In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in San Diego, CA
Help at home for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia: steady routines, safety and patience with changes in memory and mood. Post what you need in San Diego for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Dementia Care in San Diego, CA: the local picture
San Diego has about 24,168 residents aged 85 or older among 203,132 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.
31% of residents 65 and older report a disability (31% in San Diego County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.
24% of older San Diego residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.
San Diego compared with San Diego County and California
| Census figure | San Diego | San Diego County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 31% | 31% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 24% | 22% | 23% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 10% | 9.5% | 12% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 39% | 37% | 44% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $80,124 | $78,324 | — |
Older residents in towns around San Diego
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mesa, CA | 7.3 mi | 9,437 | 1,282 |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 8.2 mi | 4,042 | 376 |
| Santee, CA | 9.1 mi | 9,812 | 828 |
| El Cajon, CA | 10 mi | 15,161 | 1,603 |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA | 10 mi | 4,223 | 569 |
| La Presa, CA | 10 mi | 5,288 | 765 |
Nursing homes near San Diego
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Bernardy Center D/P SNF | San Diego, CA | 1.3 mi | 5 of 5 | 43 | (858) 966-5833 |
| The Shores Post-Acute | San Diego, CA | 1.7 mi | 3 of 5 | 305 | (858) 277-6460 |
| Kearny Mesa Convalescent And Nursing Home | San Diego, CA | 2.2 mi | 5 of 5 | 98 | (858) 278-8121 |
| Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center | San Diego, CA | 4.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 96 | (619) 297-4086 |
| Mission Hills Post Acute Care | San Diego, CA | 5.2 mi | 4 of 5 | 75 | (619) 297-4484 |
| Balboa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | San Diego, CA | 5.3 mi | 4 of 5 | 194 | (619) 291-5270 |
Hospices serving San Diego
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suncrest Hospice San Diego | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | (818) 434-2414 |
| Bristol Hospice - San Diego | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | (888) 976-0396 |
| Blessed Hospice California Inc | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | (858) 430-6656 |
| Anchor Hospice & Palliative Care | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | (714) 463-6528 |
Straight-line miles from the center of San Diego. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a dementia caregiver can help with
- Keeping a predictable daily routine
- Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
- Meals, hydration and medication reminders
- Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions
What dementia care costs in San Diego
At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $6,677 monthly median income of San Diego households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.
What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver
An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.
Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Dementia Care in San Diego: common questions
What nursing homes are near San Diego?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Helen Bernardy Center D/P SNF in San Diego (1.3 mi, 5 of 5 overall); The Shores Post-Acute in San Diego (1.7 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Kearny Mesa Convalescent And Nursing Home in San Diego (2.2 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does dementia care cost in San Diego?
At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $6,677 monthly median income of San Diego households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
When does someone with dementia need care at home?
Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.
More senior care near San Diego
Dementia Care in nearby cities
- Dementia Care in La Jolla, CA
- Dementia Care in La Mesa, CA
- Dementia Care in Lemon Grove, CA
- Dementia Care in Santee, CA
- Dementia Care in El Cajon, CA
- Dementia Care in Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA
- Dementia Care in La Presa, CA
- Dementia Care in National City, CA
- Dementia Care in Coronado, CA
- Dementia Care in Spring Valley, CA
- Dementia Care in Bostonia, CA
- Dementia Care in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
- Dementia Care in Eucalyptus Hills, CA
- Dementia Care in Winter Gardens, CA
- Dementia Care in Bonita, CA
- Dementia Care in Fairbanks Ranch, CA
Other care in San Diego
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
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