The vibrant city of San Diego, located in Southern California, has nearly 1.4 million residents and a senior community that comprises about 13% of the population. This demographic is rapidly growing and is projected to nearly triple between 2012 and 2035. To meet the unique health needs of seniors, the city has numerous nonprofit agencies and initiatives to improve their quality of life and access to health care. Due to factors such as these, Alzheimer’s deaths have remained relatively constant in recent years. According to the CDC, in 2014 and 2018, Alzheimer’s-related deaths accounted for about a tenth of all deaths in the region. While the total death rate went up by 10% during that time frame, Alzheimer’s deaths increased by less than 4%.
The San Diego region has numerous memory care facilities that provide specialized services to those with dementia. These facilities have open floor plans to support residents’ independence and secured indoor and outdoor areas to prevent wandering. This introductory guide for memory care in San Diego outlines local care costs and highlights the pros and cons of obtaining care in this city. It also features a resource list with agencies and programs that serve those affected by memory-related diseases.
Memory Care Facilities in San Diego, CA
13075 Evening Creek Drive South, San Diego, CA, 92128
I toured Belmont Village Sabre Springs. I’m so pleased with what I saw and with the particular levels of memory care, since they have different levels in their program. I have a nurse coming in from B
… (read more)
I toured Belmont Village Sabre Springs. I’m so pleased with what I saw and with the particular levels of memory care, since they have different levels in their program. I have a nurse coming in from Belmont to do a half-hour assessment with my dad to see if he would qualify for that program. The tour was very good and very thorough. They listened to what kind of care my dad is getting where he’s at. They have a Circle of Friends program for memory care. They are the only community I know that has it; it puts memory care in the same environment as the independent living and assisted living levels. They have their own separate day programs where they end up working more on cognitive sales and such. So they don’t just work on activities that anybody can do; some of the activities there are very focused on the dementia. They’re also able to eat in the dining room with everybody from the independent living and assisted living communities. They also have happy hours and concerts. It’s a much freer facility; they can go anywhere in their secure neighborhood area. We’re hoping he’ll qualify for the Circle of Friends so he could be among people who don’t necessarily have dementia. The staff was great, and they seemed to be very nice. We met with them for over an hour for the tour, they were very courteous, and they go above and beyond. They also sent us home with cookies, and they were good.
(read less)
I toured Belmont Village Sabre Springs. I’m so pleased with what I saw and with the particular levels of memory care, since they have different levels in their program. I have a nurse coming in from B
… (read more)
I toured Belmont Village Sabre Springs. I’m so pleased with what I saw and with the particular levels of memory care, since they have different levels in their program. I have a nurse coming in from Belmont to do a half-hour assessment with my dad to see if he would qualify for that program. The tour was very good and very thorough. They listened to what kind of care my dad is getting where he’s at. They have a Circle of Friends program for memory care. They are the only community I know that has it; it puts memory care in the same environment as the independent living and assisted living levels. They have their own separate day programs where they end up working more on cognitive sales and such. So they don’t just work on activities that anybody can do; some of the activities there are very focused on the dementia. They’re also able to eat in the dining room with everybody from the independent living and assisted living communities. They also have happy hours and concerts. It’s a much freer facility; they can go anywhere in their secure neighborhood area. We’re hoping he’ll qualify for the Circle of Friends so he could be among people who don’t necessarily have dementia. The staff was great, and they seemed to be very nice. We met with them for over an hour for the tour, they were very courteous, and they go above and beyond. They also sent us home with cookies, and they were good.
(read less)
13101 Hartfield Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92130
We chose it for my husband. I liked it. I thought it was very homey, and the people seemed very caring and capable. I liked the fact that it was one floor for memory care. It was not like a hotel or a
… (read more)
We chose it for my husband. I liked it. I thought it was very homey, and the people seemed very caring and capable. I liked the fact that it was one floor for memory care. It was not like a hotel or a high-class thing.
(read less)
We chose it for my husband. I liked it. I thought it was very homey, and the people seemed very caring and capable. I liked the fact that it was one floor for memory care. It was not like a hotel or a
… (read more)
We chose it for my husband. I liked it. I thought it was very homey, and the people seemed very caring and capable. I liked the fact that it was one floor for memory care. It was not like a hotel or a high-class thing.
