As New York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn unsurprisingly is right behind Queens as the borough with the most seniors over 65. With its waterfront attractions, culturally rich activities, and fascinating arts scene — and as the geographical center of NYC — Brooklyn enables easy access to surrounding boroughs. The borough offers unique memory care facilities for seniors with dementia.
Memory care communities offer seniors a safe and supportive environment with intentional design features, personalized care services, and specialized programming. Additionally, memory care communities offer care services similar to assisted living, like assistance with daily activities, medication management, meal plans, and more. In Brooklyn, the cost of memory care is around $4,800 per month. It’s slightly higher than assisted living because it offers specialized services and amenities for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, like 24-hour supervision, therapies, and brain-stimulating programs.
10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Brooklyn, NY
As New York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn unsurprisingly is right behind Queens as the borough with the most seniors over 65. With its waterfront attractions, culturally rich activities, and fascinating arts scene — and as the geographical center of NYC — Brooklyn enables easy access to surrounding boroughs. The borough offers unique memory care facilities for seniors with dementia.Read more
Memory care communities offer seniors a safe and supportive environment with intentional design features, personalized care services, and specialized programming. Additionally, memory care communities offer care services similar to assisted living, like assistance with daily activities, medication management, meal plans, and more. In Brooklyn, the cost of memory care is around $4,800 per month. It’s slightly higher than assisted living because it offers specialized services and amenities for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, like 24-hour supervision, therapies, and brain-stimulating programs.
Brooklyn Memory Care Facilities | 785 Reviews
Belvedere is a wonderful Assisted Living that offers Kosher living in a premium setting. This facility is just like a beautiful hotel but has a warm and cozy feeling. The staff are always so helpful and...
The people here at Sunrise are very nice to me and helps me with whatever I need. Everyone one here is so wonderful. I'm so happy I decide to stay here because living at home alone is not safe for me.
The staff is very friendly and informative. The main reasons we chose Sunrise of Mill Basin was because it was in a quiet neighborhood and they seemed organized and helpful. They listened and tried to help...
It's very clean. They are very good. I have had a positive interaction with the staff. There is no complaints about the food. My loved one has enjoyed the activities. They are very responsive, attentive, and...
What I like the most about The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights community are the other residents living there, the lectures we get to listen to and my apartment.
The Atria at Forest Hills has been so warm and welcoming for my mother-in-law. Move in was so easy. The staff is so helpful. They have everything that she needs with healthcare on site and doctors in the...
The freindliness & helpfulness of the admin staff is excellent who listen and try to resolve any complaints or issues that arise All to often in the case of care givers and in house nursing staff they seem...
Visited [date removed]. I found the establishment to be clean and smell pleasant. Also greeted with friendly smile and helpful staff. My mom was slouching in her chair and called the staff to help her sit up...
I would definitely recommend this facility. The staff are warm and friendly. Communication is managed well by email or phone call. Staff do their best to personalize care. Staff are approachable during...
They get all 5 stars. My experience with my Aunt as a resident at Atria West 86 for 3 months has been wonderful. The entire staff has been attentive, kind, caring and accessible. It is a perfect fit for my...
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At 95, my mother didn’t want to go into assisted living. Then she saw The Apsley, and everything changed. Unlike any senior home, The Apsley is for the young at heart. Gorgeous private apartments with huge...
My father live at Castle. This place are amazing . I'm very thankful that I was able to place my dad there , staff are amazing ,food is good it's very clean place . He is able to get his therapy here . They...
Our loved one is doing very well at Harborview Senior Living community, overall it has been a great fit. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would highly recommend this community to other families...
My loved one was a resident at The Homestead. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this facility to others. The facility needs an upgrade.
There was serious staff shortage, which cut into response time and the amount of time aides could spend with residents or patients who might require more help. Not true only of Atrium, of course. My brother,...
I was looking for some place clean and comfortable and that was close by and affordable and this fit the bill. I know that they have a lot of activities provided for the residents, things like arts and...
