 25% to the assisted living costs found by the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Consequently, the average fee in Tulsa is $4,819 per month, which equals the state median but is significantly below the typical U.S. rate of $5,625.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Tulsa is one of the most affordable cities for memory care in the state, eclipsed only by Lawton, where the average fee is $4,451. The typical senior in Enid is likely to pay $4,975 per month, while in Oklahoma City, costs leap to $6,000, an annual increase of $14,172 when compared with Tulsa.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Adult day care is the least costly option for seniors in Tulsa, with fees averaging $1,517. Assisted living is next, with a typical cost of $3,855 per month, which is significantly below the $4,767 needed for home care and home health care services. A semiprivate in a nursing home is the most expensive type of care at $5,323 monthly.
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Tulsa
In Tulsa, 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma page.
Free Memory Care Resources in Tulsa
There are a variety of government agencies and nonprofit organizations in the Tulsa area that offer supportive services and resources for seniors with dementia and their family members. These services range from care consultations, options counseling and benefits assistance to support groups and advocacy efforts.
A long-term care Ombudsman raises the standards of care within Tulsa's senior living facilities. Residents in memory care communities unhappy with the quality of their care can register complaints with the ombudsman, who will investigate and seek resolutions with the providers. Families of residents and third parties can also submit concerns to the ombudsman.
The Alzheimer's Association’s Oklahoma Chapter complements the aid given by the national organization, administering educational programs at local centers where attendees can learn more about Alzheimer's and prepare plans for futures involving it. The chapter also facilitates in-person and online support groups.
Dementia Friendly Tulsa is a nonprofit program with a dual purpose to promote greater awareness in the community and to encourage residents to become actively involved in supporting seniors with dementia. The program connects those with memory loss conditions and their families to appropriate resources in and around Tulsa that can help them navigate the journey ahead.
LIFE Senior Services is a well-established multi-resource organization based in Tulsa. LIFE runs senior centers on the East Side and in Southminster that allow people with early-stage dementia to socialize and engage in creative activities that can help slow down their cognitive decline.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Tulsa
Ashland Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Oklahoma are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Oklahoma page for more information about these laws.
