10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Cleveland, OH

Senior residents of Cleveland and their families use a combination of private and public assistance options to help cover memory care costs. Take an assessment of your loved one’s unique financial position to see what payment methods best fit your family.

Ohio memory care facilities must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH performs facility inspections prior to granting a license, and then a minimum of every 15 months after licensure. Memory care facilities in Ohio have the same regulations as assisted living facilities, with a few additions to better accommodate the needs of individuals with memory loss.

Ohio memory care staff requirements

While there are no minimum staff requirements for memory care or assisted living facilities in Ohio, each facility is required to keep specific types of personnel on staff. One requirement specific to memory care facilities requires a psychologist or physician to be either on staff or contracted to manage the care of residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other late-stage cognitive impairments.

Staff requirements for both assisted living and memory care in Ohio include the following:

• An administrator. The administrator must be in charge of the facility’s operations, on-site a minimum of 20 hours per week, and on call at all times when off-site.
• Direct care staff. If the facility offers personal care services, there must be a minimum of one staff member trained in first aid present at all times.
• Medical staff. If the facility offers medication administration, there must be a registered nurse, physician, or licensed nurse practitioner on staff certified in medication administration.

Ohio memory care staff must meet the following requirements:

• Staff must be without communicable diseases.
• Staff must be without alcohol or drug dependencies that impact their work performance or the safety of the individuals in their care.
• Staff must be at least 16 years of age. If under 18, staff must be supervised by a staff member aged 18 or older. The facility administrator must be at least 21 years of age.
• Staff must undergo proper training for their responsibilities, as outlined in Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3701-16-06.

Ohio memory care service requirements

Ohio requires memory care facilities to provide personal care services such as the following:

• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Social and recreational activities
• Laundry, linen, and housekeeping
• Either three daily meals or a food-safe storage where residents can keep their own food

Ohio memory care building standards

Ohio memory care facilities are required to uphold health- and safety-related building code standards. Each facility must be approved by the local certified building department. Required building safety provisions include the following:

• Safe and functional plumbing, electrical, and sanitation systems
• Fire and carbon monoxide safety and prevention
• Evacuation and disaster preparedness plans
• Performance and documentation of routine evacuation drills

To find details on a Cleveland memory care community, use the Health Care Provider Search tool. To search a specific facility, select the “Residential Care or Assisted Living Facility” from the “Provider Type” drop-down menu. You can refine your search results by adding the county, city, organization’s name, or any information you have into the corresponding fields. While Ohio does show whether a memory care facility has an up-to-date license, it does not show entire inspection reports.

For additional information on rights and resources, view the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Housing Guide for Seniors and Individuals Who Have a Disabilities.

Ohio Department of Health contact information

Ohio Department of Health
246 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-3543

Cleveland Department of Public Health
75 Erieview Plaza
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 216-664-2324

COVID-19 regulations for Cleveland memory care facilities

While most COVID-19 regulations have been lifted, it’s recommended that Ohio memory care facilities take precautionary measures against the virus in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cleveland memory care communities strive to offer customized care to seniors with memory loss. In Cleveland memory care, your loved one will enjoy the same leisure and care provisions of assisted living, plus additional offerings to match the unique needs of individuals with memory loss. Such offerings often include those listed below:

• Safety systems to prevent wandering
• Activities designed to support cognitive function
• Indoor and/or enclosed outdoor walking spaces

Cleveland memory care amenities

Seniors in Cleveland memory care enjoy a number of community amenities in an environment that cultivates independence and fosters social connection. Our Cleveland memory care partners feature elegantly designed spaces where residents can be pampered, enjoy a fitness class, socialize over a meal, and more. Cleveland memory care amenities typically include the following:

• Indoor walking spaces
• Enclosed outdoor walking spaces
• Salons and barbershops
• Movie theaters or TV lounges
• Patios
• Fitness centers
• Libraries and media centers
• Dining areas
• Cafes or bistros
• Central fireplace lounges
• Game and craft rooms

