10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Philadelphia, PA

The costs of memory care can weigh heavily on the minds of loved ones, with many families wondering if they have enough saved to pay for it long-term.

For some families, relying solely on private funds to pay for memory care is out of the question. Fortunately, several resources can provide some financial support for memory care costs. We delve into the assortment of payment options and resources for memory care from private and public pay options to veterans benefits.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is in charge of regulating memory care-only communities, as well as assisted living communities — also called personal care homes in Pennsylvania — with dementia care units. These dementia care units are defined as a secured area of an assisted living community with memory care programs and services for residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

Annual inspections are done by the department to make sure personal care homes are in line with the regulations set at the state level. You can find annual reports about licensed personal care homes in Pennsylvania on the Department of Human Services website. We break down some distinct regulations for dementia care units below, but you can access all regulations for personal care homes published online by the Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin.

New Jersey memory care facilities are regulated and licensed by the Department of Health (DOH). Like Philadelphia memory care facilities, those in New Jersey have specific policies in place for areas like medication managements, facility accommodations, and resident admission. While the regulations outlined below focus on Philadelphia memory care facilities, you can find a full list of state rules for New Jersey memory care communities in the State Operations Manual. You can also file complaints online and look up facilities with violations issued against them.

Admission and resident transfer

Personal care homes have a few pre-admission screenings to make sure a facility is equipped to meet the care needs of each resident. Most personal care homes generally won’t accept people who need a higher level of care, such as round-the-clock skilled nursing or a ventilator.

Before admission to a secured dementia unit, a physician or other licensed health care professional must complete a written medical assessment that determines the potential resident’s dementia diagnosis and need for admission to memory care. This must be provided to a facility within 60 days of admission.

All memory care facilities and personal care homes that transfer a resident must give a 30-day advance notice and detail the reasons behind the release. The following instances warrant a resident transfer from a memory care facility:

• A resident is a threat to themselves or others.
• Payments haven’t been made.
• A portion of the community has closed down.
• A resident’s needs can no longer be met in the community.

Facility requirements

Memory care facilities in Philadelphia are required to provide adequate living spaces for residents. No more than two residents can share one bedroom, and all memory care facilities must provide common areas that include the following:

• Dining spaces
• Indoor and outdoor exercise areas
• Spaces for individual and group activities

All secured dementia areas also have to disclose all procedures taken to heighten environmental awareness and reinforce residents’ independence.

Resident care

Memory care residents in a secured dementia unit must undergo a pre-admission cognitive screening within 72 hours of admission and be evaluated annually to determine the need for memory care and to develop a support plan that meets the following criteria:

• The support plan is updated annually to address any changes to a resident’s condition.
• The support plan identifies a resident’s physical, medical, social, cognitive, and safety needs.
• The support plan determines a designated person to be involved.

Security

Memory care facilities often have enhanced security measures in place, and nearly 50% of our partner communities in Philadelphia have some type of system to prevent wandering. Secured dementia units must have approval to equip doors with locking devices and other security systems that deter unexpected exits. All memory care facilities must have a statement that confirms any locking system will shut down in the event of any of the following situations occurring:

• A power outage
• A system override through a keypad or other device
• An activated fire alarm, heat system, or smoke detector

Any door that opens into potentially unsafe areas, such as a parking lot, needs to be locked by an electronic or magnetic system. All locking systems and devices within a facility must have operating instructions posted discreetly by the device. Additionally, all secured dementia units must have an approved 24-hour monitoring service or a fire alarm system that’s connected to the local fire department.

Programs

Secured memory care units are required to offer activities that consider a resident’s age and cognitive level. The activities should also help seniors preserve their current abilities. Memory care facilities should coordinate a variety of programs every week and may include the following:

• Arts and crafts
• Self-care activities
• Walking, gardening, and other outdoor hobbies
• Dancing, stretching, and other gross motor activities
• Games, music, and community festivities
• Sensory and memory enhancement activities

Staff training

All direct care staff members are required to complete an orientation on fire safety and emergency preparedness before their first day. Within the first 40-hour work week, direct care staff must also complete orientation on these topics:

• Resident rights
• Emergency medical plan
• Reportable incidents and conditions
• Mandatory documenting of abuse and neglect

They must also finish 12 hours of annual training on topics relating to their specific job duties, such as personal care services and infection control. Additional initial training must be completed by direct care staff before they can provide any unsupervised activities of daily living (ADL) services, which covers subjects listed below:

• Personal hygiene
• Safety management techniques
• ADLs and instrumental ADLs
• Universal precautions

Direct care staff is also required to receive annual training on procedures such as fire safety, fall and accident prevention, and resident rights. Staff members who work in a secured dementia care unit must also undergo an annual 6 hours of dementia-specific training.

