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 San Leandro’s senior population continues to grow (13.22% growth between 2013 and 2017), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In San Leandro, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 27.3% between 2013 and 2017.  To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 4.9%, 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 (7.24% in San Leandro 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 San Leandro. 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 San Leandro, 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:
Arcadian Residential Community is a cozy assisted living facility in Hayward, California, located close to Kindred Hospital, Southland Mall and Hayward Regional Shoreline, a wetland park with views of the San Francisco Bay. At Arcadian, residents are surrounded by scenic West Coast landscapes that enhance the facility's tranquil, homelike environment. The community specializes in memory care with safety, relaxation and engagement laying at the heart of their approach. To provide personalized assistance that meets each resident's physical and cognitive needs, the Arcadian Residential Community provides on-site activities, comfortable communal spaces, daily meals and 24/7 medical care. Though intimate in scale, this facility accommodates seniors of all mobility levels; wheelchair-accessible rooms and showers are available, and staff members are trained in Hoyer lift transfer techniques.
Relatives praise Arcadian Residential Community for its compassionate staff with one reviewer thanking them for their "tender loving care." Reviewers also note the staff's willingness to communicate with family. One reviewer appreciated that they answered "the many questions we had," and another said they "are always cooperative with family."
For seniors who enjoy walking and spending time outdoors, Cadence Millbrae is conveniently located steps from numerous local shops and eateries as well as Green Hills Park, which is home to a lively Saturday farmers market. The facility offers independent and assisted living in addition to its memory care unit. Residents in each area receive individualized care plans and skilled assistance with medication management and activities of daily living. The well-designed, modern building is soothingly decorated and designed with ease of navigation in mind. On-site amenities, including the beauty salon, comfortable shared living areas and secure outdoor courtyard and garden, are available for residents to use and enjoy as they please. To further enrich residents' lives, staff organize social programs, such as stimulating pet therapy visits and intergenerational activities with local children.
Family members praise the facility's good food, variety of activities and hard-working, attentive staff members. One reviewer says, "Cadence Millbrae has been good for my mother-in-law. She enjoys it there, and they take care of her well. They have music, bingo and readings. Their staff is competent, and the food is excellent."
After over 40 years of service, Villa at Castro Valley (now Carefield Castro Valley) underwent an ambitious renovation that created a warm, welcoming assisted living and memory care community with state of the art features. We believe that our residents want more than just high quality services. We want to provide memorable life experiences that make them happier. We endeavor to create a better environment and provide a more enriching life for our seniors than they would experience by staying in their own homes. Carefield Living team members have decades of experience providing both hospitality and senior care services. We are passionate about our mission: to provide a new, enlightened vision for senior living focused on connected communities and empowered seniors. At Carefield Living, our communities aspire to be a center for the enjoyment of life experiences that can be enjoyed daily. We provide a comfortable, natural environment where the entire community can easily interact, enjoy each other's company, and be energized by the beauty and vitality of life.
Relatives of residents appreciate the compassionate, attentive staff and high-quality care.
Located in the heart of San Francisco's Bay Area, Dimond Care provides customized assisted living and memory care services in a spacious, homelike setting. The facility keeps residents engaged through a multitude of stimulating activities, such as games, gardening and arts and crafts, while lectures and discussions offer lifelong learning opportunities. Seniors can stay fit and active in the community's on-site gym or get a breath of fresh air in the vibrant courtyard. Dimond Care provides off-site transportation for local appointments and errands, and religious services are available for residents of faith. Seniors can choose a private or shared room and are welcome to keep small pets.
Visitors to Dimond Care appreciate its cleanliness and caring, helpful staff. One visitor remarks, "This is a family-run community. The owner is here all the time, and I feel that the residents are getting extra attention."
