As a historical Midwestern lake port town on the shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland, Ohio is a vibrant senior-friendly metropolis with a growing population of older residents. Along with its many senior living options, Cleveland features multiple famous sports teams, abundant art galleries and museums, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland memory care communities are designed with the intention of fostering safety, comfort, and dignity for seniors with dementia. Residents enjoy an array of quality amenities, personalized care services, and engaging activities to support cognitive function.
With 23 Cleveland memory care communities among A Place for Mom’s senior living partners, you can find a community that fits your loved one’s unique care needs and lifestyle preferences. This guide to Cleveland memory care is compiled from our extensive senior living experience, proprietary data, and access to local senior living experts. Below, you’ll find information about payment options, health and safety regulations, and other resources for Cleveland seniors and families.
The people at Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care were all great with my dad and very friendly to us. I was there almost every day. They shared whatever I asked about. The move in process was...
We moved my Auntie into Summit Point last year. What a Beautiful home she now has! From the staff to the residents, Oh Boy! What fun she is having! We love to visit her and now, Summit Point is our home...
Staff overall kind and friendly, activities personal extremely personable, downside people with higher end medical needs might be better served elsewhere. They did make a effort to meet his medical needs,...
I would like to thank all who are involved in helping me and my wife enjoy the different programs at Arden Courts. They are so nice to attend, and I enjoy seeing my wife enjoying her favorite things again....
5's across the board in every category. Her quality of life has improved 100%! They keep the rooms very clean there. There's never any foul smells in the air. They seem to personally care about the people...
Sunrise of Parma is an attractive and well maintained facility. Liked the small intimate atmosphere. Food quality better than most other assisted living facilities. Aids were generally helpful but some...
Lots of staff turnover with aides, which does seem to be improving. They have been working to get rid of agency aides. Nurses are good to very good. We'd be willing to pay more to get better food with a...
Overall, it's been a pleasant experience, but the only thing they really have to improve on is the quality of their food. We really like that it's Catholic, because religion and having a relationship with...
Whoever is working at the desk greets you when you enter. The caregivers do a good job caring and interacting with the residents. Some caregivers to your concerns. They have on site maintenance which is...
The people are very nice and friendly. The food is good. I appreciate all of the people that are here. I'm pleased and satisfied.
Mostly friendly staff. My dad's needs are being met. Not perfect, but being met. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would recommend this community to other families.
Have and Lakewood is a great facility. It is expensive, but staff is responsive and top notch. I cannot say enough. And I mean that from the caring and responsive mgmnt/staff right down to the quality of...
Today is [date removed]. I moved into Marymount Place on [date removed]. Marymount Place is the Perfect Place for me. The administrator [name removed] is very personable. He is eager to help and work out any...
My experience with Judson Park was AMAZING! I worked with [name removed] who was wonderful. She accommodated us in every possible way. We joined in a lunch one day and then Happy Hour and a dinner on...
This community is brand new and absolutely AMAZING! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. There doesnt seem to be the same horrible staffing problems that most facilitles have. We had lunch and it was so...
floor care is becoming scarce. no activities as far as I'm aware of. When my sister first came back in December of 2022 there were nurses and aids running around everywhere but they're very scarce now…1...
Forest Hills Place gets all 5 stars from our family. We had no issues what so ever during my loved ones stay there. They were excellent - even when my aunt passed away. I would definitely recommend this...
With a spirit of caring and an atmosphere of casual elegance we found McGregor to be a best kept secret when it comes to a unique living experience surrounded by programming with a purpose! Our family has...
Staffing is an issue at most places. Park Creek had a great cook, but she left. Staff would come and go. Most of the staff were friendly and did a good job. We wondered if salary was the issue, but don't...
This community is clean and I would recommend it. They are able to help by providing my mom with the special diet she needs. They offer daily activities. The staff are friendly and there is good...
I think that Woodside Senior Living goes out of their way to give you information you don't have going into this process. Such as; Medicaid and how to afford the costs of the community. They seem to have a...
The staff has made my mother feel very welcome and a part of the community. They have been wonderful about communicating my mothers needs and identifying services that will benefit her.
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Cleveland community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The cost of memory care in Cleveland averages $4,817 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This figure represents the cost of room and board in a memory care facility, plus the costs of optional add-ons and amenities, averaged from the costs paid by real families referred to Cleveland memory care by A Place for Mom in 2022-2023.
Memory care costs before optional add-ons typically cover the costs of room and board, as well as included amenities such as the following:
Examples of add-ons that may affect the cost of memory care include the following:
The figures in the chart below represent baseline costs for memory care in Cleveland and nearby cities, before optional services and amenities. See how Cleveland compares to surrounding cities.
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.
Depending on your loved one’s financial resources, you may be able to cover some or all their memory care costs using private pay methods. Private pay methods include any form of income, such as savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, and any of the following:
Number of veterans who live in Cleveland as of 2021
About 76% of Cleveland veterans are 55+.
If your loved one is a veteran of the U.S. military, they may be eligible to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some veterans pensions, benefits, and additional stipends — like the Aid and Attendance benefit — are designed to be supplemental monthly income to senior veterans and their surviving spouses. As a form of income, these benefits can be used to pay for care, cost of living, or whatever improves the veteran’s quality of life.[03]
Getting help with your loved one’s veterans benefits application can have a significant impact on the amount of benefits they’ll receive. The application process is challenging, and even qualified veterans are denied because of a mistake on their application.
A local veterans service officer can help your loved one effectively submit their application. Veterans service officers are veterans trained and certified in benefits offerings. Your loved one can visit a local field office to receive help with their VA benefits application.
