Located around the Twin Lakes neighborhood, Sunshine Villa is a senior care facility serving Santa Cruz, California. The encompassing area is densely populated, with about 47,000 residents in the zip code of 95060. It is a predominantly ...
Memory Care in Santa Cruz, California
Top Memory Care Communities in Santa Cruz, California
Cresthaven Skilled Nursing Facility is a 59 room nursing home facility. It is located within the Twin Lakes area of Santa Cruz, California. The neighboring area is densely populated, with approximately 37,000 poeple living in the 95062 zip ...
Located in the Live Oak area of the city, Paradise Villa is a senior care facility serving Santa Cruz, California. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with an average household income of $55,443. With roughly ...
Capitola Manor Santa Cruz
1098 38th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Capitola Manor Santa Cruz is a senior housing facility located within the Opal Cliffs neighborhood of Santa Cruz, California. The neighboring area is densely populated, with approximately 37,000 people residing in the zip code of 95062. It is ...
Located in the Opal Cliffs area of Capitola, California, Pacific Coast Manor is a 99 bed senior housing facility. The facility is in a mostly middle income area, with an average family income of $54,187. With roughly 10,000 ...
4 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Located within the Opal Cliffs area of Capitola, California, Golden Age Convalescent Hospital is a 59 room skilled nursing facility. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $54,187. With about ...
4 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Soquel Leisure Villa
4101 Fairway Dr
Soquel, CA 95073
Soquel Leisure Villa is a senior care community situated close to the Live Oak neighborhood of Soquel, California. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with roughly 11,000 people residing in the 95073 zip code. It is a ...
4 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Tara Home
5800 Prescott Rd
Soquel, CA 95073
Tara Home is a senior community located at 5800 Prescott Rd in Soquel, California. The neighboring area has an average population density, with approximately 11,000 residents in the zip code of 95073. It is a largely affluent area, ...
5 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Located nearby the Rio del Mar area of the city, Aegis of Aptos is a senior care facility serving Aptos, California. With an average family income of $79,660, the facility is in a largely upper class area. It ...
6 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Seaview Guest Home
7321 Mesa Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
Seaview Guest Home is a senior housing community located close to the Rio del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, California. The surrounding area is densely populated, with about 25,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 95003. It is ...
6 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Wesley House II and III is a senior care community situated within the Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley area of Watsonville, California. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, with a median per-family income of $54,034. With around ...
10 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Situated within the Corralitos area of the city, De Un Amor is a senior housing facility serving Watsonville, California. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-household income of $54,034. It is heavily ...
12 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Valley Haven
99 Airport Blvd
Freedom, CA 95019
Situated in the Amesti area of the city, Valley Haven is a senior housing facility in Freedom, California. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with an average family income of $50,710. With about 9,000 people ...
14 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Los Gatos Meadows is located at 110 Wood Rd in Los Gatos, California. It is a 39 unit senior housing community. With about 14,000 individuals residing in the 95030 zip code, the encompassing area has an average ...
16 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
The Terraces of Los Gatos is located at 800 Blossom Hill Rd in Los Gatos, California. It is a 59 bed senior community. The community is in a mostly upper class area, with an average household income of ...
17 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Saratoga Retirement Community is a 94 bed senior care community situated in Saratoga, California. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with approximately 32,000 residents in the zip code of 95070. It is a mostly upscale area, with ...
18 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
BonHomie I
1139 Dwyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95120
BonHomie I is a senior housing community located in the Almaden Valley neighborhood of San Jose, California. The community is in a predominantly well-to-do area, with a median family income of $141,126. With about 38,000 people residing in ...
18 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
BonHomie II
6418 Camden Ave
San Jose, CA 95120
BonHomie II is a senior housing community situated in the Almaden Valley neighborhood of San Jose, California. The community is in a largely well-to-do area, with an average household income of $141,126. With approximately 38,000 poeple living ...
18 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Harmonie Home
1463 Nesbit Ct
San Jose, CA 95120
Harmonie Home is a 6 unit senior care community. It is located near by the Almaden Valley neighborhood of San Jose, California. The facility is in a primarily affluent area, with an average per-family income of $141,126. ...
18 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
Woodlands Healthcare Center is a 65 bed skilled nursing facility. It is situated around the Cambrian Park area of Los Gatos, California. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with roughly 14,000 people residing in the 95030 zip ...
18 miles away from Santa Cruz, CA
- SeniorScore™ for Santa Cruz, California
- Memory Care Costs in Santa Cruz, California
- Memory Care Directory for Santa Cruz, California
- Free Memory Care Resources in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is located on the coast of central California and offers a comfortable climate, easy access to health care services and a range of amenities for visitors, making it an attractive option for retirees seeking residential care. Of its 63,000 residents, approximately 12.3% are at least 65 years old. Statistically, about one in nine of these older adults have Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia and a leading cause of death in the state. According to the CDC, the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the Santa Cruz area increased by over 9% between 2014 and 2018. By comparison, the total number of fatalities rose by about 3%.
Currently, Alzheimer’s isn’t curable, but older adults with this diagnosis may be able to improve their quality of life through specialized residential services. Memory care facilities in Santa Cruz have caregivers with dementia-specific training and offer a range of programs to meet the unique needs of residents. This guide highlights the benefits and drawbacks of living in Santa Cruz and covers the cost of local memory care services and how they compare to rates in nearby cities. It also lists some helpful resources for seniors and families affected by dementia.
