Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Santa Clara’s senior population continues to grow (8.52% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.Â
In Santa Clara, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 485% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 15%, 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 (8.62% in Santa Clara vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).Â
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 Santa Clara. 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 Santa Clara, 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.Â
Overall, our team:Â Â
Nestled into the suburbs just a few miles outside of San Jose, Atria Willow Glen is an upscale senior living community that offers a variety of care levels including memory care. Memory care residents receive individualized care plans that include assistance with the activities of daily living and the option for private rooms in a custom neighborhood with secured entry points to prevent wandering. Throughout the day, residents are encouraged to take part in supervised outings and activities by compassionate caregivers who discreetly provide assistance as needed. All residents enjoy chef-prepared meals tailored to their tastes in a community dining hall, and a private dining center is available for special family events.
Reviews of the Atria Willow Glen are positive, with one reviewer describing the "beautiful outside space and great grounds" as a reason their mother enjoys it and another reviewer praising the directory for being "communicative, knowledgeable and courteous." The reviewer adds that his mom is "quite happy," and he is "grateful for their kindness and care."
Brookdale San Jose is a community dedicated to caring for seniors with memory loss. The community keeps its residents safe through security measures and 24/7 caregivers who perform routine room checks, deliver reminders and redirect confused or frustrated residents. They help residents maintain their hygiene, eat regularly and stay hydrated. Staff members build relationships with residents, including those who are nonverbal, so they can better understand their needs and personal preferences. Staff members clean residents' rooms and the community spaces consistently. Residents have access to social and recreational outlets through community activities that are appropriate for their levels of cognition.
Residents and their families express satisfaction with Brookdale San Jose's quality of service and programs. One resident says, "Brookdale is a wonderful community! Great location, great food, happy residents and it's easy to see why. The Brookdale Staff is attentive and patient. Thank you Brookdale!"
Elegant and refined, the Belmont Village San Jose, which is located across the street from the Winchester Mystery House, allows residents to age in place gracefully by providing care levels that help seniors maintain a luxurious quality of life. Memory care residents enjoy daily programming tailored to meet their needs, along with the ability to live among friends outside of a secured unit due to the Circle of Friends Program. However, 24/7 access to caregivers and regular check-ins ensure they stay safe as they move throughout the community and enjoy common areas with friends and family members, such as the coffee shop, general store, TV room, fitness room, library and landscaped interior courtyard.
Most reviews of the Belmont Village Senior Living San Jose community are positive. One reviewer describes the move-in process, calling it "as smooth as I could have hoped for" and notes that his family is "treated with the utmost respect and kindness." Another reviewer is pleased with their mother's experience at Belmont Village, describing the staff and activity people as "a second family."
Sitting on a landscaped plot next to Martial Cottle Park, Carlton Senior Living San Jose is minutes from Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center and San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital. This community's memory care program offers person-centered care built on four pillars " dignity, imagination, sensory and choice " in a failure-free environment. All staff receive professional dementia training and are available 24/7 through an emergency call system. The Quarterly Creation engagement program helps residents express themselves through creative interpretations of classic works of art, while drum circles offers sensory stimulation through music, rhythm and touch. Seniors can also participate in SingFit, a music therapy program featuring themed playlists and group movements, and Timeslips, a creative writing program based on unique photos. The kitchen staff serves three restaurant-style meals daily, and weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services are available.
Family members love the beautiful environment, engaging activities and compassionate care. A resident's daughter writes, "We're actually very happy with it. We liked it, it's a beautiful place, they have lots of activities for the seniors, and the care was really good. She's happy there. They have exercise classes. She had art class, and she liked it a lot."
Oakmont of San Jose is a resort-style senior living community that offers upscale amenities to memory care and assisted living residents, such as an in-house movie theatre, salon and a bistro open 24/7. Memory care residents live in a secured area and receive help with the daily activities of living from trained staff known for their compassionate care. Activities for those in memory care follow the guidelines of the Traditions program, which creates a relaxing environment with appropriate sensory activities to help retain cognitive function, including brain fitness activities, music therapy, art therapy and small group events tailored to individual interests.
