Fresno is more than an affordable place to retire. It’s home to a wealth of options for those with memory care needs. Nestled in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno is known for vast fruit orchards, the picturesque Sierra Nevada Mountains, farm-to-fork dining, and a wealth of senior activities. Fresno memory care communities provide specialized assisted living services designed for seniors with memory loss, whether it’s related to Alzheimer’s disease or a different form of dementia. Your loved one can receive skilled care and observation in a variety of community types, from stand-alone memory care communities to intimate residential care homes.
To help families and seniors during this time of transition, we created this all-inclusive guide to Fresno memory care communities. We highlight 19 of our partner communities within a 10-mile radius of north-central Fresno. You’ll find helpful categories and descriptions in this guide and learn what to expect from our partner facilities. Our goal is to help your family choose the right community for your loved one. We also include in-depth information on Fresno memory care costs, payment tips, local resources for seniors, and how families can spend quality time together in Fresno.
Visiting my friend [name removed] at Willow is always memorable. The staff's commitment to personalized care shows in countless ways - they remember how she likes her tea and which activities she prefers....
The staff is incredible and helpful in the transition of mom into the facility. We were all having a tough time. But now are so glad she is getting the 24/7 care that she deserves. The director of Memory...
Visiting is welcome and encouraged. Family/friends can dine w their loved one for a low meal charge. Basic furniture and bedding are provided , as is laundry care and all meals and snacks included in the...
It's not home and has been an adjustment but for what it is it's fine. I chose Fairwinds mainly for 2 reasons. Because of my eyesight I had to give up my license. They have transportation for medical...
They are not properly staffed in the kitchen and causes delays. However, based on the experience we have had we would recommend The Windham by Cogir community to other families who may need a place for their...
Everyone is so friendly that works there. Once my mom got used to the day to day activities and made friends she has been happy. She’s eating better, getting out and seems happier. As a family we are happy...
My dad was at Pacifica for almost 6 months and had a great experience. He has since moved out. During his stay there, they were very patient and accommodating with his needs.
The transition during the first month was hard for my mom. The staff has been extremely caring and understanding and reassuring us that this is normal behavior for many new memory care residents. They are...
I have been happy about the care they provide. I have had to remind them of certain things regarding hygiene more than once. (making sure she is brushing her teeth, making sure she has socks and shoes on)...
If a friend asked about my experience I would say that overall, it has been mostly positive. I would like the communication to flow more smoothly between myself and my mom's caregivers. As her mental decline...
Truewood by Merrill, Clovis was the first and only facility we toured. There is something special about Beau and the staff that let us know our grandmother would be cared for. Truewood is clean, the staff go...
We chose Carmel Village at Clovis because they offered the level of care she needed for a cost she could afford. It was a good experience for the 3 months she was there. She received the care she needed.
It's all 5s it would be nice if there wasn't so many extra little charges but so far all 5s and we would absolutely recommend this community to other families based on the experience we have had so far.
Facility is good. Most staff seem like they actually care. Staff rotates from between the 3 houses each week so no one gets stuck caring for the same residents day in and day out causing people to dislike...
Bella Vista staff has heart like no other- they are lead by a group who understand the dementia disease process. No matter what day of the week or time their management has always answered any questions and...
Finding Elim was a blessing for our family. The staff's expertise in senior care is evident in their attentive, patient approach - they even created a special morning routine that helps Mom start each day...
My father moved into Nazareth House several months ago. As with any life change, there is an adjustment. The staff at Nazareth House have been caring and supportive of his needs, as well as ours during...
This facility was good, overall. I will say it seems to be a better fit for residents with mental challenges rather than physical challenges like our loved one had. The facility was kept clean. We were there...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Fresno community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average cost families and seniors paid for our partnering Fresno memory care communities in 2023 was $5,028 per month. This cost is what seniors actually paid for their desired floor plans, meal and care services, and any other additional fees for service add-ons.[01]
That average monthly cost of our partner Fresno memory care communities includes a lot, even without add-on services. Explore the typical cost breakdown below to learn what baseline memory care costs in Fresno may include:
The costs below are baseline prices for the greater Fresno area that don’t include any add-on fees. These figures can be helpful as you compare costs of living for other Fresno-area memory care communities.
