Many families turn to memory care facilities in Indianapolis following a loved one’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Memory care facilities are designed to accommodate seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia with person-centered care, enhanced security features, and specially trained staff. Residents in memory care facilities also have access to specialized therapies and activities, like light-based therapy and reminiscence programs.
A Place for Mom partners with 15 memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Indianapolis. We’ve made this guide to help families across every stage of their search for memory care in Indianapolis. It includes highly detailed data on community costs as well as valuable information on community care services and amenities. We also delve into specific laws for memory care facilities in Indiana, lay out some possible payment methods, and provide local resources for seniors and caregivers in Indianapolis.
Our experience with Traditions at North Willow was wonderful. What we liked most about the community was the residents, the staff and the activities. We would recommend them to other families based on the...
What has made The Wellington at Southport such a good experience so far is the friendliness of their staff team, the quality of care and then the meals that are served. We would recommend this community to...
My mom is extremely independent and the thought of moving to a “ facility” was unbearable for her. Magnolia Springs has more of a hotel feel, at the same time providing the assistance she needs. Although the...
It is nice that there are all private rooms on the unit where my Mom lives. They have daily activities to engage and stimulate the residents that are quite varied.
I gave quality of care a 3 because they have moved her a lot in the long-term memory care unit, and they've lost quite a few of her things. Regarding number 6, my grandmother has dementia and doesn't...
My husband, who has Parkinson's, was a respite resident at The Commons on Meridian for most of the month of November, We were very staisfied with the facility and staff, Our initial tour highlighted the...
It's been a great experience for my loved one. It's been genuinely a great experience. [name removed] doesn't believe it but I believe it saved her life. She is much healthier now because of all the...
It was nice. There could have been some entertainment like music playing or a performer singing. And it was a little rushed. Food was great. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The place is always clean and...
What we like the most about The Harrison is the convenient location, compassionate care and diversity in staff and client population. We would absolutely recommend The Harrison to other families based on the...
I took a tour and this was top of our list, it seemed like it was going to be a great fit. ALL of the staff is helpful no matter what you need help with! I realize activities for memory care is difficult. ...
Staff has always been friendly in communication; email, text and verbal. I have witnessed interactions between the staff and residents and never been worried about my parents being there. The facility has...
After the horrible experience we had at the previous facility we were apprehensive about a new place. Since coming to Demaree, my mom has improved greatly and is smiling and laughing and “talking” so much...
The management team at Independence Village are truly dedicated to providing the best quality of life for the community. They get to know their residents personally as well as their families. Just great...
The level of care has been very good. Any problems have been addressed quickly. The staff is kind and very attentive. This is especially important as my friend is nonverbal and has trouble conveying what she...
I live in the memory care unit at the Altenheim because my husband has late stage Alzheimer’s disease. We live in a nice one bedroom apartment. We are given three good meals a day and there is a nurse who...
I have heard that a new owner will take over some time soon so I can only tell you my mother's experience with the current owner was just so amazing. She was always happy, active and made many friends. My...
Pluses- friendly staff; nice, clean, inviting facility (a place I'm happy to go to 3-4 times/week; they let you host parties there in several different areas for free; they seem to work on problems that need...
They were very nice and toured us around the entire facility. We spoke to residents. Everyone was nice. During the move in process they kept in touch and were very helpful. Once my mom moved in though it...
Our experience with Crown Senior Living has been a good one overall. The staff here are friendly and professional, they're very understanding and tuned in to the needs of the residents and their families.
My loved one was previously a resident at Rittenhouse Village at Northside and her experience at this facility was pretty good. The staff were all kind to the residents. My loved one had a very nice, private...
My mother has been at Clearvista Lakes for about 2 years. My husband and I were looking for a facility that would keep an eye on Mom as well as treat her with kindness and care. Clearvista Lakes has met...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Indianapolis 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 average cost of our in-network Indianapolis memory care facilities is $4,400 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022 proprietary data.[01] Memory care facilities typically cost more than assisted living or independent living facilities. This is because they offer more extensive, specialized services that are included in their baseline starting costs, such as the following:
Most communities wrap many services up with a community’s baseline monthly rent. The general services included in the baseline monthly rent at a memory care facility typically include the following:
Our proprietary cost figure above includes the baseline monthly rent as well as any add-on services and fees that residents chose, making the figure more true to what families actually paid for one of our partner memory care facilities in Indianapolis. Depending on the community, the following services may require add-on fees:
The following figures are starting costs of the greater Indianapolis-area memory care facilities. These figures can give you a comparison of baseline memory care costs in the surrounding areas. Unlike our proprietary figure above, these costs do not include all add-ons that real families chose upon move in.
