In 2019, an estimated 170,000 people in North Carolina were living with Alzheimer’s dementia, and the number was projected to grow to 210,000 North Carolinians by 2025. Given the statewide prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, many Asheville residents are likely already looking for dementia care resources or will need these resources in the coming years. If you’re seeking dementia care resources in Asheville, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn about some of the best Asheville-area resources.
Senior Centers
Senior adults of all ages and ability levels can benefit from the programs and resources offered by their community senior centers. Senior centers offer services including in-home assistance, meal delivery, legal assistance, and transportation. Many senior centers also offer group activities to help seniors with dementia stay engaged and connected, such as exercise classes and cultural events. Senior centers in Asheville include the Senior Opportunity Center and Harvest House.
Mountain Memory Assessment
Dr. Paul Barrett founded Mountain Memory Assessment to combine his love of Western North Carolina with his passion for alleviating his dementia clients’ anxiety. Dr. Barrett offers memory assessments out of his office in east Asheville, but he also offers several free dementia care resources on his website. If you’re considering an evaluation, check out these memory assessment facts. For more self-directed help, Dr. Barrett offers multiple free tip sheets, including one for general “brain fog” and one to help you remember names.
Council on Aging of Buncombe County
The Council on Aging of Buncombe County’s mission statement is to “promote the independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy.” The Council offers many different kinds of support for seniors and caregivers in the Asheville area, including Medicare appointments and classes, and an annual Successful Aging event. Those interested in dementia care resources should look into the Council’s Seniors Safe at Home program, through which they provide such services as food delivery for the homebound, minor home repairs, and heat relief in the summer — even in the mountains, it can get uncomfortably hot for seniors living at home!
MemoryCare
MemoryCare is an Asheville-based nonprofit organization that offers a “community-based model of care” for seniors with dementia, their families, and caregivers. In addition to providing diagnoses, MemoryCare staff members create action plans that work for both the senior and their caregiver. They also provide assistance with behavior management, guidance for legal and financial issues, and prescriptions for dementia-specific medications.
Land of Sky
Land of Sky provides services and programs in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties. Those looking for dementia care resources may be interested in their Senior Companion Program, through which senior volunteers assist other older adults with tasks such as grocery shopping and housekeeping. The Area Agency on Aging, a department within Land of Sky, offers additional services to older adults and their caregivers.
Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center
Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center is a skilled nursing facility specifically for older adults in the middle to late stages of dementia who are displaying “combative and assaultive behaviors.” Black Mountain offers a specialized program for Alzheimer’s and related dementias, as well as one for seniors who suffer from intellectual or neurodevelopmental disorders in addition to dementia.
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a national organization, but it has local branches through which it offers events and area-specific resources. The Western Carolina Chapter has a multitude of resources for seniors with dementia and for their loved ones and caregivers, including general information about the disease and details about upcoming events. There is also its North Carolina Blog and a support page with information about a helpline and local support groups.
Arbor Terrace of Asheville
Our Evergreen neighborhood at Arbor Terrace of Asheville is specially designed for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our staff is committed to providing individualized care, promoting social interaction, and encouraging appropriate activities to ensure that each resident continues to live their life to the fullest. If you’re interested in moving to a dementia care community or just want to talk with someone about what you’re going through, we would love to chat.
