The Best Memory Care Communities in Contra Costa County, CA

In Contra Costa County, about one in 10 seniors age 65 and over is living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Considering that more than 15 percent of the estimated 1,147,439 people who call Contra Costa County home are age 65 and up, the demand for memory care services in the area is growing.

In all, 21 memory care facilities are available across the county to serve the needs of seniors with dementia. In Contra Costa and throughout California, these facilities are called Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) and are regulated by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.

• Memory care facilities may provide residents with secure outdoor spaces where they can take in Contra Costa County's mild, sunshiny year-round climate. The county has many comfortable days in the 70s, with an average annual low temperature of 39 and a high of 90.
  
• One important consideration for seniors with dementia and their families is how much money they will have left for memory care after paying taxes. In California, seniors' Social Security income isn't taxed, but pensions, 401(k) plans and other sorts of retirement income are all taxable by the state. Contra Costa also levies a sales tax of .25 percent, which is in addition to California's 6 percent state sales tax and local taxes, which vary by city. 
  
• When choosing a location for memory care, families may want to consider the area's air quality, particularly if their senior loved ones have respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD, which can be exacerbated by pollutants. In Contra Costa County, the air quality indicators are mixed. The county receives passing grades for short- and long-term particle pollution but a failing grade for ozone.
  
• Contra Costa County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Contra Costa County start around $6,519 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 Contra Costa 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.

Contra Costa 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.