Cherry Hills Assisted Living and Memory Care: Location, Services, and What to Expect

Cherry Hills Assisted Living and Memory Care is a residential community located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, that serves older adults who need help with daily activities and those living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The facility offers two main levels of care: assisted living for people who need support with tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management, and memory care for residents whose cognitive decline requires specialized programming and supervision.

The community operates as a private-pay facility, meaning residents or their families pay directly for services rather than through government insurance programs like Medicaid (though some residents may use Medicaid after spending down assets, depending on the facility's current policies). Understanding what Cherry Hills offers, what it costs, and how to move forward with a visit or placement requires knowing the specific details of their programs and the practical steps involved.

Key Takeaways

  • Cherry Hills offers both assisted living and memory care units, so the right fit depends on whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks or specialized dementia care.
  • The facility is private-pay, meaning you will pay out-of-pocket unless you have long-term care insurance or meet specific Medicaid rules after asset depletion.
  • Memory care units typically include secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and activities designed for cognitive decline, which differ significantly from standard assisted living.
  • Visiting the community in person, reviewing the current resident agreement, and understanding what is and is not covered by the monthly fee are essential before committing.
  • Placement timelines vary; some communities have waiting lists while others can move residents in within weeks, so asking about current availability matters.

Assisted Living Versus Memory Care at Cherry Hills

Cherry Hills operates two distinct programs. Assisted living serves residents who can make decisions about their care and need help with activities like bathing, dressing, toileting, and medication reminders. Staff are present but residents typically have more independence and choice in their daily routines. Assisted living residents may attend community activities, manage their own schedules, and have visitors without restriction.

Memory care is designed for residents with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other cognitive conditions that affect judgment and safety. These units are typically secured (residents cannot leave without staff awareness), and the environment, activities, and staffing are tailored to the needs of people with memory loss. Memory care staff receive specialized training in dementia communication and behavior management. The daily structure is more controlled, and activities focus on engagement rather than choice.

The choice between the two depends on your loved one's current cognitive status and ability to live safely with reminders and supervision. If your loved one still understands their situation and can follow directions, assisted living may be appropriate. If they wander, forget where they are, or cannot remember to take medications even with reminders, memory care is usually the better fit.

Monthly Costs and What Is Typically Included

Cherry Hills' monthly fees vary based on the level of care, the specific unit or room type, and services selected. Assisted living costs differ from memory care costs, and private rooms cost more than shared rooms. Because pricing changes and depends on current occupancy and staffing levels, the facility publishes rates that may shift seasonally or annually.

A typical monthly fee covers room and board, meals, basic information with activities of daily living, medication management, and access to community activities. What is not always included—and what you must ask about—are extra services such as specialized wound care, physical therapy, transportation outside the facility, personal care supplies, or additional staffing for behavioral needs. Some families are surprised to learn that incontinence supplies, specialized diets, or one-on-one supervision cost extra.

Before committing, request a detailed fee schedule and a sample resident agreement. Ask specifically: What is included in the base monthly rate? What services cost extra? Are there additional charges if your loved one's care needs increase? What happens if they need to move from assisted living to memory care—is there a transfer fee? Understanding these details prevents financial surprises later.

Paying for Cherry Hills: Private Pay, Insurance, and Medicaid

Cherry Hills is a private-pay community, which means the primary payment method is out-of-pocket funds or long-term care insurance. If your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, contact the insurer to confirm that Cherry Hills is an approved provider and what the policy covers (some policies cover assisted living but not memory care, or vice versa).

Some residents eventually transition to Medicaid after their personal assets fall below the state threshold. New Jersey does have Medicaid programs that cover nursing home and assisted living care, but not all assisted living facilities accept Medicaid, and the process of "spending down" to Medicaid may be able to access is complex and involves strict rules about asset transfers. If you think Medicaid might eventually be part of the plan, speak with a Medicaid planner or elder law attorney before placing your loved one, because some decisions made now can affect Medicaid may be able to access later.

Veterans and their spouses may also be may be able to access for Aid and Attendance benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which can help offset assisted living costs. This is a separate program from Medicaid and has its own rules, so it is worth exploring if military service is part of your family history.

