The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Roanoke, VA for 2023

The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 140,000 people in Virginia currently have the Alzheimer's disease. The city of Roanoke has nearly 100,000 people, including a senior community of roughly 15,000. It offers a variety of resources for families and seniors who have been affected by various forms of dementia and other cognitive impairments, including two memory care facilities. Just outside the city limits, there is one more memory care facility. Some of these memory care facilities, which may also be called "special care units," have their own freestanding building while others are located within a secured wing of an assisted living facility. SCUs are licensed and monitored by the Virginia Department of Social Services. 

• Roanoke is a relatively affordable city, with an overall cost of living that is about 13 percent below the national median and 27 percent less than the state average. The cost of healthcare is on par with the state and national averages, which may be a consideration for seniors who are managing a chronic condition like dementia. 

• Roanoke has a fairly comfortable year-round climate, rating 61 out of 100 on the Sperling's Comfort Index. Summer highs are in the mid-80s, and winter lows are in the mid-20s. The city gets about 15 inches of snow annually, compared to the national average of 26 inches, which may make local travel easier for families visiting their loved ones in memory care.

• Roanoke's crime rates are higher than regional, state and national averages, which may be a concern for those who are relocating to the area. On a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 representing high crime, the property crime rate in Roanoke is 59.5 and the violent crime rate is 46.2.

• Roanoke's air quality is good, which may be beneficial for seniors who have cardiovascular disease or respiratory illnesses. The American Lung Association gave the county an A for ozone pollution, a B for short-term particle pollution and a passing grade for annual particle pollution.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Roanoke

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

Roanoke and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in a memory care community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free memory care resources in Roanoke, please visit our Memory Care in Virginia page.

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