When your loved one needs memory care in San Diego, California, rest assured that you can help them find their ideal community. San Diego has it all, from beachfront living in an intimate memory care neighborhood to living in a multilevel care community. You can find this variety and more among our 26 partner memory care communities that are all within a 10-mile radius of the San Diego city center.
San Diego memory care communities are a specially designed type of assisted living facility. They provide specialized therapies and caregivers to help seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, in addition to assistance with activities of daily living. This all-inclusive guide to San Diego memory care can help you understand the cost of care, ways that families pay for memory care, local laws and regulations, and what to expect from senior-specific San Diego resources.
My mom only got to experience about eight weeks at St. Paul's memory care. During that short stay the staff showed dedication and commitment and took the time to know her personality and find things that...
The staff provides quality care in a professional manner. The staff is outstanding. I am grateful to this facility for their continued consistent respectful care for the patients and inclusion of the family.
Deciding to entrust your family member to strangers is a big leap of faith, regardless of situation or cost. I visit Monarch regularly and see how our mom is treated. I've seen my mom open up and re-engage...
The meals and dining service has been excellent, and they have really great activities for us to participate in. Based on my experience so far I would recommend the White Sands community to others.
My Dad was so well cared for here. He loved his staff, loved the delicious food, and thought his apartment overlooking the open space in Santa Luz was so nice. He loved to look out his windows at the view....
The place is new which is a plus. Staff are friendly and I think are over worked. I think it is hard to get staffing for retirement communities so they see a bit short staffed. we appreciate the flexibility...
After I retired, my daughter felt it was important for her to live nearby in case my wife and I might need some assistance. That was nice of her, but I was disappointed to find out later that she had turned...
Most of the staff was fantastic. She really liked them and I did too. I interacted with the physical therapists, and the nurses and doctors. They were very good about communication. They doted on her, and if...
Our Dad spent 5 1/2 years at Nazareth House. During that time, we visited almost every. We observed interaction between many caregivers and residents. From not only our experience with Dad but others, the...
Two relatives have lived there for a length of time (at different times). They were both happy there. One played the piano for residents. The main building is an older home, kept up well. Residents can feel...
Everybody's very attentive. It's definitely an excellent price for the services they provide. My mom is in the independent living section. They definitely keep people involved with activities. They have...
I love this place and my Mom does too! My sister who lives in Oregon has visited and likes it too. I never worry about my mom anymore. They don't call constantlly like the other place my mom was in. The...
This community is great for me as it is close to the ocean and within walking distance to La Jolla Village. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food is good and they offer a good variety. The community...
We have been very pleased with this community since my father moved in. We were initially drawn in by the fact that it does not feel like a normal institution or senior living community. It is almost like a...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders San Diego community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Between 2022 and 2023, the average costs that families paid for A Place for Mom’s partner San Diego memory care facilities was $5,989 per month. This average cost includes room and board, care services, community fees, and service add-ons.
The cost of memory care near San Diego can vary depending on the location, floor plan, and specific amenities. You can find typical memory care services, amenities, and add-ons or fees below:
The chart below includes starting costs for San Diego memory care. Please note that starting costs don’t typically reflect all of the items in the cost breakdown above.
Personal income, veterans benefits, and state and federal programs can be used to cover memory care costs. We’ve organized information on each payment method and included lists of helpful resources to guide you through eligibility criteria and application processes.
Some families use their personal finances to begin covering memory care costs. These payment options can include savings accounts, pensions, investment returns, Social Security benefits, and any of the choices below.
Note: Check with your loved one’s long-term care policy provider to understand whether memory care may be covered.
Senior veterans in San Diego can use a variety of veteran services programs. California’s program, CalVet, helps seniors access a Veterans Benefit Enhancement Program (or VBE). The VBE gives seniors the tools to transition from Medi-Cal to VA health care.
Once a senior enrolls in VA health care, they can enroll in the Veterans Pension program. A VA pension provides monthly income that can be used to cover the costs of memory care. Your loved one must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a VA pension:
The senior must also meet at least one of the following:
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit may be available to your loved one if they’re a veteran with a disability. This benefit distributes monthly payments that can be combined with a VA pension to cover some of the senior’s memory care expenses.
A senior veteran must be enrolled in VA health care, receive a VA pension, and meet at least one of the following requirements:
The Housebound allowance is another option for seniors who are enrolled in VA health care. This benefit can also be used alongside a VA pension, and it can help seniors with disabilities pay for necessary in-home care. To receive the Housebound allowance, a senior must meet the following requirements:
Seniors can apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit or the Housebound allowance if they’ve received acknowledgement from the VA that they need daily assistance or in-home care. It’s important to note that seniors can’t use the Aid and Attendance benefit and the Housebound allowance at the same time. You can apply for either the Aid and Attendance benefit or the Housebound allowance by downloading and completing the VA Form 21-2680.