The Admission Process and What to Prepare

Admission to Cherry Hills typically begins with a tour and an initial conversation with the admissions coordinator. You will discuss your loved one's care needs, medical history, medications, and behavioral or cognitive concerns. The facility will then determine whether they can meet those needs and whether a bed is currently available.

Once you decide to move forward, you will need to provide medical records, a current medication list, proof of vaccinations (especially flu and COVID-19, as most facilities require these), and emergency contact information. Some facilities also require a physician's sign-off confirming that the person is appropriate for the level of care offered. You will review and sign a resident agreement, which outlines fees, house rules, what happens if care needs change, and the facility's discharge or transfer policies.

The timeline from first tour to move-in can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on availability and how quickly you gather documents. If your loved one is currently in a hospital or rehabilitation facility, the social worker there can often help coordinate the transition and may have relationships with Cherry Hills staff that speed the process.

Questions to Ask During a Visit

When you tour Cherry Hills, go with a list of specific questions. Ask about staffing ratios (how many residents per staff member during day and night shifts), staff turnover rates, and whether caregivers receive dementia training. Ask about the activities program: what happens on a typical day, how often activities are offered, and whether your loved one can participate in activities outside the facility.

Ask about medical services: Is there a nurse on-site 24/7? Can the facility manage complex medications or wound care? What happens if your loved one has a fall or medical emergency—do they call 911, or do they have protocols for handling common issues? Ask about visiting policies, whether family can bring in outside food, and what happens if your loved one wants to leave or if their behavior becomes difficult to manage.

Ask to speak with current residents or family members if possible. Many facilities have family councils or allow you to contact families directly. Hearing from people already living there or whose relatives live there gives you a sense of day-to-day reality that no tour can fully convey.

Memory Care Specifics: Environment, Programming, and Safety

If you are considering Cherry Hills' memory care unit specifically, understand what makes it different from assisted living. Memory care units are secured, meaning exterior doors are locked and residents cannot leave without staff. This is a safety measure for people who may wander and become lost or injured.

The physical environment is usually designed to reduce confusion: consistent layouts, clear signage, familiar objects, and minimal clutter. Staff use techniques like validation (accepting the person's reality rather than correcting them) and redirection (gently moving them toward a different activity if they are upset). Activities are often repetitive and sensory—music, art, gardening, or straightforward crafts—rather than cognitively demanding.

Ask about the facility's approach to behavioral changes, medication use, and end-of-life care. Some memory care units use antipsychotic medications to manage difficult behaviors; others prioritize non-medication approaches first. Understand the facility's philosophy and whether it aligns with your values and your loved one's wishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cherry Hills accept Medicaid?

Cherry Hills is primarily a private-pay facility. Some residents may transition to Medicaid after spending down their assets, but policies vary. Contact the admissions office directly to ask about current Medicaid acceptance and any restrictions (for example, some facilities accept Medicaid for assisted living but not memory care, or vice versa).

What happens if my loved one's care needs increase after admission?

If someone in assisted living develops cognitive decline or behavioral issues that require memory care, the facility may offer a transfer to the memory care unit if space is available. Ask during admission what the transfer process looks like, whether there is an additional fee, and what happens if memory care is full and no bed is available.

Can I visit whenever I want?

Most assisted living and memory care facilities allow family visits during reasonable hours, though policies vary. Some facilities restrict visiting during meal times or activities, and memory care units may have additional rules to protect residents' routines. Ask about the specific visiting policy and whether you can arrange visits outside standard hours if needed.

What if my loved one wants to leave or I want to move them out?

Resident agreements typically specify notice periods (often 30 days) and whether there are penalties for early departure. In memory care, the facility may also have a discharge policy if they determine they can no longer meet the resident's needs safely. Understand these terms before signing so there are no surprises if circumstances change.

How do I know if memory care is the right choice versus assisted living?

If your loved one has a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's, or if they are showing signs of memory loss, confusion about time or place, or unsafe judgment, memory care is usually appropriate. Assisted living works better for people who understand their situation and can follow reminders. The admissions team can help assess this, but you can also ask for a trial period or a reassessment after a few weeks to confirm the right fit.