My Uncle is so happy here. When I visit him he just looks so alive and he doesn’t want to leave. The staff members are so nice and are very well mannered. Everyone is so helpful and understanding. If they’re...
I'm going to have to say after only a week it's a 5 across the board. Everyone who works here is committed to making sure the residents in memory care are safe and engaged. No one is sitting alone in their...
Im sending my uncle there starting next month. Im very happy with what they offer. Place is very clean and staff is caring and professional.
Cost of memory care in Brooklyn
The cost of memory care in Brooklyn is approximately $4,800 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data on what actual families paid.[01]
This cost typically includes the following services and amenities in our partner memory care facilities in Brooklyn:
- Assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, and dressing)
- 24-hour supervision
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- A meal plan with three meals and snacks daily
- Standard apartment maintenance and community landscaping
- Personalized memory care activities (specialized therapies, art classes, and brain games)
- Access to on-site amenities (TV lounges, game rooms, and crafts centers)
Many of our memory care partners in Brooklyn also offer transportation services, beautician services, and meal accommodations, but they may cost extra.
How Brooklyn memory care costs compare to other boroughs
Brooklyn offers the most affordable memory care options in New York City within our partner network. Seniors save more than $2,000 per month compared to the next most affordable boroughs of Queens and Staten Island.
Here are our 2022-2023 proprietary estimates of monthly memory care costs in the other boroughs:
- Queens: $7,300
- Staten Island: $9,600
- The Bronx: $10,900
- Manhattan: $12,500
How to pay for memory care in Brooklyn
Seniors and their families typically pull from a variety of private pay options — including savings accounts, Social Security benefits, retirement pensions, and investment returns — to cover memory care costs in Brooklyn. Depending on your circumstance, the following private pay options may help you pay for memory care:
- Selling a home
- Taking out a reverse mortgage
- Borrowing from a life insurance policy
- Using funds from a health savings accounts (HSA)
- Using long-term care insurance
For an overview of these payment options, you can visit the payment section on our NYC page or view our guide to paying for long-term care. Families can also take advantage of public payment methods like VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid to cover some memory care expenses in Brooklyn. You’ll find brief summaries of these three resources below.
VA benefits
Brooklyn is home to approximately 31,000 veterans and more than half of them are 65 or older.[03] To accommodate this substantial veteran population, Brooklyn and New York City provide a variety of resources to help veterans and their spouses cover living and long-term care costs, including memory care. We recommend reaching out to local veterans service organizations (VSOs) in Brooklyn to receive benefits counseling and learn more about your entitled benefits.
The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services recommends the following offices to seniors looking for VSOs in Brooklyn:
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS)
250 Schermerhorn St., Room 211
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-613-3735
Email: dvsinfo@veterans.ny.gov
Brooklyn Veteran Resource Center
25 Chapel St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
These organizations can connect you with VSOs like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). They help Brooklyn veterans receive and maximize their entitled benefits by putting them in contact with any applicable VSOs.
Medicare and Medicaid for memory care in Brooklyn
Medicare in Brooklyn
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to seniors 65 years of age and older. It doesn’t cover room and board costs for memory care in Brooklyn, but it can pay for medical costs — like doctors’ visits, prescriptions, and more — associated with long-term care. It can also cover some dementia-related tests, medical equipment, and treatments.
You can visit New York State’s consumer guide to community-based long term care to learn more about the city’s Medicare Savings Programs and the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program.
To access Medicare services in Brooklyn, you can use this Social Security Office Locator to contact a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Type in the ZIP code and click on “I Need Other Services” to find the nearest office.
Medicaid in Brooklyn
Medicaid is a health insurance program that’s jointly funded by the federal and state governments. It provides coverage to low-income seniors and is called New York Medicaid in the state of New York. The following factors can affect one’s eligibility:[03]
- Age
- Disability
- Income
- Household/family size
- Place of residence
New York Medicaid doesn’t pay for room and board in a Brooklyn memory care facility, but may cover medical costs provided in or outside of a facility. Some medical costs include doctors’ visits, immunizations, medicine, hospital stays, medical supplies, and more.
