Dementia, and specifically Alzheimer's, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Anaheim’s senior population continues to grow (16.07% growth between 2013 and 2017), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Anaheim, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 12.49% between 2013 and 2017. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 7.19%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (8.07% in Anaheim vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
To help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive impairment find the support and care their loved ones need, we applied our unique methodology and spent dozens of hours researching senior living communities in Anaheim. In addition to an overview of the communities’ best features, this guide highlights the best memory care facilities in the city, and gives information about pricing, types of care provided, residents’ reviews, and more.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time-consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in Anaheim, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
Arbor Palms of Anaheim is located in a sunny suburban neighborhood of Southern California, minutes from local attractions, such as Cypress Plaza Shopping Center, Twila Reid Park and Navy Golf Course. This community offers compassionate assisted living and memory care, delivered by an experienced staff that provides concierge, housekeeping and caregiving services. To create a safe, supportive environment for memory care residents, caregivers receive weekly dementia training, equipping them to provide individualized, round-the-clock assistance to seniors with this syndrome. Residents live in spacious apartments with individual temperature controls and private baths, and they eat in the restaurant-style dining room, which can accommodate unique dietary needs. Additional health care services are provided by on-call physicians, and scheduled transportation services ensure seniors arrive on time for appointments. To encourage social engagement, Arbor Palms of Anaheim offers a robust activities calendar, which includes everything from off-campus shopping trips to inter-generational events.
One reviewer praised Arbor Palms of Anaheim for its welcoming atmosphere; when selecting an assisted living facility for their father-in-law, Arbor Palms was "accommodating" and the family's "unanimous" choice. After their father-in-law moved in, they praised the staff for being "extremely well trained" and having "endless patience."
Carmel Village Retirement Community is a pet-friendly facility that offers independent living, assisted living and memory care. Its conveniently located near hospitals, shops and major roads, and residents receive customized care based on their personal needs. The facility offers chef-prepared meals with residents special diets in mind and are served in the common dining room or residents room. Activities, including group fitness classes, trivia and a gardening club, help seniors stay active, while common areas, including a fireside lounge and library, offer opportunities for residents to socialize with neighbors. An on-site beauty salon and scheduled transportation to appointments are available, and an emergency response system helps keep seniors feeling secure and safe.
Family and residents speak highly of the community environment, describing it as bright, airy and clean with beautiful gardens. Many people noted that the staff is friendly, and residents enjoy the activities offered. A residents loved ones stated, "my whole family enjoys our visits to Carmel Village.
Crescendo Senior Living of Placentia is just a block from Placentia Town Center and minutes from Placentia-Linda Hospital. Voted as one of Orange Countys best senior living communities, this facility lives by its promise to provide a daily living environment where residents thrive and are nurtured, inspired and loved. Residents enjoy restaurant-style dining and benefit from transportation services for outings and appointments. Theres an on-site beauty salon, barbershop and day spa to provide a pampering treat. The communitys New Day Memory Support program carries five principles of care, namely on communication, programming, individualization, choices and the need for patience, understanding and safety. Stimulating memory care activities are offered daily with focus on movement, mind, soul and taste. These activities include educational discussions, food appreciation, group exercises, games, pet therapy and art.
Satisfied family members appreciate the kind, professional staff at Crescendo Senior Living of Placentia. One reviewer says, "Crescendo Memory Care is a great place. A good value price wise and the staff does an excellent job caring for the residents, all of whom have difficulties. Seeing the staff very patiently dealing with other residents gives me confidence my mom gets the same loving care.
Located steps away from La Palma Park's walking trails and UCI Health Family Health Center, Harbor Heights is a senior living community offering assisted living and memory care. Highly trained staff members follow the community's research-backed Montessori Moments in Time care program to help seniors with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia retain their abilities and stay connected with their surroundings. In the restaurant-style dining room, residents receive three chef-prepared meals a day. Residents have access to a myriad of peaceful community areas, such as a media room, living room and a spacious library. With its full slate of social, recreational and educational activities, Harbor Heights' event calendar offers something to pique every resident's interest.
In addition to affordability, many residents and their family members have been impressed by Harbor Heights' diverse selection of activities. One resident's spouse stated, ". they had lots of activities, watched movies, took them to places The price wasn't expensive."
Hollybrook Senior Living of Orange is an assisted living and memory care community on the south side of Orange, California. It's near I-5, within walking distance of public transit and under a mile from the large MainPlace Mall. Seniors with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia live in the memory care neighborhood of Hollybrook, which is secure and provides a homelike atmosphere. Staff take residents on escorted walks around the community up to three times per day, and they organize music therapy and other activities designed to help seniors stay physically active and enhance their cognitive functions. All meals are prepared on-site daily using fresh ingredients, and accommodations can be made for special diets.
The relative of a Hollybrook memory care resident says that the facility has "wonderful staff, very caring and helpful, and appreciated the assistance getting paperwork filed. Others comment on the cleanliness of the units and bathrooms and are impressed by the outdoor spaces.