Cleveland memory care support services

Most Cleveland memory care facilities offer private apartments or suites where seniors can receive personalized care services. Care and support services generally include the following:

• Round-the-clock care staff
• 24-hour emergency response
• Assistance with activities of daily living, such as grooming, bathing, and dressing
• Incontinence care
• Housekeeping, laundry, and linen services
• Salon and barber services
• Exercise classes
• Planned recreational, social, and entertainment activities
• Restaurant-style dining
• Grocery and errand services
• Transportation services

Multiple tiers of care on one campus

Out of our 23 Cleveland senior living partners that offer memory care, 83% feature some combination of memory care, assisted living, and independent living in one senior living facility. Communities offering more than one level of care offer residents a sense of security, as it means they can seamlessly move to a support level that fits them if their needs change. Not only are these communities ideal for aging in place, but they also can be a good fit for couples who need different levels of care, such as when one spouse requires memory care or assisted living but the other does not.

Another benefit of communities with a continuum of care is that memory care units generally have a lower maximum number of residents than assisted living communities. This means seniors in the earlier stages of memory loss can start out in the more cost-effective assisted living unit and transition to memory care when necessary.

Memory care in the surrounding Cleveland suburbs

Hudson, Highland Hills, and Beachwood are all popular neighborhoods with luxury Cleveland memory care and other senior living options, set further out from the busyness of the city center. Senior care communities in these areas tend to be a bit more costly than those near the city center, but they may also offer more robust amenities. A Place for Mom has 23 memory care partner communities within a 10-mile radius of the city center, but a total of 78 memory care partners in a 25-mile radius, so you have even more options to explore when seeking the right memory care fit for your loved one.

Health care for seniors in Cleveland

Your loved one in Cleveland will have access to several highly reputable medical centers.

Transportation for seniors in Cleveland

Of our Cleveland memory care partners, 78% offer either complimentary or at-cost transportation services. Community transportation costs depend on the memory care facility’s policies and whether services are scheduled or on-demand.

While Downtown Cleveland is known for being pretty easy to get around in, the metro becomes more spread out as you get further away from the city center. Meaning, your loved one will most likely need to rely on their memory care community’s transportation. However, if they live closer to the city center, they can get around easily with a caregiver.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) offers several different options for getting around the city, with safety, connection, and inclusion kept at the forefront of their mission. The RTA features railway lines, bus routes, a downtown trolley, and paratransit services designed for those with disabilities. With the help of a caregiver, your loved one can take advantage of the best option for them.

Senior activities in Cleveland

Cleveland is host to popular attractions, activities, and dining options for its growing senior population and their families. Browse Cleveland’s family- and senior-friendly entertainment offerings below.

Cleveland for the whole family

Cleveland is home to wonderful attractions, excellent restaurants, and plenty of nostalgia. Not only is the house from the beloved family classic “A Christmas Story” open for visitors, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame can also be found in Cleveland. Spark your loved one’s memory and imagination by browsing paraphernalia from their favorite musical icons, or explore one of the city’s many museums or wildlife centers. Some of the most popular attractions in Cleveland include the following:

• “A Christmas Story” house
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium
• Children’s Museum of Cleveland
• Cleveland Botanical Garden
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland dining experiences

Cleveland’s restaurants boast a variety of cultural cuisines, as well as good old Midwest American comfort food. If your loved one prefers to eat out earlier in the day, try one of Cleveland’s many breakfast and brunch options.

Cleveland activities for seniors with memory loss

While your loved one will have plenty of engaging activities in their community, there’s even more in the surrounding city. Music, arts, and the outdoors can be therapeutic for everyone, especially those with memory loss. Take your loved one to plays and musicals at the Cleveland Playhouse Square, visit the scenic Cleveland Metroparks and waterfront locales, or experience the Cleveland Orchestra.