New York Medicaid for seniors with dementia
Qualifying seniors can also use the Specialized Needs Assisted Living Voucher Demonstration Program for Persons with Dementia (or SNALR) — a Medicaid program that prevents seniors with dementia from having to move out if they can no longer pay. This program only applies in participating facilities enrolled in the SNALR program.
To qualify for this voucher program in Brooklyn, a senior cannot be enrolled in or be eligible for New York Medicaid. Here’s the eligibility criteria for the SNALR program:
- Be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia
- Have lived at their memory care facility for at least one year
- Have a monthly income of $7,382 or less
- Meet the standards for the average regional monthly SNALR cost of $10,602 or less
- Assets cannot be more than this cost over a six-month period
- Assets over three months of this cost cannot be transferred for a year prior to the application
Medicaid offices in Brooklyn
To access Medicaid benefits in Brooklyn, seniors can reach out to the following offices:
Coney Island
1912 Mermaid Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: 929-221-3790
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
East New York
404 Pine St., Second Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Phone: 929-221-8204
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kings County Hospital
441 Clarkson Ave., “T” Building, Nurses’ Residence, First Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-2300, ext. #2301
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brooklyn South
785 Atlantic Ave., First Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 929-221-3502
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Note: Some of these offices offer online appointments, while others may be temporarily closed. Be sure to call before your visit.
Care and amenities for memory care in Brooklyn
Brooklyn offers robust options to receive specialized care for dementia. From waterfront properties near Sheepshead Bay to the cozy communities nestled in the brownstone-lined neighborhoods, A Place for Mom offers options throughout the borough. Furthermore, the New York State Department of Health funds Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiatives to provide services and resources to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
All Brooklyn memory care communities within our partnering network offer two care options — assisted living and memory care. This allows residents to move in and receive help with daily care, while embracing an easy transition should cognitive impairments arise. Learn how our partnering Brooklyn memory care communities accommodate seniors with dementia below.
On-site care services for dementia patients
Many of our partnering memory care facilities typically offer the following services to accommodate common conditions and needs including:
- Diabetic care
- Urinary and bowel incontinence care
- Hospice or palliative care
- On-call doctors
- Visiting podiatrists and dentists
- Visiting rehabilitative therapists (physical, occupational, and speech)
Many memory care partners train staff to identify cues, redirect difficult behaviors, and manage disorientation symptoms. They also help prevent restlessness, pacing, and wandering among residents.
Dementia-specific activities
It often becomes difficult for seniors with dementia to participate in activities or have conversations like they used to. Therefore, it’s critical to help them engage and connect through purposeful activities. For instance, our memory care partners in Brooklyn help residents maintain calmness and engagement through brain-stimulating puzzles and relaxing activities like painting.
Memory care communities also offer sensory programs and reminiscence therapies to help residents fully engage and recall cherished memories. Plus, they offer stimulating activities like yoga, cooking classes, and gardening to help residents feel connected through creative outlets they enjoyed in the past.
Memory care laws and regulations in Brooklyn
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) licenses and regulates all memory care facilities in Brooklyn and New York. The NYSDOH refers to assisted living and memory care as adult care facilities that provide housing to five or more adults at a time. Both facilities must receive an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) license to care for residents. To provide memory care services, an adult care facility must obtain a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) license in addition to an ALR.[04]
Regulations for New York memory care facilities
In New York, both assisted living and memory care facilities must provide the following to residents:[04]
- Housing
- Daily meals and snacks
- 24-hour on-site monitoring
- Personal care and/or home care services
- Case management services
- Individualized care plans
To operate with an ALR Special Needs license, an ALR must have the following:[05]
- A suitable layout and design for dementia patients
- An admission screening process and resident assessments
- A staffing schedule and training program
- Activities, meals, medication assistance, and case management designed for dementia patients
- Emergency plan that accommodates a dementia population
Inspections for memory care facilities in New York
For memory care facilities, the NYDOH’s Adult Care Facilities division performs inspections on a yearly basis to help ensure quality and resident safety. You can access inspection reports for memory care facilities using this adult care facilities search tool.
