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 Oxnard's senior population continues to grow (18.85% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Oxnard, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease increased by 27.11% between 2014 and 2019. To put that into perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 14.49%, 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 (12.57% in Oxnard 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 Oxnard. 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 Oxnard, 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:
Pacifica Senior Living Oxnard is a premium senior living community that is located in a peaceful neighborhood. The memory care unit is situated in a separate section of the campus, and it has been specifically designed to make residents feel safe and at home. Residents have access to a secure courtyard with raised garden beds and shaded seating areas. The community offers a holistic and person-centered approach to memory care. Each resident has a care plan that focuses on them as an individual. The care plan includes their life history, hobbies, likes, dislikes and care requirements. Life enrichment activities are scheduled each day, and these are designed to benefit the cognitive, emotional and physical functioning of residents. Activities may include supervised group outings, gentle fitness classes, aromatherapy, music therapy, arts and crafts, and cognitive games.
Family members praise the wonderful facilities, delicious food and compassionate staff, with one reviewer saying, "Oxnard Pacifica facilities are beautiful. The meals and food are wonderful. The activities are fun. Most of all the caregivers, staff and management are some of the best people I have ever met. They truly care about the residents."
Regency Palms Oxnard utilizes a Montessori Moments in Time program, a comprehensive approach to memory care developed through research. The secure memory care neighborhood offers a homelike setting with supervised access to ensure that each resident is safe, and the Life Engagement program helps reduce agitation and engages with each resident's preferences and history to foster productive relationships. This community is pet-friendly and has walking trails, fitness classes, outdoor social spaces and plenty of organized activities. Organized and self-led activities encourage residents to maintain full-body wellness and engage with their personal interests and hobbies.
Residents and their families at Regency Palms love the commitment to understanding memory loss and providing the best possible memory care. One says, "They excel in understanding the disease and how to treat it. Every employee at this facility should be commended for their efforts in caring for our loved ones."
Oakmont of Riverpark is a residential living facility offering memory care to seniors with memory loss. Seniors at this community engage in enriching experiences, specialized activities, excursions and classes. For residents with advanced memory loss, the Traditions program fosters connection with activities such as movies, art and safe, supervised outdoor gatherings. All staff members in the Traditions program participate in specialized dementia care education. Residents receive three meals per day and dine restaurant-style in the large dining facility, with private dining available for special occasions. Oakmont features a resident cat or two, and there is an aviary in the building.
Residents and their families love the homelike environment at Oakmont of Riverpark. One reviewer says, "They have an exercise room, a huge dining room, a snack bar, a four-o'clock cocktail lounge, a movie theater and so much more. It's really an amazing facility."
The Lexington in Ventura, CA emphasizes the individuality of its memory care residents. Fully secured grounds keep those with memory loss safe, and resort-style amenities include beautifully landscaped grounds, a beauty/barbershop, a movie theater and plenty of communal social spaces. Daily activities include music classes and lecture series, while walking paths and an on-site pool allow residents to maintain their physical well-being. The Lexington in Ventura also offers transportation to the town center for off-site excursions such as shopping.
The community's residents and their families love the warm, inviting environment at The Lexington. One reviewer says, "The staff are just amazing. They are warm, friendly, approachable and just super people. It's like living in a healthy home environment. The food is good and like home cooking."
Cypress Place Senior Living offers a bright, picturesque memory care community that fosters exciting, maintenance-free lifestyles. The Montessori Memory Care program combines expert research with first-hand experience to deliver dignified, customized care in a neighborhood setting. Compassionate staff members draw on residents' preferences, talents and past history to redirect their agitation toward joyful interactions. Families complete a resident life story for their loved ones to ensure care is tailored to each resident. Staff members enrich the physical, spiritual, cognitive, social and family lives of residents through scheduled activities, including musical therapy that uses customized playlists to cultivate memories. The community's amenities add purpose to residents' lives, including restaurant-style dining, a beauty salon, a barbershop, a fitness center, a landscaped garden and an activity room. Rent includes a spacious room with individual climate control, utilities, a kitchenette, weekly housekeeping and medication management.
Residents and family members praise the welcoming, compassionate care at Cypress Place. One family member writes, "My mom is very safe and well cared for at Cypress. It is an adjustment but a great stress relief knowing she is at one of the best places in Ventura County for her Golden Years."