Many reviewers of Oakmont of San Jose commented on the attractive interior of the senior living community, with one reviewer saying it "is a beautiful, brand-new facility, so everything is brand new. It has high ceilings and state-of-the-art facilities." Another remover comments on the move-in process, stating "They make it really easy to move in," and "the room was very clean," and "easy to make it feel like a home."
Situated within the quiet hillside of San Jose, Ivy Park is a senior living community that provides independent living, assisted living and memory care options to residents. Memory care, which is provided in its own secure neighborhood titled the Evergreen at Ivy, utilizes the EverYou program to help create a compassionate environment with trained caregivers available around the clock. Residents are treated to restaurant-style dining three times a day and carefully guided through their day, as they receive gentle assistance with the daily activities of life, read in the library, stroll through the resident gardens, hang out with friends in the lounge or engage in light exercise in the fitness center.
Ivy Park at San Jose has a host of favorable reviews, with one relative describing the staff as "very friendly and very welcoming," adding that they have plenty of amenities such as a "game room, books, and reading materials." The spouse of a resident in memory care states that they chose it because "the rooms and the spaces are generous and all very pleasant" and the "staff members are courteous, helpful and kind."
The elegant Atria Evergreen Valley is an assisted living and memory care senior living community in San Jose that offers supportive care in a resort-style environment that features an on-site salon, party space and landscaped, lush gardens. The memory care community is housed in a secured unit, and all residents have individualized care plans that include compassionate assistance with the activities of daily living. Throughout the day, residents are offered assistance to enjoy events and activities tailored to their preferences, such as music therapy or crafts. Meals are provided in a family-style dining hall to help encourage residents to maintain social relationships.
Reviews of Atria Evergreen Valley are positive, with one family member stating, "The staff is very friendly, and I noticed some have been with the community for a lot of years, which tells you something." Another reviewer highlights how well the community is managed, noting, "The executive director is very much in touch with all the residents, and he has led his staff to make this community a truly great environment for seniors."
Atria Almaden offers independent living, assisted living and memory care in South San Jose, CA. The dedicated staff, who have extensive dementia training, provide 24/7 assistance with bathing, grooming and toileting. The community offers medication assistance administered by technicians under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Atria Almaden features a state-of-the-art fitness center, physical therapy center and 24/7 emergency alert system. Other amenities include a private dining room salon, a patio, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a theater and a golf simulator.
Residents love Atria Almaden for its dining options, hygiene and exercise classes. One says, "I am so glad to live here! I really enjoy the exercise classes that the staff give us. They provide us with healthy meals and a clean place to live. I couldn't be happier."
Belmont Village Senior Living provides memory care residents with programs focused on brain fitness. Structured mental exercises help boost confidence and reduce cognitive decline. Fully trained, licensed staff is available 24/7 to help residents with wellness checks and medication management. Seniors enjoy chef-prepared dining and a private outdoor area with beautiful mountain views. An arts and crafts studio can help nurture creativity, while live performances and language classes keep seniors engaged. The pet-friendly community features an on-site dog park. Housekeeping, laundry and transportation services are available.
Belmont Village offers many amenities to memory care residents including on-site therapy services, chef-prepared meals, 24-hour supervision, medication management, transportation services, daily wellness checks, fitness and social activities, and a private outdoor area for exercise.
Merrill Gardens at Willow Glen provides independent living, assisted living and memory care in a spacious and cozy community. Memory care residents live in Garden House and engage with staff specially trained in dementia care. Staff is on hand 24/7, and a resident call system increases safety and peace of mind. Programming focuses on seniors' life experiences and incorporates their family whenever possible. Secure courtyards provide outdoor spaces where residents can gather, socialize and walk. The main facility also includes common areas, meeting spaces, a salon, movie theater and fitness area. Life is made easier with central air, a washer and dryer, a kitchen, on-site maintenance and weekly housekeeping. Anytime Dining, which provides restaurant-style meals every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., ensures those with cognitive impairments have flexible meal times.
Family members love the caring attitude of the staff. One says, "I truly can't say enough about how helpful, responsive, compassionate and professional all of the staff at Merrill Gardens has been throughout the entire process."
