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 Irvine’s senior population continues to grow (17.41% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Irvine, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 18.33% between 2014 and 2019. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 13.67%, 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 (10.38% in Irvine 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 Irvine. 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 Irvine, 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:
Atria Golden Creek Senior Living provides a vast menu of amenities, services and options for its assisted and independent living and memory care clients. The community provides housekeeping and laundry and linen services and a gourmet menu of fresh dishes prepared by the chef served daily. The staff also offer scheduled transportation for local appointments and outings. Atrias Engage Life program also works to stimulate memory care residents through educational, social and entertainment activities seven days a week. Essential health services, such as medication management, physical therapy, exercise classes and personal hygiene support, are also available to clients. The communitys residential accommodations include multiple apartment types with in-room kitchens, and a garden with patio space is available for relaxing and visiting with guests.
Clients of Atria Senior Living at Golden Creek love the overall quality of activities, cuisine and staff attentiveness. As one reviewer describes, "My grandparents live at Atria Golden Creek. They enjoy the innovative activities, delightful culinary cuisine, and responsive and friendly staff. Knowing my Grandparents are safe & taken care of during this COVID-19 crisis means the world to me and my family.
Located just northwest of Irvine, Brookdale Brookhurst offers memory care and assisted living in a lively area that's close to shops, restaurants, parks and medical facilities. For memory care residents, the community uses the Clare Bridge Daily Path program to help maintain and improve cognitive abilities and skills. Residents are encouraged to participate in many enriching programs and activities daily, including brain games and exercises. The community offers inviting common areas, including a salon, general store, library, game room and outdoor spaces with a courtyard and fountain, gardens and walking paths. Residents have a choice of floor plans, and all units come with a patio or balcony, kitchenette, private bathroom and emergency response system. Meals are provided, along with housekeeping, transportation, concierge and postal services. Trained staff are available 24/7 to provide individualized care.
Family members praise the caring staff and overall community. One reviewer writes, "Everything is wonderful at Brookdale Brookhurst. The staff is great, the appearance is great, they have a lot of activities, and my mother said the food is wonderful. Everything's been perfect. A resident adds, "I love Brookdale Brookhurst. The staff are very friendly and very professional.
Located just a short drive away from Irvine, Brookdale Garden Grove provides memory care and assisted living for seniors. The community is conveniently near shops, restaurants and medical facilities. For memory care residents, the community provides a gentle structure of six programs a day through its Clare Bridge Daily Path program. Residents can also benefit from mental fitness workouts through the community's signature Brain Fit program. Trained staff are available 24/7 to provide care and help with the activities of daily living and medication management. Amenities include a general store, theater, library, game room, salon and outdoor spaces that include walking paths, landscaped grounds, courtyard and garden. Meals, housekeeping, concierge and postal services are all provided. Activities include classes, game nights and shopping trips.
Family members appreciate the care their loved ones receive from helpful staff. As one reviewer writes, "The level of care is very good The staff is very nice, very accommodating and very helpful. The facility is nice and very clean. They have a lot of things going on, like happy hours, bingo, karaoke and all kinds of stuff.
Carmel Village is a pet-friendly senior living community focused on residents as individuals. It offers independent living, memory care and assisted living services. Caregivers are always available to help residents with daily tasks, such as medication management, bathing or mobility. The memory care program follows a M.A.P.S. philosophy, which stands for meaningful, active and personalized. Activities designed to encourage cognitive engagement include trivia and board games, arts and crafts, music and gardening. An events calendar features happy hours and parties for special events. Residents have access to on-site amenities such as a library, beauty salon and a spacious restaurant-style dining room. The community also organizes off-site field trips to nearby shops and restaurants and provides escorted transportation for appointments and errands.
Carmel Village draws praise for friendly staff and abundant activities. One person says, "It's very friendly, the rooms were nice, they had beautiful grounds, the activities were amazing, it was affordable. My dad was interested in the card games, the church activities, sports, happy hour, and socials. We've seen different homes, and they were the best."
Crown Cove is an assisted living and memory care community in Irvine, California. Residents live in private studio apartments that display familiar, resident-specific keepsakes such as family pictures, and theyre attended to by a specially trained, 24-hour staff that provides services ranging from housekeeping to assistance with daily tasks. Meals are prepared with residents' personal tastes in mind, facilitating memory recall and providing delicious experiences. Structured activities are supervised and include Watermark University classes, which feature walking clubs, woodworking groups, pet therapy and other methods of promoting mental and physical engagement. Crown Cove also offers several amenities designed to stimulate, such as outdoor patio areas for socialization and numerous activity rooms in which card games and craft clubs can often be found.
