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

Salem is a small city of fewer than 26,000 people, nearly 19 percent of whom are seniors. It's situated in the southwestern region of Virginia, a state where 140,000 seniors have Alzheimer's disease. Families and seniors who have been affected by dementia receive support from the Local Office on Aging, as well as the Alzheimer's Association Central and Western Virginia Chapter.

To accommodate the needs of seniors with dementia who are no longer able to live at home, the Salem area has five memory care facilities, with two in the city proper and three more in the nearby cities of Roanoke and Daleville. These facilities are officially called "special care units" and may either be freestanding or located within an assisted living facility.

• While Salem's cost of living is about 7 percent below the national average, healthcare expenses are about 4 percent higher here than they are in the nation as a whole. This may be a consideration for families whose senior loved one has a chronic condition like dementia.
• Crime rates in Salem are a little lower than the national average, which may appeal to families who are researching memory care facilities in southwest Virginia. On a 100-point scale, with a lower score representing lower crime, the city's violent crime rate is 30, compared to the national average of 31.1, and the property crime rate is 36.5, versus the national median of 38.1.
• Salem's climate is relatively pleasant throughout the year. On Sperling's Comfort Index, which evaluates cities based on their year-round temperatures and humidity levels, Salem is rated 70 out of 100, compared to the national average of 54. This city may be well-suited for seniors who enjoy relaxing outdoors.
• Seniors in Salem do not pay income tax on their Social Security benefits. While other types of retirement income are taxable, up to $12,000 is tax deductible. This may allow for more money in the memory care budget. 

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Salem

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.

Salem 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 Salem, please visit our Memory Care in Virginia page.

Directory of Winners in the Salem Area

Salem-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.