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%.  

To ensure the long-term financial viability of memory care, families and seniors use several funding sources, such as state-sponsored financial assistance programs, veterans’ benefits and private income and assets.

• Medicaid: California’s Medicaid program includes the Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver, which pays for some services and supports in residential care facilities, including memory care units. While not all counties provide ALW services, Los Angeles County sits within the service area and has several memory care communities that accept funding from this program.
• Medicare: This federally funded health insurance program pays for many of the specialized medical services memory care residents receive, including medication administration, speech and occupational therapy and durable medical equipment. Although it doesn’t provide direct coverage for memory care, it can lower monthly care costs.
• VA Benefits: Seniors who’ve served in the military may qualify for the Veterans' Administration's Geriatrics and Extended Care program, which pays for residential care for older veterans who meet functional criteria. Additionally, eligible veterans may receive increased pension benefits through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound programs, which they can put toward monthly fees.
• Private payments: Memory care residents often use proceeds from home sales, monthly retirement income, savings and long-term care insurance to cover residential care costs.

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. 

Benefits

• Daytime temperatures in Los Angeles have little variance throughout the year, ranging from 67 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the peak of summer. This offers plenty of opportunities to spend time outside, supporting mental wellness and quality of life for those with dementia.
• Los Angeles has several high-performing hospitals, including UCLA Medical Center. This hospital houses the UCLA Memory Clinic, an initiative of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care at UCLA. The clinic provides memory screenings, care consultations and practical support for seniors and families.
• California doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and it offers a senior income tax exemption along with the standard personal exemption. Additionally, the state exempts prescription drugs and most types of groceries from sales tax, supporting memory care residents’ financial stability.
• As part of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, Los Angeles supports the quality of life of local seniors through affordable housing, community-based health initiatives and volunteer opportunities.

Drawbacks

• Los Angeles’ cost of living runs about 44% higher than the the national average. While this impacts local memory care rates, many local memory care communities accept the Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver.
• Crime occurs at a rate of nearly 36 incidents per 1,000 people annually in Los Angeles. Fortunately, memory care communities typically have monitored access, alarm systems and security gates to support residents’ safety.