(read less)
12515 Springhurst Dr., San Diego, CA, 92064
I liked Sunrise of Sabre Springs a lot. They had the same amenities as the others, but it was a 4-floor building. The memory care was on the 3rd floor, and you had to get an elevator. I felt that it w
… (read more)
I liked Sunrise of Sabre Springs a lot. They had the same amenities as the others, but it was a 4-floor building. The memory care was on the 3rd floor, and you had to get an elevator. I felt that it was too much like a hotel, but it was extremely pleasant, and the help was wonderful. I saw activities with a ball and kind of questions and memory things.
(read less)
I liked Sunrise of Sabre Springs a lot. They had the same amenities as the others, but it was a 4-floor building. The memory care was on the 3rd floor, and you had to get an elevator. I felt that it w
… (read more)
I liked Sunrise of Sabre Springs a lot. They had the same amenities as the others, but it was a 4-floor building. The memory care was on the 3rd floor, and you had to get an elevator. I felt that it was too much like a hotel, but it was extremely pleasant, and the help was wonderful. I saw activities with a ball and kind of questions and memory things.
(read less)
4518 54th Street, San Diego, CA, 92115
I toured Stellar Care. I found it to be friendly, inviting, and engaging for the people that lived there. I think it was Kerry that gave us a tour. She was excellent, answered all our questions, and g
… (read more)
I toured Stellar Care. I found it to be friendly, inviting, and engaging for the people that lived there. I think it was Kerry that gave us a tour. She was excellent, answered all our questions, and gave us a lot of her time. My friend, when he’s in that condition, he’s not there yet, but he will be there because he does have dementia, and I wouldn’t hesitate to put him in there. I think he would be in a great environment.
When we toured, they were having lunch at that time. We did not ask to try the food. The dining area was functional and seems to be well run. People seem to be enjoying their lunch. They did have a salon where people could get their hair styled, or cut. It seemed to be well set up. I felt the rooms were adequate, they’re a little small, but for one person they were very functional. There was no odor or anything like that. It did have its own bath, and it did have a small refrigerator.
From what I saw, upkeep was excellent. This is a lockdown facility, so they were very good at using their keys and letting people in and out. If you need a secure facility for your loved one, I would say that would work. The only drawback was visiting, parking was tight. Other than that, it was well run, clean, and the program person was excellent. She introduced us to the rest of the staff, the reception staff, when you first come in if you’re coming in off the street. We saw some of the program people that are assisting people with getting from here to there. I think she introduced us to at least five of her staff members. They’re friendly. I didn’t find any problems with them.
(read less)
I toured Stellar Care. I found it to be friendly, inviting, and engaging for the people that lived there. I think it was Kerry that gave us a tour. She was excellent, answered all our questions, and g
… (read more)
I toured Stellar Care. I found it to be friendly, inviting, and engaging for the people that lived there. I think it was Kerry that gave us a tour. She was excellent, answered all our questions, and gave us a lot of her time. My friend, when he’s in that condition, he’s not there yet, but he will be there because he does have dementia, and I wouldn’t hesitate to put him in there. I think he would be in a great environment.
When we toured, they were having lunch at that time. We did not ask to try the food. The dining area was functional and seems to be well run. People seem to be enjoying their lunch. They did have a salon where people could get their hair styled, or cut. It seemed to be well set up. I felt the rooms were adequate, they’re a little small, but for one person they were very functional. There was no odor or anything like that. It did have its own bath, and it did have a small refrigerator.
From what I saw, upkeep was excellent. This is a lockdown facility, so they were very good at using their keys and letting people in and out. If you need a secure facility for your loved one, I would say that would work. The only drawback was visiting, parking was tight. Other than that, it was well run, clean, and the program person was excellent. She introduced us to the rest of the staff, the reception staff, when you first come in if you’re coming in off the street. We saw some of the program people that are assisting people with getting from here to there. I think she introduced us to at least five of her staff members. They’re friendly. I didn’t find any problems with them.