For more support with veterans benefits, you and your loved one can visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services webpage or contact your local VA office. The Ohio Attorney General website offers information on community resources for veterans, including the following:
The VA vets nonprofit veterans service organizations (VSOs) that support veterans in a variety of ways, including with benefits counseling. Below, you’ll find a list of VSOs that can help you, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans offices.
Resources for Cleveland veterans
Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission
1849 Prospect Ave., Suite 150
Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: 216-698-2600
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cleveland VA Regional Office
1240 E. Ninth St.
Cleveland, OH 44199
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ohio Department of Veterans Services Office
Vern Riff State Office Tower
77 S. High St., #7
Columbus, OH 43215
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — Ohio
Cleveland Regional Office
1240 E. Ninth St., Suite 1013a
Cleveland, OH 44199
Phone: 216-522-3510
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) — Ohio
Cleveland Regional Office
1240 E. Ninth St., Suite 1017b
Cleveland, OH 44199
Phone: 216-522-3507
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded health insurance program for Americans with disabilities or low incomes. Each state has its own Medicaid program, but they’re all required to follow federal guidelines. The Medicaid program in Ohio is simply called Ohio Medicaid. To receive Ohio Medicaid benefits, your loved one will need to be enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO), and the care services agency must be contracted with that MCO. There are several Ohio Medicaid programs and waivers to help cover the cost of memory care.
Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid is a Medicaid program for seniors and individuals with qualifying disabilities. In order to be eligible for ABD Medicaid, your loved one will need to meet basic Medicaid qualifications, plus one of the following additional criteria specific to ABD Medicaid:
ABD Medicaid can be used to cover the costs of medical care — including dementia care — as well as some long-term care services.[04]
As the name implies, Ohio Medicaid’s Assisted Living waiver is designed for eligible Ohio residents in an assisted living community. In Ohio, memory care falls under the assisted living category, so individuals in memory care may also be able to benefit from this waiver. If your loved one receives the Assisted Living Medicaid waiver, the costs of room and board will still need to be covered by personal income sources. The waiver will, however, provide coverage for care services.
The Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid waiver covers two categories of services: Assisted living services and community transitional services. Assisted living services include the following:
Community transitional services include relocation of a senior from a skilled nursing facility to an assisted living or memory care community. Transport of their furniture and other household items are generally covered, as well.[05]
The PASSPORT waiver is another Ohio Medicaid waiver for seniors. The PASSPORT waiver is a home and community based services waiver for individuals aged 60 and older who need a nursing facility level of care. Eligible seniors who prefer not to live in a skilled nursing facility can use this waiver to cover the cost of care in their own home, a memory care community, or another type of senior living facility.
The PASSPORT waiver can be used to cover costs of services such as the following:
PASSPORT waivers include general Medicaid coverage, which can be used for other medical expenses, such as prescription medications, doctor visits, and hospitalization.[06]
Your loved one can receive additional support with understanding Medicare, Medicaid, and other services at one of the Ohio Department of Aging’s several area agencies on aging (AAA). A long-term care ombudsman can also provide advice and advocacy on your loved one’s rights as a resident in senior care. Ohio Medicaid recipients’ care can be managed through the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Member Portal.
Cleveland resident Medicaid resources
Ohio Medicaid Member Portal
Phone: 800-324-8680
Ohio Department of Medicaid
50 W. Town St., Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43215
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
1700 E. 13th St., Suite 114
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 800-626-7277
Medicare is federally funded medical insurance for Americans 65 or older and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Medicare has multiple parts that cover different types of health care, including the following:
Medicare will cover many costs associated with medical treatment, including dementia care. Medicare does not cover room and board costs, even in a memory care facility, so these costs will need to be covered by your loved one’s other financial resources.
You can find more information on Medicare coverage by visiting the federal Medicare website, or by contacting one of the local Ohio Social Security Administration offices listed in the resources below. If your loved one qualifies, they may get additional help paying for Medicare deductibles and premiums through Medicare Savings Programs.
The U.S. Social Security Administration can help your loved one receive access to Medicare support. Your loved one may be able to dual enroll in both Medicare and Medicaid, which will enable them to pay Medicare premiums using their Medicaid benefits. A local long-term care ombudsman can help your loved one access the benefits they’re entitled to and advocate for their rights. An ombudsman also investigates long-term care recipients’ complaints and helps ensure that seniors receive the quality of care they deserve. Find these and other resources below.
Cleveland resident Medicare resources
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.
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:
Ohio memory care staff must meet the following requirements:
Ohio requires memory care facilities to provide personal care services such as the following:
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:[07]
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
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
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).[08]
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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Median annual retirement income for Cleveland seniors 65 and older[09]
Your loved one in Cleveland will have access to several highly reputable medical centers.
The Cleveland Clinic is ranked No. 1 in the city of Cleveland, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s also nationally ranked in 13 adult specialties.
UH Cleveland Medical Center is a high-performing teaching hospital, ranked No. 2 in Cleveland according to U.S. News and World Report. It hosts the Siedman’s Cancer Center on its 35-acre campus and has operated for over 150 years.
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest is high performing in 15 adult specialties and procedures. It’s the third-highest ranking hospital in Cleveland and the fourth in the state of Ohio, according to U.S. News and World Report.
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.
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 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:
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.
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.
Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls, Cardinal Court Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care and Summit Point are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Cleveland, OH. 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 Cleveland is $4,703 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022-2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Cleveland [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Ohio Department of Medicaid. Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Ohio Department of Aging. Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program.
Ohio Department of Aging. PASSPORT.
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018).
Center for Disease Control. (2022, September 27). Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Cleveland. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals Cleveland.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022-2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Cleveland [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Ohio Department of Medicaid. Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Ohio Department of Aging. Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program.
Ohio Department of Aging. PASSPORT.
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018).
Center for Disease Control. (2022, September 27). Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Cleveland. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals Cleveland.