Golden LivingCenter - Valparaiso sits at 251 Sturdy Road in Valparaiso, Indiana, as a large care community certified for 85 residents and handles both assisted living and skilled nursing care along with specialized Memory Care services, mainly helping seniors with Alzheimer's and other memory problems. The monthly cost for Memory Care starts at $4,500, though actual cost can change depending on each person's care needs and what kind of room or amenities they pick out, since they have both semi-private and private rooms, some with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, cable TV, phone, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi.
Families say the staff are friendly and helpful, with recognition for outstanding care shown in awards like Best of Senior Living and review scores. They have a locked and secure area for people who tend to wander and provide memory-specific programs and routines, such as medicine management, music therapy, animal therapy, arts and crafts, group discussions, exercise, and even tabletop games or outings, which help keep minds active. Caregivers can help with daily needs: getting in and out of bed or chairs, dressing, grooming, bathing, bathroom use, and even non-medical companionship for those who want someone to sit with them. Staff are trained for incontinence and provide help around the clock, with a 24-hour call system for emergencies, making sure residents with higher needs get watched closely.
The facility offers three daily home-cooked meals which can be changed for special diets or allergies, all done by their chef and staff. Residents can join regular events, movie nights, games, trips outside, creative activities, religious services, and even simple things like reading in the library or walking in gardens. Amenities include a reading room, jacuzzi, sauna, barber and beauty shop, fitness room, wellness room, game rooms, and outdoor walking paths. Skilled nursing staff are there for therapy needs, such as physical therapy, pain management, and cognitive training, with outpatient rehab available. There's help for doctor appointments, pharmacy needs, IV or pulmonary care, dental, audiology, and eye care, plus medication management and discharge planning when it's time to leave. Families stay involved through support services, visits, and meetings, and the community takes Medicaid and Medicare, so different financial backgrounds get served.
The place gets regular housekeeping, laundry, linens, nutritional snacks, transportation, parking, concierge help, and move-in assistance for new residents. Executive Director Tiffany Sydow leads the team toward focusing on health and making sure everybody feels comfortable, offering both short-term and long-term stays, and setting up routines that encourage social engagement but give enough support for people who can't do everything on their own. Residents and their families say they like both the friendly environment and the mix of activities made available, all inside a simple but well-kept setting.