Applying for VA benefits and waiting for approval can be a lengthy and difficult process. Use the following resources for assistance:
Approximate number of veterans who live in San Diego, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of veterans in San Diego who are over the age of 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Resources for San Diego veterans
San Diego VA Regional Benefit Office — public contact offices
8810 Rio San Diego Drive
San Diego, CA 9108
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
San Diego County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs — veterans services
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 858-694-3222
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Diego Public Library’s Veterans Resource Center — outreach
San Diego Central Library, Room 316
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-236-5800
Hours: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — Post 7766 Rancho Bernardo
16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive
San Diego, CA 92128
Phone: 858-900-8422
Meets the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) — Chapter 2
700 E. Naples Ct.
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Phone: 619-337-9257
Meets the first Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program for people of low-income status. Medi-Cal covers health care services that occur in senior living, but it doesn’t cover the cost of memory care room and board. In addition, your loved one’s memory care facility must be approved by Medi-Cal in order for health care services to be covered.[05]
You can help your loved one apply for Medi-Cal through Covered California, which is the state’s health care portal that offers Medi-Cal and full-coverage health care plans to residents with low-income status. The online portal will also help you learn whether your loved one qualifies for Medi-Cal.
For assistance with Medi-Cal and its application process, you can use any of the resources below:
San Diego resident Medicaid resources
Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center
Phone: 800-977-2273
Hours: 24/7, including holidays
Find your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 800-640-4661
Medi-Cal through San Diego County
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 206
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-515-6555
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Medi-Cal through Covered California
1879 Logan Ave. J
San Diego, CA 92113
Phone: 800-300-1506
Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors who are age 65 or older. Because Medicare only covers medical costs, it won’t cover the cost of room and board in a memory care facility.[06] However, some of your senior loved one’s medical expenses that occur during their time in memory care may be covered by Medicare.
Medicare has three parts that covers each of the following medical expenses:
If your loved one is enrolled in Medicare, they may be able to use one of four Medicare Savings Programs in California. Find coverage options for one or a combination of the three Medicare parts and apply online. You can also use any of the following resources for assistance with your loved one’s Medicare application and benefits:
San Diego resident Medicare resources
San Diego County — Financial/Legal and Health Insurance Services
Phone: 800-339-4661
Find your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 800-640-4661
San Diego Social Security Administration Office 1333 Front St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
San Diego Aging and Independence Services
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 858-495-5885
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Understanding local memory care laws and regulations can help you find a facility that’s best for your loved one. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) licenses memory care facilities in and near San Diego. Memory care communities must follow each of the following regulations to maintain their license:
Caregivers in San Diego memory care facilities must comply with specialized training and staff-to-resident ratios. Each caregiver needs to have a minimum of 8 hours of annual training on dementia-specific care. In addition, all memory care facilities are required to have one staff member awake and on duty at night. If there are more than 16 residents in the community, at least one staff member must be on call.[08]
The CDSS performs inspections annually and within 10 days of receiving a complaint about a memory care facility.[08] You can find licensed facilities and their inspection reports on the CDSS Care Facility Search. Scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” select “Elderly Assisted Living,” select the “Facility Type” and “San Diego County,” then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
San Diego County encourages all residents to stay current with COVID-19 vaccines and to get tested if they have symptoms. Residents aren’t required to wear a mask in public unless they have COVID-19 symptoms, had a recent positive test, or were exposed to the virus. Many at-risk settings, such as long-term senior care facilities, require masks.
Read the most recent San Diego County COVID-19 guidelines here.
Vaccinations. San Diego County encourages all citizens to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
Masking. Masks aren’t required in public unless you have COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19, or are visiting an at-risk setting.
Facility cleanliness. Surfaces and shared items are routinely cleaned and disinfected with a hospital-grade disinfectant.
Staff safety. Staff are given personal protective equipment (PPE) and are routinely screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
If your loved one is experiencing memory loss, there are many care options for them in San Diego. Memory care communities are specialized senior living communities equipped with highly trained caregivers and therapies. San Diego’s memory care facilities also offer enriching amenities and activities, often within larger senior care communities.
Caregivers in San Diego memory care communities are required to receive extensive memory care training to support seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Not only are your loved one’s future caregivers well-equipped to assist them, but they’re also able to support your loved one with important therapies.
Therapies for memory care can help your loved one cope with and use strategies for their dementia symptoms. Reminiscence therapy, physical exercise, and art therapy are among some of the options available in San Diego memory care communities. Some communities may also encourage pet visits and pet therapy to boost residents’ moods and provide temporary animal companionship.