(read less)
810 Turquoise Street, San Diego, CA, 92109
Sunrise of La Jolla is awesome. It is a high-end very nice place. It is just like a hotel. If you can afford it, it is good. However, the cost is a factor for that one. I saw mainly the memory care be
… (read more)
Sunrise of La Jolla is awesome. It is a high-end very nice place. It is just like a hotel. If you can afford it, it is good. However, the cost is a factor for that one. I saw mainly the memory care because that’s what we were looking for, but we did walk through a portion of the assisted living. The staff showed me what could have happened if that was the case.
It is top of the line. I would recommend it for somebody who’s got money. They have quite a selection of activities for the residents, which is amazing. They have a dining area for the assisted residents, which is restaurant-like and very nice. In the memory care, they have a specific dining area, also very nice but a completely different set up. All of their staff members are very friendly and very knowledgeable. I talked to a few that were in the memory care section, and I happened to have a conversation with a doctor that come in to see the residents if they need to be checked.
(read less)
Sunrise of La Jolla is awesome. It is a high-end very nice place. It is just like a hotel. If you can afford it, it is good. However, the cost is a factor for that one. I saw mainly the memory care be
… (read more)
Sunrise of La Jolla is awesome. It is a high-end very nice place. It is just like a hotel. If you can afford it, it is good. However, the cost is a factor for that one. I saw mainly the memory care because that’s what we were looking for, but we did walk through a portion of the assisted living. The staff showed me what could have happened if that was the case.
It is top of the line. I would recommend it for somebody who’s got money. They have quite a selection of activities for the residents, which is amazing. They have a dining area for the assisted residents, which is restaurant-like and very nice. In the memory care, they have a specific dining area, also very nice but a completely different set up. All of their staff members are very friendly and very knowledgeable. I talked to a few that were in the memory care section, and I happened to have a conversation with a doctor that come in to see the residents if they need to be checked.
(read less)
14740 Via Fiesta, San Diego, CA, 92127
12979 Rancho Peñasquitos Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92129
So far, it has been good. My mom’s room is big, spacious, and they’ve been remodeled. They have bingo, and they do walking activities. They don’t have a ton of activities right now and are building ba
… (read more)
So far, it has been good. My mom’s room is big, spacious, and they’ve been remodeled. They have bingo, and they do walking activities. They don’t have a ton of activities right now and are building back up because of COVID. They have very good security, and my mother says the food is delicious.
(read less)
So far, it has been good. My mom’s room is big, spacious, and they’ve been remodeled. They have bingo, and they do walking activities. They don’t have a ton of activities right now and are building ba
… (read more)
So far, it has been good. My mom’s room is big, spacious, and they’ve been remodeled. They have bingo, and they do walking activities. They don’t have a ton of activities right now and are building back up because of COVID. They have very good security, and my mother says the food is delicious.
(read less)
6461 Quillan St., San Diego, CA, 92111
My mother moved into Gold Canyon Care Home. They seem pretty good so far. Everybody is really nice. Her room is very nice. She’s going to end up with a roommate, but right now there’s no roommate. She
… (read more)
My mother moved into Gold Canyon Care Home. They seem pretty good so far. Everybody is really nice. Her room is very nice. She’s going to end up with a roommate, but right now there’s no roommate. She has a closet, a dresser, and they put pictures up on the dresser. She has a TV in the room. The bed looks like it will move, it’s got like the up and down thing, like a hospital bed, and that’s good. I think she’ll like that. The first day I was there, they brought home some deli Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, and it was really good. But my mom didn’t like eating that day, so they told me to give her Ensure. They have games, and they have a time where they all get together and do things together in one big room. It looks like they have a nice big kitchen and a lot of staff. They have lots of bathrooms, it’s the walk-in kind, they can wheelchair her in and give her a bath. They have a patio deck going all the way around the house, and in the backyard they have a big view looking over a canyon, and they have barbecues out there. It’s very nice.
