The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Memphis, TN for 2023

Located on the Mississippi River, Memphis, TN is home to around 628,000 residents, of whom more than 13% are seniors aged 65 and older. Alzheimer’s is an issue of growing concern for individuals in this demographic. It currently impacts the lives of around 6.5 million seniors in America, and the Alzheimer’s Association projects that number will grow to roughly 12.9 million by 2050. This makes it imperative for communities to have dementia care resources in place.

Through its many community efforts, reports from the CDC show that Memphis has only seen a modest increase in the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in recent years. In 2016, there were 386 seniors who died with Alzheimer’s in the city. By 2020, that number had risen 2.85% to 397. For many families, long-term care options such as memory care facilities are the best solution for their loved ones. These communities feature highly-trained caregivers who can provide personalized care, memory-focused programming and 24/7 supervision. This guide offers information about the cost of these services, local support resources and what senior living is like in Memphis.

The Board For Licencing Health Care Facilities oversees the memory care accommodations in Memphis and throughout Tennessee. It’s responsible for ensuring the quality of care in multiple settings, including hospitals, nursing homes and ambulatory surgical treatment centers. Furthermore, it also carries out background checks on employees providing patient care.   

• Memphis is home to state-of-the-art medical facilities including many hospitals, several of which have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for their high quality of care. St Francis hospitals, multiple Baptist hospitals and the entire Methodist system gained recognition in the 2021-22 ratings.
• With relatively mild winters and four distinct seasons, Memphis’s climate is ideal for retired seniors. It has 218 days of sunshine and highs of 90 degrees in July. The city only gets an average of three inches of snow each year, way below the national average of 28 inches.
• Overall, Memphis is considered a tax-friendly city for seniors. It does not levy any income taxes, so Social Security retirement benefits and income from retirement accounts are not taxed at the state level. Although sales taxes are high, the city’s property taxes are pretty low. 
• In Memphis, the overall cost of living is 17% lower than the national average, making it a more affordable place for seniors to live. One significant difference is housing costs, which are 34% lower, and transportation and groceries are 11% and 9% lower, respectively.
• In Memphis, property and violent crime are far higher than the state and national averages. However, because memory care facilities provide around-the-clock staffing, 24-hour video surveillance and other security features, seniors can feel safe during their retirement.
• Memphis joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities in April 2018. The city is committed to promoting healthy and active aging and optimizing opportunities for health, civic participation, and security, according to the World Health Organization.

All memory care costs are established by adding 25% to the city’s assisted living costs, as memory care is typically 20-30% higher and is an extra service provided in assisted living facilities. According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of memory care in Memphis is $5,250 per month, while the average price in Tennessee is lower at $5,131. 

Two of the most famous places in Tennessee, Memphis and Nashville, have median memory care costs of $5,250 and $5,125 per month, respectively. Clarksville ($4,019) and Knoxville ($4,779) are the most cost-effective places in the state. Kingsport is less budget-friendly, costing $5,556 monthly, which is closer to the national average of $5,625.

In addition to memory care, seniors in Memphis have access to other long-term care options. At $4,242, homemaker services and home health aides permit seniors to remain in their homes while receiving help with household tasks and personal care. Adult day health care offers respite to primary caregivers and costs $1,747, while assisted living services at $4,200 are most suited to those who need support with activities of daily living while residing in a senior living community. Seniors requiring a higher level of care have the option of semiprivate and private rooms in nursing home facilities, costing $7,087 and $7,513, respectively.

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 Tennessee page.