10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Los Angeles, CA

Seniors and their families often combine different payment options to cover the cost of memory care in Los Angeles. If your senior loved one needs long-term memory care, they may qualify for state and federal programs to help cover some of the associated costs. Continue reading to learn how combining private payment methods, veterans benefits, and public assistance options may help cover the costs of memory care.

Memory care facilities in Los Angeles are licensed by the California Department of Social Services (or CDSS). These facilities fall under the titles of Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (or RCFE) and/or Continuing Care Retirement Community (or CCRC). Each facility needs to comply with the following regulations:

• House a maximum of two residents per bedroom
• Provide individual privacy in each bathroom
• Ensure bedrooms have room to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers
• Provide clean and accessible common rooms for residents
• Provide activities involving social, leisure, and daily living skills

Resident and staff requirements

In addition, Los Angeles memory care facilities are required to assess potential residents before they move in. The assessment process may include a review of the senior’s health history and an interview with the senior and their family.

Memory care communities must also have adequate staff at all times to provide care for residents. Regardless of the number of residents, each facility must have one staff member awake and on duty at night. If the facility has more than 16 residents, there must also be an on-call staff member. In addition, all caregivers in these communities must have at least 8 hours of annual training on dementia-specific care.

Inspections

The CDSS is responsible for inspecting Los Angeles memory care facilities once each year and no later than 10 days after a complaint has been filed. The CDSS has a Care Facility Search site where you can find lists of memory care facilities and their inspection reports. To navigate this search site, scroll to “Search By Facility Group,” choose “Elderly Assisted Living,” choose the “Facility Type” and “Los Angeles County,” and then click on the search button. The site also allows you to search by facility name or address if you already have that information.

California Department of Health contact information

California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784

COVID-19 regulations for Los Angeles memory care facilities

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, residents are encouraged to follow all health and safety guidelines. These include wearing masks in public, getting vaccinated for COVID-19, and taking a test if symptoms are present. For frequently updated guidance, read the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s current COVID-19 guidelines.

Los Angeles memory care facilities are required to follow the county’s care facility COVID-19 guidelines for assisted living facilities:

Memory care facilities in Los Angeles are designed for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Skilled dementia-care caregivers and cognitive therapies help each resident make the most of their daily experiences. Both private and semi-private rooms can be found in these Los Angeles facilities, in addition to dementia-friendly layouts for safety and familiarity.

Dementia-care caregivers and therapies

Caregivers in Los Angeles memory care facilities are required to be highly trained to support residents through the challenges of dementia. Not only do they receive extensive memory care training prior to working with seniors with dementia, but caregivers may also receive continuing education. In addition, these specialized caregivers are able to guide residents through a range of dementia therapies.

Memory care therapies help seniors maintain their cognitive abilities and cope with the challenges of dementia symptoms. Several communities use music therapy, art therapy, and exercise programs to improve residents’ moods and quality of life. Even if a community isn’t live-in pet friendly, they may still include pet therapy sessions in the residents’ schedules to provide meaningful companionship and alleviate loneliness.

Specialized therapies can also include occupational therapy, cognitive stimulation, and reminiscence therapy. Each form of therapy can help seniors learn strategies to cope with cognitive challenges, maintain memories, or even restore memories.

Dementia-friendly design

Layouts are an important feature in Los Angeles memory care communities, because it can be hard for seniors with dementia to navigate their surroundings. Elements like hallways and visual markers are used to create safe, comfortable, and dependable environments. For instance, visual cues such as signs, wall colors, and floor designs can guide residents purposefully through their communities to distinct spaces. Some design modifications are also important to help prevent wandering.

Several memory care facilities in Los Angeles also have therapy gardens and enclosed walking paths. These outdoor features are sometimes used as a safe place for wandering seniors. They’re also helpful for minimizing dementia-related behaviors as walking can decrease aggression and depression. There are also facilities that have enclosed indoor and outdoor courtyards that enable residents to safely explore the community.

Enriching amenities and activities

Stand-alone Los Angeles memory care communities, multi-care assisted living facilities, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) often have wonderful on-site amenities and activity options. Residents can take leisurely strolls along paths in enclosed courtyards or lounge on rooftop decks that boast views of the Hollywood Hills. Seniors can even join fitness classes or enjoy quiet indoor courtyards. Many Los Angeles memory care facilities also offer restorative amenities, such as yoga and meditation gardens, full service salons for both men and women, and spas with massage services provided by a professional masseuse.

Most Los Angeles memory care communities also have full calendars of activities. Residents can connect with their new neighbors over things like candlelight dinners, baking classes, or spiritual services. They can also dine together on gourmet meals in the community’s restaurant and continue conversing in the cozy lounges or other common areas. Afterwards, live performances, art activities, and even music or pet therapy await. Some memory care facilities also work closely with local schools to bring student volunteers in to visit, keeping residents connected to their community.

Stand-alone memory care communities

Stand-alone memory care communities only offer memory care services to residents with some form of dementia. Some of these Los Angeles memory care communities exist within small residential properties and provide both the comforts of a homelike setting and the care seniors need. Some residential homelike communities are more personalized and encourage seniors to add their own decorations to give their rooms a personal touch. A stand-alone community may bring you peace of mind knowing that your loved one is in a community designed exclusively for their memory care needs.

Larger assisted living communities with memory care

Most of A Place for Mom’s partner memory care facilities in Los Angeles are part of larger assisted living facilities or Continuing Care Retirement Communities (or CCRCs) that offer multiple care types on one campus. At these multi-care communities, your senior family member can receive a range of care services as they age without ever having to move.

Even though larger assisted living communities and CCRCs cater to a wider range of senior care needs, their memory care neighborhoods are thoughtfully designed. They staff memory care specialists, provide specialized therapies, and incorporate dementia-friendly layouts for safety and comfort of residents. For example, some Los Angeles memory care communities have large memory display boxes outside of each resident’s room, promoting nostalgia and belonging. Seniors place treasured items on display outside their rooms to help them find their personal space more easily, so they can always feel at home.

Health care for seniors in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to several hospitals that are nationally ranked for their geriatric care programs, cardiology, cancer care, and more. Browse the highly ranked options below.

Transportation for seniors in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, 87% of A Place for Mom’s partner memory care communities provide on-site transportation services. These services help seniors safely get around Los Angeles in spite of the busy traffic. Errands and appointments may also be chauffeured and scheduled in advance.

Driving isn’t the best way to get around Los Angeles, so visitors should use other methods of transportation. Bike rentals, walkable neighborhoods, and the wide range of public transportation services make it much easier for visitors to explore.

The city’s popular public transportation hubs are Union Station Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Metro. Both have options with senior discounts and senior-specific transportation services, so there are options for visitors commuting with or to their senior loved ones. Browse the following transportation options offered at both of these transportation hubs:

• There are over 165 Metro bus routes available.
• Los Angeles has seven rail lines, each with a connection to one of the bus stops.
• Metro bikes are available to rent in intervals ranging from one ride to one year.
• The Metro micro is Los Angeles’ on-demand rideshare option, serving many of the city’s subdivisions as well.
• Union Station West has a designated taxi pick-up and drop-off location.
• The Dodger Stadium Express is a bus available at Union Station for passengers attending home games.

Los Angeles also has senior-specific transportation options:

• Seniors with disabilities may be eligible for Access — the Metro’s rideshare paratransit service.
• CityRide is designed for seniors over the age of 65 and people with disabilities. They offer discounted rates and curbside service.
• Transport Seniors LA offers wheelchair-accessible transportation for seniors who need to travel to and from medical appointments, errands, and more.