Memory Care Communities in Escondido, California

Memory care costs in Escondido are higher than the California average of $6,563 and significantly above the U.S. norm of $5,625. Compared with other cities in California, Escondido is moderately priced; Sacramento’s costs are marginally lower, with a difference of 4.6%, while Riverside offers a more affordable option, at $1,844 less. In contrast, San Francisco is much more expensive, with average rates exceeding Escondido’s by 15.4%.

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.

Escondido residents can expect to pay about $6,844 per month 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.

The cost of different senior care options in Escondido may vary based on the services provided and level of care required. Memory care, designed specifically to address dementia symptoms, costs $6,844 per month due to the specialized attention and support it provides. In-home care, which offers assistance with daily activities in the senior’s own home, is 6.7% cheaper, while home health care, which includes essential medical services, is priced 5.4% lower. Adult day care is the most affordable option, at 69.9% less than memory care, while assisted living represents a middle-ground option at $5,475 per month. Nursing home facilities have the highest cost for a semi-private room, at $2,540 more, due to the advanced medical care their patients need.

The Community Care Licensing Division, which is part of the Department of Social Services, licenses and monitors memory care communities throughout California. The agency enforces state regulations and conducts periodic inspections, which helps ensure that residents with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, receive appropriate health care services and are safe.

• For medical care, seniors can go to Palomar Medical Center Escondido, located downtown. The hospital’s diverse services, from cardiology and oncology to neurosciences, cater to most older patients' needs. In the greater San Diego area, a broader range of specialties is available at UC San Diego Health, which also has a memory care center offering treatments and clinical trials.

• Although ozone exposure is relatively common in Escondido when going outdoors, the city received a passing score for its annual levels of particle pollution. In addition, there are about 446.25 physicians per 100,000 residents in the area, higher than the state average of 370.94, which indicates ample access to health care providers.

• Escondido’s weather is mild during most seasons. Temperatures in January typically hover around 56 degrees Fahrenheit, and snow is rare. In August, seniors can expect warmer days of around 77 degrees Fahrenheit, although hotter weather is not uncommon. Fortunately, many long-term care communities have air conditioning to keep seniors comfortable no matter the time of year.

• California taxes pensions and withdrawals from retirement accounts as regular income, and its graduated rates between 1% and 12.3%, along with federal taxes, can place a significant burden on seniors’ budgets. However, income from Social Security benefits is exempt at the state level, and some individuals may be eligible for relief programs, such as the senior head-of-household credit.

• Escondido’s cost of living is 54.9% above the national norm but close to the California average, with a difference of just 5%. For everyday expenses, such as groceries and utilities, city residents can expect to pay around 3% and 7.9% more than expected statewide, respectively. On the positive side, average spending on health care is relatively low, at 11% below U.S. figures.

• A 100-point index gave Escondido 32.7 and 21.5 points for property and violent crime, respectively, compared to the slightly higher U.S. scores of 35.4 and 22.7 points. Moving to a memory care residence is an option worth considering for those seeking access to comprehensive security systems and dementia-specific safety measures, including gated outdoor areas to prevent wandering.