10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Asheville, NC

Several options are available to pay for memory care in the Asheville area, ranging from savings accounts and private insurance to federal and state programs. Combining these options can help ease the financial burden and ensure your loved one receives the care they need.

The following sections cover detailed information on private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.

In North Carolina, memory care is classified as a specialized type of assisted living. Memory care facilities are often not licensed or certified as separate entities but are typically part of assisted living facilities or other long-term care communities that have specific memory care units. As such, they must comply with the same comprehensive laws and regulations in place for assisted living facilities, in addition to some set standards for memory care.

North Carolina refers to assisted living facilities as Adult Care Homes, which are licensed and monitored by the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) to ensure that residents are cared for in a safe, nurturing environment. More details on all North Carolina assisted living facilities’ rules and regulations can be found online.

Inspection laws

The North Carolina DHSR Adult Care Licensure Section oversees all inspections of the state’s licensed assisted living and memory care facilities. To ensure safety and quality of care, inspections are completed annually and when prompted by complaints or changes in facility ownership. The assessments are comprehensive, evaluating staffing, resident care, medication management, and safety to ensure the well-being of those under their care. Inspection reports can be accessed on the DHSR website through a searchable online database.

Resident care plans

Assisted living facilities create personalized care plans for each resident with insights from family and health care professionals. These plans are designed with the utmost consideration, ensuring residents receive the best care they need.

The care plan for residents must be comprehensive and personalized to meet their unique needs. It should include an assessment, detailed goals, tailored services, regular review, communication among the staff and family involved, and proper documentation to ensure it is being implemented effectively.

Personalized care plans guarantee that residents with memory impairments receive the tailored care they need to enhance their quality of life. When considering a facility that provides memory care, ask about the facility’s care planning process and how they involve residents and families.

Staffing and training regulations

With strict staffing and training regulations in North Carolina set by the DHSR, facilities ensure that residents receive personalized support from devoted and expert staff.

North Carolina’s assisted living and memory care facilities prioritize the well-being of their residents by mandating training related to activities of daily living, resident rights, basic medical care, and more, as well as ongoing professional development. They constantly innovate and leverage technology to improve techniques and services, delivering compassionate and supportive care. In addition, assisted living staff in North Carolina are required to complete yearly training on emergency preparedness and fire safety.

Beyond training and education, the DHSR provides regulations on the number of staff in assisted living facilities. There must be enough staff to provide for residents’ needs. At a minimum, there must be at least one staff member awake and on duty 24/7.

Memory-care-specific guidelines

Assisted living facilities that provide memory care or standalone memory care facilities go above and beyond to offer specialized care for residents affected by memory loss. Staff are supervised by either a licensed nurse or other health care professional. All staff must undergo specialized training in dementia care, equipping them with communication techniques and behavior management skills that stimulate cognitive function. As a result, memory care providers offer a safe living space where residents are well-cared for and their quality of life is improved.

Memory care facilities are required to have a secure environment that prevents residents from getting lost and wandering. This includes secured outdoor areas, door and window alarms, clear signs, color-coded hallways, and more. These facilities must also offer social activities that are appropriate for memory-impaired residents and provide personal care to residents, such as assistance with daily living activities like bathing and dressing.

In-depth information on resident rights, care plans, and staffing requirements for North Carolina assisted living and memory care facilities can be found online.

North Carolina Department of Health contact information

NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: 800-662-7030

COVID-19 regulations for Asheville memory care facilities

Asheville’s memory care facilities stay up-to-date with CDC guidelines and work closely with state officials to safeguard seniors and staff. Although there are no regulations specific to Asheville’s care facilities, North Carolina authorities remain committed to supporting and informing residents throughout the pandemic. The Buncombe County website also has information on nearby testing sites and vaccination clinics.

Although memory care facilities in Asheville vary in appearance, they share one common trait: exceptional care. These facilities offer seniors a fulfilling and engaging experience, with amenities and activities tailored to their needs. By providing high-level care, seniors can live a life filled with purpose and meaning.

Secured communities

Memory care facilities in Asheville are intentionally designed to be safe havens for residents with memory loss. The enclosed courtyard structures of many facilities provide safe and serene outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy. Some facilities have dedicated indoor walking paths to ensure residents can move around securely, while outdoor paths and gardens offer picturesque environments for calming walks with loved ones.

