The Best Memory Care Communities in Alameda County, CA

Alameda County, which is located at the head of San Francisco Bay, has a population of roughly 1.7 million residents, almost 14 percent of whom are aged 65 and over. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that nearly 12 percent of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over were living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. 

Alameda County families who are researching local memory care have over two dozen options to choose from. In Alameda County, as in the rest of California, memory care facilities are generally located within residential care facilities for the elderly. These facilities are monitored by the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.

• The American Lung Association gave Alameda County an F for ozone pollution and a C for short-term particle pollution. Because poor air quality can negatively impact the health of seniors, this may be a consideration for some families who are researching local memory care options. 
• While Social Security benefits are not taxed in Alameda County, all other types of retirement income are, including 401(k) withdrawals and disbursements from public and private pensions. This may affect how much money can be put toward memory care services in this region. 
• Alameda County has a comfortable climate year-round, with temperatures ranging between 44 degrees and 71 degrees. Residents enjoy an average of 260 sunny days annually, and the region receives virtually no snow. The county's climate may be well-suited for seniors who enjoy being outdoors.
• Alameda County's overall crime rate is higher than the national average. On a 100-point scale, with a higher score indicating more crime, violent crime in this county is rated 42.2, a little over 10 points higher than the national median. Property crime is rated 45.6 versus the national average of 38.1. To keep residents safe, memory care facilities have security features like high-security locks and alarm systems. 

Memory Care costs in Alameda County start around $7,021 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Alameda County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in California page.

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.

Alameda County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in California are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in California page for more information about these laws.