Reviews praise the quaint environment and caring staff. One reviewer says, "It's a great, clean facility. They have good food, nice people, and good activities. It's a nice environment. The staff is very attentive, caring, personable with my father, and very social, so he enjoys that."
Hollybrook Senior Living of Orange is in Irvine, California, and offers a wide range of services and amenities for seniors with memory care or assisted living needs. The communitys attentive, professionally licensed staff are available 24 hours a day to handle personal health essentials, such as hygiene assistance, grooming, mobility support and nutritional counseling. The staff handles medication management and housekeeping. A diverse range of cognitive stimulation programs are offered daily, including community strolls, movie nights, exercise classes and group social activities. There are chef-led cooking classes and scenic outings for residents. General amenities of Hollybrook Senior Living are extensive and feature a library, bistro, movie theater room and garden with sitting area.
Family members appreciate the flexible meal schedule and convenience of transportation. As one reviewer said, "There is also an on-site cook that makes customized meals; the eating schedule is very flexible, and there is pretty much dining options at every hour Monthly fees cover transportation costs to places like the hospital or the post office.
Mainplace Senior Living is in beautiful Orange County, California, and designed to promote independent lifestyles for its residents. For those who need additional support, it offers a memory care option that includes secure living environments, specialized activities and 24/7 staff. Memory care residents have access to medication administration, health monitoring and family support groups. Assisted living residents are supported by a tailored assistance plan. Skilled nurses and an in-house therapy team are available to ensure optimal health, rehab and recovery. The community also provides social, spiritual and creative classes, and residents can access educational opportunities and lectures.
One reviewer says, "The staff is wonderful and I am so thankful for them! They take such good care of my mom! It brings me peace of mind knowing that she is in such tender loving hands.
Kirkwood Orange is an active senior community focusing on assisted living and memory care. The community features several floor plans and apartment layouts, and it designs its living and common areas to be easily navigated and remembered. Round-the-clock care from specially trained memory care staff with access to personalized and routinely verified health plans ensures each resident is receiving the proper help for their needs. Amenities and services are plentiful and stimulate and engage each resident through mind and body interactions. Residents can participate in active exercise programs, including bocce ball and water aerobics, and low-impact exercises, such as tai chi and yoga. Mental engagement activities are regularly scheduled and include card games, such as pinochle and blackjack, trivia nights and discussion groups that cover a variety of topics.
Residents and their families offer high praise for the caring and attentive staff. One reviewer says, "The staff treats my mother like family and couldnt be more caring. My brother and I have been there nearly every day for the past month and we couldnt be happier with her care and the staff."
Las Palmas Laguna Woods is a senior living community offering residents a range of lifestyle options to best suit their personal needs. The specific memory care residence features a secured location complete with emergency call systems and 24-hour staffing, which includes licensed nurses. Personal care plans are designed around each resident, their specific memory needs and their families to best treat the appropriate levels of care, and specially trained memory care staff provides personal care whenever needed, from help with medications to weekly housekeeping. Family-style meals, designed with familiarity in mind, are offered three times a day, and residents have access to many activities throughout the day that help to promote the strength of both body and mind, such as exercise groups, ample musical experiences and daily games tailored to engaging and promoting mental health.
Residents and their families praise the community and love the caring staff. One said, "We love it here! Our Uncle was treated wonderful! Everyone is caring & responsive to his needs. The staff is always willing to do whatever it takes to see that the residents are safe & well cared for."
Residents of Meridian at Anaheim Hills always feel close to home, whether they hail from sunny Anaheim themselves. Assisted living, independent living and memory care are offered here in a luxury environment similar to that of a hotel, and the tailored Legacies memory care program provides a full set of activities supporting those with Alzheimer's or dementia. Trained staff assist those with cognitive decline through activities that promote physical and mental health, promoting socialization. Residents benefit from daily housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments and regular maintenance so they don't have to worry about chores, and regular wellness checks promote optimal health. Meridian is pet-friendly and even provides pet therapy.
Residents and their family members praise the staff at Meridian, stating, "Everyone is kind, loving and patient" and noting that Meridian's activity directors go above and beyond for them. One resident notes that "the property is attractive and extremely well-kept" and "the food is delicious."
Designed to promote social engagement, Oakmont of Orange is a senior living community with plenty of gathering spaces, such as lush gardens and walking paths, a fitness center, an activity room and a restaurant-style dining room. This community's memory care programming includes meaningful group activities, with a variety of physical and cognitive exercises that promote body and brain health. The Traditions program offers multisensory activities for seniors with advanced cognitive conditions, and a compassionate, trained team provides adequate support and care. Oakmont has a wellness center supervised by a full-time nurse, and it offers add-on services, such as diabetes management and coordination with therapists and health providers. Fine dining options are available at the communitys dining room, with culinary professionals creating gourmet selections that accommodate special dietary needs.
