10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Buffalo, NY

Paying for memory care often entails utilizing a combination of private and public resources. Below, you can find details on a variety of payment methods, including Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, and personal funds.

In the State of New York, memory care is considered a form of assisted living. As a result, any community providing memory care requires a license and a special certification through the New York State Department of Health to operate – not only an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) license,  but also a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) certification as well.

The community would then be subject to inspections by the New York State Department of Health every 12 months to 18 months to ensure the residence meets all required regulations, which would include but not limited to the following:

• Staffing. Memory care facilities must have an administration, case manager, and enough staff to cover the needs of all residents. A registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse must be on staff both the day and evening shifts.
• Activities. An activities director must provide at least 10 hours per week of planned activities
• Training. Operators of memory care facilities must make available dementia-related training, such as how to deal with behavioral symptoms, mental and emotional changes, and methods to meet the precise needs of individuals with dementia.
• Facilities. Memory care facilities must meet different environmental standards than other senior living communities. Units should be designed as self-contained facilities with safe and structured community and dining room spaces. They should also be equipped with mechanisms to limit window opening and a delay-release of all exit doors, as well as a secure outdoor space.
• Residents. Operators must create a comprehensive plan for assessing applicants prior to admission, identifying interventions for behavioral issues should the need present itself, and establishing thresholds for termination of residence to ensure the safety of memory care residents.

If you’d like to review past inspection reports, you can do so via the New York State Department of Health’s website. To find inspection reports, look up the facility by name. Then, click the inspection tab for more information, or look up facilities by county or type.

New York Department of Health contact information

New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: 866-881-2809
Email: dohweb@health.ny.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Buffalo memory care facilities

Although the state of New York does not have any COVID-19 mandates on memory care facilities, It isn’t uncommon for senior living communities to have their own COVID-19 regulations, the majority of which will follow the CDC’s guidelines and safety measures. The Erie County Department of Health also provides guidelines.

Within the 10-mile radius of Buffalo’s city center, you will find two stand-alone memory care facilities, two assisted living facilities that provide memory care, and one that offers a combination of independent living, assisted living, and memory care in A Place For Mom’s network.^[01]

Care-related services

There’s no such thing as a cookie-cutter approach to memory care. It depends on the individual and stage of dementia, which is why you’ll find both stand-alone memory care facilities and assisted living communities that also offer memory care. This type of arrangement allows seniors in the early stages of the disease to live somewhat independent lives through assisted living. All of the Buffalo memory care facilities within A Place for Mom’s network provide redirection, cuing, and disorientation care as well as restlessness, pacing, and wandering care.^[01] In the Buffalo area, residents can also take advantage of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy while living in a memory care facility.^[01]

Safe and secure environment

Facilities that offer memory care in Buffalo must meet very different housing standards than other senior living communities. For one, the community must provide 24-hour awake staff.^[01] The same is true for providing an enclosed courtyard to allow residents a safe and secure outdoor environment. Some of our partner communities are also equipped with wander guards or similar systems.^[01]

Activities and amenities

Memory care facilities generally offer activities that promote engagement, cognitive training, and physical activity. All the communities we partner with employ an activity director to ensure residents engage their brains and bodies regularly.^[01] Many of the communities also have an onsite arts and crafts center, game room, movie room, and TV lounge.^[01]

When it comes to maintaining familiarity, keeping a treasured pet with your loved one can be extremely important to make a space feel like home. Thankfully, 60% of the memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s network allow residents to keep pets.^[01]

Health care for seniors in Buffalo

A wide range of health care options are available in the Buffalo area, many of which offer care services that can be of great benefit to the senior population.

Transportation for seniors in Buffalo

Whether for a doctor’s visit, errand, or group outing, 80% of our partner memory care facilities in Buffalo provide complimentary transportation for residents, while the rest provide it at cost. But other options are available for you and your loved one to get around if you want to take them out for something special.

The Metro Rail is one line in Buffalo and the Metro buses run a fleet of more than 320 buses across both Erie and Niagara counties. Both options are wheelchair accessible, and 60% of our partner memory care facilities are conveniently located close to at least one of these options.

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has also established the Paratransit Access Line (PAL), a shared ride service that provides curb-to-curb transportation for riders who cannot travel alone or require more assistance than an average accessible stop would provide. More importantly, NFTA has also established a Personal Care Attendant (PAC) program for people who are unable to travel independently. When applying for PAL, make sure to indicate the need for PAC assistance. For more information on eligibility requirements or the application process, visit the NFTA website or call 716-855-7267. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related illness should always travel with a caretaker, and this is especially the case with public transportation.

Much like PAL, Accessible Dispatch is a curb-to-curb ride service for individuals with disabilities. However, there are no eligibility requirements to use the service other than being needs-based. Door-to-door assistance is also available. Rides can be scheduled either through the mobile app or by calling 646-599-9999. The Erie County Department of Senior Services offers transportation assistance to individuals who are 60 and older through its Going Places program. Call 716-858-RIDE or 716-858-7433 to schedule the service.

Senior activities in Buffalo

With Buffalo’s rich history, thriving arts scene, and stunning parks, there’s no shortage of things to do in the area with your loved one. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the extensive park system, which was designed by the renowned landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, would be ideal for taking your loved one to.^[06]

Delaware Park, in particular, is a must, with 350 acres of rolling meadows, expansive green spaces, trees, gardens, a picturesque lake, and myriad walking paths. You can even take in a game of croquette. Just don’t forget to visit the other parks in the Olmsted parks system, which are just as breathtaking, like Front Park, Cazenovia Park, Riverside Park, and South Park, to name only a few.

In fact, South Park is home to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, another Buffalo destination spot. Visitors get a chance to soak in not only the sights and smells of a wide variety of exotic plants from around the world but the amazing architecture of this historic site. Plus, the facilities are entirely wheelchair accessible.

Activities within the memory care facilities themselves are great for your loved one to do independently or for you to join in on as well. With 80% of our Buffalo memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s network having an arts and crafts center, you and your loved one can bond while you craft memories together to display in their room. Your loved one will also be able to watch movies or play games with you or friends they make in their new homes as 60% of Buffalo memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s network have dedicated movie and game rooms.^[01]