When a senior in your family is living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, finding the right memory care community can feel overwhelming. You’re not simply choosing a place for your loved one to live—you’re choosing a community where they will spend their days, build relationships, and receive the support they need to live with purpose and dignity.
At Episcopal Church Home (ECH) in Louisville, we believe memory care is about knowing the person behind the diagnosis, honoring their life story, and creating opportunities for meaningful connection each day.
As you tour communities that offer memory care assisted living, look beyond the physical space. Pay attention to how residents are treated, how team members interact with them, and whether the community’s approach to care reflects who your loved one is as a person.
Here are five questions to ask as you explore your options.
People living with dementia may experience changes in their sense of direction and an increased desire to walk or explore. Instead of restricting movement, a well-designed memory care community can provide safe spaces where residents move about comfortably and independently.
As you tour, look for secure outdoor areas, accessible walking paths, and thoughtfully designed common spaces. Ask how staff support residents who enjoy walking or who may become disoriented. The goal should be to create an environment where residents are safe and maintain a sense of freedom and autonomy.
Ask about the team members caring for the residents. When you visit, watch how they interact with residents. Do they know them by name? Do they seem familiar with their personalities and routines?
A person-centered approach means care is shaped around the individual. Staff should take the time to understand what brings each resident comfort and joy—from favorite foods to lifelong interests.
For resident Charlotte Allen, team members have learned all her favorites, from her favorite country music artists to her love for ice cream.
“You can never get too much of it,” Charlotte joked.
For her son, Howard Byrum, the staff's interest makes all the difference.
“From the very first time I went to ECH, I saw that it was warm and welcoming,” Howard said.
Related blog: What Person-Centered Care Really Looks Like
Life in a memory care assisted living community should be about more than filling a calendar with events. Meaningful engagement gives residents opportunities to connect with others, express themselves, and keep up with the things they enjoy.
Ask what types of programming the community offers and if activities are adapted for different abilities and interests. Look for a variety of opportunities such as music, art, movement, gardening, games, and social gatherings.
It’s also worth asking whether families are encouraged to participate from time to time. Staying connected to loved ones can be an important part of helping a resident feel a sense of belonging.
The best memory care communities recognize everyone has something to contribute.
Take a close look at the memory care neighborhood during your visit. Is it warm and welcoming? Does it feel comfortable and familiar rather than institutional?
Pay attention to the details. Are there inviting common areas where residents can gather? Are dining spaces comfortable and easy to navigate? Are resident rooms designed to feel personal and familiar?
For our residents, ECH is home. Here, each bedroom doorway features a beautiful display where residents and families can showcase photographs, keepsakes, and other meaningful items. These personal touches create a sense of familiarity.
Of course, safety matters, too. Ask about features such as secure entrances and exits, accessibility, and other design elements intended to support residents.
Related blog: How the Design of Memory Care Community Helps Seniors Build Friendships
Will your loved one’s retirement income and/or nest egg support the monthly cost of his or her residential memory care at your first-choice community? Will it accept your relative’s long-term care insurance or Medicare supplement plan? What happens if your parent or grandparent outlives his or her resources?
Memory care is a long-term decision, so it’s important to understand what care looks like today and how the community can support your loved one as their needs evolve.
Find out what happens if your loved one’s financial circumstances change through no fault of their own.
At ECH, we promise families that their loved ones will never be asked to leave due to financial hardship. Care for elders who outlive their resources is subsidized by generous community donations to our Promise Fund.
The right community should provide more than a safe place to live—it should offer meaningful relationships, opportunities for engagement, and care that recognizes the whole person.
We invite you to tour Episcopal Church Home and see what our mission looks like in person. Call 502-906-6224 or email epace@erslife.org to schedule a tour.