Advancing Excellence in Dementia Care
NCCDP's Memory Care Excellence Network
The Memory Care Excellence Network (MCEN) recognizes and supports long-term care organizations committed to excellence in dementia care. Joining connects your organization with memory care leaders working to improve 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 improve care quality across the industry.
- Receive the Memory Care Seal of Excellence:Showcase your organization's commitment to excellence in dementia care with our highly regarded Seal of Excellence.
-
Exclusive NCCDP Memory Care Industry Report 2025:Access an in-depth industry analysis highlighting trends, best practices, and opportunities in memory care, based on data collected from MCEN
member organizations.
The MCEN Application Process
- 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
NCCDP collects basic community data 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 care 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.
- A site visit or neighborhood tour, conducted either in-person or virtually
MCEN 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 and info requests (e.g., quality metrics, staffing info)
- Total number of full-time caregivers (excluding short-term/contract staff)
- Number of CDPs or CMDCPTs on your full-time care team (excluding short-term/contract staff). At least 50% of full-time care staff must be certified to qualify.
- Education efforts: 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, provided within a structured, secure setting like a dedicated neighborhood or a standalone community. It focuses on safety, activities of daily living (ADLs), person-centered support, and engagement programs designed to maintain cognitive function and quality of life.
Are memory care facilities covered by insurance?
Memory care communities 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 communities 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 is the difference between memory care and dementia care?
Memory care is a specialized setting (a dedicated neighborhood or community) 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 community, 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.
