Brookdale Carmel

Brookdale Carmel, over at 301 Executive Dr. in Carmel, is a senior living community that specializes in Memory Care for folks with Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia, and what's different about it is that it's fully private pay and set up as a freestanding memory care community, so the building's set up for safety and easy movement, with neighborhoods that have open, circular paths connecting suites and common areas, and doors stay locked for more security, which matters if someone likes to wander. They have a dedicated and dementia-trained staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and nurses and others keep eyes on everyone's health, even with regular wellness visits, and there are doctors, dentists, therapy, and even hospice services available, so families can feel a little more supported. Meals are served three times a day with menus and dining rooms designed through the Clare Bridge dining program, which the Assisted Living Federation of America named "Best of the Best," and they make it easier for people who have trouble with regular eating habits because of dementia. Residents can bring pets if they have them, and there's a secure outdoor courtyard, walking paths, and a gardening room, all set up for safe exploration and activities that stimulate the senses and keep hands busy. The programming goes all day with games for the mind, physical activities like walking or gentle exercise, devotional and social time, and scheduled group transportation for outings or appointments, and the community stays pretty social, too, with events, family meetings, and regular updates through the Brookdale blogs. Suites come with private bathrooms, emergency call systems, and there's a monitored entry for safety, with wheelchair-friendly showers and resident parking. The housekeeping, personal care, and laundry services mean residents have help with eating, dressing, and grooming if they need it, while still having the chance to be as independent as possible, because the routines are pretty stable and the staff tries to build around each person's habits and preferences through their Personalized Service System and Life Enrichment Programming, which means people have structure but also some control in their day. There's a fitness center, salon, beauty/barber shop, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a 24-hour bistro for snacks, lounge, media areas, and complimentary internet service. House rules include no indoor smoking, and men and women can live there. Brookdale Carmel lets folks age in place, so even as care needs change-whether it's assisted living, skilled nursing, or more help with memory-residents can usually stay in the same setting, and families seem to appreciate the open communication and the safe yet welcoming feel. The current review score shows it's not perfect, but it's one of the few memory care communities in central Indiana set up this way, and staff are trained to handle all of the challenges that come with Alzheimer's and dementia.