Below we guide you through your memory care payment options. First, you’ll learn about personal payment options and how you and your senior loved one may combine them with senior benefits. Next, you’ll browse senior benefits that may lower the costs associated with memory care.
Included in this section are Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Social Security. Tabs for each benefit contain access to application links and local benefit assistance contact information. We hope that reviewing this section will help you discover the best combination of payment options, to get the most out of private funds and potential benefits.
Seniors and families typically use personal income sources, like savings accounts, investment returns, pensions, and Social Security benefits to cover some of their Fresno memory care costs. One or a combination of the following options can also increase your loved one’s personal funding for long-term memory care, depending on current resources:
Approximate number of veterans who lived in Fresno in 2021
Approximately 26% of veterans in Fresno are 75+.
A portion of your loved one’s memory care costs may be covered by certain Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits that apply to Fresno senior veterans or their surviving spouses with disabilities.
If your senior loved one is a veteran over the age of 65, they may be eligible for veteran-specific benefits that can help cover memory care costs. The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is usually the most generous option for senior veterans who are disabled and enrolled in VA health care. Eligible senior veterans or their surviving spouses can receive monthly payments with this benefit in addition to their Veterans Pension. The benefit can be used to cover costs that improve a senior’s quality of life, like the monthly costs associated with a memory care community.
California has a veteran services program called CalVet that helps eligible senior veterans access state and federal benefits, like Aid and Attendance. If a veteran is not already enrolled in VA health care, CalVet’s Veterans Benefit Enhancement program (VBE) helps seniors with disabilities transition from Medi-Cal to VA health care, a veteran’s first step towards accessing federal benefits like the Aid and Attendance.
What qualifies a senior veteran for VA benefits?
Like many families, you might assume your loved one doesn’t qualify for VA benefits. However, there are many ways a veteran can qualify, with factors related specifically to their military history as well as their current condition.
This is why we recommend that you contact a local veterans service organization (VSO) to learn more about your loved one’s VA benefit eligibility. We also recommend perusing the VA’s list of service-connected disabilities to see if anything immediately applies to your loved one. Keep in mind though, this list doesn’t include all eligible disabilities, which is one reason why it’s important to contact a VSO to receive benefit counseling. A veteran service officer will look into your loved one’s specific case to identify any qualifiers that may have been missed.
Local VSOs can also provide application assistance and may even help appeal denied claims. The following local resources can help Fresno veterans begin the process of receiving their eligible benefits:
Resources for Fresno veterans
Fresno County Veterans Service Office
1320 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 105
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-600-5463
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1320 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 125
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-487-5660
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): E.G. Henry Gutierrez VFW Post 8900
3585 N. Blythe Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
Phone: 559-275-4061
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Homer Blevins Chapter 1
3508 N. First St.
Fresno, CA 93726
Phone: 559-241-6418
Meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month
California’s Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal, doesn’t cover the costs related to room and board in our partner Fresno memory care communities. However, Medi-Cal may be used to cover the costs of certain health care services for seniors of low-income status. Seniors eligible for Medi-Cal may benefit from the Assisted Living Waiver (also known as ALW). ALW is a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver that helps seniors receive memory care in an assisted living facility instead of in a skilled nursing facility or a hospital.
How to enroll in Medi-Cal
Covered California is the state’s health care portal and Medi-Cal application tool for individuals of low-income status. The Covered California application and the Medi-Cal application are the same. Once approved for Medi-Cal, additional low-cost, full-coverage plans that help close coverage gaps are also offered. The individual then has the option to enroll in additional coverage plans or remain in a baseline Medi-Cal plan.
