10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Tulsa, OK

Memory care can be expensive, so many seniors and families plan to combine personal assets and public benefits. While most start paying for memory care with personal income, qualifying seniors may be able to offset costs through federal and state assistance like veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare. Read on for ideas on maximizing your money when paying for memory care.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) regulates memory care communities like assisted living facilities. In Tulsa, memory care facilities are licensed as assisted living centers or nursing homes. Most of our memory care partners (75%) in Tulsa are part of a larger senior living campus with assisted living and memory care services on the same grounds.

Below, explore more about the regulations in place to make memory care communities safer.

What is the Alzheimer’s Disease Special Care Disclosure Act?

Facilities offering dementia care must comply with Oklahoma’s Alzheimer’s Disease Special Care Disclosure Act. A memory care community must provide residents with an Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders Special Care Disclosure Form. This form requires beneficial information on their practices, including but not limited to the following:

• Placement criteria
• Staff-to-resident ratio
• Training for staff members
• Types and frequency of activities
• Care planning with family members

All long-term care facilities that offer memory care must submit a disclosure form to the state licensing agency, seniors looking for memory care, and the state long-term care ombudsman.

Do senior care facilities undergo inspections?

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) inspect assisted living and memory care facilities at least every 15 months to make sure these facilities are following Oklahoma laws and regulations.

You can review these reports to understand recent deficiencies, complaints, and how the facility plans to correct issues. Visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search and use this step-by-step guide to find reports on prospective communities:

• Visit the OSDH Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search.
• Three drop-down bars — Home, Search, and Contact Us — are in the top left-hand corner. Hover over Search to reveal a drop-down list. Click Assisted Living Centers.
• A search page will appear with options to look up reports by Facility Name, City, County, or ZIP Code. Choose how you would like to search for a report and click on the correlating drop-down bar. Find the location or facility you would like to look up. Then, click Search.
• The search engine will generate a list of assisted living facilities. Click on the community you’re interested in. You’ll find detailed information and a list of documents (SURVEY DOCUMENTS and LICENSES).
• Click on any survey documents or licenses you want to view. The SURVEY DOCUMENTS will have the most recent information on the community’s complaints investigations, deficiencies, and plans of corrections.

What type of facility requirements are there for Oklahoma memory care communities?

Oklahoma law requires assisted living and memory care communities to meet certain facility standards to help your loved one feel comfortable and safe. The following are some of the ways Oklahoma senior care communities provide comfort for seniors:

• Bedrooms are limited to two or fewer residents.
• Bathrooms are limited to no more than four residents.
• Units must allow personal furnishings.

Additionally, Tulsa assisted living and memory care communities aren’t required to provide private apartments, but many of our partners still offer this option.

What staffing requirements do Tulsa memory care communities follow?

Memory care communities must staff qualified caregivers, such as the following:

• Nurses
• Staff members qualified to administer medications
• A facility administrator
• A licensed dietician or qualified nutritionist

Staff members working directly with seniors with dementia must be trained in first aid and CPR. Additionally, dementia care units must certify that caregivers receive specialized memory care training.

Memory care communities are also required to staff an adequate amount of caregivers with the following available at all times:

• At least two on-site staff members
• At least one of these staff members must be qualified to work one-on-one with residents

Since a community may have only one direct care staff member available, facilities are required to inform families of this possibility before a senior moves into the community. Seniors and their families must be told about the community’s department-approved plan on how only one caregiver will handle emergencies like falls.

Do Oklahoma nursing homes with memory care services follow different laws?

Yes, nursing homes licensed for memory care follow different regulations than assisted living centers. Specialized dementia care facilities are typically licensed as skilled nursing facilities. A specialized dementia care facility is a long-term care facility that offers advanced services on a 24-hour basis for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. These are typically skilled nursing facilities for those needing 24-hour medical supervision, care, or assistance. If your loved one requires this much higher level of care, review our guide to nursing homes in Tulsa.

