Located in Asheville, NC, MemoryCare is an independent, charitable, community-based organization powered by a team of geriatricians, care managers, administrators, and volunteers. We are dedicated to one goal – helping individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive disorders live as fully as possible, for as long as possible at home or in their preferred setting.
We are the only organization of our kind in western North Carolina (and one of only a few in the nation) that focuses on equipping the caregiver with the resources, education, and support they need, as well as providing excellent care to their loved one. MemoryCare’s model of care incorporates best practice guidelines outlined by The Alzheimer’s Study Group, National Alzheimer’s Plan, Medicare’s Dementia Quality Measures and a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services review of dementia programs.
The diagnosis of any cognitive disorder puts in motion a long and challenging journey for patients and their families. MemoryCare is there every step of the way through our unique model – from assessment and treatment, to on-going support and education.
MemoryCare staff members are ready to help you with a clear path toward the care, support, and education that can transform lives.
MemoryCare’s nonprofit mission is threefold:
MemoryCare will be a model program that provides expert guidance for caregivers, comprehensive treatment for people living with dementia, and education about dementia, caregiving, and healthy aging.
Compassion
Provide a safe, caring environment that demonstrates respect for all individuals.
Excellence
Maintain the highest quality in clinical, supportive, and educational services.
Collaboration
Work with patients, caregivers, staff, and other organizations to enhance services and share knowledge.
Integrity
Act at the highest level of ethical behavior, fiscal responsibility, fairness and accountability.
Accessibility
Ensure that our services remain available to the region as an independent, non-profit organization and a well-established model for others to follow.
MemoryCare was established in June 2000, by Dr. Margaret Noel. Seeing a profound need for better dementia care, she developed our program, integrating medical care with comprehensive support for families and caregivers. Her vision and tireless work for families facing the challenges of dementia has enabled us to help thousands of families over our 25-year history and is the springboard for our future success.
We’re proud of our compassionate, knowledgeable team and the positive impact that we have for Western North Carolina individuals and families traveling the journey of dementia.
Does someone need a referral before they come to MemoryCare?
A referral is highly recommended from a healthcare provider involved in the person’s care. For the best coordination of care, the referral should come from the person’s primary care physician (PCP) if possible. If there is no PCP, we maintain a list of physicians accepting new patients. Clinicians can find the referral form on our Getting Started page. Referrals can be faxed to MemoryCare at 828-771-2634.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
From the time we receive a referral to the date of a scheduled appointment is several weeks to 2 months, depending on the volume of referrals we receive.
If families need assistance sooner than their scheduled appointment, they can schedule a one-time visit with our Care Consultation Program. This is a service for caregivers only. Also available during this time, is our Resource Library, peer caregiver support groups, and enrollment in our Caregiver College.
Can an individual who is having cognitive changes be seen at MemoryCare without having a caregiver who will come to visits?
No. At MemoryCare, along with the person having cognitive issues, family members/caregivers are an integral part of the care team and come to every visit. For the best care of an individual with cognitive impairment, having a family member or caregiver involved is essential. This is what makes MemoryCare different from “usual care.”
There are other physicians and resources available in the community that serve individuals with cognitive impairment by themselves. MemoryCare is the only program in this region that integrates such care. For our model of care, it is necessary for a caregiver to be present at every appointment.
How is MemoryCare funded?
It costs about $2,000 per family, per year for the comprehensive care we provide at MemoryCare. No insurance plan covers the cost of the services provided to the caregiver. Through grants, donations, and endowment income, we raise charitable funds for about 50% of our budget each year. The remaining income comes from program fees including 1) insurance reimbursement for the time a physician is with the person with cognitive impairment, and 2) an annual caregiver membership fee of $695 for services families receive.
If the caregiver membership fee is a hardship for your family, please let the scheduler know when setting up an appointment so arrangements can be made in advance of your visit.
What is the Caregiver Support Services Fee and what does it cover?