Medi-Cal enrollment is usually a simple process, but we do recommend the following resources to get more information on the various Medi-Cal programs that may apply to you:
Fresno resident Medi-Cal resources
2037 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 512
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: 559-214-0299
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9177, ext. 401
Apply through Covered California
2631 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Phone: 800-650-0922
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors 65+ years of age. Eligible seniors can typically use it to cover medical costs, such as hospital care and medically necessary in-home health care. Review each of Medicare’s components below to see what may be covered under your Medicare plan:[03]
Medicare won’t cover custodial costs, like the cost of room and board in a private memory care facility. However, seniors can save money on their Medicare premiums and prescriptions through Medicare Savings Programs. These programs are available to California seniors who meet low-income requirements and are already enrolled in Medicare.
You can help your loved one apply for Medicare Savings Programs online through BenefitsCal and see which of California’s four Medicare Savings Programs applies to them. Each of the savings programs may cover portions of Medicare Part A, B, D, or a combination of several parts.
Browse the following resources for local assistance with the Medicare application process in Fresno:
Fresno resident Medicare resources
Fresno Office — Social Security Administration
845 Fulton St.
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 800-772-1213
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9177, ext. 401
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9117, ext. 304
2037 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 512
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: 559-214-0299
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fresno memory care communities are licensed by the California Department of Social Services (also referred to as CDSS). These communities fall under the title of Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE).[04]
Each community licensed as a RCFE must adhere to specific regulations:[05]
Resident and staff requirements
Fresno memory care communities are required to assess seniors prior to move-in. Your loved one’s assessment may include a review of their health history and an interview with the senior and your family.[05]
Memory care communities are also required to have enough staff at all times to provide care for residents. Regardless of the number of residents, all memory care facilities must have one staff member awake and on duty at night. If the facility has more than 16 residents, it must also have an on-call staff member. In addition, every staffed caregiver must have a minimum of eight annual hours in dementia-specific training to care for the specialized needs of seniors with dementia.[06]
Inspections
The CDSS inspects each Fresno memory care facility once a year and no later than 10 days after a complaint has been filed.[05] The CDSS has a Care Facility Search site where you can find lists of memory care facilities and their inspection reports.
To navigate the Care Facility Search site, scroll to “Search By Facility Group,” choose “Elderly Assisted Living,” choose the “Facility Type” and “Fresno County,” and then click on the search button. The site also allows you to search by facility name or address if you already have that information.
California Department of Health contact information
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
Fresno County follows the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 guidance. Fresno encourages its residents to continue accessing vaccines and tests when needed, but there’s no current mask mandate.
Please note that some Fresno memory care communities may have their own COVID-19 guidelines. We recommend speaking with a community you’re interested in to learn about what rules are currently in effect.
Fresno memory care facilities were created for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. To make sure your senior family member gets the care they need, each community has highly trained caregivers, memory care therapies, and dementia-friendly layouts that provide familiarity and security.
Choose from the range of memory care community types below to find the best fit for your loved one’s needs.
Among our partner memory care communities, 47% are residential care homes, sometimes known in Fresno as simply care homes. These communities are typically smaller in size than larger community facilities, as they’re traditional residential homes converted into memory care homes. They also have fewer residents than larger facilities, with memory care services provided in a cozy, family-like environment.
Fresno memory care homes offer amenities and activities to support a fulfilled, homey life:
Services in these care homes are comparable to those found in larger memory care facilities. Baseline services typically include:
Approximately 42% of our partner memory care communities share a campus with other types of senior care. You’ll find a range of care combinations all on the same campus, whether it’s memory care with assisted living, independent living, or a campus with all three care types.
What’s more, about half of these combined care communities also provide on-site skilled nursing services. Meaning, if your loved one moves into a combined senior care community for their memory care needs, they may be able to transition to a nursing level of care without having to move. These combined-care communities are also great for partners with different care needs who wish to live in the same facility.
