Many middle-aged adults and children call Lee's Summit home, but elderly residents age 65 and older make up nearly 12 percent of the city's population. Some of these seniors are among Missouri's 110,000 adults with Alzheimer's disease, while others live with dementia or similar conditions. To meet the needs of these Missourians, approximately 10 memory care facilities are in the Lee's Summit area.
In Missouri, memory care facilities are also called residential care facilities, often shortened to RCFs, and assisted living facilities. Staff who work directly with patients at these facilities must participate in at least three hours of dementia-specific training. This helps health-care workers understand the special needs and behaviors of dementia patients so they can provide appropriate care.