Families express satisfaction that care is tailored to loved ones needs. "Oakmont of Orange is well designed to transition residents as their care needs increase over time, all within the same facility. The food is excellent, and the rooms are comfortable and well designed. The atmosphere is superb. Activities are engaging and geared towards the abilities and cognitive levels of residents, says a reviewer.
Located just a short drive from Irvine, Pacifica Senior Living Newport Mesa is nestled in a quaint neighborhood in Costa Mesa, with proximity to shops, restaurants, parks and medical facilities. The cottage-style community offers a secure and homelike environment designed for memory care residents. Residents can enjoy leisurely walks and fresh air in a secure outdoor area with walking paths. Meals, housekeeping, maintenance and transportation services are all included. The community provides each resident with a personalized care plan through its signature Legacies Memory Care Program. For those with advanced stages of memory loss, Namaste Programming provides therapeutic sensory stimulation. Trained staff is available 24/7 and there are regular visits by speech, occupational and physical therapists, dentists and podiatrists. Residents also have access to a robust calendar of memory care-specific activities and events that provide cognitive, social and physical stimulation.
Family members really appreciate the great care their loved ones receive from the compassionate staff. As one reviewer writes, "The staff is super amazing to my mom. They are great caregivers and the people here are amazing! "The facility is great! The caregivers are so amazing and caring to the residents and their families! writes another.
Pacifica Senior Living South Coast is located in a serene neighborhood, with easy access to health care at nearby College Hospital Costa Mesa and other medical facilities. This pet-friendly community has a covered patio and plenty of outdoor sitting areas, which make great venues for group activities. Memory care is person-centered and well-rounded, with the Legacies program offering a range of physical and cognitive exercises, social engagement and spiritual services, all designed to promote self-esteem and stimulate recognition. Yoga classes, art projects, relaxing strolls and games fill residents days with enjoyment. Staff members have training in dementia care and redirection techniques, allowing them to provide the appropriate behavioral interventions and handle unique moods. The communitys chef prepares healthy meals, and individual diets are closely monitored.
People like the intimate setting and the clean surroundings. Families love to visit and appreciate the welcoming environment. "We sit on the patio when we visit her, so I've had interaction with various staff members, a couple of hospice doctors, nurses, etc., and they've all been positive interactions. She has a nice room with a window, and it's cheerful, says one family member.
Rowntree Gardens is located between Stanton and Westminster, 10 miles from the beach. There are several high-quality health care facilities in the area, including the West Anaheim Medical Center. Residents can enjoy three delicious meals a day served in the fireside dining room or outside on the patio overlooking the beautiful gardens. There is also a coffee bar and a nondenominational chapel. Seniors who have Alzheimer's or dementia have a secure memory care community with easy-to-navigate floor plans and 24/7 access to specialized care. There is also a full-time activities calendar, with activities designed to enrich body and mind while slowing down cognitive decline. Activities offered include computer classes, Zumba and chess club. There is an on-site wellness gym with daily exercise classes, brain fitness programs and a putting green for polishing up golf skills.
Visitors praise the attractive grounds, with one reviewer saying, "They have beautiful outdoors and really caring caretakers and staff. The staff is very efficient, very nice, know your names, very polite, and very caring. The rooms are really nice, large, have a sunroom, and a great view of the garden."
Silverado Newport Mesa Memory Care Community is a specialized community for residents with memory care ailments. The specially trained staff, including a medical director, social worker and licensed nurses, are available 24/7, with each staff member going through rigorous training regimens and hands-on education in many forms of dementia and other memory-related diseases. Community fixtures, such as natural lighting and fail-safe lean rails, create a safe atmosphere, and decor provides comfort and familiarity for residents, including personalized memory boxes outside of each room. The community features many secure outdoor courtyard areas and walking paths to facilitate movement and restrict wandering behaviors. Engaging activities include tai chi and yoga, and personalized programs designed to engage residents' individual skills and interests, such as cooking and crafts.
Reviewers enjoy the cleanliness of the community, as well as the caring staff. One reviewer says, "It's very clean, they've got animals there and it's a pretty facility. The staff is kind and patient to their residents and their families."