The SeniorScore for Santa Cruz, CA
The SeniorScore provides valuable insight into how well a geographic area accommodates the needs of its older residents. This livability index is calculated based on a broad range of factors from affordability to access to health care, helping seniors and families make informed decisions regarding long-term care planning. Nationally, the SeniorScore is 72, and in California, the score is 71. Santa Cruz’s SeniorScore is slightly lower at 70.
The SeniorScore is divided into four categories, and each category has its own rating. Santa Cruz’s strongest category score is a 76 in General Quality of Life, indicating that the city supports the overall comfort of its older residents. It has more moderate scores of 62 and 61 in Health & Safety and Recreation & Leisure, respectively. It scores the lowest in Finances at 49, which may be a consideration for those with restrictive retirement budgets.
Santa Cruz has comfortable year-round weather, with mild winters and warm summers, and it receives minimal annual rainfall. Above-average air quality may benefit those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and the high population density of over 3,100 people per square mile may support better access to community-based services. There are two hospitals and nearly 100 pharmacies in or within close range of the city, and residents have numerous Medicare-registered doctors to choose from. Property and violent crime rates are very high, which may make residential care a good option for those with dementia. Among the city’s age-friendly recreational amenities are 43 golf courses, eight movie theaters and 31 churches, which may provide support groups or volunteer-based services for community members. The primary drawback to living in Santa Cruz is its cost of living and senior care costs, which are considerably higher than in the typical U.S. city.
Memory Care Costs in Santa Cruz, CA
In Santa Cruz, memory services are typically provided in communities licensed as assisted living facilities, officially called residential care facilities for the elderly. To provide this level of care, facilities must meet certain requirements, such as additional dementia-specific training for administrators and caregivers, a lower staff-to-resident ratio and added security measures to prevent wandering. As a result, memory care residents pay 20-30% more than those obtaining standard assisted living services. Memory care cost data isn’t available, so the following rates are calculated based on the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey with a 25% increase.
Santa Cruz is a relatively expensive city to obtain memory services, with older adults paying approximately $8,500 per month for residential care. This is over $2,000 above the state median of $6,250 and over $3,000 higher than the national average of $5,375.
Santa Cruz is among the most costly cities in California for residential dementia services, with memory care residents paying approximately $8,500 per month. In Salinas, rates are nearly $400 higher, making care in this city the most expensive in the state at $8,875. San Francisco seniors pay $7,625 for memory care services, and in Los Angeles, fees are on par with the state median at $6,250. In Visalia, monthly memory care rates average $5,685, and in Yuba City, seniors pay $5,429. Those seeking more affordable services may consider the Hanford area or Stockton, where respective care costs average $4,969 and $4,375.
- Santa Cruz: $8,500
- Salinas: $8,875
- San Francisco: $7,625
- Hanford Area: $4,969
- Los Angeles: $6,250
- Visalia: $5,685
- Stockton: $4,375
- Yuba City: $5,429
Free Memory Care Resources in Santa Cruz, CA
Alzheimer’s Association Northern California and Northern Nevada The Alzheimer’s Association’s Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter offers a range of free services and supports for Santa Cruz families affected by dementia. It has early-stage engagement programs for those in the early to mid phases of dementia, as well as in-person and virtual support groups for those with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and their family members. The organization also operates a free helpline where individuals can call for emotional support and help with obtaining services in the community. 50 Water Street, Suite L-2, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 647-9890 |
Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties The Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties is the Area Agency on Aging for Santa Cruz. This nonprofit agency administers free services for those aged 60 and over, helping them access care and support in the community. It has information specialists who help older adults and families find local engagement programs and support groups, as well as nutrition counseling to help address deficiencies resulting from dementia. 234 Santa Cruz Avenue, Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 688-0400 |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program of Santa Cruz & San Benito Counties The region’s long-term care ombudsman visits local memory care facilities to ensure a high standard of care for residents. The ombudsman can help residents obtain the services they’re entitled to and investigate and resolve issues related to the quality of care, intake and discharge procedures and billing errors. 5274 Scotts Valley Drive, Suite 203, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (831) 429-1913 |
Senior Network Services, Inc. Senior Network Services, Inc., is a local nonprofit organization that administers HICAP, a statewide program that provides health insurance counseling for Medicare beneficiaries. Seniors and families can speak with a HICAP counselor for help with understanding Medicare benefits and identifying options for paying for memory care. All advice is free, unbiased and confidential. 1777 A-Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 462-1433 http://www.seniornetworkservices.org/health-insurance-counseling-and-advocacy-program-hicap/ |
Senior Citizens Legal Services Senior Citizens Legal Services specializes in civil legal issues unique to older adults. Through this local nonprofit agency, families can get personalized help with assigning guardianship and powers of attorney for loved ones unable to make decisions regarding their own care and finances. The agency can also help resolve issues related to substandard care in memory care facilities. 501 Soquel Avenue, Suite F, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 426-8824 |
Santa Cruz County Veterans Services Office The Santa Cruz County Veterans Services Office helps area veterans obtain VA benefits, including those that may help cover memory care services. It can also screen individuals for veterans’ home placement, which may be an affordable alternative to private memory services. 842 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 454-7276 |
Downtown Senior Center The Downtown Senior Center administers a range of in-person and over-the-phone services for older adults, including options counseling, HICAP services, free tax preparation and information and referrals for community-based dementia services. 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 420-6180 https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation/senior-programs |
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