Inspection reports include details on the following and more:[06]
- Inspection dates
- Violations found
- Status of corrections for any violations
- Any enforcement actions taken against the facility
Health care for seniors in Brooklyn
Brooklyn accommodates the health care needs of its aging population by providing accessible medical centers. See what the borough’s top-rated hospitals have to offer below.[07]
- NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. This hospital ranks No. 9 in New York City and it offers an experienced health care staff with award-winning physicians and innovative technologies. It nationally ranks in five specialties — cardiology, diabetes and endocrinology, neurology, urology, and geriatrics.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. This hospital has over 600 beds and houses a world-renowned Level 1 trauma center. It’s recognized for its diabetes care, heart failure treatment, stroke care, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care.
- University Hospital at Downstate. This hospital aims to deliver the best care possible by combining world-class care and research. It ranks well in four specialties — heart failure treatment, diabetes care, stroke care, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care.
Transportation for seniors in Brooklyn
Almost all of our memory care community partners in Brooklyn offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services for residents. Many communities have a concierge who schedules rides and helps seniors get around Brooklyn and the greater NYC area with ease. Keep in mind, many communities limit rides to medical appointments and essential errands to help ensure residents’ safety.
For visiting loved ones, the city offers an abundance of subways, buses, and more. Seniors 65+ can ride with their loved ones and receive a discount on NYC transportation. Seniors can show their Medicare card or call 3-1-1 to obtain a Reduced Fare Metro Card from the New York City Department of Aging. Learn more about local senior transportation options in Brooklyn on the NYC311 website.
Dementia-friendly activities for seniors in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is home to many exciting venues with activities for all ages and mobility levels. Some of our partner memory care communities take residents on outings to Brooklyn’s enticing attractions and events. Seniors are also free to explore the city safely with visiting loved ones.
We’ve highlighted some of Brooklyn’s top dementia-friendly activities to help you explore the area with loved ones who have dementia:
- Memory Arts Café. This café hosts a series of cultural events for individuals with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers. It was established by the New York Memory Center and the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project as an initiative to offer cultural events for individuals with memory loss. Many events include performances by musicians, magicians, poets, and dancers. There are also holiday parties and storytelling events.
- Seniors in Touch. The Family Health Center at NYU Langone offers a social adult day program called Seniors in Touch to help older adults experiencing memory loss interact in a safe, supportive environment. The program offers activities like painting and yoga, and runs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is provided and handicap-accessible transportation can also be provided.
- Brooklyn Museum. This museum is one of New York’s largest and features over 500,000 stunning artworks from around the world. The museum offers a senior discount and generous accommodations for individuals with disabilities. There are also virtual and in-person events for individuals with memory loss and disabilities to help them connect and engage with art in meaningful ways.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This breathtaking 52-acre garden enables seniors with dementia to shut out external noise and calm their minds. It offers a variety of gardens like the Japanese garden, rock garden, herb garden, fragrance garden, and more. The Garden offers a senior discount and is easily accessible to individuals with disabilities. It provides guided tours, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Frequently asked questions
Esplanade of Woodmere, Plattduetsche Home Society and The Belvedere are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Brooklyn, NY. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Brooklyn is 6823.72 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 51 memory care facilities near you in Brooklyn, New York typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Brooklyn, New York, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Brooklyn, New York, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Brooklyn, New York ranges from $1150 to $29000. The average Memory Care cost in Brooklyn, New York is $6823.72. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Brooklyn, New York typically starts at $1150. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
References
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Brooklyn borough, Kings County, New York.
New York State Department of Health. (2023, August). How to apply for NY Medicaid.
New York State Department of Health. (2023, May). Adult care facility services.
New York State Department of Health. (2022, November). Adult care facility and assisted living common application.
New York State Department of Health. (2023). NYS Health profiles: Adult care facilities by region/county.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Hospitals in Brooklyn, NY.
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