Silverado Tustin Hacienda Memory Care Community is located near Old Town Tustin, just north of Irvine. Nearby conveniences include shopping, dining, highways and medical facilities. The dedicated memory care community offers hallways with lean rails and personalized memory boxes outside of rooms to help with navigation. Residents have access to outdoor space that includes a secure courtyard, gardens and walking trails. Three distinct neighborhoods provide appropriate levels of care for residents at various stages of memory loss, with programming tailored to residents individual needs. Staff is available 24/7 and trained in the latest memory care techniques. Residents are offered numerous activities tailored to their histories, abilities and interests. The community also encourages frequent intergenerational programs and social outings to enhance residents' health and well-being.
Family members appreciate the many activities and helpful staff. One reviewer writes, "My mom moved in nine months ago and is happy! There are many activities for her to choose from, and there are the community pets The staff is so helpful in their care of each resident. Each resident is treated as an individual, and the staff really knows their likes, dislikes and how to help each resident.
Sunflower Gardens is a gated single-level apartment complex thats thoughtfully designed with a beautiful neighborhood-style setting. This Senior Lifestyle memory care community is in the South Coast Metro area of Santa Ana, located 2 miles from South Coast Global Medical Center and near Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center. Its pet-friendly campus has a large pavilion for outdoor gatherings, and the multiple landscaped courtyards connect by walking paths. Other amenities include the central dining room and fireside lounging areas with vintage cinema and military themes. Theres a nautical-themed Essence Room for aromatherapy sessions. The facilitys Embrace Memory Care program supports the holistic well-being of each resident through personalized care, engaging experiences and connection with families. Residents are offered enriching activities, such as gardening, arts and crafts, outings and themed parties.
Loved ones commend the extraordinary people at Sunflower Gardens. One reviewer writes, "The staff the director and the nurse were great. They rescued my dad from a horrible situation and took great care of him. I would give them a five-star rating for compassionate and phenomenal care. They even prorated the costs to help my family and were very fair.
Nestled in the foothills of Tustin, just north of Irvine, Sunrise at Tustin provides memory care, assisted living and respite care to seniors in a homelike setting. The community is conveniently near restaurants, shops, the Tustin Ranch Golf Course and medical facilities, including U.C. Irvine Medical Center. On-site, the grounds are surrounded by lush gardens and trees. Memory care residents live in a dedicated Reminiscence neighborhood, with comfortable and secure areas that are easy to navigate and highly trained staff that provide care 24/7. Memory care residents also have access to a wide range of memory-focused activities. Additional amenities include a bistro, reading nook, fireside living room and spacious patios. Meals, housekeeping and transportation services are all provided, along with plenty of activities. Designated care managers ensure that each resident receives a customized and comprehensive care plan.
Reviewers appreciate the homelike atmosphere and caring staff. One family member writes, "The people that run the Sunrise of Tustin are amazing. My father-in-law is receiving good care from the staff and caregivers. It definitely feels like home to him. Adds another, "All the staff went out of their way to be very helpful and always friendly.
In the heart of Yorba Linda, Sunrise of Yorba Linda provides memory care, assisted living and short-term care for seniors. The community is conveniently near the Yorba Linda Town Center, library, cultural center and several hospitals, including Placentia Linda Hospital and St. Jude Medical Group. Residents receive a personalized care plan, overseen by designated care managers. Services such as meals, housekeeping and transportation are all included. Theres also a robust activities program, including classes, clubs, entertainment and scheduled outings. Memory care residents live in a special Reminiscence neighborhood, with comfortable and secure areas, and highly trained staff that provides care 24/7. Certified validation teachers trained in the latest memory care techniques are available on-site. Memory care residents are encouraged to take part in a wide range of enriching memory-focused activities.
Reviewers often mention the extensive activities and caring staff. One family member writes, "I couldn't say enough good things about it. It's very clean, has helpful people, and has classes and activities going on all the time. The staff is very helpful, and the food is good. Adds another, "I highly recommend the facility. The staff is excellent and very caring.
The Groves of Tustin is in a residential area in Tustin, 5 miles north of Irvine. It is conveniently located down the road from Tustin Medical Arts Center. The community features several on-site amenities, including a beauty salon, landscaped walking paths and a courtyard. There is also a chef's garden for growing healthy produce and a terrace to enjoy alfresco dining in the California sun. For residents with Alzheimer's or dementia, there is a secure neighborhood and a specialized memory care program that includes a personalized jukebox, preparing recipes from the past and connecting with the local community. The kind staff is available 24/7 to provide care tailored to each resident and their unique needs and interests. Residents can participate in various engaging activities, such as morning stretches, Mardi Gras parties and bingo.
Visitors praise the welcoming community, with one reviewer saying, "The Groves of Tustin was very pleasant, neat and clean. There were three people during the visit and they were all very handy and helpful. The dining area was very pleasant. They had all kinds of activities like Bingo, arts and crafts, and they had an exercise area."