(read less)
My mother moved into Gold Canyon Care Home. They seem pretty good so far. Everybody is really nice. Her room is very nice. She’s going to end up with a roommate, but right now there’s no roommate. She
… (read more)
My mother moved into Gold Canyon Care Home. They seem pretty good so far. Everybody is really nice. Her room is very nice. She’s going to end up with a roommate, but right now there’s no roommate. She has a closet, a dresser, and they put pictures up on the dresser. She has a TV in the room. The bed looks like it will move, it’s got like the up and down thing, like a hospital bed, and that’s good. I think she’ll like that. The first day I was there, they brought home some deli Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, and it was really good. But my mom didn’t like eating that day, so they told me to give her Ensure. They have games, and they have a time where they all get together and do things together in one big room. It looks like they have a nice big kitchen and a lot of staff. They have lots of bathrooms, it’s the walk-in kind, they can wheelchair her in and give her a bath. They have a patio deck going all the way around the house, and in the backyard they have a big view looking over a canyon, and they have barbecues out there. It’s very nice.
(read less)
955 Grand Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92109
Staff in general is good, but the current Executive Director is horrible. As financial POA I would expect an answer when I email him. They are sending financial documents to another family member in a
… (read more)
Staff in general is good, but the current Executive Director is horrible. As financial POA I would expect an answer when I email him. They are sending financial documents to another family member in another city!! When I asked for the papers to be sent to me, no response. I’ve only emailed him 3x total since he’s been there, and have been ignored every time. But when a male calls from my family, he’s ready to help. Sexist director. Paying over $9000 for this treatment. Not happy AT ALL and may be moving.
(read less)
Staff in general is good, but the current Executive Director is horrible. As financial POA I would expect an answer when I email him. They are sending financial documents to another family member in a
… (read more)
Staff in general is good, but the current Executive Director is horrible. As financial POA I would expect an answer when I email him. They are sending financial documents to another family member in another city!! When I asked for the papers to be sent to me, no response. I’ve only emailed him 3x total since he’s been there, and have been ignored every time. But when a male calls from my family, he’s ready to help. Sexist director. Paying over $9000 for this treatment. Not happy AT ALL and may be moving.
(read less)
16061 Avenida Venusto, San Diego, CA, 92128
Over the past year we have evaluated which Memory Care facilities would be the very best place for my mom. Through research we narrowed our visits to 8 different facilities and our trip to Silvergate
… (read more)
Over the past year we have evaluated which Memory Care facilities would be the very best place for my mom. Through research we narrowed our visits to 8 different facilities and our trip to Silvergate stood out as a place that I could see my mom thriving. The facilities are the best we had seen. Room size, dining and activity areas, the physical layout and idea of "communities" was impressive. Staff were cheerful and attentive, but even more important were that memory care residence also interacted with us. They were happy and many engaged in activities. The onsite salon is a place my mom would spend a lot of time, and the food selection, service, presentation, and nutritional value were 5 stars, rivaling some of the top chefs in our area ! Three months later we had my mom visit Silvergate to start creating some positive thoughts about leaving her home of the past 60 years. That trip paid off as she was treated to a tour, meeting caregivers, able to sit with residence, and enjoy a sampling of food at lunch. Lastly, we also got to experience some of the music and entertainment activities, and as musicians ourself that have played in front of many memory care residence, we know the positive impact of music and dance. Was very pleased that such programs are provided to Silvergate residents. While my moms dementia does not allow her to remember all the details of the visit, she does remember it was a place that she feels positive about. We plan on making the move to Silvergate in the next 30 days.
(read less)
Over the past year we have evaluated which Memory Care facilities would be the very best place for my mom. Through research we narrowed our visits to 8 different facilities and our trip to Silvergate
… (read more)
Over the past year we have evaluated which Memory Care facilities would be the very best place for my mom. Through research we narrowed our visits to 8 different facilities and our trip to Silvergate stood out as a place that I could see my mom thriving. The facilities are the best we had seen. Room size, dining and activity areas, the physical layout and idea of "communities" was impressive. Staff were cheerful and attentive, but even more important were that memory care residence also interacted with us. They were happy and many engaged in activities. The onsite salon is a place my mom would spend a lot of time, and the food selection, service, presentation, and nutritional value were 5 stars, rivaling some of the top chefs in our area ! Three months later we had my mom visit Silvergate to start creating some positive thoughts about leaving her home of the past 60 years. That trip paid off as she was treated to a tour, meeting caregivers, able to sit with residence, and enjoy a sampling of food at lunch. Lastly, we also got to experience some of the music and entertainment activities, and as musicians ourself that have played in front of many memory care residence, we know the positive impact of music and dance. Was very pleased that such programs are provided to Silvergate residents. While my moms dementia does not allow her to remember all the details of the visit, she does remember it was a place that she feels positive about. We plan on making the move to Silvergate in the next 30 days.
