10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Springfield, MO

Families can pay for memory care through different means, including private funds and veterans benefits. Seniors and their families may want or need to choose multiple payment options to meet their needs. Learn about private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid options in this section. Whether you’re looking for financial assistance or exploring ways to cover the costs of memory care, these resources can help.

Licensure of memory care facilities in Missouri falls under the state Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) Section for Long-Term Care Regulation. Its Licensure and Certification Unit is responsible for licensing long-term care facilities and for certifying facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid programs. Each care facility must be inspected before receiving a state license. Memory care facilities are licensed in Missouri as Assisted Living Facilities (ALF).

Missouri memory care centers also must meet certain standards for licensure, including specific training requirements. They must provide orientation to all staff, including three hours of training for direct care providers covering a range of topics such as communicating with residents, behavior management, and promoting independence. Dementia-specific training must also be incorporated into ongoing in-service curricula. A qualified individual should conduct the orientation and training, according to state regulations.

Facilities in Missouri that provide services to residents with a physical, cognitive, or other impairment that prevents them from safely evacuating the facility with minimal assistance must meet the following minimum staff-to-resident ratios: 1:15 during the day and evening shifts, and 1:20 during the night shift. This would apply to memory care.

Memory care facilities must also perform a comprehensive screening before accepting a new resident to make sure the institution can handle the person’s needs. Facilities must, within five days of resident admission, conduct an assessment to document the patient’s medical status and to identify any procedures that may be required. Whenever the resident suffers a major change in ability or cognitive function, this assessment must be repeated every six months.

Missouri DHSS inspects state-licensed residential care facilities with an eye toward assessing resident care, medication management, staff training, and environmental safety. To find out how a memory care facility fared during its latest inspection, check the Missouri Show Me Long Term Care portal and search for a facility by putting in the county, city, or ZIP.

Missouri Department of Health contact information

Missouri Department of Health
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: 573-751-6400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Springfield-Greene County Health Department
227 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802
Phone: 417-864-1658

COVID-19 regulations for Springfield memory care facilities

In Springfield, Missouri, COVID-19 regulations are primarily based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and recommendations from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). In Springfield, testing and vaccination for COVID-19 is available through the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Some memory care facilities may have their own guidelines, so seniors and their families should refer to their specific facility for further information. The state’s most up-to-date COVID regulations can be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.

Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Springfield, there are seven memory care facilities partnered with A Place for Mom. These facilities offer specialized memory care for those with memory impairment in dedicated communities or specialized wings of assisted living facilities.

One of the Springfield centers is a standalone memory care facility, while other communities combine elements of assisted living, senior apartment living, and independent living alongside memory care services. Three of the seven are combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities, which offer progressive care to meet seniors’ evolving needs.

At these facilities, seniors can participate in memory-enhancing activities and enjoy 24-hour care and supervision. Social activities are also a key highlight of memory care communities in the area, some have opportunities for music therapy, art classes, sensory stimulation, and supervised group outings. Below will cover what services and amenities can frequently be found in these communities.

Specialized memory care amenities

Specialized memory care amenities refer to the features and services specifically designed to support individuals with memory impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This includes daily mental stimulation and physical exercise programs, as well as therapeutic activities such as art therapy, music therapy, and pet therapy.

Some memory care communities may feature specially designed living spaces and common areas, such as color-coded hallways, visual cues, and memory boxes, to help residents with orientation and memory recall. These amenities are designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment that supports the unique needs of individuals with memory impairments and helps them maintain their quality of life.

Secured and safe facilities

Springfield’s memory care facilities provide seniors with the comfort and security they need to thrive in their later years. With secure communities, families can have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe and protected. Additionally, the available transportation services that these facilities offer make it easy for seniors to safely get around with help.

Of our partner memory care facilities, more than half provide a wandering prevention system, and all have secure and monitored entrances and exits.

Moreover, these facilities offer a range of activities and amenities designed to meet the unique needs of seniors with memory loss. Most have enclosed courtyards for secure outdoor activities and exercise.

Health-oriented facilities

Memory care facilities in Springfield are geared toward offering high-quality health services. Most of the communities have a doctor on call, so seniors can rest assured that their medical needs will be met promptly. Full medication management is also available at 86% of our partner facilities to ensure that seniors receive the proper medications at the right times, which is especially critical for memory care patients.

Visiting occupational therapists, physical therapists, and podiatrists are available at all facilities, and visiting speech therapists are available at most of them. More than half have nurses who visit as well. This comprehensive approach to health care ensures that seniors in Springfield memory care receive the care they need to maintain their health and well-being.

In addition to health care services, these facilities also provide care for exit-seeking behaviors, redirection, curing, disorientation, restlessness, pacing, and wandering. Specialized memory care training for staff members to prepare them to care for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. All of the facilities in our partner network have staff members awake around the clock to attend to patients’ needs.

Springfield, Missouri, offers a range of health care services for seniors, including primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Many health care providers in Springfield specialize in geriatric care, ensuring that seniors receive the best care for their unique health care needs. Seniors can receive preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and receive specialized care for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. With a commitment to high-quality health care services, Springfield is an excellent place for seniors to receive the care they need to live happy and healthy lives.

The safety way to get around for seniors with memory issues is the transportation provided by the memory care facility itself. Nearly all of the memory care facilities we partner with provide transportation for free. More than half offer it at-cost.

In terms of public transportation, Springfield offers American With Disabilities Act-compliant city buses that seniors can ride when accompanied by caregivers or family members. In addition to the city buses, Springfield’s City Utilities Transit Services provides Access Express paratransit as an origin-to-destination transportation service for certified riders who are unable to use regular fixed-route buses due to a disability or health condition. This service is available for seniors with dementia who have been pre-approved. Apply for approval using this form. Once approved, call 417-831-8711 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays to make a reservation. Note that MO HealthNet recipients who are eligible for transportation services can receive non-emergency medical trips free of charge through Access Express; reservation makers should inform the dispatcher when making the reservation.

Additionally, OATS Transit buses are available for riders who find city buses difficult to use.

Engaging in activities can benefit seniors with memory care needs, as it can help stimulate their minds, improve their mood, and help maintain their cognitive abilities. If you’re looking for activities to enjoy with a senior loved one with memory care needs in Springfield, you’ll have plenty of options across categories such as arts, culture, history, sports, nature, dining, and more.

Stroll the pathways of the serene Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, explore art exhibits at the Springfield Art Museum, or take in some wild sights at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. You and your loved one can also visit the Dickerson Park Zoo to see a variety of animals and take advantage of discounted admission rates for seniors and children.

The Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals play all summer long at Hammonds Field in downtown Springfield as well, which allows fans a chance to see future stars of the game in a cozy, affordable setting.

If you’re looking for indoor activities, check out the plays and events at the Springfield Little Theatre or the interactive exhibits at the Discovery Center. For outdoor enthusiasts, spend a relaxing afternoon at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, with attractions including the Roston Butterfly House.

Seniors may enjoy visits to the Happy Lemon Memory Cafe at the South Side Senior Center. On the first and third Fridays of the month, the memory cafe offers a spot for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia to go and hear live music, participate in fun activities, and eat a hot lunch together.

When it comes to dining out, Springfield is home to many senior-friendly options, such as the farm-to-table Aviary Cafe and the cozy Italian Bambinos Cafe. For classic American cuisine, check out The Wheelhouse’s delicious fusion food or Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes.

Whatever your interests, Springfield, Missouri, has plenty of activities and dining options to enjoy with your loved one, and many offer senior discounts and accessibility options.