Oklahoma Department of Health contact information

123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: 405-426-8175
Fax: 405-900-7571
Email: HealthResources@health.ok.gov
Additional information on Health Facility Systems

COVID-19 regulations for Tulsa memory care facilities

COVID-19 regulations are ever-changing, but the Oklahoma Department of Health (OSDH) recommends following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Tulsa no longer enforces any COVID-19 restrictions after the statewide public health emergency ended in May 2021.

Before moving into a memory care community, you and your loved one should ask potential memory care communities about their own COVID-19 guidelines. For example, some communities limit visitation for up to 72 hours in the event of an outbreak.

Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia will find personalized care in a Tulsa memory care community. Between advanced care programs and life-enriching activities, your loved one can live a fulfilling life in a Tulsa memory care community. In this guide, we answer commonly asked questions about what you can expect from our partner Tulsa memory care communities.

What type of memory care communities are there in Tulsa?

Tulsa offers a variety of care options, from stand-alone memory care facilities to larger communities with advanced care services. However, a majority of our memory care partners in Tulsa offer a continuum of care services on the same campus:

• Nine communities offer both assisted living and memory care services
• Three communities offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
• Four are stand-alone memory care communities.

Senior care facilities with multiple care services ensure couples with different needs get the level of care they require. Some senior care facilities in Tulsa even offer suites designed for couples. Prior to moving into a facility, you should ask about options to keep couples together.

What can your loved one expect on a day-to-day basis in a memory care community?

Memory care communities in Tulsa go beyond simply addressing care needs by prioritizing your loved one’s daily life with enriching activities and amenities. In fact, all of our Tulsa partners offer on-site activities, and almost all staff a dedicated activity director to engage seniors in activities, such as the following:

• Art, cooking, or stretching classes
• Dances
• (Chair) yoga exercises
• Live musical, dance, or theater performances
• Devotional activities
• Birthday and holiday parties
• Trivia games
• Wii bowling games

Some of these activities are tailored to seniors with dementia, including the following:

• Pet-focused programs
• Sensory-based programs
• Brain fitness programs like Dakim
• Live Well programs
• Life skills programs

Additionally, 81% of our memory care partners help ensure your loved one will be able to engage with the broader community through off-site activities like day trips and outings to dining destinations, museums, outdoor areas, and shopping centers. Seniors can also socialize with other residents while enjoying on-site amenities like those listed below:

• Arts and crafts centers
• Beauty salons and barbershops
• Indoor or outdoor walking paths
• Movie theater rooms
• Gardening areas
• Libraries
• Outdoor patios

Your loved one can also enjoy delicious daily meals and snacks with restaurant-style dining or room service options.

How do Tulsa memory care communities help keep seniors safe?

Memory care communities in Tulsa are dedicated to keeping your loved one safe while caring for their dementia symptoms. To help prevent wandering, most memory care facilities have secured entrances and exits. Some memory care communities in Tulsa add extra safety with wander guard systems to help prevent wandering, but they’re not as common as emergency features. Most of our partners provide emergency call systems, pull cords, and/or wireless pendants to ensure seniors are cared for in an emergency.

Are memory care staff members capable of caring for my loved one?

Seniors will be in good hands at a Tulsa memory care community, as Oklahoma requires specialized training for staff members in dedicated memory care units. All memory care staff should be trained to help seniors handle common dementia behaviors like the following:

• Disorientation
• Wandering and pacing
• Exit-seeking behaviors
• Anxiety
• Agitation and aggression
• Hallucinations and delusions

What services will your loved one receive in a memory care community?

Most memory care facilities offer additional care services to accommodate common complications from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Many seniors receive personalized care based on their preferences and needs. Individualized care plans may include services like the following:

• On-site nursing care
• Diabetic care
• Bowel or urinary incontinence care
• Medication management/reminders
• Assisted transfers
• End-of-life care

Additionally, seniors can access on-site care from qualified professionals like an on-call doctor and visiting specialists like nurses, wellness therapists, and podiatrists.

