Memory Care Communities in Chico, California

Seniors with dementia pay $6,383 per month for memory care services in Chico. While this exceeds the national average of $5,625, it’s a little lower than the state norm of $6,563. Rates in Yuba City tend to be lower at $5,823, but Chico is a budget-friendly alternative to several other cities in Northern California. In Sacramento, rates are higher than in Chico at $6,531, and in Napa, care costs exceed Chico’s median by nearly $1,500. In Santa Rosa, care costs are considerably higher at $8,810.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

In Chico, memory care facilities charge $6,383 per month for 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.

Memory care units in Chico cost $6,383 per month. This is hundreds of dollars higher than in-home care and home health care, which cost $5,720, and assisted living, which is considerably more cost-effective at $5,106. Seniors in adult day health care pay the lowest rates, which come in at a fraction of memory care services at $2,676. However, nursing home costs exceed dementia care rates at $9,201.

In Chico, memory care facilities are licensed as assisted living facilities, and they’re regulated by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. This division publishes information on residents’ rights and what to look for in a long-term care facility, and it investigates complaints regarding substandard care or noncompliance with state-mandated regulations.

• On a cost of living index based on a national norm of 100, Chico rates 109.5. This is about 10 points higher than the national average, indicating living costs are about 10% higher than in a typical U.S. city, but it’s 40 points lower than the state rate. Utilities and transportation expenses run high here, but living in residential care communities gives many seniors greater control over monthly expenses.
• In Chico, seniors pay state income taxes on nearly all forms of retirement income at some of the highest tax rates in the nation. However, Social Security benefits are exempt, which may make living in Chico financially feasible for those who rely primarily on this form of retirement income.
• Enloe Medical Center is in Chico proper, providing comprehensive services across numerous specializations. Health care costs in this city are in line with national norms, and while there are only 192 doctors per capita compared to 210 nationally, many memory care facilities have visiting physicians who provide prompt medical care as needed.
• Chico has very warm summers with daytime temperatures in the 90s, and winters are pleasant with highs ranging from mid-50s to low-60s. While residents occasionally see a dusting of snow in December, there’s generally no measurable snowfall, and the city gets 28 inches of annual rainfall. Memory care residents typically have access to enclosed courtyards, letting them safely enjoy the city’s comfortable weather.
• Property crime is somewhat prevalent in Chico, but violent crime occurs at a rate lower than national norms. On a 100-point crime index, the city rates 19.4 for violent crime and 51.1 for property crime, compared to national respective rates of 22.7 and 35.4. Memory care facilities keep residents safe through measures such as secured entrances and alarm systems.
• The American Lung Association assigns Butte County, where Chico is located, a passing grade for annual particle pollution levels but grades of F for ozone and 24-hour particle pollution. While this may be a concern for those with certain chronic health conditions, many memory care facilities have air purification systems to keep residents healthy.