01
Dementia-trained caregivers
Trained in dementia care and in recognizing combat-related stress.
24/7Memory care · Lawton, Oklahoma
He served thirty years. We'll take it from here.
Medicine Bluff is a 36-resident memory care home a few miles from the main gate, where most of our residents, and many of our staff, wore the uniform.
- 36residents in three households
- 70%of residents are veterans or military spouses
- 1998serving Comanche County
Why veterans
Dementia can take a person back to the hardest days. We know what that looks like.
I spent twenty-six years as an Army nurse, the last six at the hospital on post. When I retired, I kept meeting the same families: a sergeant major with Alzheimer's who stood at attention at every doorway, a Vietnam veteran who woke at three every morning sure he was back on watch, a war bride who only spoke German at night.
Medicine Bluff is built for them. Our caregivers are trained in dementia and in the combat stress that can surface with it. We fly the flag every morning, play the songs they marched to, and know how to say 'You're relieved, soldier, you can sleep now' in a way that works. Our business office helps every eligible family apply for VA benefits, and we never rush the paperwork.
— Col. (Ret.) Denise Harlan, RN, executive director
What sets us apart
Where we shine
02
Trauma-informed care plans
We learn each veteran's history, triggers and comforts before move-in.
Included
03
Morning colors
Residents raise the flag at 0800 with a caregiver at their side.
DailyPhoto tour
Life on the Bluff
Sample family reviews
From military families
Dad was a drill sergeant at Fort Sill for nine years. They let him call cadence on the walking path. He hasn't been this happy since before the diagnosis.
My husband woke every night at three, sure he was in Da Nang. Tasha sits with him until he settles. She was a medic; she knows.
Kiana got Mom's Aid and Attendance approved in four months. We'd been stuck for a year on our own.
I'm stationed in Germany. Every Sunday they set up a video call and Dad salutes me through the screen.
Mother was a war bride from Bavaria. A caregiver here learned a German lullaby for her. I don't know how to thank her.
His shadow box hangs by his door: Bronze Star, unit patch, wedding photo. He stops and looks at it every time he walks by.
Veterans Day they took six residents to the parade downtown. Dad wore his VFW cap and saluted every flag that went by.
Colonel Harlan returned my call on a Sunday night. That's the kind of place this is.
Chaplain Odom sat with Granddad the night he passed. We couldn't get there in time, and he wasn't alone. That means everything.
For families
For families
How to stay close, from across town or across the world.
- 01
Video visits
Seven days a week, scheduled around your time zone, with a caregiver helping on our end.
- 02
VA benefits
Our benefits lead will meet with you, gather the paperwork and follow your claim until it's decided.
- 03
Morning colors
0800 every day. Families are welcome to stand with us.
- 04
Support group
Second Tuesday evening, open to any military family in Comanche County.
Insurance & payment
Paying for memory care
Most military families combine several sources. We'll help you sort them out.
Private pay
One all-inclusive monthly rate, no separate level-of-care charges.
VA pension with Aid and Attendance
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who qualify may receive monthly help with the cost of care.
TRICARE for Life and Medicare
Cover doctor visits, therapy and prescriptions, but not room and board.
Oklahoma ADvantage waiver
Some residents qualify for Medicaid-funded assisted living services. Ask about current availability.
- 36residents in three households
- 70%of residents are veterans or military spouses
- 1998serving Comanche County
- 1:6caregivers to residents by day
Rooms & suites
Rooms and suites
Every room is private, with a shadow box by the door for medals, photos or a folded flag.
01
Private room
A full window, a shadow box by the door and room for a favorite recliner.
- Private
- Shadow box
- Bring your own furniture
02
Mountain-view room
Faces west toward the Wichita Mountains and the evening sun.
- Mountain view
- Private
03
Room with private bath
An accessible private bath with a roll-in shower.
- Private bath
- Roll-in shower
04
Companion suite
Two rooms and a shared bath for couples who served, or waited, together.
- Two rooms
- Suits couples
Our team
Our people, many of them veterans too
Col. (Ret.) Denise Harlan, RN
Executive Director
Marisol Peña, RN
Director of Nursing
Dr. James Whitaker
Medical Director
Rev. Samuel Odom
Chaplain
Every person here served something bigger than themselves: a country, a family, a town. We serve them back, with patience, honor and a flag raised every single morning.
Ratings & recognition · sample
- Readers’ Choice · Best Memory Care
- Chamber of Commerce · Small Business of the Year
- Regional Medical Center · Preferred Partner
- Veteran-Friendly Employer · Statewide Recognition
- Area Agency on Aging · Community Partner
- Veterans’ Post · Community Service Award
- Military Spouse Employment Partner
Activities & dining
A week on the Bluff
A sample week. The schedule is posted in every household and sent to families.
Mon
- Morning colors
- Band music hour
Tue
- Garden club
Wed
- Barber day
- Letters home
Thu
- Veterans' coffee
Fri
- Spades tournament
Sat
- Movie: a classic war picture
Sun
- Chapel service
- Family dinner
Now hiring
Veterans and military spouses especially welcome. We'll transfer your training.
Visit
Find us in Lawton
- 4410 NW Medicine Bluff Drive
Lawton, OK
Visitor parking faces the flagpole. The front door is under the purple awning. - (580) 555-0134
- Text us
- frontdesk@medicinebluff.example
- Medicine Bluff Memory Care
Tour & office hours
- Tours, Mon – Sat9a – 5p
- Office, Mon – Fri8a – 5p
- Families visitAny time
Visit any time. Families stationed elsewhere can schedule video visits seven days a week.
Come meet the folks on the Bluff.
Call or text the front desk, or ask for Colonel Harlan by name. She'll walk you through the house and the VA paperwork.