The Best Memory Care Communities in Shelby County, TN

Home to Elvis Presley and blues music, Shelby County is the hub of a major metropolitan area in Southwest Tennessee and has a population of more than 930,000 people, 13.1 percent who are over the age of 65. Residents in that age bracket who have Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia may choose between 12 memory care facilities in the county.

As is the case for all of Tennessee, memory care facilities in Shelby County are referred to as either assisted care living facilities or residential homes for the aged and must receive a license from the Tennessee Department of Health. This license certifies that the facility is capable of caring for adults in varying stages of memory decline.

• Shelby County's winters are short and mild, and fall and spring tend to be pleasant. Memory care residents who enjoy spending supervised time outside may find their excursions are limited by the sweltering summer days. The highs in July and August regularly exceed 90 degrees, and the humidity can be oppressive.
• At eight percent cheaper than the national average, Shelby County's cost of living is very low for a major metropolitan area in the Sun Belt. The county's housing costs are a full one-third lower than average, making the area attractive to family members wanting to relocate or purchase a second home near their loved one in memory care.
• Seniors in Shelby County do not pay state taxes on any of their retirement income, including Social Security benefits. This friendly tax treatment leaves more money available for memory care residents to spend on high-quality care. The area's property taxes are also much lower than average.
• Shelby County is known for its violent crime rate of 68.7 out of 100, which is more than double the U.S. average of 31.1. While safety-conscious seniors may want to keep this fact in mind, they might also consider that memory care facilities, most of which have extensive security features, are among the safest places to live.

Memory Care costs in Shelby County start around $5,352 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Shelby County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

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.

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