These facilities aim to foster a sense of belonging and community for residents while ensuring everyone receives the utmost care from their dedicated team. Many facilities also have security systems and keypad entries to provide an even more secure experience for residents.

Unmatched amenities

Asheville’s memory care facilities have exceptional amenities that meet individual needs and make life easier and more enjoyable. Residents have various options when it comes to floor plans, created with dementia-friendly designs in mind. No matter the style, memory care facilities provide ample space to create a living environment that meets the resident’s needs. Most rooms and apartments also come with emergency call systems to ensure resident safety.

Memory care facilities provide various services and amenities tailored to the unique needs of seniors with memory loss. These can include support groups, educational activities, recreational programs, social events, physical therapy sessions, cognitive stimulation activities, music classes, and more.

At most facilities, cozy TV lounges are available for residents to kick back and enjoy their favorite shows and movies, while some have libraries for those who prefer to read. A number of facilities also have on-site salons and barbershops with experienced professionals providing exceptional services to help seniors feel and look their best. With attentive staff and comforting amenities, seniors can enjoy all the benefits of living in a supportive, safe community while.

Dedicated support

When finding a secure community for loved ones, specialized care is key. Staff at Asheville memory care facilities are equipped to provide 24-hour awake care to residents. In addition, they are trained to manage exit-seeking behaviors, redirection, cueing, disorientation, restlessness, pacing, and wandering care, ensuring residents feel safe and secure in their community.

Asheville memory care facilities cater to residents with different mobility levels, offering personalized therapeutic programs that help improve sleep, reduce stress, and improve well-being.

At many facilities, hospice care is available on-site to ensure that residents’ emotional, spiritual, and physical needs are cared for. A number of memory care facilities are also combined with assisted living and/or independent living. These are progressive classifications, as residents who choose these options can age in place.

Health care for seniors in Asheville

Transportation for seniors in Asheville

Utilizing transportation options with caregiver escort or assistance is highly recommended for memory care residents. Considering the safety of seniors with dementia, it’s best to avoid public transit without appropriate supervision or aid. Of A Place for Mom’s partner communities in Asheville, 100% offer complimentary transportation services, and 50% offer at-cost transportation services to residents.

Buncombe County Call A Ride through the Council on Aging is an excellent option for seniors who need caregiver escort or assistance when traveling. This volunteer-based transportation service provides rides to seniors who can no longer drive themselves and cannot access public transportation. It allows them to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other destinations easily and safely. To benefit from this program, seniors need to be referred by a service coordinator who will help ensure they can cater to their needs.

Mountain Mobility provides door-to-door transportation services for seniors with disabilities in Buncombe County. It’s an excellent option for visiting loved ones. Although drivers are trained to help seniors with mobility challenges, it’s not an in-transit supervision service explicitly designed for people with dementia, so residents should be accompanied by a caregiver or loved one.

Senior activities in Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina, offers a wide range of activities for seniors with memory impairments. These activities are highly recommended for seniors with dementia to enjoy with their loved ones, as activities done with family and friends not only provide an opportunity for social engagement but can also increase seniors’ sense of belonging and improve their overall emotional and mental health.

Asheville is home to multiple parks and natural attractions that offer a serene and calming environment for seniors with memory impairments. The North Carolina Arboretum is a fantastic choice for those who enjoy walking and experiencing nature, and it offers frequent benches to rest on. The main garden areas are wheelchair accessible, and caregivers can request a complimentary Caregiver’s Pass, allowing them to assist a person with a disability who has a ticket for a special event or class at the Arboretum.

Baseball lovers and their families can plan a visit to McCormick Field, a minor league baseball stadium that is home to the Asheville Tourists. It is wheelchair accessible.

For those seeking indoor activities, Asheville has plenty to offer as well. The Asheville Connections Art Museum is a dementia-friendly museum that offers classes for seniors with varying levels of cognitive ability. The Memory Cafe located at First Baptist Church of Asheville is a dementia-friendly cafe and tea shop that offers a great social environment for seniors and their caregivers. It is open on the third Thursday of every month.

Beyond those specific attractions, many of the local senior and community centers offer various activities ideal for seniors with dementia. The Burton Street Community Center and the Tempie Avery Montford Community Center both offer art classes, while the Harvest House Community Center offers a pottery studio and weaving studio.

Overall, Asheville is a beautiful city for seniors with memory impairments to explore with their loved ones. With a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities available, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.