Dementia Care: Assisted Living or Memory Care — How to Choose
Your parent has dementia — do they need memory care, or can assisted living still work? It's one of the most consequential decisions a...
Suffolk County
Suffolk County families facing Alzheimer's disease or dementia have access to several outstanding memory care communities. From specialized standalone facilities to memory care wings within larger senior living campuses, Suffolk County offers options for every stage of cognitive decline. Mike McClernon provides free, expert guidance to help your family find the right memory care community.
Mike McClernon provides free, personalized placement assistance for families across Long Island.
Community profiles
State license facts, memory care beds and what is nearby, for communities Mike knows.
SayvilleBrightview Senior Living - SayvilleThe very respected regional company Brightview Senior Living has built a new Independent Living community in the active South Shore town of Sayville. The modern design of the common spaces, activity rooms, gym, restaurant, and the beautiful lobby will make you proud to bring family and friends alike for visits.Assisted livingMemory careIndependent livingSee the full profile
East NorthportBirchwood SuitesBirchwood Suites sits on a quiet road in East Northport. Families can learn how to successfully place in assisted living.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
HoltsvilleThe Bristal at HoltsvilleThe Bristal at Holtsville offers a comfortable setting for seniors in Suffolk County. Families often read how to successfully place in assisted living for guidance. The memory care on Long Island program helps those with Alzheimer’s stay safe.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
PatchogueAtria PatchogueAtria Patchogue sits at 131 East Main Street in the heart of Patchogue, Suffolk County. Families often ask about how to place your loved one in assisted living when they start looking for care.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
Mount SinaiThe Bristal Mt. SinaiThis is the newest in the group of Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities built and managed by the Bristal Assisted Living organization. The Bristal’s locations are all built as first-class buildings with elegant surrounding and top-quality care. Known for their cuisine, this new location in Mt.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
Port Jefferson StationBrightview Port Jefferson StationBrightview Port Jefferson Station sits on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County. You can read how to successfully place in assisted living and learn discussing placement into assisted living with your parents before touring.Assisted livingMemory careIndependent livingSee the full profile
MelvilleBrandywine Huntington Station by MonarchThe Brandywine company is a respected provider of senior living in the Mid-Atlantic states, and their Melville location boasts Assisted Living and Memory Care buildings, in addition to a popular Independent Living community. This community’s independent apartments are spacious and sunny and include full kitchens.Assisted livingMemory careIndependent livingSee the full profile
West BabylonThe Bristal at West BabylonThe Bristal at West Babylon sits on Montauk Highway in West Babylon. Families can explore assisted living options in Suffolk County assisted living options in Suffolk County when they start their search.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
GreenportPeconic LandingPeconic Landing sits on Brecknock Road in the waterfront town of Greenport. The community is just a mile from Norman E. Klipp Marine Park and a short walk to local shops, giving residents easy access to the sea and village life.Assisted livingMemory careIndependent livingSee the full profile
YaphankChelsea Senior Living at BrookhavenThis is a beautiful new community, just opened in 2021. The site of this community is one of its greatest assets, it is built as part of an exceptionally large development which includes standard apartments and condominiums, stores, recreation facilities, restaurants, shops, this is truly a miniature town!Assisted livingMemory careIndependent livingSee the full profile
Huntington StationSunrise of HuntingtonSunrise of Huntington provides Assisted Living Suffolk County and memory care in Huntington Station, Suffolk County.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
CoramAll American Assisted LivingThis new Community, open just one month, is upbeat, simple, and very affordable. Most of the rooms are three room, two bed, two bath suites shared by two people, each with private bedrooms. All American has a special focus on mobility and exercise and are one of the only Assisted/Memory Communities to include guided individualize exercise as part of their ev…Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
SmithtownBenchmark Whisper WoodsThis community offers a wide variety of activities for seniors. Their Assisted Living features ‘All Day Dining,” a unique feature of Benchmark communities. There are lectures, trips, and a very full slate of daily activities, which include art, crafts, music, exercise, movies, and parties.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