Memory care costs can be overwhelming, and families and caregivers are often faced with the question of how they can pay for it. The costs of long-term memory care can add up over time, and families often rely on a medley of public benefits and private funding options. For some, private payment methods may be enough to cover long-term memory care costs. Combining all public benefit options with private assets can help your family pay for the most ideal memory care community.
In this section, we highlight the various private payment methods that families might have to pay their memory care costs. We also outline several public benefit options, from veterans benefits to Medicaid and Medicare health insurance programs.
Families often first weigh what personal assets they have on hand to pay for memory care before exploring what public benefit options are available. Oftentimes, private payment methods come from savings accounts, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Additionally, some people may be able to utilize investment returns from stocks or bonds. Explore some more asset options below.
Number of veterans who live in Indianapolis
About 25% of Indianapolis veterans are age 75+
Many veteran families turn to veterans benefits like the Aid and Attendance benefit to help pay for memory care and other long-term care expenses. Aid and Attendance is among the most generous VA benefits available. It’s distributed via monthly payments and can be used to pay for anything that improves a veteran’s quality of life. Benefits like this are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and can bring tremendous financial relief to veterans and their families.
The VA benefits system can be puzzling at times, and many find it hard not to get lost in a sea of various eligibility requirements and processes. Working with a local VA-accredited veterans service organization (VSO) is the best way to make sure you or a loved one doesn’t miss out on benefits. There are several VSOs located within the Indianapolis VA Regional Office, including the American Legion’s headquarters, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) chapter, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter, as well as the following groups:
Resources for Indianapolis veterans
The American Legion
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 325
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-916-3605
American Veterans (AMVETS) — Find a post
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 314
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-916-3613
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 324
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-916-3615
The Military Order of the Purple Heart
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 312
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-916-3623
Paralyzed Veterans of America
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 313
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-916-3626
Department of Indiana Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 319
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-916-3629
Indiana’s Medicaid program doesn’t pay for private memory care facilities, since most of these communities are considered residential settings, unlike a nursing home. However, Indiana Medicaid can pay for some memory care services in a residential setting if the patient qualifies for Medicaid waiver programs, like the Aged and Disabled (A&D) waiver. Find out more about this specific waiver program, who is eligible, and what it can cover below.
Indiana Medicaid’s Aged and Disabled (A&D) waiver helps eligible Hoosiers in need of a nursing facility level of care live safely in a less institutional setting — like a Medicaid-approved memory care facility. The A&D waiver covers an extensive amount of services that can be tailored to a person’s specific needs. It’s designed to help seniors continue living in their chosen place of residence and avoid nursing home placement by providing in-home health care services. Some of the services covered with this waiver include the following:[03]
Seniors need to meet Indiana Medicaid’s financial and eligibility guidelines to qualify for the A&D waiver. Applicants must meet the following requirements:[03]
The first step to qualifying for the Aged and Disabled waiver is applying for Indiana Medicaid. Seniors can apply online or in person at the closest Division of Family Resources (DFR) office. If any questions come up during the application process, seniors can contact their local certified health care navigators with any questions.
Once the Medicaid application process is complete, you can reach out to your nearest area agency on aging (AAA) to request an assessment to enroll in the Aged and Disabled waiver program.
Additional resources
Medicare — the federal health insurance program for seniors age 65+ and people with disabilities — is designed to help pay for medical and health-related expenses, specifically. Any costs that are considered custodial care aren’t covered by Medicare.
In a memory care facility, custodial care costs can include room and board expenses and any personal care support. There are, however, some memory care-specific costs that may be covered for seniors age 65+ who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Some of those costs include the following:[04]
There are some short-term health care costs and preventative services that are also considered Medicare-approved expenses, such as the following:[05]
So, how can you be sure what memory care is or isn’t covered by Medicare? Well, Indiana has a wealth of supportive services available to provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling for senior Hoosiers.
You can reach out to CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions — Marion County’s area agency on aging (AAA) — and the Indiana State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to chat with their certified counselors and get help with your Medicare questions.
Indianapolis Medicare resources
Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Find a SHIP location near you
Central office phone: 800-452-4800
CICOA — Marion County Area Agency on Aging
Online request referral form
4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46205-1560
Phone: 317-254-5465
In Indiana, assisted living or memory care facilities that provide medication administration or nursing care are required to be licensed as residential care facilities by the Indiana Department of Health Division of Long-Term Care. These facilities are regularly inspected to make sure the state’s rules are being complied with. The health department also investigates any complaints made against facilities. You can find the department’s consumer reports on their findings on their website.
If they don’t provide medication administration or nursing services, assisted living facilities that provide services like help with activities of daily living, room and board, and meals aren’t required to be licensed. These facilities are instead required to register with the Indiana Department of Family and Social Services Administration by filing a service disclosure form.
