Memory Care Communities in San Jose, CA

At $7,500, the monthly average cost of Memory Care in San Jose is above the state average of $6,562 and well above the national average of $5,625. Elsewhere in the state, costs remain high relative to the average cost of $4,687 in neighboring state of Nevada. In San Diego, costs average $6,842 and in Sacramento $6,531. In the large urban center of Los Angeles, average monthly costs are $6,562. A much less expensive location for Memory Care in California is Fresno, where it averages $4,875 monthly.

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.

The average monthly cost of Memory Care in San Jose, CA is $7,500. This is higher than both the state average of $6,562 and the national average of $5,625. 

For many seniors and families, managing memory care costs in San Jose involves a combination of public payment solutions and personal funds. The statewide Medicaid program, federally funded health insurance and veterans’ benefits help many seniors cover a portion of their expenses. Private income and assets bridge the gap between public funding and monthly fees, promoting access to ongoing specialized care.

• Medicaid: California Medicaid’s Assisted Living Waiver covers memory care services in many San Jose facilities. Through this program, qualified seniors receive financial assistance for personal care services, meals and transportation services.
• Medicare: Medicare coverage doesn’t apply to memory care services, which feature nonmedical supports. However, the program’s Part B coverage helps memory care residents manage their overall care costs by paying for skilled nursing services, rehabilitative therapies and durable medical equipment.
• VA Benefits: The VA funds three programs that help veterans pay for memory care. The Geriatrics and Extended Care program pays for personal care services, meals and transportation, while Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits provide additional income to be used toward general care expenses.
• Private payments: Memory care centers accept private payments for housing and care expenses. This money may come from seniors’ monthly income, savings or other financial assets.

Memory Care, which often involves specialized professional providers, does not come cheap. Nursing Home Care is more expensive in the San Jose area with monthly average costs of $11,863 for a semi-private room. Assisted living in a facility runs $6,000 monthly, while non-medical In-home Care and Home Health Care that involves more complex medical care both cost $7,102. The least expensive type of organized support for seniors is Adult Day Care which costs an average $1,820 monthly.

The California Department of Social Services’ Senior Care Licensing program oversees residential Memory Care in the city of San Jose and across the state. They do this with policy development and a schedule of inspections that enforce strict regulatory standards around care, food service, special programs and more. There is a regional office for this program in San Jose.

Benefits

• San Jose ranks as a longtime member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating favorability for seniors and families considering local memory care centers. Age-friendly business practices, access to information on senior-specific services and topics and a focus on affordable housing foster inclusiveness.
• With daytime temperatures ranging from 59-82 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, San Jose’s weather appeals to many seniors who enjoy spending time outside. Memory care communities in this city often offer amenities such as enclosed courtyards, walking paths and swimming pools for outdoor recreation.
• Memory care residents in San Jose have access to high-performing hospitals such as O’Connor Hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital. These facilities provide a wide scope of inpatient and outpatient care, including senior-focused services.

Drawbacks

• Outpacing the national norm by 78%, San Jose’s cost of living can discourage seniors and families with limited memory care budgets. To maximize affordability, numerous facilities offer all-inclusive pricing and benefits counseling, and many accept coverage through Medi-Cal.
• California has some of the highest income taxes in the nation, with rates for top earners coming in at 13.3%. However, while the state taxes nearly all forms of retirement income, it exempts Social Security benefits and offers a senior income tax exemption, helping some seniors afford memory care in San Jose.