(read less)
3423 Channel Way, San Diego, CA, 92110
My brother will be moving into Point Loma Estates Memory Care. The tour experience was very positive. I like the community itself. I love the style and the fact that all they do is memory care. The fa
… (read more)
My brother will be moving into Point Loma Estates Memory Care. The tour experience was very positive. I like the community itself. I love the style and the fact that all they do is memory care. The facility was built and designed for memory care. It is a very neat and new building. They have dancing and social events. I saw the gardens and main dining room.
(read less)
My brother will be moving into Point Loma Estates Memory Care. The tour experience was very positive. I like the community itself. I love the style and the fact that all they do is memory care. The fa
… (read more)
My brother will be moving into Point Loma Estates Memory Care. The tour experience was very positive. I like the community itself. I love the style and the fact that all they do is memory care. The facility was built and designed for memory care. It is a very neat and new building. They have dancing and social events. I saw the gardens and main dining room.
(read less)
2360 Albatross Street, San Diego, CA, 92101
Harborview Chateau is clean, well-run, very nicely updated, and with big rooms. They take tours, they go to the beach, and more than once a week, high school people come in and give musical concerts.
… (read more)
Harborview Chateau is clean, well-run, very nicely updated, and with big rooms. They take tours, they go to the beach, and more than once a week, high school people come in and give musical concerts. They had their own piano, and the residents were assisted in playing it. The staff seemed very capable, we asked them questions, they knew right away, and they were assisting people who were walking upstairs. The financial staff seemed well-versed and had all the answers to questions I asked. It looks very nice.
(read less)
Harborview Chateau is clean, well-run, very nicely updated, and with big rooms. They take tours, they go to the beach, and more than once a week, high school people come in and give musical concerts.
… (read more)
Harborview Chateau is clean, well-run, very nicely updated, and with big rooms. They take tours, they go to the beach, and more than once a week, high school people come in and give musical concerts. They had their own piano, and the residents were assisted in playing it. The staff seemed very capable, we asked them questions, they knew right away, and they were assisting people who were walking upstairs. The financial staff seemed well-versed and had all the answers to questions I asked. It looks very nice.
(read less)
9825 Glen Center Dr., San Diego, CA, 92131
2340 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101
St. Paul’s Villa appears run down, and there were repairs that needed to be made. Some of the staff members were indifferent. We saw a separate room with a shared bath. The dining room was quite nice.
… (read more)
St. Paul’s Villa appears run down, and there were repairs that needed to be made. Some of the staff members were indifferent. We saw a separate room with a shared bath. The dining room was quite nice. They had it setup for a fiesta day with a Mexican theme. It was cute.
(read less)
St. Paul’s Villa appears run down, and there were repairs that needed to be made. Some of the staff members were indifferent. We saw a separate room with a shared bath. The dining room was quite nice.
… (read more)
St. Paul’s Villa appears run down, and there were repairs that needed to be made. Some of the staff members were indifferent. We saw a separate room with a shared bath. The dining room was quite nice. They had it setup for a fiesta day with a Mexican theme. It was cute.
(read less)
6333 RANCHO MISSION ROAD, San Diego, CA, 92108
4171 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA, 92108
I’ve already found a home for my grandma, and she loves it. She is at Cloisters of the Valley. We haven’t found anything that we don’t like about the facility. Something that I like the most is that t
… (read more)
I’ve already found a home for my grandma, and she loves it. She is at Cloisters of the Valley. We haven’t found anything that we don’t like about the facility. Something that I like the most is that they’re very prompt. My grandma had an accident when she fell, and they called me almost immediately. They tended to her immediately like she was not even on the floor for a minute before they got to her. Within 10 minutes of her falling, they called me and let me know that she had fallen. She had a bump on her head, and they were putting ice, and they had given her some pain medication already. They sat with her for 20 minutes with a cold compress and then they monitored her every 20 minutes for the next 2 hours. Then they called me 2 hours later to let me know she was still doing good and that she was sleeping.