SmithtownSunrise of SmithtownSunrise of Smithtown sits at 30 NY-111 in Smithtown, Suffolk County. Families often start by reading how to successfully place in assisted living to learn the steps. They also find it helpful to read discussing placement into assisted living with your parents for conversation tips.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
CommackThe Fay Linder Residences at GurwinThe Fay Linder Residences at Gurwin sit in the heart of Commack and welcome seniors who need assisted living or memory care. Families often read about how to successfully place in assisted living when they start their search.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
East NorthportBristal East NorthportThis beautiful Community in East Northport is nearing completion on a multi-million dollar interior renovation. Well before other Assisted and Memory Communities would even start planning for new carpeting and other furnishings, the Bristal organization is painting, papering, installing new carpeting, replacing furniture, and renovating the already attractiv…Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
WesthamptonThe Villa at WesthamptonThe Villa’s goal is to allow residents to live a healthy and upbeat life, unburdened by the work and expense of managing a home or apartment. The community provides Assistance with the Activities of Daily Living as needed. The atmosphere is warm and loving.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
East SetauketSunrise of East SetauketSunrise of East Setauket sits on Route 25A in Suffolk County. The community offers assisted living and memory care. Families can learn how to successfully place in assisted living and memory care and see forward-thinking care for your elderly loved one here.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
HolbrookSunrise of HolbrookSunrise of Holbrook sits on Patchogue-Holbrook Road in the heart of Suffolk County. Families often read How to Successfully Place in Assisted Living and Memory Care to learn the steps, and Mike has written about Challenges of Placing Couples with Different Needs into Senior Living and how they can be addressed.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile
PatchogueMcPeak's Assisted LivingMcPeak's Assisted Living is a small community in Patchogue, Suffolk County. Families often look for Assisted Living: Forward-Thinking Care for Your Elderly Loved One and check the 4 Things to Look for in a Long Island Assisted Living Community before touring. The facility appears in the Assisted Living Suffolk County listings.Assisted livingMemory careSee the full profile Lake RonkonkomaHidden GemHidden Gem is a small memory-care community in Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County, offering memory care servicesmemory care services and joining senior living on the South Shore of Long Islandsenior living on the South Shore.Memory careSee the full profile As a certified senior living advisor with Assisted Living Locators, Mike McClernon works directly with families across Long Island to simplify what can be an overwhelming process. His services include:
There is no cost to families for Mike's services. He is compensated by the communities, so you get unbiased guidance at no charge.
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Memory care in Suffolk County typically ranges from $6,000 to $13,000 per month. This is generally somewhat less than Nassau County but higher than standard assisted living due to the specialized staffing and security requirements. Mike can help you compare specific community costs and explore financial assistance options.
Key things to evaluate include the staff-to-resident ratio, staff training specific to dementia care, the physical environment (secure but not institutional), activity programming, outdoor access, dining approach, and how staff interact with current residents. Mike accompanies families on tours and knows exactly what to look for.
Yes, several memory care communities are located near major hospitals. Options near Stony Brook University Hospital, Huntington Hospital, and Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip give families convenient access to medical specialists. Mike considers proximity to healthcare when making recommendations.
Several Suffolk County communities offer a continuum of care, including Gurwin in Commack and Peconic Landing in Greenport. This means residents can transition from memory care to skilled nursing without changing communities, which is less disruptive for someone with dementia. Mike can identify communities offering this continuity.
Options include Medicaid (through the ALP program), Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid planning with an elder law attorney. Some families also use a combination of personal savings, family contributions, and benefits. Mike helps families explore all financial avenues and connects them with elder law resources when needed.
Personal care and support with daily activities, while keeping independence.
Assisted living on Long IslandSecure, structured communities for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Memory care on Long IslandMaintenance-free living with a social community for active seniors.
Independent living optionsTell Mike a little about your situation. He replies personally, and his help is free to families.