Karlton Residential Care Center is a family-owned community that provides memory care services in North Orange County. The facilitys staff is specially trained to work with seniors affected by Alzheimers disease, dementia and impaired memory issues. A licensed professional nurse is available seven days a week, and physicians, dentists, dermatologists and psychiatrists make regular visits. Residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of individual and group activities designed to provide cognitive and social stimulation, such as trivia games, sing-along sessions and pet therapy. There are weekly adult education sessions for continued learning. Karlton Residential Care Center offers a secure environment with patios and walking paths, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors and explore the grounds freely and safely. It also hosts holiday celebrations and annual events for residents and their families and friends to attend.
Online reviewers highly recommend Karlton Residential Care Center for its clean environment and the many activities that residents can take part in. A relative of one resident says, "The staff is very caring and considerate, and takes very good care of the people who are there.
Kirkwood Orange is near shopping centers, and it's convenient location along Taft Avenue and near Tustin Street provides convenient routes to Anaheim and Santa Ana. This small, pet-friendly facility offers a warm neighborhood feel with its inviting amenities, including a 1950s-style ice cream parlor, the Country Kitchen dining area and spacious living room. Its landscaped outdoor space showcases the California lifestyle with its palm trees, comfortable seating and barbecue area. The Revere Memory Care unit at Kirkwood Orange has its own private courtyard, dining room and common areas for group activities and social gatherings. Relationship-based care methods let caregivers provide personalized assistance to memory care residents. Some of Reveres engaging memory care activities include music, dancing, pet therapy, intergenerational programming and natural sensory stimulation experiences.
People attest to the enriching experience of their loved ones at Kirkwood Orange. A residents grateful family member shares, "Even though she has significant memory loss, she is always treated with dignity, optimism and respect, allowing/encouraging her to participate in everything, whether it's a sing-a-long, bingo game, happy hour, restaurant outing or field trip.
Set on a beautifully landscaped 5.5-acre campus, Oakmont of Capriana offers a full continuum of care services, including Villagio, the facility's specialized memory care neighborhood. The community is designed with functional floor plans that are easy for seniors to navigate and features luxurious, resort-style amenities, including a spa, private movie theater, swimming pool, tennis courts, library and coffee shop. A dedicated concierge is available in the lobby to attend to the immediate needs of residents and guests, and a 24-hour staff is on-site to assist seniors with daily tasks. Especially curated activities are available each day to engage residents' minds and bodies, such as tai chi, book clubs, gardening, art lessons and computer classes. The facility also offers regular off-site outings and transportation services, so residents can get to appointments and run errands.
The best insurance of a strong community is the level of interaction between residents and management, and that's exactly what can be observed at Oakmont of Capriana. As the loved one of a current resident shares about her favorite aspect of the community, "I like the people's attitude the most at Capriana. They are happy and cheerful and everybody is there to help."
Oakmont of Orange is perfectly situated near the California State Route 22 interchange on The City Drive, and its just a few blocks from The Outlets at Orange and UC Irvine Medical Center. This premier retirement community offers residents luxury senior living with its bistro, movie theater, fitness center, salon and day spa and indoor and outdoor dining areas. Complimentary concierge and chauffeur services are available for even greater convenience. Residents benefit from comprehensive health care through the facilitys Diabetes Wellness and Concierge Medicine programs as well as physicians visits and coordination of therapy, podiatry, psychological and other health and wellness services. The Traditions Memory Care Program at Oakmont of Orange offers a diverse range of engaging activities, including exercise, music, art, movies and small group gatherings.
People appreciate the warm, caring environment of Oakmont of Orange. A memory care residents daughter says, "I cannot say enough about the quality of care she has received this past year. From the management to the staff she has been treated with concern and kindness and professionalism that is so comforting to me and my family.
Oakmont of Whittier is a retirement community set on a beautifully landscaped campus that offers assisted living and memory care. The facility has a Traditions program with specially trained staff that provide caring support for those experiencing memory loss associated with Alzheimers and dementia. Physical activity is encouraged, and residents can join in with yoga, stretch and strength classes and a walking club. Classes are also offered to help sharpen mental acuity and exercise memory using brain fitness techniques. Part of the Traditions program also involves providing a soothing environment with activities based on music, sensory and tactile stimulation. Seniors can enjoy nutritious meals prepared by an executive chef in a restaurant-style environment while socializing with fellow residents. Residents can also make use of the complimentary chauffeur service or take part in regular excursions to explore the local area.
Online reviewers praise the courteous and attentive staff and the facilitys welcoming atmosphere. The relative of one resident writes, "It is a beautiful environment with a very caring staff a wonderful dining room and state-of-the-art movie theater We cant say enough nice things about Oakmont of Whittier and their five-star staff.