Every time we go in there, they’re super friendly. My grandma is always extremely happy. They get her to participate in activities. There’s absolutely nothing bad that I can say about the facility. It’s an awesome facility. Nobody in their facility has behaviors. They’re extremely good with their COVID protocol. Nobody in the facility has COVID throughout the entire pandemic. They’ve maintained a COVID-free facility through the entirety, so we’re happy about that as well.
They could improve on maybe having a little bit more storage space. My grandma has a roommate, she’s bedridden, so she’s got a lot of equipment in there to help the caregiver mobilize her, especially for shower time. So that takes a lot of the space in my grandma’s room and she kind of maneuvers around it to be able to get to the restroom. So maybe making that more accommodating because it’s almost a safety hazard for my grandma.
(read less)
I’ve already found a home for my grandma, and she loves it. She is at Cloisters of the Valley. We haven’t found anything that we don’t like about the facility. Something that I like the most is that t
… (read more)
I’ve already found a home for my grandma, and she loves it. She is at Cloisters of the Valley. We haven’t found anything that we don’t like about the facility. Something that I like the most is that they’re very prompt. My grandma had an accident when she fell, and they called me almost immediately. They tended to her immediately like she was not even on the floor for a minute before they got to her. Within 10 minutes of her falling, they called me and let me know that she had fallen. She had a bump on her head, and they were putting ice, and they had given her some pain medication already. They sat with her for 20 minutes with a cold compress and then they monitored her every 20 minutes for the next 2 hours. Then they called me 2 hours later to let me know she was still doing good and that she was sleeping.
Every time we go in there, they’re super friendly. My grandma is always extremely happy. They get her to participate in activities. There’s absolutely nothing bad that I can say about the facility. It’s an awesome facility. Nobody in their facility has behaviors. They’re extremely good with their COVID protocol. Nobody in the facility has COVID throughout the entire pandemic. They’ve maintained a COVID-free facility through the entirety, so we’re happy about that as well.
They could improve on maybe having a little bit more storage space. My grandma has a roommate, she’s bedridden, so she’s got a lot of equipment in there to help the caregiver mobilize her, especially for shower time. So that takes a lot of the space in my grandma’s room and she kind of maneuvers around it to be able to get to the restroom. So maybe making that more accommodating because it’s almost a safety hazard for my grandma.
(read less)
10603 Rancho Bernardo Road, San Diego, CA, 92127
My relative was a resident of ActivCare at 4S Ranch for 2 months. The place was beautiful and very clean. It was very nice to go visit. The staff was wonderful. They all were very, very nice and accom
… (read more)
My relative was a resident of ActivCare at 4S Ranch for 2 months. The place was beautiful and very clean. It was very nice to go visit. The staff was wonderful. They all were very, very nice and accommodating. They were very good to my relative. She had a private suite. It was a room with a bed, a dresser, a couple of chairs, and very adequate. They had a lot of little activities for them to do. Some of it was exercise. They did makeup and nails. They had different things throughout the day.
(read less)
My relative was a resident of ActivCare at 4S Ranch for 2 months. The place was beautiful and very clean. It was very nice to go visit. The staff was wonderful. They all were very, very nice and accom
… (read more)
My relative was a resident of ActivCare at 4S Ranch for 2 months. The place was beautiful and very clean. It was very nice to go visit. The staff was wonderful. They all were very, very nice and accommodating. They were very good to my relative. She had a private suite. It was a room with a bed, a dresser, a couple of chairs, and very adequate. They had a lot of little activities for them to do. Some of it was exercise. They did makeup and nails. They had different things throughout the day.