Lincoln Glen Manor provides assisted living, independent living and memory care in a secure and supportive environment. Memory care residents have access to kind, qualified staff and licensed nurses around the clock, in addition to a centralized care station. Residents in Lincoln Glen Manor's Sunshine Alley are encouraged to enjoy the secure wandering gardens with curving paths and handrails as well as the outdoor walking and sitting areas. Sunshine Alley's activity programs are formulated to keep residents active physically and mentally. Balance therapy, music and games such as bingo are designed with memory care residents in mind.
Residents and their families praise Lincoln Glen Manor's environment and staff, with one reviewer writing, "I liked Lincoln Glen Manor a lot. I felt it was very homey and very reasonably priced. The people were excellent caregivers. The staff seemed to be very interactive, kind and supportive of the residents."
The fresh, peaceful environment at Sonnet Hill Senior Living inspires memory care patients to engage in life in meaningful and enjoyable ways. Customized care plans help residents achieve the highest practical quality of life, changing and evolving with them over time. The highly trained staff, which is overseen by a licensed overnight nurse, is available 24/7 for assistance. Off-site transportation is regularly provided for residents to visit nearby dining, shopping and health services, and activities are scheduled daily. Services include weekly housekeeping, laundry, three chef-prepared meals and all utilities, including Wi-Fi and telephone.
Family members hold Sonnet Hill in high regard for helping memory care residents adjust quickly and thrive. One reviewer writes, "Visiting our dad weekly has become a joy for family members. Our dad has adjusted extremely well and is in a positive mood for most of our weekly visits."
Palm Villas Campbell is a luxury memory care community that focuses on the Seven Pillars of Wellness, offering cognitively enriching activities designed to improve memory, communication and emotional well-being. Each villa comes with modern security technology and 24 hour staffing. Palm Villas is pet-friendly and offers an open, lush environment for seniors to spend time outdoors. With physician oversight and medication management, seniors can stay safe and healthy. Memory care activities are tailored to the needs of the residents.
The staff at Palm Villas is helpful and skilled, and they make residents feel secure, loved and happy. One resident's daughter says, "The management and staff really went the extra mile to make sure she adjusted well, was kept busy and felt loved." Seniors are encouraged to keep their autonomy at Palm Villas. One resident's husband states, "Residents are encouraged to participate to their own ability, but are not required to do so."
Atria Sunnyvale is a relaxing community in a quiet neighborhood situated near parks, community centers and medical facilities. Memory care residents can participate in dancing or restorative yoga to stay active, and music programs help delay seniors' cognitive decline and uplift their mood. An extensively trained staff is available 24/7 to assist memory care residents with medications and personal grooming. Emergency alert systems are in place to give them peace of mind knowing help is a button press away. Indoor and outdoor spaces are safe for residents to wander freely. Images and mementos outside their bedrooms help seniors tap into positive memories and find their way to their rooms.
People love Atria Sunnyvale for its helpful and caring staff. One family member writes, "My mom has been in the memory care area for over 2 years. I am always impressed by how the staff cares for, takes care of and is concerned for the residents. It shows in all that they do."
Pacific Gardens offers a comprehensive memory care program. Carefully selected staff members are available 24/7 to assist residents with medication management, wound care and injections. A supervised exercise program helps meet the fitness needs of residents, and group activities such as card games or watercolor painting keep them engaged. Baking with the activity staff awakens the senses and triggers positive responses. Dietary needs are accommodated, and dining assistance is provided to each resident. Seniors can invite family members or friends at short notice or for holidays, where delicious buffets are served.
People love the amenities and accommodations provided by Pacific Gardens. One resident writes, "Pacific Gardens was very nice. The director showed me around, and it met the criteria for what I was looking for. The rooms were very nicely done including the dining room and all the accommodations. Everyone seemed happy and well cared for."
