Alzheimer & memory care residences in Montréal
Last updated: August 3, 2026
Choosing a residence for a loved one living with Alzheimer's or another neurocognitive disorder ranks among the hardest decisions a family will ever have to make. This guide walks you through it: what to check, the right questions to ask, and how to weigh your options across Montréal.
Which RPA category for cognitive disorders?
In Québec, every certified private senior residence (RPA) is assigned one of 4 categories, based on the range of services it is authorized to provide:
- Cat. 3 — Supervision and personal care — For mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer's. Staff trained in cognitive disorders, coded anti-wandering doors available in some facilities, adapted activities (memory workshops, music therapy).
- Cat. 4 — Intensive nursing care — For moderate to advanced stages. 24/7 nursing, fully secured dedicated Alzheimer units, physicians on-site or visiting regularly, palliative care available.
Worth noting: when a person's significant loss of autonomy calls for care that exceeds what an RPA can deliver, intermediate resources (IR) are another route worth considering.
Key criteria to evaluate during a visit
- Physical safety — coded secured doors (anti-wandering), exit alarms, location bracelets, fenced outdoor spaces
- Staff training — how many employees are trained in Alzheimer care? Is there a gerontology-specialist nurse?
- Staff-to-resident ratio — nights and weekends are critical. Ask for the exact ratio for each shift
- Adapted activity program — are activities truly designed for cognitive disorders (not just bingo)? Music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, sensory workshops?
- Care philosophy — how do they manage difficult behaviours (agitation, wandering)? Gentle or chemical approach (medication)?
- Family involvement — unrestricted visits? Regular meetings with the care team?
Residences with Alzheimer units in Montréal by neighbourhood
Manoir Saint-Joseph
54 rooms specialized in cognitive deficits and Alzheimer's. Nursing care, attendants 24h, memory workshops.
View Ahuntsic →Le Manoir Outremont (Cogir)
350 units, specialized Alzheimer unit, 24h security, nurses on-site.
View Outremont →Manoir Claudette Barré
Alzheimer unit with coded doors, nursing care and 24h assistance.
View Hochelaga →Villa Belle Époque
50 specialized rooms. Mild Alzheimer's, convalescence and short stays accepted.
View Rosemont →Résidence L'Alto (Horizon)
40 dedicated care beds including a memory care unit. Bilingual FR/EN.
View Ville-Saint-Laurent →Héritage Plateau (Horizon)
Complete Alzheimer unit in a century-old building in the heart of the Plateau.
View Plateau →Frequently asked questions
Which RPA category for a loved one with Alzheimer's?
For mild to moderate stages: RPA Cat. 3 with a secured unit. For advanced stages with difficult behaviours or severe incontinence: RPA Cat. 4 or an intermediate resource. Our advisor can assess the appropriate level based on your loved one's situation.
How much does an Alzheimer unit cost in Montréal?
Residences with Alzheimer units in Montréal typically cost between $3,000 and $5,500/month in a private RPA. Public CHSLDs are free or low-cost but waitlists are long (18–24 months on average). Private Cat. 4 residences offer faster access but at personal expense.
Can my loved one stay in the residence as the disease progresses?
This depends on the residence. Some offer a continuum of care (Cat. 1 through Cat. 4 in the same facility), allowing residents to stay without moving. Others have a maximum capacity — ask clearly in advance up to what stage they can accompany the resident.
Next step
Our advisor keeps close track of the Montréal residences with the strongest Alzheimer units — their care philosophy, their staffing ratios, and which spots are open right now. Reach out for a recommendation tailored to your situation, free and with no obligation.
Speak with our advisor
Describe the stage of the disease, preferred neighbourhood and budget. Our advisor identifies the best option — free of charge, within 24 hours.
Key takeaways
- Category matches the stage — RPA Cat. 3 suits mild to moderate stages (supervision and personal care), while RPA Cat. 4 is for moderate to advanced stages, with 24/7 nursing and fully secured dedicated Alzheimer units.
- Budget in a private RPA — an Alzheimer unit in Montréal typically runs between $3,000 and $5,500/month; public CHSLDs are free or low-cost but come with waitlists of 18 to 24 months on average.
- What to check on a visit — physical safety (coded anti-wandering doors, exit alarms, location bracelets), staff training in Alzheimer care, the staff-to-resident ratio on nights and weekends, and activities genuinely designed for cognitive disorders.
- As the disease progresses — ask in advance up to what stage the residence can accompany your loved one; some facilities offer a continuum of care (Cat. 1 through Cat. 4) that avoids a move.