Fremont Hills offers senior living in a boutique-style community featuring activity rooms, dining rooms, a bistro, salon and landscaped outdoor spaces. Within its memory care neighborhood, caregivers are lovingly called Nayas, a Sanskrit word for a guide or person of wisdom. Specially trained and certified by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, the Nayas cultivate a sense of connection and purpose in residents daily living by engaging them in regular and familiar tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and serving home-style meals. Life-enriching programs create meaningful pathways for learning, growth and connection. Expressive Arts uses music and art as an alternative form of communication; Life Histories explores residents past occupations, favorite hobbies and talents, and the Pantry Program offers the enjoyment of simple pleasures by providing residents with personal storage to easily access their favorite comfort foods.
Families describe the facility as clean and well-maintained. They also praise the professional, trained staff who are available at all times. "Mom was diagnosed with early dementia. Fremont Hills was there to educate and comfort my sister and I, and over the two years [they] have helped evaluate her so we could make sure Mom got the proper care, says one reviewer.
Lakeshore Residential Care offers homelike senior living in a spacious single-story facility conveniently located in Oaklands commercial district near shopping centers, medical facilities, historical sites and downtown parks. Its primary amenities and services include well-furnished private and semiprivate rooms; nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks; a myriad of engaging daily activities; and round-the-clock care and assistance from a trained staff. Residents look forward to organized tours and pampering from visiting hairdressers and beauticians. Specialized care is focused on more fragile seniors, and plans are customized to handle residents individual challenges, such as dementia, Alzheimers, developmental disabilities or medical conditions. The facilitys licensed nursing staff regularly monitors residents health and personal care needs, makes appropriate adjustments when needed and communicates findings with physicians and family members. Transportation services to physician and dentist appointments are also provided. Flexible visiting hours encourage family involvement.
Reviewers' positive comments focus on the facility's delicious food, clean surroundings, comfortable level of independence and responsive staff. A residents daughter says, "When I call there, they answer my questions. They get her on the telephone. When I visit her, they feed me too."
Lakeside Park was designed specifically for the needs of seniors living with dementia. The facility's intimate memory care neighborhoods recreate the comforts of home to foster confidence and create better outcomes. Certified caregivers are trained to guide and assist seniors by using positive validation techniques. Residents enjoy access to a secure, sunny courtyard and a community garden where they can help care for plants. The facility schedules safe, off-site excursions, such as fishing trips, days at the beach and overnight camping trips. Lakeside Park's signature Gourmet Bites program enhances the mealtime experience for residents who have physical and cognitive challenges by transforming meals into bite-size hors doeuvres that can be eaten by hand, and through the Personal Pantry program, the facility always has residents' favorite foods on hand.
Family members appreciate the excellent care residents receive at Lakeside Park and note the dedication of the staff. One reviewer elaborates, "All of the staff members, including the front desk receptionists, housekeeping personnel, caregivers and management were genuinely concerned with the welfare of the residents and responsive to my concerns."
Marymount Villa Retirement Center is located next to the historic Casa Peralta home and gardens, a 10-minute drive from Oakland International Airport. This independent and assisted living facility offers short-term respite care, memory care and hospice using a month-to-month predetermined rate. The purpose-built community provides every resident with individualized care through a variety of personal services that include an on-site beautician, on-site devotional services and pet care for residents dogs and cats. Those with memory loss participate in a unique residential care program in a secure, comfortable environment. Compassionate caregivers are specially trained in de-escalating exit-seeking and other disruptive behaviors often displayed by individuals with dementia. Marymount Villa accepts residents with behavioral issues, as the staff and facility are fully equipped to handle such occurrences. Every effort is made to preserve the dignity of memory loss residents, enhance independence and recognize individuality.
Family members appreciate the clean, beautiful accommodations and high-quality food. One relative of a memory care resident shares, "This is a loving environment that doesn't smell like a hospital. The knowledgeable staff and homey atmosphere relieve the stress with patients transitioning into their new environment. They provide great support to families as well.
