Best Memory Care in El Cajon, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 5 memory care providers in El Cajon, CA using CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank memory care in CA
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We analyzed These are the providers in El Cajon, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every memory care provider in El Cajon, CA. Home health and home care providers may be included if they specialize in memory care services.
5 providers
Other senior care options in El Cajon:

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Avg Walk Score: 42/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in El Cajon, CA. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 60The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in El Cajon, CA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Memory Care around El Cajon

Info below is compiled from the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HC (Home Care): Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
The ALM Inspection Grade — our own 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. It is not a government rating. A dash means we do not publish a grade for that facility: either its public record is too thin to be fair, or we hold nothing for it at all.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Visits or investigations linked to complaints, as counted in the state record (may differ from routine annual surveys).
Count of California state "Type A" citations — the state's most serious citation category (immediate or serious harm to residents), from California state inspection data.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Name of the licensed owner, operator, or managing entity as filed with the state. Useful for grouping facilities under the same organization.
Housing or bed configuration options (e.g. studio, shared), often from facility-reported amenities and licensing details.
Epic Assistance Care Home IV
MC
NH
SNF
El Cajon
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,133 / 1,492
No
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,521 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)6
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,363 / 1,452
93.3%
Facility 93.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #213 / 1,313
Epic Assistance Care Home IncPrivate Rooms
Good Samaritan Retirement Home
MC
ADC
AL
HC
HOS
IL
NH
RC
SNF
El Cajon
110
Facility 110
CA AVG 103
Rank #582 / 1,492
No
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,873 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)8
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 13
Rank #214 / 1,452
50.0%
Facility 50.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,169 / 1,313
Daughters Of Mary Immaculate C Chaldean Sisters-
Lucie’s Cozy Cottage
MC
AL
HOS
RC
El Cajon
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,160 / 1,492
Yes
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,505 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)6
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #734 / 1,452
55.6%
Facility 55.6%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,116 / 1,313
Caring Cottage, LLC-
Lo-Har Senior Living
MC
AL
El Cajon
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 103
Rank #888 / 1,492
Yes
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 57
Rank #611 / 1,887
C75 / 100 — 8 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)96
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,368 / 1,387
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,094 / 1,433
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #879 / 1,452
89.7%
Facility 89.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #273 / 1,313
Granite Hills Senior Living, IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center
MC
HOS
NH
PC
RC
SNF
El Cajon
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 103
Rank #705 / 1,492
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #746 / 1,887
C+75 / 100 — 8 points below the California average for CMS-certified facilities (83/100)----
93.9%
Facility 93.9%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #204 / 1,313
--

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 5 analyzed for El Cajon. See how we rank facilities

Overview of Epic Assistance Care Home IV

Epic Assistance Care Home IV offers nursing home, memory care, and skilled nursing in El Cajon, California. Nursing home and skilled nursing services provide ongoing support for residents who need nursing care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. With 15 beds, the home may suit someone who needs a smaller care setting.

Private rooms give residents a single personal room rather than shared accommodation. The area has a Walk Score of 33, so it is dependent on cars and most errands require a car or a ride. Epic Assistance Care Home IV is administered by Liza Mesdjian and operated by Epic Assistance Care Home.

Contact Epic Assistance Care Home IV

Overview of Good Samaritan Retirement Home

Good Samaritan Retirement Home is a 110-bed assisted living and memory care community with specialized dementia care, rehabilitation services, respite stays, and a core assisted living program in El Cajon, California. Operated by the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Chaldean Sisters) under administrator Susan Sorensen, the community serves San Diego County. It’s been licensed since 2000 by the California Department of Social Services as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly.

Across four official inspections since 2021, the facility has recorded zero citations, against a California average of 10, and only 2 complaints compared to a statewide norm of 14. No fines exist in the latest inspection in September 2025, placing the inspection score at 83 out of 100 against California’s benchmark of 70.

The memory care program is staffed 24/7 with dementia caregiving staff and a licensed nurse providing 8 hours of dementia-specific coverage daily. The community has four hospice waivers, allowing end-of-life care coordination on-site. Rounding out the care model are a fall prevention program, outdoor garden spaces, and a mobile physician.

With a consistently clean regulatory record, Good Samaritan Retirement Home is best for older adults in San Diego County requiring long-term assisted living or memory care in a faith-based community.

Contact Good Samaritan Retirement Home

Overview of Lucie’s Cozy Cottage

As its name suggests, Lucie’s Cozy Cottage is a welcoming atmosphere that provides endless opportunities awaiting discovery in a tightly-knit residence. The senior living home in El Cajon specializes in assisted living services that strive to reach the holistic needs of its residents. The cozy, homey place creates an environment of compassion and love for each senior. Lucie’s well-trained staff is committed to encouraging and inspiring its residents to pursue a thriving and purposeful life.

Management and staff are dedicated to delivering a comfortable and flexible retirement experience in a close-knit setting. The community’s extensive list of services includes medication management, 24-hour caregiver availability, transportation and housekeeping, and wellness programs.

Contact Lucie’s Cozy Cottage

Overview of Lo-Har Senior Living

Lo-Har Senior Living is an outstanding senior living community located in the scenic setting of Dorothy Street, El Cajon, CA, offering assisted living and memory care. The community prides itself on a team of compassionate and highly skilled professionals helping with daily living activities and personal needs 24/7. Housekeeping and laundry are also handled by the community to ensure residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.

With a lot of exciting activities and enriching programs, residents do not run out of things to do to spend their days happily. Here, residents eat well and feel their best with delightful and healthy meals served to cater to their dietary needs and tastes. Lo-Har Senior Living is ideal for seniors aiming to optimize their freedom with its top-tier services and an inviting environment.

Contact Lo-Har Senior Living

Overview of Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center

Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center in El Cajon, California, provides nursing home, hospice care, memory care, palliative care, respite care, and skilled nursing. Licensed nurses are on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing nursing support. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, while respite care offers a temporary stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

The center has 96 beds and supports short term rehabilitation in an expansive rehab gym, so residents can receive rehabilitation services on site. There is room to get outside, too. Spacious courtyards with a pond and fountain give residents outdoor common areas to use.

Registered dietitians oversee meal planning and presentation, allowing meals to be adjusted to each patient’s needs. Medicare can cover qualifying short term skilled care after a hospital stay, while Medicaid can help eligible residents whose savings may not cover a long stay; private pay allows a family to pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 20 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. A Walk Score of 67 means some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to manage some outings independently. Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center may be a good fit for someone who needs licensed nursing care, memory supervision, or a temporary stay while a family caregiver recovers or travels.

Contact Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Memory Care in El Cajon, CA

What is the average cost of memory care in El Cajon, CA?

The average monthly cost of memory care in El Cajon, CA is approximately $5,750. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for memory care in El Cajon, CA?

Memory care in El Cajon, CA typically ranges from $4,500–$7,000 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at memory care communities in El Cajon, CA?

Memory care communities in El Cajon, CA typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:5–1:8.

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in California?

Assisted living in California supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

Does California Medicaid cover memory care?

California Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for memory care, but most states (including California) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is memory care?

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, with secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and routines built to reduce confusion and wandering.

How many memory care communities are listed on this page?

This page features 5 memory care communities in El Cajon, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.