Memory care and dementia support in Palo Alto

Memory loss changes a family's life slowly and then all at once. One week it is a missed appointment, a few months later it is a question of whether a parent should still live alone. Palo Alto has a deep bench of help for each stage: specialist clinics, free support from the Alzheimer's Association, a long-running adult day program and several communities with memory care units.

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Organizations named here were confirmed on their own websites in late 2026. They are listed by type, not ranked. Programs and costs change, so call before you visit. If a person with dementia is missing or in danger, call 911.

Getting a diagnosis

Memory problems have many causes. Some, such as medication side effects, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, depression or hearing loss, can be treated. That is why the first step is a visit with a primary care doctor, who can run basic tests and refer to a specialist when needed.

• Stanford Health Care. The Memory Disorders Center has a Palo Alto clinic at 213 Quarry Road, near Hoover Pavilion. Its phone is 650-723-6469. A referral may be required depending on your plan.
• Sutter's Palo Alto Medical Foundation. The Palo Alto Center at 795 El Camino Real lists geriatric medicine and neurology among its specialties.
• Kaiser and the VA. Members and enrolled veterans should start with their own primary care team.

Bring a family member to the appointment, along with a list of medications and a few written examples of what has changed. Hearing loss can look like memory loss, so a hearing test is a sensible early step; see our hearing care guide. Stanford runs many research studies, including some on memory. Our page on joining Stanford research studies explains how volunteers sign up.

Alzheimer's Association programs in 2026

The Alzheimer's Association Northern California chapter serves communities from San Jose to Fresno and Chico, including Palo Alto. Its services are free.

• 24/7 Helpline, 800-272-3900. Trained staff answer questions about symptoms, caregiving and local resources at any hour.
• Caregiver support groups. The chapter says its groups are facilitated by trained leaders and currently meet by phone or video, with in-person meetings as needed. Find one through the association's events finder or the Helpline. The chapter notes these groups are not for professional or paid caregivers.
• Early-stage support groups. For people with a diagnosis and mild symptoms who want to talk with others in the same situation. Most include a separate care partner group. Pre-screening by phone is required.
• Living with Alzheimer's. A three-part education series, available through the association's online education center.
• Social engagement. Museum tours, park outings, brain games and casual video meetups for people living with dementia and their partners. Space and screening rules vary.
• ALZConnected. A free online community for people with dementia, caregivers, friends and family.

The chapter also posts information in Chinese and Spanish and lists resources for African American and LGBTQ families.

Adult day programs and respite

A good day program gives the person with dementia activity and company and gives the caregiver a few hours to work, rest or run errands. Avenidas, Palo Alto's nonprofit for older adults, runs the Rose Kleiner Center at 270 Escuela Avenue in Mountain View. Avenidas says it began in 1978 and was the first state-licensed adult day health center in Santa Clara County. It serves adults with cognitive or physical challenges. Avenidas lists program hours of 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and a phone number of (650) 289-5499. Our resources for older adults page covers other Avenidas programs, including social work consultations for families.

Jewish Family and Children's Services runs a Center for Dementia Care and a free weekly online peer support group for family caregivers, which meets on Monday evenings and is open to anyone caring for a family member with dementia or memory loss.

Care at home

Many people with dementia live at home for years with help from family and paid caregivers. Licensed home care agencies provide aides for a few hours a day or around the clock. Medi-Cal's In-Home Supportive Services can pay for some personal care for eligible residents. Our home care services guide explains how to check that an agency and its aides are licensed and registered with the state.

A few home changes help: locks or alarms on outside doors, labels on cupboards, good lighting and removing tripping hazards. Some families register the person with a medical ID program so police can identify them if they wander.

Memory care communities in Palo Alto

When care at home stops working, families look at residential memory care. These Palo Alto communities list memory care on their own websites. They are listed alphabetically. Our senior housing guide covers their contracts and costs in more detail.

Life plan communities such as Moldaw and Vi usually require new residents to live independently when they move in. A person who already has dementia may not qualify for entry, but residents who develop it later can move to memory care on the same campus. Rental communities such as Palo Alto Commons may admit people directly to memory care. More memory care homes, including small licensed homes, operate in nearby cities.

Checking licenses and asking questions

In California, assisted living and memory care are licensed as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly by the Department of Social Services. Facilities that advertise dementia care must meet extra state requirements for staff training and safety. The department's Community Care Licensing facility search shows each license, recent inspection reports and any citations. Read them before you tour.

Questions to ask on a visit:

1. How many staff are on each shift, including nights? What dementia training do they have?
2. How do you keep residents safe from wandering while still letting them move freely?
3. What activities happen each day? Can we see the calendar?
4. How do you handle agitation without relying on medication?
5. What makes a resident need to move out? Can someone stay through the end of life with hospice?
6. What is included in the monthly fee? How do fees rise as care needs change?

Legal and money planning

An early diagnosis leaves time for the person to take part in decisions. Update a durable power of attorney for finances and an advance health care directive while they can still sign. Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial memory care, so families usually pay privately or use long-term care insurance. Medi-Cal may cover nursing home care for people who qualify. A lawyer who works with older adults can explain the options; see our legal help page. As dementia advances, our hospice and palliative care guide explains comfort-focused care.

Frequently asked questions