Facilities that provide memory care must submit an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Special Care Unit form that addresses the following:[06]
Before admission, all residents are evaluated with a care needs assessment. This is to make sure a facility offers services that are appropriate for each resident. These assessments are typically updated semiannually as needed, documented in writing, and kept at the facility. At a minimum, these care need evaluations help a facility determine a resident’s needs by assessing the following:[06]
Indiana has state regulations that set the bar for who can and can’t be accepted into a memory care facility. Memory care facilities won’t admit a person if their needs can’t be met at the facility. This typically includes individuals in the following conditions:[06]
Staff at memory care facilities can’t provide medication administration if it’s not a licensed residential care facility. If requested, staff can instead help residents with self-administration by providing medication assistance. Here are some examples of medication assistance:
Memory care facilities that are licensed as residential care facilities can provide medication administration as long as it’s provided by licensed nursing staff and medication aides. Rather than just assisting residents with their medications, medication administration puts licensed professionals in charge of preparing medications and distributing them as prescribed by a physician. The following are some examples of medication administration:
Memory care facilities that submit a special care unit disclosure are required to designate a director for their Alzheimer’s and dementia care unit. The director has to meet education or license requirements set at the state level, as well as the following training requirements:[06]
Additionally, all staff of the facility are required to undergo an orientation. This orientation should review a facility’s policies and procedures for topics such as emergency procedures, residents’ rights, and evacuation procedures. All staff are also required to complete annual in-service training and education. Even staff without direct contact with residents are required to complete an annual 6 hours of dementia-specific training within six months of employment and 3 hours of annual training on current standards of dementia care.
Memory care facilities have to provide three nutritionally balanced daily meals every day that are approved by a dietician. All facilities are required to comply with local sanitation and food handling standards. Meals provided must also consider the following:[06]
All licensed residential care facilities with memory care have to provide appropriate activity programs, as well as coordinated transportation to community-based activities. All memory care facilities must have an activities director who meets at least one of the following criteria:[06]
Memory care facilities in Indianapolis generally follow COVID-19 guidance set at the state and local levels. As of April 2023, there aren’t any COVID-19 mandates in place for memory care facilities. Some facilities may have stricter policies in place, so it’s always best practice to check with a facility directly on their current COVID-19 policies.
You can find Indiana’s COVID-19 updates published on the state’s COVID-19 response website. We’ve highlighted a few of the Indiana Department of Health’s recommendations for long-term care facilities below.
Facility cleanliness. Facilities should frequently disinfect and clean high-touch surfaces and encourage hand hygiene.
Vaccinations. Anyone eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination or booster should get one.
Social distancing. While visitations are allowed at memory care facilities, outdoor visits are encouraged to allow for more social distancing.
Masking. Some communities may still require residents, staff, and visitors to wear masks in indoor common areas.
From therapeutically designed living spaces to specialized programs and therapies, Indianapolis memory care facilities aim to provide the safest environment for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Take a look at some of the standout features these memory care communities have to offer below.
Seemingly endless opportunities to socialize and foster relationships await at our partner memory care communities. This is due to the extensive activity programs and common areas at these facilities. Nearly all of our partner memory care facilities plan fun get-togethers like barbecues, birthday celebrations, and holiday parties for residents to enjoy. There’s also a wide selection of on-site programs to partake in. Here are some examples of activities typical at these communities:
You can also expect to find memory care-specific therapy programs at our in-network Indianapolis communities. These specialized programs help create a calming, therapeutic space by promoting daily routines and reducing overwhelming stimuli. Here are some therapy programs you’ll likely find at one of our in-market memory care communities:
The majority of our in-network Indianapolis memory care facilities are built to specifically accommodate residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. This is perhaps most evident in the physical design at most of our partner facilities. Here are some examples of intentional memory care design features:
Staff at our partner Indianapolis memory care facilities are qualified and regularly trained to provide care for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. All memory care facilities have 24-hour awake staff trained to provide calm and compassionate redirecting or cueing for residents with disorientation. Staff is also trained to manage other dementia-related behaviors, like the following:
It’s easy to make yourself at home in one of our inviting partner memory care facilities in Indianapolis. You’ll find well-appointed living spaces available in a variety of floor plans that include private and semi-private living options. All of our in-network communities are designed with accessibility in mind and include features like wheelchair-accessible showers and safety bars in the bathrooms.
Nearly all of our partner communities have units with kitchenettes complete with refrigerators and sink areas, and some with upgrades like modern appliances and contemporary fixtures. Sunny sitting areas make the perfect setting to enjoy the company of visiting loved ones. Spacious bedrooms are also bathed in natural light and are perfectly sized to fit one bed or two beds — depending on the floor plan.
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Number of seniors age 65 and older living in Indianapolis in 2021
Average household earnings for Indianapolis seniors age 65+[07]
Among the best hospitals in the state call Indianapolis home. Some are even leading the way in treatments and research for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. We shine the light on a few of the hospitals in Indianapolis that specialize in brain conditions and senior care.