Nestled on a lush campus and surrounded by scenic views, Oakmont of Camarillo is a luxurious retirement community that offers a continuum of care. The Traditions memory care neighborhood exudes vitality and joy, with seniors finding a sense of purpose in daily opportunities of engagement and social connection. The environment is designed for active engagement, where music, art, fitness exercises and other stimulating programs help enhance physical and mental health. Residents have access to cozy indoor and outdoor areas, and interaction with friendly community pets provides a sense of companionship. A licensed nurse supervises the Traditions memory care program and oversees an around-the-clock care team trained in dementia practices. Oakmont of Camarillo also offers a range of care services, including diabetic care, ambulation assistance, oxygen management, health monitoring and concierge medicine programs.
Families describe the whole process as stress-free. "The staff at Oakmont of Camarillo have been terrific," shares a resident's son. "They really helped make a stressful situation glide through with ease. The medical staff have been very helpful to us in dealing with the many changes in our life as well as how to best cope with the many changes my mother is experiencing.
Seniors can feel right at home at Atria Las Posas with its convenient location, secure outdoors, comfortable accommodations and innovative programming. The community's Life Guidance memory care program provides specialized care for those living with Alzheimer's and other cognitive issues. The dedicated neighborhood features dementia-friendly elements, such as familiar and nostalgic images, personal memory displays and specially arranged furniture that provide a comfortable, homelike environment and encourage interaction. The care team undergoes extensive dementia care training, providing them with the skills to manage residents' behavior and help them enjoy a meaningful lifestyle. Stimulating programs use the power of music to improve moods, awaken joyful memories and enhance interest in daily activities. Residents also participate in walking, stretching, yoga, dancing and other senior-friendly fitness exercises to maintain physical health.
Atria Las Posas earns praises and recommendations from impressed family members for its amenities and attentive care. A son writes, "My mom recently became a resident at this location, in their memory care area. So far, I am really impressed with the facility, her room, the dining area and quality of food, and the staff I've met so far are all super nice and amazing people."
The Palms at Bonaventure offers secure, individualized memory care in a beautiful, luxury setting. A safe, secure environment with 24/7 staff and a safety call system ensures that residents with memory loss can enjoy enriching activities in complete safety. This community encourages residents to have an active lifestyle and partake in activities that improve their wellbeing, such as creative writing classes and discussion groups to keep those with memory loss socially and cognitively engaged. Fitness classes and outdoor activities are also available to encourage residents to take part in activities that improve their health holistically. Transportation is offered to off-site excursions such as museums, encouraging residents to stay engaged with the world.
Residents and their loved ones enjoy the luxury living offered at The Palms at Bonaventure, with one saying, "The Palms community is a very nice place, it is pretty and very clean. It is like living in a luxury hotel."
AlmaVia of Camarillo is committed to providing a senior lifestyle of dignity and respect through a combination of person-centered care and a high standard of clinical expertise. Its memory care program is based on the I'm Still Here philosophy, which encourages residents to achieve growth and continue to live purposeful lives. Cultural experiences, lifelong learning opportunities and social engagement promote a vibrant, engaged lifestyle, and dementia-specific programs focus on building positive moods, emotional connections and language expression to reduce anxiety and agitation. The homelike environment features a cozy gathering room, well-stocked library, secure outdoor courtyard and a private dining room for intimate family celebrations. The area is also close to places of worship, and a spiritual care director oversees faith-based programs regardless of religious beliefs.
Visitors and families are pleased to see loved ones happy and comfortable. "They took great care of my Grandpa," writes one family member. "They went out of their way to make sure he was always comfortable and all of his needs were met. My grandpa was suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. They were very patient with him and did their best to help him daily with anything he needed."
Located in a sunny coastal area, Aegis Living Ventura is a charming senior community with an elegant Spanish-style residence nestled on a lush, landscaped property. Seniors can choose from a range of lifestyle options, including the Life's Neighborhood memory care program for those living with cognitive conditions. The whole area is designed with comfort and safety in mind and features comfortable common spaces, well-appointed accommodations and secure outdoors. The community's life enrichment program includes engaging activities that promote social connection, enhance physical strength and promote brain stimulation. Caregivers use redirecting skills in managing difficult behavior, as well as light and music therapies to help improve moods. The community's dining program offers customized meal plans and provides nutritious, manageable servings suited for seniors with dementia.
The staff's courteous and responsive ways draw positive responses from families and relatives. "My dad has been at Aegis," shares one daughter. "WHAT a difference in his attitude, appearance and abilities after just a few days. He seems happy, engaged and enjoying his day. Everyone in the Aegis family is kind, caring and welcoming. They talked to my Dad and that is exactly what he needed."