Amenities you can expect to find at our partner senior care with memory care communities in Fresno can include the following:
Activities you can expect to find at our partner senior care with memory care communities in Fresno can include the following:
Services you can expect to find at our partner senior care with memory care communities in Fresno can include the following:
Our two partner stand-alone Fresno communities provide exclusively for seniors with memory care needs. These stand-alone facilities provide the same types of general assisted living services and amenities as other senior care facilities, while specializing all features for memory care needs — like more security features, family-style meals, and more therapeutic services.
Some families prefer this style of community for their loved ones due to the facility’s extensive dementia-friendly design. Families can also expect all staff and caregivers in these memory care exclusive communities to be highly trained with advanced memory care training and experience. From environmental sensory cues to individualized activities, therapies, and supports, stand-alone communities can provide a haven for your loved one and their unique needs.
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Approximate number of seniors age 75+ living in Fresno
Find local health care options that work for the senior in your life. Fresno has a variety of local health care options, from a veteran-specific clinic to medical centers with doctors who specialize in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Community Regional Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. It’s staffed with medical professionals that specialize in Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also a teaching hospital that ranks highly for specialties related to heart failure, stroke, and uterine cancer.
Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital is a heart facility in the Community Regional Medical Center network. They have dozens of private suites for patients and are located across the street from an advanced diagnostic laboratory.
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital with a dedicated memory care clinic. It ranks highly for adult needs such as heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, and pneumonia.
Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. Veterans can access care 24/7, including primary care and many types of specialty health care services.
Fresno has a few bike-friendly routes and walkable areas for visitors, but it’s generally considered a car-dependent city.[08] That’s why 90% of A Place for Mom’s partner Fresno memory care communities provide either complimentary or at-cost transportation services to their residents. These transportation services are a secure way for seniors with dementia to participate in community outings and attend appointments.
The options outlined below are additional ways you can explore Fresno alongside your loved one.
The Fresno Area Express (or FAX) is the local public transportation service. Local family and friends can visit their loved one using this service, if they have no transportation of their own. All buses can accommodate seniors and people with physical disabilities, and there are routes throughout the city. The following FAX features can be found on all buses to help visitors and their senior loved ones get around Fresno:
Lyft and Uber are the shared ride services typically readily available in Fresno. Both are great options for visitors who want to get around without depending on their own cars. These local services are especially common in the area, and some allow you to schedule rides ahead of time. Local taxi services are another popular option for visitors to use. However, seniors with dementia should not access these modes of public transportation without a caregiver.
Nestled in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno provides an expansive Californian playground for you to explore with your senior loved one. The city is only a 40-minute drive from the spellbinding beauty of Yosemite and the stunning Sierra National Forest. In addition, Fresno is only three hours away from the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Cruz. But if you want to stay around town, there are still plenty of engaging possibilities.
Browse our local highlights below, and curate a Fresno experience for you and your loved one. We also recommend perusing the helpful Visit Fresno County website to browse other accessible, senior-friendly activities you can peacefully enjoy as a family.
Botanical gardens, golf courses, and parks allow visitors to create peaceful outdoor memories with their senior loved ones:
Accompany your loved one to these local live events:
There’s strong sense of community throughout this historical city. Find your and your loved one’s niche in locales like these:
Take your loved one out to experience what makes Fresno most notable, the freshest produce and flavorful foods:
Elim Place, Truewood by Merrill, Clovis and The Villages at Willow are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Fresno, CA. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Fresno is $4,193 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 34 memory care facilities near you in Fresno, California typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Fresno, California, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Fresno, California, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Fresno, California ranges from $535 to $10000. The average Memory Care cost in Fresno, California is $4,193. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Fresno, California typically starts at $535. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Fresno city profile. American Community Survey.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
California Department of Social Services. (2023). Laws and regulations. CA.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
California Assisted Living Association. (2015). California compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy.
U.S. World and News Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Fresno, California.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Fresno.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Fresno city profile. American Community Survey.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
California Department of Social Services. (2023). Laws and regulations. CA.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
California Assisted Living Association. (2015). California compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy.
U.S. World and News Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Fresno, California.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Fresno.