Memory care placement · Santa Monica, CA
Memory care in Santa Monica
Families in Santa Monica usually choose between two kinds of memory care: a secure unit inside a larger assisted living community, or a small board and care home whose caregivers are trained for dementia. Santa Monica has 6 licensed communities with sixteen or more beds and 10 board and care homes with six or fewer.
Memory care options in Santa Monica
A home that cares for people with dementia in California needs more than a basic license. It must meet the state's dementia care rules, and homes that secure their doors or keep residents who are bedridden or on hospice need additional approval from the Department of Social Services. The public licensing file does not show which homes in Santa Monica have that approval, so we confirm it with every home before we suggest it.
- Secure memory care units are found in larger communities. Santa Monica has 6 licensed for sixteen or more residents.
- Small board and care homes are often the better fit for someone who is easily overwhelmed or wanders at night. Santa Monica has 10 with six or fewer beds.
- Memory care in LA County typically runs $9,000 to $11,000 a month. Board and care homes that accept dementia residents often cost less.
Larger licensed communities in Santa Monica
Not every licensed community has a secured memory care unit, and the state file does not say which do. We confirm that with each community before we suggest it.
Santa Monica in the state licensing data
How the 16 licensed homes in Santa Monica compare with LA County as a whole, from the state extract dated May 25, 2025.
| State licensing data | Santa Monica | LA County |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed homes | 16 | 1,644 |
| Board and care, 6 beds or fewer | 10 (62%) | 1,359 (83%) |
| Small homes, 7 to 15 beds | 0 (0%) | 27 (2%) |
| Communities, 16 or more beds | 6 (38%) | 258 (16%) |
| Licensed beds | 702 | 43,145 |
| Median beds per home | 6 | 6 |
| Licensed since the start of 2024 | 1 | 287 |
- The largest licensed home in Santa Monica is Savant of Santa Monica, with 174 beds.
- Homes with fifteen or fewer beds hold 56 of the 702 licensed beds in Santa Monica (8%).
- Licensed homes in Santa Monica are spread across these ZIP codes: 90403 (6 homes), 90405 (5 homes), 90404 (4 homes), 90291 (1 home).
- Newest licenses in Santa Monica: Indalo Homes (2024).
Board and care homes in Santa Monica
Small homes to ask about for dementia care. The state file does not show which hold a dementia waiver, so we confirm that with each home first. Listed alphabetically; select a home for its license details.
Nearby communities
Sawtelle (2.3 mi, 2 homes, 2 board and care); West Los Angeles (3.4 mi, 1 home, 0 board and care); Mar Vista (3.6 mi, 5 homes, 4 board and care); Rancho Park (3.7 mi, 4 homes, 4 board and care); Westwood (3.8 mi, 4 homes, 2 board and care). Distances are straight-line between community centers.
See every licensed home on our Santa Monica board and care page, or read more about memory care placement across Los Angeles County.
Questions families ask
How much does memory care cost in Santa Monica?
Memory care communities in Los Angeles typically start at $9,000 to $11,000 a month. A board and care home that accepts residents with dementia is often less, usually inside the $3,000 to $6,000 board and care range, depending on how much hands-on care is needed.
Which homes in Santa Monica are licensed for dementia care?
California's public licensing data does not list dementia waivers or secured-perimeter approval. We confirm both directly with each home, and we only suggest homes that can legally and safely meet your loved one's needs.
Is a small board and care home safe for someone with dementia?
It can be. Many families find a six-bed home calmer than a large community, with the same caregivers every day. The home must follow the state's dementia care rules, and if doors are secured it needs approval from the Department of Social Services. Ask to see it.
More care options in Santa Monica
Get help with memory care in Santa Monica
We will call you back the same business day. There is no cost to your family. The care home pays our placement fee.