COVID-19 regulations for Philadelphia memory care facilities

Many senior living and memory care facilities will have COVID-19 measures that align with those set at state and local levels. Some memory care facilities may choose to adopt firmer methods to prevent infection among residents and staff than what the local guidance calls for.

It’s generally best practice to reach out to a community directly about their current safety measures, given how rapidly COVID-19 and its variants continue to evolve. The Department of Public Health has been at the forefront of Philadelphia’s COVID-19 response, and you can find the latest COVID-19 updates and community resources on its website.

Around 25% of our partner communities exclusively offer memory care services to residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, while the majority are located within a senior community that also offers assisted or independent living. We detail a brief description of what you can expect to find at Philadelphia and neighboring Camden and Burlington, New Jersey, memory care facilities below.

Inviting spaces

From modern bliss to residential elegance, memory care communities in Philadelphia come in many shapes and sizes. Some memory care communities welcome residents and guests with contemporary design elements and skyline views, while others take a more traditional approach with homelike features and common areas bathed in natural light. Outdoor spaces at many memory care communities are equally remarkable with vibrant landscaping, walking paths, and raised garden beds.

Philadelphia memory care units come in a variety of floor plans that consist of private and semi-private living options. Some communities feature lavish interior upgrades like granite countertops and kitchenettes. Many memory care units come equipped with accessible showers and grab bars in the bathroom. Nearly all memory care units feature individual air conditioning systems, and several communities provide a round-the-clock emergency call system and cable TV in units.

Dementia-specific programs and social activities

About 90% of our in-network memory care facilities have an on-site activity director who coordinates diverse social programs for residents to participate in. Many communities offer programs tailored to residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Reminiscence and sensory-based programs are provided at 63% of our in-network Philadelphia memory care communities. These programs specifically are designed to evoke positive memories and help memory care residents express themselves.

Other activities encourage memory care residents to socialize with others and participate in activities they enjoy. Several of our in-network communities plan art and cooking classes, educational workshops, and live musical performances. Most of our in-market communities also plan activities that promote the use of gross motor skills like tai chi, yoga, and stretching classes.

Helpful amenities and services

On top of the 24-hour awake staff available at memory care communities, several of our in-network memory care facilities have access to on-site care. Nearly 90% of our partner Philadelphia memory care facilities have on-site rehabilitative therapies and access to visiting physical, speech, and occupational therapists. Many partner communities have on-site nursing and about 33% have an on-site skilled nursing facility. Additionally, almost 75% have a visiting nurse and on-call doctor available.

Memory care facilities aren’t limited to health-related services, and many offer an array of amenities designed to help make residents’ lives simpler and more comfortable. Nearly all of our in-network communities provide housekeeping and personal laundry, as well as transportation services. Most Philadelphia memory care communities serve restaurant-style dining, and several of our in-network communities have a professional chef available.

Health care for seniors in Philadelphia

Access to top-notch medical care is widely available in Philadelphia with more than 60 hospitals located in and around the city. Several of Philadelphia’s hospitals rank among the best in the country for specialties that include neurology and neurosurgery.

Transportation for seniors in Philadelphia

In some instances, specific health and medical services aren’t provided or available in a memory care facility. On-site transportation services deliver a safe and convenient way for residents to get to and from medical appointments and other errands. Just over half of our partner memory care facilities in Philadelphia arrange transportation for residents, which includes complimentary and at-cost services.

Visiting a loved one in memory care is a breeze with Philadelphia’s impressive public transit system. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates 120 bus routes throughout the Philadelphia metro, as well as the city’s high-speed rail, subway, and trolley lines. SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines will be especially advantageous for family members who travel back and forth into Philadelphia from the suburbs. There are 13 rail lines that make over 150 stops between Center City and the surrounding suburbs. Out-of-town guests can enjoy a hassle-free start to their visit by hopping aboard SEPTA’s Airport Line, which runs about every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends.

Seniors who are 65+ travel for free on all SEPTA buses, trolleys, and subways with a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card. This card also gives seniors free travel on SEPTA’s Regional Rail for travel within Pennsylvania, as well as discounted fares for trips to and from Delaware and New Jersey. However, seniors with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia aren’t advised to use transit without an accompanying caregiver.