Indiana University Health is regularly recognized as one of the top hospitals in the state. Specialists at the IU Health Neuroscience Center utilize advanced technology and innovative treatments to diagnose dementia quickly and help patients better manage symptoms. The hospital collaborates with the Indiana University School of Medicine, which is home to the Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (IADRC). The IADRC is one of the select designated Alzheimer’s disease research centers in the country and continually leads the way for dementia-related research and treatments.
Eskenazi Health has been serving the Indianapolis community as far back as 1859 when its doors first opened to treat a smallpox epidemic. It’s continued to provide care for all Marion County residents as one of Indiana’s oldest and largest public health care systems. Specialists at the Sandra Eskenazi Center for Brain Care Innovation continually pursue the hospital’s vision to transform brain health for all patients. The brain center provides a range of services for many conditions, from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to late-life onset depression.
All of our partnered Indianapolis memory care communities provide escorted transportation services to residents. Some of the communities provide these services at-cost, while more than 80% offer complimentary transportation.[01] These services are essential for memory care residents who no longer drive. The service helps residents get to and from off-site medical appointments and take care of other errands safely.
For visiting friends, there are additional resources to help seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals get around in Indianapolis. These services are sometimes covered by Medicaid or require a minimal service fee:
The majority of our in-network memory care facilities are also conveniently located near public transit. This can make visiting loved ones a walk in the park. Local or out-of-town friends and family can travel via IndyGo, which is Indianapolis’ main public transit system. IndyGo’s fleet of over 200 buses travel throughout the city and are all ADA accessible for people with disabilities.
IndyGo’s paratransit services are also available to disabled individuals who aren’t able to access fixed routes. Seniors can also enjoy discounted fares on IndyGo buses with a valid Medicare card or Half Fare ID. It’s never advised that seniors with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia travel without a caregiver accompanying them.
From open outdoor spaces and historic sites to interactive museums, Indianapolis is filled with activities to enjoy with a loved one. Browse through some of the popular family-friendly attractions Indianapolis has to offer. We highlight the attractions with generous accessibility options for your loved one with specialized needs.
A visit to Indy wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The museum celebrates a century of history and culture, with artifacts, trophies, and collections of vintage cars. The Museum makes great strides to make sure everyone can access the collections and even offers free entry to companions, caregivers, or aides of guests with disabilities. The museum also has the following ADA services available on-site:
White River State Park is lovingly called Indy’s urban escape. Tour the park’s art installations across its 250-acre Urban Wilderness Trail. On this trail, you’ll find a monarch butterfly sanctuary, various wildlife, and native Indiana fauna. The expansive park is home to enough attractions to make an entire day trip out of, with some of Indy’s most treasured sites:
This local favorite offers specialized tours for visitors with early-stage Alzheimer’s to enjoy with their caregivers, family, and friends. Don’t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the culture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Get up close and personal with treasured masterpieces, or take a tour of different galleries from around the world. The museum has accessibility features for guests with limited mobility, who are hard of hearing, blind, or partially sighted.
Catch engaging performances at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. This treasured community theater is Indiana’s largest professional nonprofit theater. It has enriched the community with dynamic theatrical performances for over 50 years. The Indiana Repertory Theatre has several accessibility features to make the venue as inclusive as possible. It offers options for patrons with vision or hearing needs, sensory sensitivities, and limited mobility. Some of their accessibility features available on-site include the following:
Whether you’re just getting to know Indianapolis or have called the city home for years, you’ll find there’s always something eventful to see and do. These accessible attractions only scratch the surface of what Indianapolis has to offer seniors, caregivers, and visiting loved ones. You can explore Visit Indy’s accessibility guide for more things to do and local resources in Indianapolis.
Magnolia Springs Bridgewater, Demaree Crossing and Independence Village of Zionsville East are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Indianapolis, IN. 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 Indianapolis is $5,081 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Indianapolis. [Data set]. American community survey.
Indiana Medicaid. Aged and disabled waiver.
Guerrero, A. (2021, July 6). What benefits does Medicare provide for patients? Medicare Resources.
Medicare. Parts of Medicare. Medicare.gov.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Aging. Alzheimer’s/dementia special care unit: State form 48896 (R/6-18).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Indianapolis. [Data set]. American community survey.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Indianapolis. [Data set]. American community survey.
Indiana Medicaid. Aged and disabled waiver.
Guerrero, A. (2021, July 6). What benefits does Medicare provide for patients? Medicare Resources.
Medicare. Parts of Medicare. Medicare.gov.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Aging. Alzheimer’s/dementia special care unit: State form 48896 (R/6-18).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Indianapolis. [Data set]. American community survey.