When it’s time for long-term nursing or memory care, River Garden offers more than care – it offers home.
Compassionate, Personal Care
River Garden provides a welcoming, residential setting for individuals with ongoing personal care and medical needs. Residents enjoy private and semi-private rooms, inviting common spaces and easy access to the outdoors, all designed to feel like home.
Our interdisciplinary team blends clinical excellence with a focus on quality of life—delivering personalized, culturally sensitive care that honors each resident’s physical, cognitive and emotional well-being.
Memory Care for People with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
River Garden’s Memory Care unit provides a secure, therapeutic environment for those with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Residents benefit from:
- A secured unit with a Wander Protection system
- Structured, dementia-specific activities and social programs
- Access to a secure, private outdoor terrace
River Garden is a certified Medicare and Medicaid provider and a licensed skilled nursing facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living?
A nursing home — also called a skilled nursing facility — provides 24-hour licensed nursing care for residents with medical needs that require continuous clinical oversight. This includes wound care, IV therapy, complex medication management and rehabilitation. Assisted living provides personal care assistance — help with bathing, dressing and medication reminders — in a more residential setting and is appropriate for individuals who do not require continuous clinical nursing supervision. River Garden is a licensed skilled nursing facility, not an assisted living community. If you are uncertain which level of care is appropriate for a specific situation, River Garden’s admissions team can help you understand the clinical criteria.
How do I begin the admissions process?
Contact River Garden’s admissions team at 904.260.1818 to begin a conversation. The team will discuss the specific situation, review any medical documentation, and guide the family through each step of the process. For hospital discharges, River Garden works directly with hospital case managers and discharge planners to coordinate same-day admissions when needed.
Does River Garden serve people of all faiths?
Yes. River Garden serves people of all faiths and backgrounds. While River Garden is a Jewish agency and maintains an environment supportive of Jewish identity and values, the vast majority of residents and services reflect the full diversity of the Jacksonville community.
What is skilled nursing care at River Garden?
Skilled nursing care at River Garden in Jacksonville, Florida provides 24-hour clinical support from licensed nurses for people who need ongoing medical care, rehabilitation or help with daily activities. It is often the right setting after a hospital stay or when long-term nursing support is needed. Residents live in private and semi-private rooms and have access to personalized therapy programs and daily social programs.
What makes long-term nursing care at River Garden different?
Long-term nursing care at River Garden in Jacksonville is built around each resident’s routines and personal goals. Every care plan addresses physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, and residents choose how they spend the day. Families receive regular updates and are included in care decisions.
When is it time to consider skilled nursing care?
Skilled nursing care at River Garden in Jacksonville may be appropriate when a health condition begins to affect strength, mobility, memory or the ability to manage daily life safely. Common signs include:
- Needing help with bathing, dressing or eating
- Needing help transferring from a bed or chair
- Requiring medication management, wound care or regular medical oversight
- Frequent falls or repeat hospitalizations
- Growing caregiver concern at home
The River Garden Admissions team can review the situation with a family and recommend the appropriate next step. Call (904) 260-1818.
Does River Garden accept Medicare and Medicaid?
River Garden in Jacksonville, Florida is a certified Medicare and Medicaid provider. Coverage for a specific resident depends on eligibility, so the River Garden Admissions Office reviews each case. Call (904) 260-1818.
Is there an opening for long-term care at River Garden?
Long-term care placement at River Garden in Jacksonville depends on availability and may involve a waitlist. Availability changes, so contact the River Garden Admissions Office for current openings and to request a long-term care application. There is no application fee. Call (904) 260-1818.
What is respite care at River Garden?
Respite care at River Garden in Jacksonville is a planned short stay that gives a family caregiver a break. The person receives the same nursing support, meals and daily programs as a long-term resident. Respite care is arranged through the River Garden Admissions Office at (904) 260-1818.
When is memory care needed for someone living with dementia?
Memory care at River Garden in Jacksonville may be appropriate when a person living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia needs more supervision than can be provided at home. Common signs include disorientation, wandering, safety concerns and a growing need for help with daily activities. Memory care at River Garden provides a secure environment, specially trained staff and structured daily activities designed to support comfort, dignity and quality of life.
Is memory care at River Garden a secured unit?
Memory care at River Garden in Jacksonville is a secured, therapeutic unit for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The unit uses a Wander Protection system and includes dementia-specific activities, social programs and a secure private outdoor terrace.
What is the difference between memory care and skilled nursing care at River Garden?
Memory care at River Garden is built around cognitive change, while skilled nursing care is built around medical need. Memory care provides a secure environment, staff trained in dementia support and structured activities for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Skilled nursing care provides 24-hour nursing support for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery, or living with a chronic condition. Both are available on the River Garden campus in Jacksonville as a person’s needs can change over time.
Does River Garden have visiting hours?
River Garden in Jacksonville does not have set visiting hours, and visitors are welcome at any time. All visitors check in at the Guardhouse on arrival, which keeps the campus safe and secure.