Brookdale Wilmington, located in Wilmington, North Carolina, is an assisted living and memory care community dedicated to providing specialized support for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The community is situated less than five miles from New Hanover Regional Medical Center and is conveniently close to local shopping, restaurants, and area attractions, offering residents and visiting families easy access to the wider Wilmington area. The design of Brookdale Wilmington focuses on safety and comfort, featuring secured entrances, monitored exits, and enclosed courtyards that allow residents to enjoy outdoor spaces safely.
Primary services at this facility include comprehensive assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating, dressing, grooming, and toileting, tailored to each resident’s needs. The community provides 24-hour, on-site trained staff and licensed nurses who handle medication management and health monitoring, ensuring prompt attention to health concerns. Brookdale Wilmington utilizes the Clare Bridge memory care program, which incorporates a person-centered approach and consistent daily structure to comfort residents and reduce anxiety. Specialized care plans are created in collaboration with families and regularly updated.
The environment is designed to promote familiarity and ease for those with cognitive impairments. Hallways and common areas feature way-finding cues, soft lighting, and calming colors to help residents feel at home. There are secure, beautifully landscaped outdoor courtyards and walking paths, as well as indoor gathering spaces, including a fireside living room and a family-style dining area. The community also offers maintenance and housekeeping services, laundry, and utilities, eliminating daily burdens for residents.
Amenities available at Brookdale Wilmington are diverse and support both wellness and engagement. Dining services feature chef-prepared meals served restaurant-style, with dietary accommodations and familiar, nutritious menus that encourage healthy eating habits. Residents participate in the award-winning Brookdale “Dining With G.R.A.C.E.” program, which emphasizes individualized attention and social interaction during meals. There is a full-service, on-site beauty salon and barbershop, scheduled transportation for medical appointments or outings, and access to therapy services as needed.
A robust calendar of organized social and recreational activities is tailored specifically for memory care residents, utilizing Brookdale’s signature Clare Bridge Daily Path program. This includes six scheduled activities per day, featuring options such as gardening in the enclosed courtyards, gentle group exercise sessions, arts and crafts, music and pet therapy, reminiscence groups, and the use of therapeutic objects like dolls and sensory items. Life skills stations are set up throughout the community to spark memories and encourage engagement with familiar tasks, such as folding laundry or caring for baby dolls. Faith-based services and intergenerational programs with local schools are also offered.
Accommodations at Brookdale Wilmington include private and companion suites with accessible bathrooms, emergency response systems, and large windows for natural light. Residents are encouraged to personalize their living spaces with their own furnishings and cherished items. Each suite is equipped for safety and comfort, with housekeeping and linen service provided.
Family and resident feedback often highlights the staff’s compassion, knowledge, and attentiveness, as well as the clean and secure setting and the emphasis on safety and professional emergency response. The administration is typically described as involved and supportive of resident socialization efforts. However, there are concerns cited in some reviews regarding occasional unresponsiveness or disrespect from staff, facility maintenance challenges, communication gaps with administration, and the high cost of care. While most reports emphasize thorough and thoughtful programming for those with memory challenges, some families have raised serious complaints regarding staff conduct and physical safety, which may warrant further inquiry by prospective residents and their families. As of mid-2024, there have been no major updates or changes reported for Brookdale Wilmington.
Costs at this community start at $4,140 and range up to $7,665. The average price in the community is $6,585, which is more than the average price in the area of $5,079. The cost of memory care in this area is essentially the same as the cost throughout the state. If the resident needs other services, additional services may increase the monthly cost.