Health care for seniors in Tulsa

With the two leading Oklahoma hospitals based in Tulsa, your loved one can access top-notch care. Read on to learn about some of Tulsa’s health care systems.

Transportation for seniors in Tulsa

All our memory care partners in Tulsa offer on-site transportation services to senior residents. These services may be limited based on schedules or destinations and require an additional fee.

Senior living sponsored transportation is the best option for seniors with dementia, as it’s unsafe to travel without a caregiver escort on public transportation. That said, visiting family members and friends can get around via Tulsa Transit, Tulsa’s public transportation system. Tulsa Transit provides buses along fixed routes, as well as the speedier Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), or the app service Micro Transit Pilot Program.

For more transportation alternatives for visiting family, visit the City of Tulsa transportation webpage.

Senior activities in Tulsa

Tulsa was the first city in Oklahoma to join the Dementia Friendly America Network in 2017. Dementia Friendly Tulsa — or DFTulsa — provides a one-hour educational program to participating organizations or businesses as they try to become more inclusive to those experiencing cognitive decline. Tulsa is home to multiple dementia-friendly businesses that have undergone this informational program, including one of the most famous art museums in Tulsa. The Philbrook Museum of Art is a popular and accessible art museum in a historic art deco building. Before visiting this museum, ask about accommodations for seniors with disabilities, since it offers a limited amount of free wheelchairs and seated walkers on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to dementia-friendly businesses, you and your loved one can enjoy sightseeing, live shows, and much more. Read on for more ways to spend time with your senior loved one in Tulsa.

While this list is curated for senior-friendly activities, families can find additional things to do on the Travel Oklahoma Tulsa or the Visit Tulsa webpages.

Enjoy sightseeing together

Below we’ve highlighted some of Tulsa’s many well-known sightseeing options you and your loved one can enjoy together:

• Tulsa’s Deco District: View Tulsa’s art deco architecture, whether in a guided tour or simply strolling along the streets of the downtown Deco District. Don’t miss the popular Boston Avenue United Methodist Church and Philcade (or Philtower) building.
• Tulsa Arts District: Explore the artsy culture in Tulsa’s Arts District with countless arts museums, galleries, and monthly art crawls.
• Museums: Visit one of the countless museums in the area with various exhibits from the preserved house from the film The Outsiders to the Bob Dylan Center.

Experience stimulating live shows

Tulsa is known for its performance arts and entertainment scene, with some popular spots offering accessibility options that make it easier for you and your loved one to spend time together.

You and your senior loved one can enjoy a stimulating experience at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (TPAC) with accessible theaters. Here visitors can reserve seats for various live shows, from Broadway productions to dance performances. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center offers ADA-compliant entrances on Second and Third Street. Additionally, TPAC offers free assisted listening devices for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The BOK Center is another popular venue for various entertainment, from indoor sports to live concerts. Luckily, this venue offers accessible seating options, as well as wheelchair escorts.

Savor Tulsa’s foodie culture

Cities in Oklahoma have easy access to nearby farmlands with plentiful beef cattle. Many refer to Oklahoma cities as being beef and pork counties. Meat lovers savor locally-sourced meats at local steakhouses and barbeque joints, and many Tulsa steakhouses add on popular seafood options. There are also meatless options in the city, with an array of restaurant options scattered throughout Tulsa.

Fun in the sun with your loved one

Seniors with dementia may wish to get out of their community occasionally for fresh air and to help prevent isolation. You and your loved one can enjoy a picnic in the ADA-compliant park: Gathering Place. Spread across nearly 100 acres of the Arkansas River, the park was built in 2018 and is a great option for disabled seniors. Tulsa is home to many other parks, as well.

For even more outdoor areas, explore the list below:

• Tulsa Zoo: This fun spot is an 84-acre zoo with wheelchairs and electric scooters available for an additional fee.
• Tulsa Botanical Garden: This 170-acre botanical garden features accessible paths and wheelchairs on a first-come, first-serve basis. Do note that not all areas are accessible.