The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Indio, CA for 2024

Alzheimer’s disease is a significant cause of mortality among seniors in the United States, and research suggests its burden will double by 2060, placing a greater strain on families and the aged care system. The condition carries a significant risk of death, illustrated by CDC data, which shows a rise in mortality rates of 27.19% from 2016 to 2020 in Indio, CA. This increase is potentially compounded by Indio’s large senior population, which at roughly 18,029 people, is over 16% higher than most cities in the United States.

Dementia care is similar to assisted living, but facilities usually have additional security features and employ staff specially trained in communication strategies and behavioral management techniques that can help residents feel safe and calm. Seniors follow a more structured, predictable routine that can reduce the risk of confusion. Caregivers may use reminiscence therapy to help seniors remember past experiences through photos, music and familiar items, and other stimulating activities such as puzzles and art therapy are also common.

This guide highlights the pros and cons of accessing memory care in Indio and compares costs with nearby locations to help families make the right choice for loved ones.

Memory care is usually provided by assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The California Department of Social Services regulates these providers throughout the state, ensuring facilities follow laws regarding staff training, resident safety and care requirements.

• Indio has a relatively mild and comfortable climate. Seniors may appreciate the lack of snow and rain and the average low temperature of 41.1 degrees through January — 19.4 degrees above the national average. The region experiences 65 more sunny days than is typical across the United States.
• The cost of living is high in Indio at 110.6 on a 100-point index. However, much of this overall cost is related to housing, which may not affect residents in aged care facilities. Health care is quite affordable at a rating of 87.3, which may help reduce expenses for seniors needing medical attention or surgeries.
• The John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital is located in Indio, allowing seniors to access medical treatments and emergency care without excessive travel. The region has 99 physicians per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 210, but seniors may be able to take advantage of telehealth services from nearby Riverside and Los Angeles.
• Property crime rates in Indio are comparable to the national average, rating at just 3.3 points above the entire country’s 35.4 rating on a 100-point scale. Violent crimes are ranked 35.3, compared to the U.S. average of 22.7, making these incidences more common. However, the security features of memory care facilities should ensure seniors remain safe.
• Indio is close to Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport and Palm Springs International Airport. It’s also just inland from major cities such as Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego, providing a quieter atmosphere away from these busy areas while still allowing families to make day trips and visit often.
• Public transport is available through the SunLine Transit Agency. While seniors with late-stage dementia typically can’t travel, individuals with milder symptoms may appreciate the door-to-door SunDial Paratransit Service, which caters to people with cognitive or physical disabilities.

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.

Memory care averages $5,000 per month in Indio, CA.

Indio has relatively affordable dementia care averaging $5,000 per month, compared to California’s typical $6,563 rate. It’s also over $600 cheaper than the national average. Most other locations in California are more expensive, such as San Francisco at $7,899 and Sacramento at $6,531. However, there are also affordable alternatives for seniors. Families may save nearly $700 in Visalia and over $400 in Stockton.

Seniors with late-stage dementia typically require round-the-clock attention best provided by facilities with specialized staff, but individuals with mild symptoms or slow progression may not need this level of care for several years. Assisted living can be an excellent alternative to memory care at $4,000, while adult day health care can be an affordable supplement to family caregivers at $1,842. In-home care and home health care are more expensive at $6,101, while nursing homes are the most costly option at $7,992 per month.

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.