The Best Memory Care Communities in Orange County, CA

In Orange County, as in the rest of California, memory care facilities follow regulations set by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. This division ensures quality care for residents by conducting regular inspections and criminal background checks of facility employees. 

• Orange County is a member of Dementia Friends USA, meaning that its leadership has focused on educating the public on dementia and how it affects people and making the community a safe environment for those with memory impairments.  
• Orange County is home to three of California’s top 15 hospitals, including Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, UCI Medical Center and Mission Hospitals – Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach, providing high access to quality medical care. There are approximately 249 doctors per capita in this county compared to the U.S. average of 210, and medical costs come in about 10% below the national median.  
• On a cost of living index based on a national score of 100, Orange County scores 167.7. This indicates that local living costs are higher than in the typical U.S. city and in California, where the cost of living is rated at 149.9. To help seniors afford local living and memory care costs, there are several nonprofit organizations that provide financial counseling and help with obtaining public benefits.
• Crime is relatively uncommon in Orange County, which may appeal to families seeking memory care services for loved ones. On a 100-point crime index, the county’s violent crime score is 15.9 and the property crime score is 31.7, compared to respective national scores of 22.7 and 35.4.  
• With summer highs around 85 degrees, Orange County is among the cooler areas in California. Winters are very mild with daytime temperatures in the upper 60s, and annually, the county gets about 14 inches of rain and no snow. This may benefit older adults who enjoy relaxing outdoors.  
• California has high income tax rates, and seniors pay state taxes on all types of retirement income except for Social Security benefits, which may impact how much they can put toward monthly dementia care expenses. Several nonprofit agencies in Orange County have veterans’ benefits specialists and financial advisors who help older adults access tax breaks and make the most of their retirement income.   

Orange County residents with dementia obtain residential memory care services in assisted living facilities that are specially licensed to provide this level of care. On average, dementia services cost 20-30% more than assisted living due to additional licensing requirements, caregiver training and dementia-informed programming. Nationwide memory care cost data isn’t available, so we add 25% to the assisted living rates in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey to estimate monthly costs.   

In Orange County, memory care costs $6,563, which is equal to the state median but almost $1,000 higher than the national average ($5,625). Costs are significantly higher in San Francisco ($7,899) and Santa Rosa ($8,810). Memory care is much more affordable in Fresno ($4,875) and Stockton ($4,561). 

Seniors in Orange County have multiple care options to choose from. Nursing homes charge the highest monthly rates of $9,125 for semiprivate rooms and $11,269 for private units. Assisted living costs $5,250, and seniors pay $5,911 for either basic home care and specialized home health care. Memory care is a little costlier at $6,563. Adult day health care is the cheapest option at $1,652.  

In Orange County, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, 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.

Orange County Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in California are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in California page for more information about these laws.