Advancing Excellence in Dementia Care
NCCDP's Memory Care Excellence Network
The Memory Care Excellence Network (MCEN) is designed to recognize and support long-term care organizations that are committed to best-in-class memory care standards. Join the leaders in memory care and be part of the change in improving resident outcomes and staff competence.
Current Members of the Memory Care Excellence Network
How to Join MCEN
Benefits of Joining MCEN
- Contribute to Research & Memory Care Best Practices:Shape the future of dementia care by participating in advanced research and the development of best-practice standards that will improve care quality across the industry.
- Receive the Memory Care Seal of Excellence:Showcase your organization’s commitment to dementia care with our highly regarded Seal of Excellence, signaling superior standards.
- Exclusive NCCDP Memory Care Industry Report 2025:Access an in-depth industry analysis that highlights trends, best-practices, and opportunities within memory care. The report will be largely based on research and data collected from the Memory Care Excellence Network constituent members.
How to Join MCEN
- Eligibility Confirmation:Ensure your organization meets basic eligibility requirements. See below for more information.
- Participate In The Application Process:Complete the necessary assessments and submit your organization's information for evaluation.
- Acceptance:Organizations that meet our standards will be accepted into the network and awarded the Memory Care Seal of Excellence.
- Organizations:Organizations can certify an entire community or a memory care neighborhood, whether standalone or within a community.
How to Confirm Your Eligibility
Basic eligibility requirements:
- Form will send to: NCCDPOffice@NCCDP.org
- Subject line: “MCEN Eligibility – (Name of Your Organization)” (Fill box)
- Name of your NCCDP corporate group administrator. (Fill box)
- Name of trainer CADDCT(s) or Montessori trainer CMDCPT(s) at your building (if different from the corporate group administrator) (Fill box)
- Data collection contact (who on your team handles compliance-related data/info requests (i.e., quality metrics, staffing info, etc.) (Fill box)
- Will you be certifying your entire community or a memory care neighborhood? (radio)
- Total number of full-time caregivers (excluding short-term/contract staff) (Fill box) – only fill out for caregivers related to the community/neighborhood you are certifying.
- Number of CDPs or CMDCPTs on your full-time caregiving team (excluding short-term/contract staff) (drop-down numbers) – only fill out for caregivers related to the community/neighborhood you are certifying.
- 50% of full-time caregivers must hold NCCDP certifications to qualify.
- Education Efforts: Briefly describe who in your organization receives education on Alzheimer’s and related dementias? (Fill box)
- Issues/Deficiencies: Has your facility had any dementia-related deficiencies in the past 12 months? If yes, explain. (check box, fill box)
- We understand staffing levels may fluctuate during the year but continued annual eligibility reviews will be based on the above criteria.
What to Expect when you Apply
Data collection
- NCCDP collects basic community data that is randomized and included in our MCEN Annual Report to demonstrate what sets apart best-in-class memory care, including:
- Detailed residential or home-based survey, to be completed by Administration
- SCIDS (Staff Competence in Dementia Care) Surveys to be filled out by all caregiving staff in the certifying community
- Data collection agreement – data collected may vary from year to year based on MCEN goals, but will be drawn from commonly collected data on pharmacology, falls, hospitalizations, etc. All data is randomized and aggregated for inclusion in the MCEN annual report.
- Site visit/Neighborhood tour – may be conducted in-person or virtually.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a cost to apply? No – MCEN is currently available at no cost to applicants; our only goal is to demonstrate best practices and outcomes in memory care.
- What if I don’t meet the training staff requirements? NCCDP will work with you to develop a staff training program tailored to your needs.
- What if I don’t have a CADDCT on staff? NCCDP will work with you on a train-the-trainer program to benefit your community. Having a trainer available to staff is key to caregiver support.
- Can I certify an entire multi-community organization? Yes! NCCDP will work with you to ensure goals are achieved.
Benefits of Joining MCEN
- Contribute to Research & Memory Care Best Practices:Shape the future of dementia care by participating in advanced research and the development of best-practice standards that will improve care quality across the industry.
- Receive the Memory Care Seal of Excellence:Showcase your organization’s commitment to dementia care with our highly regarded Seal of Excellence, signaling superior standards.
- Exclusive NCCDP Memory Care Industry Report 2025:Access an in-depth industry analysis that highlights trends, best-practices, and opportunities within memory care. The report will be largely based on research and data collected from the Memory Care Excellence Network constituent members.
How to Join MCEN
- Eligibility Confirmation:Ensure your organization meets basic eligibility requirements. See below for more information.
- Participate In The Application Process:Complete the necessary assessments and submit your organization's information for evaluation.
- Acceptance:Organizations that meet our standards will be accepted into the network and awarded the Memory Care Seal of Excellence.
- Organizations:Organizations can certify an entire community or a memory care neighborhood, whether standalone or within a community.
