Memory care
Memory care is housing and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, offering specialized 24-hour care, secure environments and trained staff.[1] It is usually provided in special units within assisted living facilities or nursing homes rather than as a separate license type.[2]
Definition
The California Department of Aging describes housing for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias as offering specialized 24-hour care, secure environments and trained staff, with social activities tailored to residents’ needs.[1] The National Institute on Aging notes that some assisted living facilities have special Alzheimer’s units with staff who check on and care for people with dementia, and that nursing home Alzheimer’s units are often in separate sections of the building where staff have special training.[2]
Rules in California
- Staff training: every RCFE must give direct care staff 12 hours of dementia care training (6 hours before working independently with residents and 6 within the first four weeks) and 8 hours of dementia in-service training each year.[3]
- Disclosure: an RCFE that advertises or promotes special care, programming or environments for people with dementia must describe those features in its plan of operation filed with CDSS, and must provide the information to the public on request.[5]
- Protective supervision: state law defines this as observing and assisting confused residents, including persons with dementia, to safeguard them against injury.[6]
Cost
The CareScout Cost of Care Survey does not publish a separate median for memory care; it reports assisted living and nursing home costs.[7] NIA advises families to ask whether a dementia unit’s costs differ from the rest of the facility and what is included in the fee.[2] For reference, the 2025 U.S. median for assisted living was $6,200 per month.[7]
Questions to ask on a visit
NIA suggests visiting at different times of day and asking, among other things:[2]
- How many residents have Alzheimer’s, and is there a special unit? What services does it provide?
- How many staff are on site, and how many are trained to provide medical care?
- Is there a doctor who checks on residents regularly? How often?
- What is a typical day like for a person with Alzheimer’s?
- Is there a safe place for the person to go outside?
- What is included in the fee, and what costs extra?
In California, ask to see the RCFE’s dementia care description and check its inspection history.[5][8]
Frequently asked questions
Is memory care the same as assisted living?
Memory care is often provided within assisted living facilities as special Alzheimer's units, and also within nursing homes; it adds dementia-specific staffing, security and programming.[2][1]
How common is dementia in assisted living?
The National Center for Assisted Living reports that 4 in 10 assisted living residents are living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.[9]
What dementia training must California assisted living staff have?
Direct care staff in every California RCFE must complete 12 hours of dementia care training, 6 before working independently and 6 within four weeks, plus 8 hours of dementia in-service training per year.[3]
See also
References
Web pages accessed September 28, 2026 unless noted. See sources and methodology.
- ^ "Determine the Best Housing Option For Me". California Department of Aging.
- ^ "Alzheimer's Caregiving: Finding Long-Term Care". National Institute on Aging (NIH).
- ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.627 (dementia training for direct care staff)". California Legislative Information.
- ^ "Long-term care (coverage page)". Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.626 (dementia care disclosures)". California Legislative Information.
- ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.2 (definitions, residential care facilities for the elderly)". California Legislative Information.
- ^ "Cost of Care Survey 2025: national median costs". CareScout (formerly the Genworth Cost of Care Survey). Survey fielded July–November 2025.
- ^ "Care Facility Search". California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Search tool.
- ^ "Assisted Living Facts and Figures". National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL/AHCA).