Several communities also include on-site therapeutic destinations. Meditation gardens, koi ponds, and calming spas can help seniors feel at peace during challenging times. Enclosed courtyards and walking paths are another common feature in San Diego memory care communities. Having enclosed spaces that are easy to navigate can help seniors feel calmer during moments of wandering, which is a symptom of dementia. Other helpful design features found in memory care communities include room personalization and visual markers to help seniors move safely through their environment.
San Diego memory care communities are designed to keep residents engaged, and they do so by offering activity programming that may include the following:
Senior-specific amenities also keep each day interesting. Memory care communities in San Diego may include the following desirable features:
Many of A Place for Mom’s partner memory care communities in San Diego are part of either larger assisted living facilities or continuing care retirement communities (or CCRCs). Both options offer multiple types of senior care on one campus, enabling your senior family member to get the care they need as they age without having to move.
In several of these multilevel care options, you’ll find a variety of room styles. From studio apartments to two-bedroom apartments with private and semi-private options, you can find something that works best for your loved one. Some of these larger senior care communities also have specific memory care neighborhoods while still maintaining the connection to the rest of the facility.
Group homes provide assisted living and memory care services in smaller settings. Also known as residential care homes, they can provide the memory support your loved one needs in a homelike setting instead of a larger facility. Group homes may also have a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio and either private or semi-private rooms.
Stand-alone communities are facilities that only offer memory care services to seniors with dementia. They offer amenities and activity programming similar to other senior care facilities, like gourmet meals, chauffeured transportation, and engaging San Diego excursions. Some families find peace of mind knowing that their loved one receives care in a community designed specifically for their memory care needs.
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Number of residents in San Diego who are 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of the San Diego population that is 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Average high temperature (Fahrenheit) in August, San Diego’s warmest month, according to Weather Spark
Seniors who live in San Diego memory care communities have access to nationally ranked hospitals, including the top three hospitals in San Diego.
UC San Diego Health – La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals are ranked as the No. 1 hospitals in San Diego. These teaching hospitals provide general and surgical care. They’re nationally ranked for several areas of adult care, including cancer surgeries, cardiology, and their geriatric clinic.
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla is the No. 2 hospital in San Diego, and it provides general and surgical care. They’re nationally ranked for cardiology and orthopedics.
Sharp Memorial Hospital is ranked No. 3 in San Diego and is nationally ranked for lung surgery and urology. This hospital also provides general medical and surgical care, in addition to having geriatric specialists and several senior resource centers.
The majority of San Diego memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s network have senior transportation services. In fact, 85% of these facilities provide either complimentary or at-cost transportation, giving seniors access to a safe and reliable form of local transportation.
San Diego residents and visitors can change their mode of transportation depending on the neighborhood. Some areas are walkable and have heavy motor vehicle traffic, while other areas are more easily accessed by car. However, public transportation is one of the more accessible methods for visitors in San Diego.
San Diego Public Transportation has a program called PRONTO that enables riders to buy their tickets online through an app. These public transportation options are available to San Diego residents and visitors alike:
San Diego also has transportation options designed with seniors in mind:
World-renowned attractions, picturesque beaches, and unique entertainment for all ages await San Diego seniors and their visitors. Whether it’s for a memory care community outing or a visit with loved ones, this city has something for everyone. Check out the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website for updates on things to do and local guides for San Diego visitors and residents alike.
Wheelchair rentals, tour scripts, and accessibility guides can help people with disabilities access the city’s entertainment. Browse San Diego’s most popular attractions that offer accommodations for people with varying cognitive and physical abilities:
Beyond the ocean views and beach access that San Diego’s memory care communities offer, you’ll find that the city has many opportunities for residents and visitors to experience a beachfront lifestyle:
Senior residents and their visitors can live like locals by enjoying San Diego’s best restaurants, pristine parks, sporting events, and more:
Silvergate Rancho Bernardo, Cypress Court and Monte Vista Village are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near San Diego, CA. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in San Diego is $5,832 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and over (B21001) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). Eligibility for Veterans Pension.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Department of Health Care Services. (2019, November 19). Medi-Cal eligibility & covered California FAQ’s.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), title 22, division 6, chapter 8.
California Assisted Living Association. (2015). California compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus disease (2019) preparedness checklist for nursing homes and other long-term care settings.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Weather Spark. (2022). Average temperature in San Diego.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best hospitals in San Diego, California.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and over (B21001) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). Eligibility for Veterans Pension.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Department of Health Care Services. (2019, November 19). Medi-Cal eligibility & covered California FAQ’s.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), title 22, division 6, chapter 8.
California Assisted Living Association. (2015). California compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus disease (2019) preparedness checklist for nursing homes and other long-term care settings.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Weather Spark. (2022). Average temperature in San Diego.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best hospitals in San Diego, California.