What to Expect when you Apply
Data collection
- NCCDP collects basic community data that is randomized and included in our MCEN Annual Report to demonstrate what sets apart best-in-class memory care, including:
- Detailed residential or home-based survey, to be completed by Administration
- SCIDS (Staff Competence in Dementia Care) Surveys to be filled out by all caregiving staff in the certifying community
- Data collection agreement – data collected may vary from year to year based on MCEN goals, but will be drawn from commonly collected data on pharmacology, falls, hospitalizations, etc. All data is randomized and aggregated for inclusion in the MCEN annual report.
- Site visit/Neighborhood tour – may be conducted in-person or virtually.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a cost to apply? No – MCEN is currently available at no cost to applicants; our only goal is to demonstrate best practices and outcomes in memory care.
- What if I don’t meet the training staff requirements? NCCDP will work with you to develop a staff training program tailored to your needs.
- What if I don’t have a CADDCT on staff? NCCDP will work with you on a train-the-trainer program to benefit your community. Having a trainer available to staff is key to caregiver support.
- Can I certify an entire multi-community organization? Yes! NCCDP will work with you to ensure goals are achieved.
Apply Today
What you will need to apply:
- Name of your NCCDP corporate group administrator.
- Name of trainer CADDCT(s) or Montessori trainer CMDCPT(s) at your building (if different from the corporate group administrator)
- Data collection contact (who on your team handles compliance-related data / info requests (i.e. quality metrics, staffing info, etc.)
- Total number of full-time caregivers (excluding short-term/contract staff)
- Number of CDPs or CMDCPTs on your full-time caregiving team (excluding short-term/contract staff). In order to be eligible, you will need 50% of full-time caregiving staff certified to qualify.
- Education Efforts: Briefly describe who in your organization receives education on Alzheimer’s and related dementias?
- Issues/Deficiencies: Provide details of any issues and/or deficiencies that your organization has faced in the last 12 months of surveys or other regulatory evaluations.
Apply Today
- Step 1
- Step 2
Benefits of Joining
- Contribute to Research & Memory Care Best Practices:Shape the future of dementia care by participating in advanced research and the development of best-practice standards that will improve care quality across the industry.
- Receive the Memory Care Seal of Excellence:Showcase your organization’s commitment to dementia care with our highly regarded Seal of Excellence, signaling superior standards.
- Exclusive NCCDP Memory Care Industry Report 2025:Access an in-depth industry analysis that highlights trends, best-practices, and opportunities within memory care. The report will be largely based on research and data collected from the Memory Care Excellence Network constituent members.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to Your Memory Care Network Questions
Click through the drop-down list to find the details you need about eligibility, the application process, requirements, and joining MCEN.
What exactly is memory care?
Memory care is specialized care for people living with dementia or memory loss, typically provided in a structured, secure setting. It focuses on person-centered support, daily living assistance, safety, and activities designed to maintain cognitive function and quality of life.
Are memory care facilities covered by insurance?
Memory care facilities are not usually fully covered by insurance, but some costs may be partially covered.
Medicare and most health insurance plans typically cover medical services related to dementia, but they do not pay for long-term memory care or room and board.
Medicaid may cover certain care services (and sometimes full nursing home care), while long-term care insurance is the most common option for covering memory care costs.
In most cases, families combine insurance with personal funds or other financial assistance to cover the full cost.
What comes after memory care?
After memory care, the next level of support is typically skilled nursing care, where individuals receive 24/7 medical supervision and more advanced clinical support. The transition depends on the progression of the condition and the need for higher-level medical care.
What do memory care facilities cost?
Memory care facilities typically cost between $4,000 and $11,000 per month, with a national average around $6,000–$8,000 per month, depending on location and level of care.
Costs vary based on factors like care needs, facility type, and region, but most pricing includes housing, meals, supervision, and specialized dementia care services.
When should someone move to memory care?
Memory care should be considered when a person’s dementia progresses to the point where they need consistent supervision, structured support, and increased safety.
Common signs include wandering, frequent confusion, difficulty with daily tasks, or when care needs exceed what can be safely managed at home.
What's memory care?
Memory care is specialized support for individuals living with dementia or memory loss, provided in a secure, structured setting. It focuses on person-centered care, daily assistance, safety, and activities that help maintain cognitive function and quality of life.
What is the difference between memory care and dementia care?
Memory care is a specialized setting (a dedicated unit or facility) designed for people living with dementia or memory loss. Dementia care, by contrast, refers to the approach and services used to support them, which can be delivered in a memory care facility, at home, or in any number of other care environments.
What are memory care activities?
Memory care activities are structured activities designed to support cognitive function, engagement, and emotional well-being for people living with dementia.
They often include music, reminiscence, simple games, light exercise, and routine-based tasks that promote familiarity and independence.
