The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Fresno, CA for 2024

The U.S. Census estimates that the population in Fresno is 544,510, and 11.6% of the population are adults aged 65 and older. Unfortunately, these older adults are at the most risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These cognitive diseases caused 687 Fresno deaths in 2020, a rise of more than 70% from 2016 according to the CDC. The Alzheimer’s Association projects that one in five Californians aged 65 and older will be living with cognitive diseases by 2040.

Dementia care is important for those suffering from the disease. Memory care communities in Fresno can relieve burdens for families facing dementia. In addition to providing room, board and assistance with daily activities, these licensed facilities keep residents active mentally, which can slow the rate of cognitive decline. Caregivers trained to help seniors with memory loss are available for assistance at all times.

This guide covers the cost of memory care in Fresno and compares it to other cities in California. It also explains aspects of Fresno that may be positive or negative for senior residents.

In Fresno, memory care facilities are regulated by the California Department of Social Services and licensed under the Community Care Licensing Adult and Senior Program. California’s 13 Senior Care Licensing Offices can answer questions about license requirements, as well as the rules and regulations facilities must follow.

• Residents of Fresno have easy access to high-quality health care services at the city’s many hospitals and specialized medical centers. Some of Fresno’s best hospitals include the Community Regional Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Fresno Surgical Hospital, which were all rated positively by U.S. News & World Report.
• Fresno’s overall cost of living is significantly lower than the California average, but except for Social Security benefits, seniors have to pay state taxes on most kinds of other retirement income. Still, income tax rates are fairly reasonable for people with moderate-to-low incomes.
• Fresno has high rates of property and violent crime, making it safer than only 8% of other U.S. cities. Generally, neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city tend to be safer than those in the center.
• Disabled seniors who can’t ride the regular bus may be eligible for low-cost, curb-to-curb transit via Fresno Area Express (FAX) Handy Ride. This service operates on the same schedule as the fixed-route bus system and provides transportation to any destination in the FAX service area.
• Fresno’s air quality is below average compared to the U.S. as a whole due to high levels of ozone and particulate matter, which can be detrimental to seniors with asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions.
• The weather in Fresno is typically warm and sunny. The city gets approximately 271 sunny days per year compared to the national average of 205. It receives zero inches of annual snowfall and winters are mild, with an average low temperature of 38 degrees in January. Summers can be quite hot, with average highs reaching 98 degrees in July.

When trying to decide how to pay for memory care, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of more than 75,000 senior living providers to provide insight into the average cost of memory care in Fresno and 139 other cities in California.

At $4,875, memory care in Fresno is much cheaper than the California average of $6,563 and the national average of $5,625. It’s a bit more expensive than some other cities in the area, though, but less costly than Hanford, where seniors pay $5,438. Rates in Visalia average $4,313, and in Madera, they’re about $4,785. To the south in Bakersfield, memory care costs approximately $4,688.

Memory care is just one option for senior living. Older adults in Fresno may choose other senior living arrangements that work better for their unique needs and budget constraints. Assisted living, for example, costs an average of $3,461, or $1,766 a month less than memory care. Independent living can be more affordable still. In Fresno, independent living costs an average of $2,931, or $2,296 less than memory care.

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.