Park Regency Retirement helps enrich the lives of people with dementia by using a Montessori-based approach that focuses on enhancing residents' abilities through carefully chosen activities that engage the senses. Residents receive specialized care plans tailored to their preferences and needs, ensuring seniors retain maximum independence while receiving help with life's daily activities. A garden, workshop and art studio are a few of the community's interactive areas where residents can immerse themselves in rewarding hobbies. Exercise classes help residents improve their balance and strength, while on-site worship services ensure spiritual residents can stay connected with their faith. In addition to nutritious and savory meals prepared by the community's culinary team, residents can join group outings to nearby restaurants.
One resident's family member said, "I have been extremely happy with my mother's experiences and mine as well. Staff are always friendly, willing to help and in constant movement." Other reviewers mentioned that they enjoy the facility's convenient amenities such as its on-site salon.
Park Vista Assisted Living & Memory Care provides comprehensive support seniors can depend on. The community offers a full continuum of care and rehabilitation services in a homelike setting, to help residents meet their physical, cognitive, social and spiritual potential. Staff members develop individualized plans for each resident based on their capabilities and preferences and are specially trained in the Heartfelt Connections memory care program to support seniors with Alzheimer's. The facility is conveniently located close to shopping centers, restaurants, banks, places of worship and medical offices, and resident transportation is available for errands and appointments. Daily meals, weekly housekeeping and laundry services help seniors enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. Social activities are offered each day, so residents have the opportunity to engage with each other. Those looking for some rest and relaxation can spend time outdoors in the secured patio area or have an afternoon of pampering at the on-site beauty/barbershop.
Residents and their families appreciate Park Vista staff's dedication to providing high quality, individualized care. The daughter of one resident shares, "We have been amazed at how well our father has been taken care of. The staff are amazingly attentive."
Rowntree Gardens has a convenient residential location that's about two miles from downtown Stanton. In addition to providing long-term senior living accommodations, this faith-based continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offers home care and Medicare-certified therapy services. Inviting outdoor spaces include a shuffleboard, putting green and landscaped courtyard by the facilitys nondenominational Heartwood Chapel. Theres an on-site wellness gym for group exercises and a 24-hour health and wellness center with licensed vocational nurses. Other on-site conveniences include a gift shop and hair salon. The structured environment of Gardens Memory Care features a dementia-friendly one-level floor plan and an optimal caregiver-to-resident ratio. Memory care residents enjoy engaging activities, such as courtyard strolls, cooking classes, music, pet therapy, creative arts and lunch outings. The Gardens Memory Care staff at Rowntree Gardens has a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle Certification from the Center for Applied Research in Dementia.
Reviewers highly recommend Rowntree Gardens for the outstanding quality of care that their loved ones receive. One family member shares, "My mom has been there for about 8 months and she loves it. They treat her with such respect and care and the whole family is involved and feels the same way.
The Groves of Tustin has an ideal location in a residential neighborhood off the Main Street of downtown Tustin, providing a relaxed environment and quick access to commercial amenities. This boutique senior living community features spacious suites with private balconies, and they can be modified into private or semiprivate care accommodations. Its Generations Memory Care neighborhood has dedicated engagement-focused amenities, including the Grand Parlor for socialization, the Tree Top Terrace and Courtyard for alfresco dining options as well as the chefs garden to grow organic produce. The residents are offered exciting experiences and meaningful connections through social, recreational and wellness activities through the Vibrant Life program.
Relatives satisfied with The Groves of Tustin appreciate the facilitys pleasant environment. One family member writes, "The staff is great and very helpful The place is clean as a whistle, no foul odors, and absolutely as good as it gets Everybody's friendly and they seem to be going out of their way to make it the best experience for my mother.
Walnut Village is a large retirement community that provides several health and lifestyle options, including memory care, in a convenient south Anaheim location, and it's just a couple of blocks from the I-5. Memory care residents live in the Summer House neighborhood of Walnut Village, which includes a wander garden and other landscaped outdoor spaces designed specifically for seniors with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The neighborhood houses fewer than 50 residents and is staffed by licensed nurses around-the-clock as well as having a full-time licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Residents are encouraged to participate in group activities that use music and other methods that help keep everyone active.
A visitor who toured Walnut Village compliments the staff for being helpful and informative, and also says, "I was able to see the skilled nursing facility as well as the memory care facility and both of them looked great. Other visitors are impressed with the appearance and upscale nature of the community.
Whitten Heights is in a picturesque tree-lined residential street off California State Route 39 and just a short drive from Los Angeles and Anaheim. This family-owned senior community operates with a mission to serve its residents with dignity and respect and provide quality care that helps maintain their independence. The facilitys homelike amenities include a landscaped central courtyard and cozy common areas for dining, lounging and leisure activities. Its dedicated memory care unit is referred to as Heritage Care, providing a secure environment for residents with early, middle and advanced stages of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. The interdisciplinary Heritage Care team develops individualized care plans in coordination with various geriatric care specialties. Memory care activities are offered to cognitively engage residents and foster a sense of home and joy.
Relatives like the fact that their loved ones feel truly at home at Whitten Heights. One family member writes, "My mother moved into Whitten Heights, and we've been happy. They serve three meals, and she said it's good The staff is friendly, they know her by name, and they know where her room is.