Wellness Care Senior Living at Ojai strives to create a comfortable lifestyle for its memory care residents while allowing them to retain as much independence as possible. The staff is specially trained in dementia, Alzheimer's and other forms of memory impairments and is on call to help seniors with medication management and all other activities of daily living. Residents can socialize with their neighbors in the common areas or shared dining room or participate in activities designed to stimulate and enrich their cognitive abilities. A new slate of activities is offered each day, including exercise classes, arts and crafts and cooking. Transportation is offered for off-site activities together with medical appointments. Wellness Care Senior Living offers beautiful hiking trails where residents can get a bit of fresh air, all within a secure environment. Other types of care include pet therapy, respite care, hospice care and incontinence care.
Family members rave about the staff and the overall feeling of family within this community. One says, "The activities and cleanliness were very important to us, but the employees, including Gracie, were absolutely the best! They treated my Grandmother like a loved one."
GranVida Senior Living and Memory Care serves seniors in the Santa Barbara County area, offering a welcoming community for those needing personalized care and support. The Generations memory care neighborhood is replete with modern amenities, including spacious living spaces, secure outdoor courtyards and cozy accommodations. A 24-hour nurse and front desk staffing ensure that support and assistance are always available. Residents have access to innovative, research-based programming, such as Tune Into Me personalized jukeboxes, Culinary Creations that feature favorite recipes from the past and It's All Right creative projects. GranVida also emphasizes meaningful connections with the local community through the various programs, including intergenerational activities. Music, art and pet therapy also help in managing residents' challenging behaviors. Family members have access to educational resources and support groups to better understand loved ones' conditions.
Visiting family members like the homelike atmosphere and observe that residents seem happy and engaged. One says, "What really impressed me was the people. They seemed to be so friendly and wanting to help make the residents feel like a family. They have a lot of really neat stuff, like a library, a little rec room, and art room."
Pacifica Senior Living Santa Barbara is a dedicated memory care community that offers long-term care and short-term stays. Residents can choose from cozy private or shared studios, with some units opening up to the beautiful garden area. The whole property is secured by keypad exits, and seniors can spend playful moments with community pets. Residents undergo an initial health assessment, allowing the memory care director to customize individual plans based on needs and preferences. Basic plans under the community's Legacies memory care program typically include pet and art therapy, life enrichment activities, medication management and diet monitoring. Daily programs are dementia-specific and provide opportunities for physical exercises, scenic drives and creative stimulation. The community provides transportation to medical appointments and can also arrange for on-site doctors' visits. Family members have access t to care support meetings.
Family members and relatives are impressed with the warm, welcoming atmosphere. One writes, "Pacifica Santa Barbara is a beautiful community with a lot of outdoor space. My Uncle loves to sit on the patio every morning and in their garden area every evening. Their staff are able to calm even the most agitated people in a kind and gentle manner."
Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara is a specialized memory care residence in a beautiful setting. This community's GENERATIONS neighborhood focuses on safe access to spacious social spaces and fully secured outdoor areas to foster a sense of independence. Activities, such as music, art and pet therapy, assist those with memory loss by reducing agitation using proven methods. All programming at Oak Cottage is based on the newest and best research on memory loss. The Vibrant Life program allows residents to choose their own schedules from plenty of planned daily activities. This program seeks to maintain residents' holistic health through cognitive, spiritual and physical engagement as well as by encouraging community connections. This community also provides family education and support groups to encourage loved ones' understanding of memory loss, facilitating lasting, meaningful relationships.
Residents and their loved ones appreciate Oak Cottage's caring staff and beautiful grounds. A resident's friend says, "The staff quickly became [my friend's] new family, with their good humor and admirable professional skills, and the bright, spacious facility quickly became the home she truly needed. I would highly recommend the Oak Cottage to anyone with memory care needs."
The Life Guidance memory care program at Atria Grand Oaks helps seniors with dementia live engaging and meaningful lives by focusing on four areas: physical activity, social connection and engagement, individualized care and thoughtfully designed spaces. At least two exercise opportunities, such as restorative yoga and strength training, are offered daily to promote cognitive health. Music-based programs are available to reduce agitation and improve engagement by sparking memories and creating focus. The highly trained staff, who receives at least 15 hours of training each year, develops an individualized care plan for each resident after thoroughly assessing their needs and wants. Residents live in a specially designed neighborhood with secure outdoor spaces that promotes independence and safety. Personal mementos are placed outside each resident's room to help them find their way home. Amenities include a cognitive learning center, swimming pool and putting green.
People praise the caring staff and diverse activities. A resident's wife writes, "It's a cheerful, pretty place. They had a nice area for memory care. The staff is wonderful. They have newspapers, various kinds of exercises, mind games, bingo, and physical therapist who is going to work with my husband because he has Parkinson's."
