With close to 164,000 residents, Kent County, Rhode Island, is the second most populous county in the state. Roughly 18.4 percent of these residents aged 65 and older, and may be among the 438,000 Rhode Island seniors impacted by Alzheimer's disease.Â
To serve this demographic, specialized memory care services are available through Alzheimer’s dementia special care units, six of which are available throughout the county. In Kent County, and throughout Rhode Island, these facilities are licensed by the Department of Health, Office of Residences Regulation.
- In terms of violent crime, Kent County receives a rating of 9.5 out of 100, with 100 representing high crime, which is far lower than the U.S. national average of 22.7. Property crime is also lower than the national rate, scoring 23.5, compared to 35.4. This may offer family members peace of mind about the safety of loved ones with dementia.
- At 113.2, the overall cost of living in Kent County is higher than the U.S. national average of 100, though it is slightly lower than the state average. Housing and transportation costs are the largest contributing factors, something families might want to consider when budgeting for memory care services.
- The Kent County area is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Kent Hospital, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
- Kent County has a very humid climate, and while summers are warm, they are short. Winters can be quite cold, with temperatures in the 20s, and the area sees around 34 inches of snow each year. When visiting a facility, family members might want to consider inquiring about the measures they take to ensure residents are safe in cold conditions.
Note:Â Data reported on this page was updated in 2019 and based on the latest 2018 figures.Â