(read less)
12946 Amaranth St., San Diego, CA, 92129
Thank you for having my father there for the last 6 months of his life. Your staff is great and very helpful in communication, especially with showing up for outside visits through the window during t
… (read more)
Thank you for having my father there for the last 6 months of his life. Your staff is great and very helpful in communication, especially with showing up for outside visits through the window during this COVID time. You always kept things clean and had great meals for him as well. We were able to visit often and every time we did he was very receptive and happy when we showed up. All your help there and the staff & management being there was great! Thank You
(read less)
Thank you for having my father there for the last 6 months of his life. Your staff is great and very helpful in communication, especially with showing up for outside visits through the window during t
… (read more)
Thank you for having my father there for the last 6 months of his life. Your staff is great and very helpful in communication, especially with showing up for outside visits through the window during this COVID time. You always kept things clean and had great meals for him as well. We were able to visit often and every time we did he was very receptive and happy when we showed up. All your help there and the staff & management being there was great! Thank You
(read less)
2440 Grand Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92109
My dad has moved into ActivCare at Mission Bay. It’s great. It is a pleasant-looking environment, clean, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. There are lots of staff, and there are nurses on-ha
… (read more)
My dad has moved into ActivCare at Mission Bay. It’s great. It is a pleasant-looking environment, clean, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. There are lots of staff, and there are nurses on-hand every day, 24 hours a day. They have lots of activities and opportunities for the residents to be involved. They do walkw every morning, they have live musicians that come in and play music, they play games, watch movies every night, and they have a Superbowl party. All of the food is supplied.
The nurses are giving out the medications. There is also an option if you want to have their hair done. They are OK if we have the dentist come in and do work on my dad there. Some of these things are for an extra, but they do allow services to be taken care of there. They have a podiatrist that comes in to trim toenails.
The staff members are always very pleasant with the residents. They serve them their meals and try to encourage them to finish their meals if they say that they’re not hungry. They’re always caring. They take care of bathing them and doing the laundry. The place is very nice.
(read less)
My dad has moved into ActivCare at Mission Bay. It’s great. It is a pleasant-looking environment, clean, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. There are lots of staff, and there are nurses on-ha
… (read more)
My dad has moved into ActivCare at Mission Bay. It’s great. It is a pleasant-looking environment, clean, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. There are lots of staff, and there are nurses on-hand every day, 24 hours a day. They have lots of activities and opportunities for the residents to be involved. They do walkw every morning, they have live musicians that come in and play music, they play games, watch movies every night, and they have a Superbowl party. All of the food is supplied.
The nurses are giving out the medications. There is also an option if you want to have their hair done. They are OK if we have the dentist come in and do work on my dad there. Some of these things are for an extra, but they do allow services to be taken care of there. They have a podiatrist that comes in to trim toenails.
The staff members are always very pleasant with the residents. They serve them their meals and try to encourage them to finish their meals if they say that they’re not hungry. They’re always caring. They take care of bathing them and doing the laundry. The place is very nice.
(read less)
3223 Duke Street, San Diego, CA, 92110
If you are thinking of placing your loved one here, think twice. My loved one was there for 8 days and had to go to emergency room twice in within 48 hours of admission. I was never contacted. I we
… (read more)
If you are thinking of placing your loved one here, think twice. My loved one was there for 8 days and had to go to emergency room twice in within 48 hours of admission. I was never contacted. I went to pick him up to move him to a board and care and he had to go to emergency room immediately because he had a broken hip! He had fallen there and they again never contacted me. He had surgery immediately. They were negligent in his care and in contacting family regarding his medical condition for visits to emergency and when he fell. He has Alzheimers and they probably figured he would not remember the fall. The horrible bruise on his shoulder and broken hip tell a different story.
(read less)
If you are thinking of placing your loved one here, think twice. My loved one was there for 8 days and had to go to emergency room twice in within 48 hours of admission. I was never contacted. I we
… (read more)
If you are thinking of placing your loved one here, think twice. My loved one was there for 8 days and had to go to emergency room twice in within 48 hours of admission. I was never contacted. I went to pick him up to move him to a board and care and he had to go to emergency room immediately because he had a broken hip! He had fallen there and they again never contacted me. He had surgery immediately. They were negligent in his care and in contacting family regarding his medical condition for visits to emergency and when he fell. He has Alzheimers and they probably figured he would not remember the fall. The horrible bruise on his shoulder and broken hip tell a different story.
(read less)
COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in San Diego
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in California. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in San Diego
The California Assisted Living Association monitors memory care facilities in San Diego and the rest of the state. These facilities are licensed as residential care homes for the elderly. Facilities that provide dementia care meet additional guidelines for staffing, staff ratios, care planning, recreational programming and building requirements.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in San Diego
- San Diego is a relatively expensive place to live, even compared to California’s high cost of living. Housing costs are among the highest in the state, and residents typically pay more for groceries, utilities and transportation than in other California cities. To help seniors control living costs, local agencies, such as the Area Agency on Aging, provide options counseling and public benefits screenings.