Oakmont of Concord offers assisted living and memory care just 1 mile from Interstate 680 in Concord, California. Residents at this facility can enjoy gourmet food that's prepared by trained culinary professionals and served restaurant-style in one of the community dining rooms; a private family dining room is also available for special occasions. The staff schedules plenty of entertaining activities, such as art classes, happy hours and trips to art galleries, museums and symphonies. For memory care residents, the Traditions program is designed to create a soothing environment through music and sensory-based activities. The facility also provides an array of convenient amenities, including a day spa, fitness center and movie theater.
People appreciate Oakmont of Concord's beautiful outdoor common areas. One residents family member expresses, "The grounds are very good. They have two well-sized outdoor spaces, one of which is dedicated to memory care. The gardens are really well cared for and clean."
Oakmont of Mariner Point is a luxury retirement community that provides world-class assisted living and compassionate memory care on a lushly landscaped campus. The resort-style amenities include a day spa, private movie theater and concierge, chauffeur and valet services. Residents may maintain private gardens, and furry companions enjoy a community pet park. Residents with memory loss receive premiere care in Oakmonts Traditions program. The secure neighborhood features indoor and outdoor common areas for residents to enjoy freely. Designated areas for small-group activities promote socialization, stimulate conversation and foster a sense of belonging. Individual enrichment programs include art, music, movies and physical and brain fitness activities to stimulate memory and enhance cognition. Memory care residents dine restaurant-style and are offered choices at each meal to reinforce self-sufficiency. The fine dining atmosphere strengthens and supports social skills, helping residents feel like valued members of the caring community.
The five-star accommodations and beautiful location are very appealing, but its the caregivers who receive the most praise. "My father is on hospice here, and they are doing everything they can to make him comfortable during his last days. The people here are wonderful and provide quality care, shares one relative.
Located in the Anza Vista neighborhood of San Francisco, California, Providence Place gives residents easy access to the city's urban amenities, including the nearby Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Presidio Park. San Francisco is a multicultural mecca, and this assisted living facility provides personalized care that reflects the city's diversity. The experienced care staff speak Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin and Russian along with English, and the culinary staff cooks meals tailored to cultural needs. The facility also runs a hands-on memory care training program, which ensures that the staff provides compassionate, effective assistance to residents with dementia. Other services help to create a hassle-free lifestyle for residents, such as medication management, health care coordination and scheduling.
Online reviews praise Providence Place for its soothing, homelike atmosphere, with one reviewer noting that their "husband has adapted there way better than I thought he would, and he's way more relaxed than he was at home." The community also earns plaudits for its capable staff. One relative remarked that "the folks at Providence did not only provide hands-on care for my grandmother in her home, but they also were the biggest advocates for her overall care."
Family-owned and operated for over 20 years, Rose Gate Memory Care operates as a full-service, boutique senior residential home in the heart of downtown San Leandro. With just a 40-resident capacity, Rose Gate is a close-knit community that offers a family-like environment. The mid-sized facility takes a holistic approach to care, providing individualized support to help empower residents to reach their full potential. In addition to assistance with daily living activities, residents receive three daily balanced, nutritional meals, housekeeping and linen services and periodic health assessments. The facility offers a full calendar of daily activities so seniors can engage with other residents and staff members, including exercise classes, gardening, music therapy and planned group outings. Inclusive pricing means that all services, programs and amenities are included in the monthly pricing, so seniors are aware of all costs upfront.
Rose Gate is consistently recognized for its caring and compassionate staff. One reviewer commented that the "workers are friendly and treat the residents with dignity and respect." Another shared, "The staff is very nice, helpful, great, and they go out of their way."
Sagebrook Senior Living at San Francisco seeks to give residents a daily feeling of nurturing, inspiration and love in a healthy, safe environment. Through targeted care, support and attention, certified staff members are able to give seniors access to daily memory care services with the added benefit of 24-hour assistance. To fill their days, residents can enjoy a book from the library, get creative in the arts and crafts rooms or simply socialize with friends in one of the community lounges. When they need some time to themselves, residents can take a stroll through the manicured gardens and walking paths or enjoy views of the city from the shaded, open-air patios. The facility provides residents with a wellness-focused experience, offering a calendar of unique entertainment programs, fitness classes and social opportunities, which include daily exercises, music therapy, movie nights and scheduled group outings to local hotspots. Additionally, its Vibrant Life program is specifically designed to challenge seniors and inspire them to participate in activities that they've always dreamed of.