Belmont Village Senior Living Thousand Oaks is a premium retirement community surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. Couples with different care needs can continue to live together at Belmont while still both receiving the assistance they need. The dedicated memory care neighborhood is a smaller version of the main community that has been designed to be easy to navigate. Residents have access to a secure outdoor area where they can enjoy the sunshine or visit with friends and family members. Each senior has a personalized care plan that focuses on their individual needs, interests and abilities. A team of certified caregivers is always on hand to discreetly monitor residents and provide compassionate care as required. The Whole Brain Fitness Lifestyle program provides daily social, physical and cognitive activities.
Family members appreciate the caring staff with one saying, "Everyone on staff has gone above and beyond in so many ways. They really took the time to learn what my Mom likes to eat, what activities she enjoys, her hobbies, her family stories, what extra needs she may have. They go out of their way to give an extra hug, a chat, a smile."
Set amid scenic natural landscape, Sage Mountain offers a warm, inviting community for seniors. For those dealing with various forms of cognitive conditions, the community's In the Moment memory care program provides a healthy balance of structured programs and freedom of choice to help residents thrive. The program focuses on artistic expression, physical engagement, community connections, spiritual support, continuing education and lifestyle and leisure. The team takes time to know various experiences from residents' past, allowing them to nurture deeper, more familiar relationships. Leisure activities also incorporate favorite pastimes and hobbies, and those with artistic passions can express themselves in various art mediums. Sing-alongs, movie nights, brain games and other stimulating activities encourage engagement. Additionally, seniors participate in civic outreach projects within the neighboring communities, and continuing education helps support brain health.
People are impressed with the professional ways of the care team. One says, "Sage Mountain is a very clean community with excellent care services. The director on the memory care side really showed off her deep knowledge and care taking skills for those who struggle with mental decline. She really understood all the different ways to care for the residents as individuals."
Silverado Thousand Oaks Memory Care Community provides specialized memory care in a beautiful setting, situated in a quiet neighborhood with beautiful views of Thousand Oaks. Silverado has an internationally recognized brain health program, and all staff members are dementia care certified. This community is divided into three neighborhoods, each designed to meet the needs of residents at different stages of memory loss. Each neighborhood is warm and familiar, with opportunities for independence and social engagement. Pets, gardens and secure walking paths offer stimulating and leisurely activities that feel familiar, and there are no designated visiting hours, meaning loved ones are welcome at any time. Assistance with daily activities is provided on an as-needed basis, with a focus on maintaining independence. Activity programs are neighborhood-specific for each level of memory loss, and include a wide range of activities from flower arranging to tai chi. These programs focus on promoting vibrant engagement with each resident's personal interest, and with the community.
Those familiar with Silverado Thousand Oaks love the community's "aesthetically beautiful" grounds and staff whose "knowledge of dementia, combined with being compassionate and patient is impressive," saying that "Silverado is in great hands."
Atria Hillcrest offers a specialized memory care program called Life Guidance, designed with a forward-thinking approach to life with memory loss. Life Guidance focuses on physical activity, with at least two exercise opportunities each day, such as walking or yoga. It also includes social connection and engagement through activities such as music events. Residents receive individualized care from specially trained staff, and they reside in thoughtfully designed spaces optimized for those with memory loss. Memory displays are placed outside each room for residents to customize, allowing familiarity and ease of recognition. The community at Atria is based on a social model, rather than a skilled nursing model, to encourage those with memory loss to remain socially engaged and maintain as much independence as possible.
Residents and their loved ones appreciate the helpful staff and range of activities. "We are very happy with the care at this community," says one reviewer. "The staff are outstanding and attentive. We like that the community is clean. The activities are great. They serve a lot of good meals to choose from. We would recommend this community for other families."
Sunrise at Wood Ranch is an assisted living community conveniently located close to Sierra Vista Medical Clinic and Simi Valley Adventist Hospital. Placing its focus on personal wellness, the community employs care managers who attend to each senior's unique needs, offering individualized care options. The highly trained staff is on-site 24 hours a day, and a licensed nurse makes monthly wellness visits. Seniors living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia take part in the community's memory care program, residing in calm, secure accommodations situated close to dining and living areas for ease of navigation and socialization. Life Enrichment Managers trained in Validation Therapy oversee memory-focused activities and techniques designed to enrich lives and help maintain present abilities for as long as possible. Residents dine on three delicious meals a day, with chefs incorporating special requests into the menu options.
Visitors to Sunrise at Wood Ranch praise the community's overall cleanliness, dedicated staff and variety of activities available to residents. A thankful family member writes, "The staff is very engaging, very nice, and helpful. They really have their eyes on my mom."