- San Diego is a fairly safe city to live in, which may provide peace of mind to families with loved ones in long-term care. On a 100-point index, the city’s violent crime frequency is rated 24.4 and property crime is rated 31.4, compared to the national respective scores of 22.7 and 35.4. FBI data indicates that crime occurrences have been trending downward for two decades.
- San Diego’s weather makes it one of the most comfortable cities in the nation to live in. The city gets no snow and only about 12 inches of annual rainfall, and year-round high temperatures range from 66-82 degrees. Memory care facilities have secured outdoor areas where residents enjoy activities, such as walking and gardening.
- Health care costs in San Diego are about 15% lower than in the typical U.S. city, and there is a relatively high number of doctors per capita, which may benefit those managing chronic conditions, such as dementia. The city is home to two top-rating hospitals, UC San Diego Health and Scripps La Jolla Hospital.
- San Diego’s air quality is subpar, with the American Lung Association grading the region an F for ozone pollution and a D for particle pollution. This may impact the quality of life for those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
- Seniors in San Diego don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits, but all other types of retirement income are fully taxed at the state’s high rates. Sales and property taxes are very high, but seniors may be able to avoid these expenses by transitioning to residential care.
- San Diego is designated a Dementia-Friendly community, meaning that it has public spaces, emergency response systems and housing options for those with Alzheimer’s.
Paying for Memory Care in San Diego
In San Diego, memory care services are provided by specially licensed assisted living facilities and cost about 20-30% more than standard care. Because no authoritative data sources are available with this cost information, we estimate memory care costs by adding 25% to the assisted living rates in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Nationally, seniors pay $5,625 per month for memory care, and in California, rates are among the highest in the nation at $6,523. San Diego seniors pay even more for care, with memory care facilities charging $6,844 per month on average. In the Santa Cruz area, care costs are a little higher at $6,938, and in El Centro, residents pay approximately $7,688. Santa Rosa is among the costliest cities in California for care, with rates averaging $8,810. Those seeking more affordable care may consider Riverside, where rates are nearly $2,000 per month lower than in San Diego at $5,000.
The Cost of Other Types of Care
Seniors in San Diego pay $6,844 for memory care, making this type of care one of the more expensive senior care options. Costs in nursing homes, which provide around-the-clock medical care and monitoring, exceed memory care rates at $9,384 for semiprivate accommodations and $12,167 for private rooms. Basic homemaker services cost $6,387 and specialized home health aide services are a little higher at $6,473. Assisted living services are more moderately priced at $5,475, and adult day health care is the cheapest senior care option at $2,058.
Nursing Home (semiprivate)
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in San Diego
In San Diego there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in California page.
More Ways to Pay for Memory Care
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in California page.
Free Memory Care Resources in San Diego
San Diego seniors and families have access to numerous local nonprofit organizations and government agencies that help them make informed decisions regarding dementia care. Through these resources, individuals can connect with legal and financial advisors, find early-stage engagement programs and learn more about local long-term care options.
The San Diego chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has information and referral specialists who provide emotional support and guidance on obtaining memory support services in the community, including support groups, educational webinars and early-stage engagement activities. It also has an up-to-date resource database of medical providers, legal agencies, financial planners and options counselors in the region.
Alzheimer’s San Diego is a nonprofit program with online educational resources for seniors and families affected by dementia. It publishes a regular blog that covers Alzheimer’s-related topics and has a free helpline that provides information and referrals for community resources.
George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers offer support services and day programs for older adults living with Alzheimer’s. Through its GLENNERCARE platform, individuals can obtain support, referrals and professional recommendations, helping them understand memory care options and treatments.
The Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center gives individuals the opportunity to participate in important research studies to help learn more about the link between aging and memory loss. It also provides free memory care screening services, regular newsletters and educational resources.
Aging and Independence Services is the Area Agency on Aging for San Diego. Through this resource, seniors and families get information and referrals for legal specialists, financial counselors and health insurance options counselors, which can help them navigate dementia services and payment options.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in San Diego
San Diego Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in California are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in California page for more information about these laws.