After undergoing a major remodel in 2017, people have very positive things to say about the facility's overall design and aesthetic. An "outstanding facility," one reviewer comments. As another reviewer notes, "Clean very nice layout."
Silver Oaks is an inviting memory care community located in Menlo Park in the heart of Silicon Valley. This facility is managed by the Reyes family, who have been involved with senior living communities for over 30 years. Their goals for this community include providing a warm, comfortable environment for residents who have Alzheimer's, dementia or other memory-related health conditions. At Silver Oaks, each resident receives a personalized care program with an emphasis on fresh air and social opportunities. Caregivers assist residents with everyday tasks but also seek to form relationships with them. One special facet of Silver Oaks is its Aviator Program. Its goal is to provide a calm and secure environment that promotes resident interaction using memory-focused activities and special caregivers who have been trained to understand the challenges of memory loss. It also uses technology to connect residents to friends and family outside the facility.
The staff at Silver Oaks receives high marks for friendliness thanks to little things like taking the time to greet each resident by name. Residents also appreciate the large, well-maintained outdoor courtyard, which features plenty of shady spots.
Sunol Creek Memory Care is a senior living community in Pleasanton, California, thats been carefully designed in partnership with the Center for Applied Research in Dementia and serves the special needs of individuals with cognitive conditions. Through its Spark program, an award-winning lifestyle approach, residents feel a sense of inclusion and purpose. They are given social roles in the community, work on projects to become more engaged and learn and improve skills through repetition and use of procedural memory. Biography boards or memory boxes are set up to describe the life history of each resident and provide a clear glimpse of their capabilities, preferences and how they fit into the community. Complementing its comprehensive memory care program are basic services that include spacious apartments, medication assistance, personal care and self-image enhancements, dining assistance, escort and mobility services and health care management.
The facility receives praise for its clean premises, appetizing food and variety of activities. Reviewers like that the staff treats residents according to their needs and conditions. A daughter says, "Everybody is at a little different level and has different needs, but they seem to be able to accommodate them all.
The Point at Rockridge in scenic Oakland is an upscale senior living community that blends privacy and security with engagement in a lush, relaxed setting. The facility strives to create and maintain an individualized, carefree experience for residents with its range of accommodations including independent, assisted and memory care living. The Point at Rockridge's staff helps keep residents active and stimulated with Vibrant Life group activities such as dancing, classical music outings, yoga, art therapy and culinary adventures. Respite care guests receive the same level of service and access to amenities that residents get every day.
Residents and their families are greatly impressed with the cleanliness, dining choices and activities at The Point at Rockridge. The expert, loving care of the staff stands out especially. One family member expressed: "Thank you to The Point at Rockridge for the above-and-beyond support, warmth, and expert knowledge Your compassion and strength for your residents genuinely shine through.
The Watermark by the Bay embodies the artful, diverse spirit of California's Bay Area, which is known for its dynamic entertainment and culture. The facility's inspirational design uses artwork, vibrant colors and oversized windows to create light-filled living spaces that nurture self-expression and personal renewal. Through the innovative Watermark University program, residents can build skills and relationships by participating in learning opportunities on-site. When it comes to dining, the community's imaginative menus include entrees crafted from fresh and locally grown ingredients, and Watermark's nationally recognized Good Bites program transforms nutritionally complete meals into bite-sized hors d'oeuvres to make mealtimes easier for residents with cognitive or neuromuscular challenges. The Watermark by the Bay has partnered with SAGE to create a community that respects and celebrates LGBTQ+ seniors.
Residents' loved ones find the staff at The Watermark by the Bay to be helpful and caring. They note that the food is great and that activities are plentiful. One reviewer remarks, "The community is always clean, and her room is very well taken care of. For those who want good care, it is a wonderful community."