Belmont Village Senior Living Sunnyvale is a premium senior living communityin the heart of Silicon Valley. The building is licensed to allow couples with different care requirements to continue to live together. The community offers two levels of memory care assistance. The dedicated memory care neighborhood provides a safe and comfortable environment that's easy to navigate. A licensed nurse and team of caregivers are on-site to provide compassionate support and gently redirect any difficult behaviors. The Whole Brain Fitness Lifestyle program designs activities to challenge each individual resident, creating a sense of achievement and purpose in the daily lives of seniors. Social, recreational and religious activities are also offered.
Family members are impressed by the excellent staff and wonderful amenities with one reviewer saying, "The staff is very friendly, and they seem to know all the residents by name. The residents all looked very happy, too. It's almost like a little hotel. The dining area seems nice, open and clean. They have a nice outdoor garden and walking area, too, which were very nice. "
At Sunrise of Sunnyvale, memory care resident suites are right next to the living and dining areas, making it convenient and easy for the residents to navigate the place and interact with others. The CareConnect electronic system provides real-time updates shareable to family members. Each memory care resident is provided with a Life Enrichment Manager to create a personalized care plan that includes medication management, help with grooming and socializing. Social activities such as stories and games help improve cognitive function and maintain emotional health. Memory care suites are equipped with an emergency call response system. Residents can invite family members and friends for tea or a meal.
Residents have a positive experience with Sunrise of Sunnyvale. One of them writes, "Sunrise of Sunnyvale is a good community. They keep everything well organized as far as food, cleaning, and caregivers go. They have a very good staff. Overall, it's positive."
Crescent Oaks is a memory care community in the beautiful city of Sunnyvale, California. Crescent Oaks specializes in caring for seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia. The skilled, caring team provides personalized experiences for each resident, building trustworthy relationships with residents so that they feel comfortable and at home. Care teams assist residents with daily living activities and medication management, and they arrange transportation and other services as needed. Staff also provide complete laundry, daily housekeeping and beauty/barber services. The community building is secured, and residents are under supervision 24/7. A bright, four-seasons outdoor room and patio area provide residents with an engaging environment where they can socialize. Additionally, Crescent Oaks encourages a stimulating lifestyle, providing daily activities, entertainment and three healthy meals a day plus snacks.
The staff is kind and helpful, and they go above and beyond in making residents feel comfortable at Crescent Oaks. One family member says, "We truly appreciate all your efforts to find the best way to take care of our father, with your flexibility, compassion, personal attention and communication".
Merrill Gardens at Campbell is nestled in a prime location due to California's perennially pleasant climate and easy access to the nationally ranked Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Residents with Alzheimer's receive a memory care experience that caters specifically to their needs while helping stimulate their minds. Amenities include central air conditioning, fitness rooms and common areas to help seniors socialize on a daily basis. The center's inviting outdoor spaces are ideal for residents to explore with peace of mind, since they have secured gating and 24/7 supervision to protect those who are prone to wandering. The community is also pet-friendly, serves restaurant-style meals between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and offers numerous recreational activities, such as movie nights and book clubs, where families are encouraged to join and share quality time.
Residents appreciate being welcomed into the community's beautifully laid out gardens and living spaces. As one five-star review mentions, "The decoration was nice, the dining room was just gorgeous [and] they had a nice library." Other reviewers praise the kindness and quality of care provided by the staff, as well as the wide availability of recreational and social programs.
Cedar Creek Alzheimer's and Dementia Care is a memory care community located within the San Jose, California metro area. Good Samaritan Hospital's Mission campus is a block south of Cedar Creek, and Good Samaritan Hospital's Emergency Care campus is a couple of blocks north. The community features shade trees and a fragrant herb garden as well as a secure, fenced courtyard. Everything at Cedar Creek, from the community's layout to the care and activities provided, is specifically designed to support residents who suffer from Alzheimer's and dementia. The community features fully furnished rooms and a beauty salon with staff available 24/7 to assist residents with all activities of daily life including housekeeping and medication management. In-house visiting physicians, podiatrist visits and dental exams are available on-site as well as travel and appointment arrangements.
Cedar Creek is described as an "excellent care facility specializing in dementia" where residents "have great social support and activity" and family members feel welcomed and are encouraged to visit for "meals and other activities."