Memory Care Communities in Los Angeles, California

Seniors in Los Angeles pay $6,563 for memory care services, which is equal to the state median and nearly $1,000 higher than the national average of $5,625. In San Diego, rates are a little higher at $6,844, and in the Santa Rosa area, memory care costs are among the highest in the state at $8,810. Modesto seniors pay $5,000 for residential dementia care, and those in Visalia enjoy competitive rates of $4,313.  

In Los Angeles, seniors obtain residential dementia services in assisted living facilities that meet extensive regulations for staff training, building requirements and care planning. This type of care costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living services. There are no authoritative nationwide sources with memory care cost data, so the following rates are estimated based on the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey’s assisted living rates with an increase of 25%.  

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.

Seniors in residential dementia care facilities in Los Angeles pay $6,563 for care, making this among the costlier care options in the city. Older adults in the early stages of dementia may be able to live in their own homes with the help of homemaker services or specialized home health aide services, both of which cost $5,911 monthly. Assisted living is more affordable at $5,250, and adult day health care is $1,652. Nursing homes provide the highest degree of care and have the costliest monthly rates of $9,125 for shared rooms and $11,269 for private.  

In Los Angeles, memory care services are provided in assisted living facilities that meet additional guidelines for staffing, staff training and building requirements. These facilities are regulated by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, which conducts regular inspections and background checks on prospective employees. 

• Seniors in Los Angeles pay some of the highest state income taxes in the nation. However, Social Security benefits aren’t taxed at the state level, which may make the state’s tax laws friendly to those who rely primarily on this form of retirement income and leave more money available for long-term care.  
• Los Angeles’ overall cost of living is high compared to state and national averages, which may be a consideration for those with restricted budgets. On a cost-of-living index based on a national average of 100, Los Angeles scores 173.3 versus the state score of 149.9. To help older adults identify options for paying for medical care and memory care expenses, several local agencies provide financial planning and options counseling.  
• On a crime index that rates cities on a score of 1 to 100, with 100 indicating high levels of crime, Los Angeles rates 29.1 for violent crime and 35.1 for property crime. This is close to the national scores of 22.7 and 35.4, which may provide peace of mind to those seeking local memory care services.  
• Los Angeles has a generally pleasant climate, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy therapeutic outdoor activities such as birdwatching and walks. The city sees 284 sunny days annually versus the national average of 205, and it gets 16 inches of rain and no snow. 
• Health care costs in Los Angeles are about 15% lower than the national average and may provide cost savings for those managing chronic conditions such as dementia. The city has world-class medical facilities such as UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which are recognized as some of the best hospitals in the state.