The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Miami
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. McClatchy newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.
Mild memory problems are a normal part of aging, but when you see your parent or loved one missing appointments and forgetting plans, it can be a warning sign of something more. Learning more about the signs and symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s can help you prepare for what’s ahead.
While a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be scary, it doesn’t mean that all is lost in terms of quality of life. This is where memory care facilities come in. These long-term care facilities provide specialized services for residents at each stage of memory loss, allowing them to remain safe, comfortable, and stimulated for the duration of their condition.
Whether you’ve lived your whole life in Miami, have family members close by, or have simply visited, you know why it’s such a popular destination for older adults. If you’re looking for a memory care facility for yourself or a family member in this unique coastal city, here are some of the best options in Miami.
Speak to a Family Advisor about Senior Care Options at (855) 953-4055
The Palace Renaissance – Best Overall
Key Features:
Wanderguard system tracks patients’ whereabouts
CRM system provides advanced care management
Elegant furnishings
The Palace Renaissance is an upscale community with a resort-like feel. The community holds the prestigious CARF Accreditation, which holds rehabilitation facilities to the highest standards. It’s located on a quiet, established residential street in south Miami, and it sits adjacent to a large city park.
From the minute you pull into the drive, you get the feel of a five-star resort hotel with a covered entrance and beautifully landscaped lawns, and security is top-notch to keep memory care patients from wandering. The community is elegantly decorated and includes a variety of social activities to keep residents engaged. There’s a swimming pool and an on-site personal trainer, a computer room, a library and a daily happy hour.
The sensory stimulation program helps keep residents’ brains engaged. Licensed nurses are on duty to help memory care residents to and from the dining room and to other areas of the facilities. There’s also health monitoring and additional special programs for those with cognitive impairments. Guests to the facility comment on the beauty of the area and the professional attitude of the staff.
Sterling Aventura - Best in Customer Satisfaction
Key Features:
Personalized fitness programs
Pet-friendly apartments
24-hour security
From the outside, the Sterling Aventura looks like a large apartment complex in the heart of the city. It’s one of the larger facilities, offering 171 beds with one-bedroom apartments and shared and private rooms. The third floor is devoted entirely to memory care, and it’s popular enough that there’s often a waitlist to get in.
While the community may look less homey than some of the other facilities on the list, the facility is very clean, and guests comment often on how friendly and attentive the staff members are to both the patients and to visitors. There are plenty of large windows that offer excellent views of the city, and downstairs there’s a secure courtyard, so memory care patients can sit outside and enjoy the sun.
Another great aspect of Sterling Aventura is that the facility works hard to make its memory care patients feel a part of the community. There’s weekly outings, scheduled social activities, personalized fitness programs and concierge services. An emergency response system is also installed in each bathroom, so residents can call for help quickly if needed.
Courtyard Plaza – Best Medically Oriented Facility
Key Features:
Multi-language facility
All-inclusive
Short-term and long-term stays
Family members will have no problem getting to Courtyard Plaza for a visit, with its easy access to the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 95. Neighboring buildings include a Serbian Orthodox church, a preschool and an antique mall, which keep in line with the diverse nature of the community.
The Courtyard Plaza has a more structured atmosphere, which is sometimes best for seniors in later stages of Alzheimer’s. This type of hospital-like environment often reduces stress and makes it easier for residents to focus on their strengths. But this doesn’t mean patients can’t bring their own belongings to decorate their rooms to their liking.
The memory care staff at Courtyard Plaza have received extensive training in Alzheimer’s and dementia, so they understand how the disease doesn’t always affect everyone the same. Instead, they focus on maintaining each person’s dignity throughout all stages of the disease. Daily activities include social games, health and fitness, arts and crafts and outings into the community.
Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon – Best Memory Care Community Near the Beach
Key Features:
Homelike environment
Montessori’s dementia program
Certified case managers
Residential Plaza is located next to the Blue Lagoon and sits adjacent to Miami International Airport. The beach is also just minutes away, so family members can take their vacation near the property to visit loved ones. This facility has multiple accolades for both its memory care and assisted living services, and because there’s so much to offer in one location, the level of care can grow with the individual.
The facility houses 350 individuals, but don’t let this size scare you. The rooms are large, so seniors can bring furniture in and decorate with their own belongings to make it feel like home. There’s a courtyard, a library and a multipurpose room, so seniors can socialize, enjoy their hobbies and focus on maintaining a high quality of life for as long as possible.
Memory care patients are treated using the Montessori dementia program. This program is praised for creating a supportive environment to reduce stress and keep patients independent as long as possible.
The Pointe of North Gables – Best Small Community
Key Features:
Devoted memory care unit
Monthly assessments
Large open-air courtyard
If a smaller community is more your style, The Pointe of North Gables has room for around 100 assisted living and memory care residents. It’s just to the south of Miami International Airport and located conveniently near the center of town, near restaurants and shopping.
There’s a large, gated, open-air courtyard with a swimming pool, so seniors can sit out in the sun, get some exercise and socialize with other residents during the day. Memory care patients also receive 24-hour supervision and care and participate in fun activities like dominoes and board games.
Like the other communities on this list, The Pointe of North Gables is most concerned with the health and well-being of its residents. Birthdays and holidays are celebrated, and physical therapy and other medical services are available on-site as needed.