Alongside expert medical care for the person with cognitive impairment, we also work with caregivers. MemoryCare helps to ensure that caregivers have the education, training, and support to care for their loved one and keep them as independent as possible for as long as possible. Caregiver involvement is vital, not only for medical decision-making but to ensure that care plans are appropriate and implemented as planned.
The caregiver support services fee covers services for the supportive care, education, and training that caregivers/families receive over a one-year period. These services are an integral part of MemoryCare’s program. They include, but are not limited to, caregiver guidance, use of our library resources, workshops, and our caregiver training and education course.
The caregiver support services fee is necessary in order for our program to provide the quality of services that are appropriate for caregivers of cognitively impaired individuals. Please know that we actively pursue charitable funding so that no family will be left out due to inability to pay. If you need assistance managing this fee, simply let us know. We will gladly work with you to lower or waive the caregiver fee if needed.
How much is the Caregiver Support Services Fee?
The caregiver support services fee is $695 per year and is subject to change. We require a non-refundable $100 deposit when the initial appointment is made. The remaining balance of $595 is due at the first appointment.
For families already enrolled, $695 will be due for re-enrollment annually. A letter will be sent at the anniversary of the initial visit with request for payment or communication of a plan to discontinue the program.
Please let us know if you need assistance managing the caregiver membership fee, and we will make the arrangements. We raise charitable funds to keep this fee at a minimum and to ensure that all with need can be enrolled in MemoryCare.
What type of professionals do you have on staff?
Our care teams consists of a medical doctor and a care manager. We do not have Neurologists, Psychiatrists, or Neuropsychologists on staff. All of our physicians have special training in dementia and have dedicated their careers to the care of older adults with dementia.
What makes MemoryCare different from other Alzheimer’s and dementia supportive services?
MemoryCare is not a residential memory care facility, and we do not provide housing or daily personal care. Instead, we are a nonprofit medical clinic dedicated to supporting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
We provide specialized medical care, support, guidance and comprehensive education, helping individuals and families better understand what to expect and how to plan for the future.
Caregivers are an essential part of our approach. We work closely with family members and care partners, offering resources so that no one has to navigate this journey alone.
Is MemoryCare a non-profit organization?
Yes – and as a nonprofit organization, MemoryCare relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations and charitable foundations to fulfill our mission. Learn more about why we are a charity here.
How can I get involved to support MemoryCare?
To support MemoryCare, use our online donation form – or reach out to Lisa Fort, our director of philanthropy, at [email protected] or by calling 828-771-2219.
Have a heart to volunteer with us? Volunteers are also critical members of our team.
Does MemoryCare make house calls as part of its program?
No, MemoryCare does not make calls to your home. But our team is available at our Asheville and Waynesville locations for by-appointment consultation. And our caregiver resources are available online, 24/7.
Do you have after hours or emergency services?
MemoryCare does not offer after hours or weekend coverage for urgent or emergency medical needs. In between scheduled sessions, we offer support over the phone and via e-mail for the patient and caregivers to address any time-sensitive questions or concerns. If you need immediate urgent assistance outside our business hours, call either the primary care physician after hours contact number or dial 911/emergency medical care system for help.
What geographic region does MemoryCare serve?
We serve Western North Carolina at our primary office on the campus of Givens Estates United Methodist Retirement Community in Asheville. Rural patients living in surrounding counties are served at our satellite clinic in Waynesville, NC (west of Asheville) – hosted by our friends at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center.
Is MemoryCare part of Givens Estates?
MemoryCare is located on the campus of Givens Estates, but it is not part of Givens Estates as an internal program or service of the retirement community. Residence at Givens Estates is not required to be a MemoryCare client.
As a nonprofit organization, MemoryCare relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations and charitable foundations to fulfill our mission. For 25 years, we have worked to deliver personalized and comprehensive care, education and resources to caregivers and their loved ones living with memory impairment.
SECU Center for MemoryCare
100 Far Horizons Lane
Asheville, NC 28803
Monday to Friday
9:00 am to 4:30 pm