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Memory care in Merced, CA

7 memory care communities with a state Alzheimer or dementia care license, certificate or special care unit.

Memory care communities
7
in Merced
Licensed capacity
49
across all 7
Adults 65+
9,545
Census estimate for Merced
Within 25 miles
11
of the center of Merced
Memory CareAssisted Living 13Home Care 1Nursing Homes 6Senior Apartments 2Care Homes 10
Showing 1–7 of 7 memory care communities
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Source: California CDSS, Community Care Licensing facility layer - RCFE dementia client group (983/980/981/982), as of Oct 14, 2026. Distance is measured from the center of Merced (U.S. Census Bureau).

Nearby

Memory care communities near Merced

Counting neighboring towns, there are 11 memory care communities within 25 miles of the center of Merced, 4 more than in Merced itself. Distances are straight-line miles.

Closest outside Merced

See all 11 within 25 miles

Nearby cities

Within 25 miles, closest first

Local overview

Memory care in Merced at a glance

Merced has 7 memory care communities in our directory, drawn from California CDSS records. ZIP code 95348 has the most, 3 of the 7, and 3 ZIP codes have at least one. All 7 that report their size have 16 residents or fewer.1

By ZIP code

  • 953483
  • 953402
  • 953412
Memory care communities in Merced by the ZIP code on their license or certification record.1

By licensed capacity

  • 16 residents or fewer7
  • 17 to 60 residents0
  • More than 60 residents0
Size is the licensed capacity on the public record.1

Licensing and oversight

How memory care is regulated in California

In California, the California Department of Social Services licenses assisted living and other residential care settings. Its public records are the source for the memory care listings on this page.1 Of the 7 memory care communities listed in Merced, 7 are licensed by the state to serve residents with dementia.1

Report a problem
Contact the California Department of Social Services about a licensed community, or the California long-term care ombudsman at (916) 419-75102.

Paying for care

Ways to pay for memory care in California

Programs that can help, by name. Eligibility rules are set by each program, so confirm with the agency before you plan around one.

Medicaid
The California Medicaid program can cover long-term care for people who qualify on income, assets and care needs. Which services it covers depends on the program, so ask the state Medicaid agency.3 Medicaid waivers pay for care services, not room and board.4 California Medicaid agency
Medicare
Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care or for room and board. It still covers medically necessary care, such as doctor visits, hospital care, home health, hospice and prescriptions.5
Veterans benefits
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for the VA pension with Aid and Attendance.6 The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) helps with claims (800-952-5626).7
Medicare counseling
California’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare and related coverage questions: 1-800-434-0222.8

Local resources

Local help for families in Merced

Official agencies and nonprofit helplines, with phone numbers and links taken from their own directories.

  • Area Agency on Aging

    Aging services for Merced County9

    1-800-677-1116

    The Eldercare Locator connects you with the Area Agency on Aging that serves Merced County.

    Website

  • Long-term care ombudsman

    California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program2

    (916) 419-7510

    Free, independent advocate for residents of care facilities.

    Website

  • Report abuse or neglect

    California Adult Protective Services

    1-833-401-0832

    Adult Protective Services takes reports about adults at risk.

    Website

  • Medicare counseling (SHIP)

    California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)8

    1-800-434-0222

    Website

  • Veterans benefits

    California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)7

    800-952-5626

    Website

  • Medicaid

    California Medicaid agency3

    Website

  • Dementia support

    Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline10

    1-800-272-3900

    Find the chapter that serves California.

    Website

Questions families ask

Frequently asked questions about memory care in Merced

How many memory care communities are in Merced, CA?

WeFoundCare lists 7 memory care communities in Merced, CA, from public licensing and certification records. Within 25 miles of the center of Merced there are 11.

How many residents can memory care communities in Merced serve?

7 of the 7 memory care communities report licensed capacity, for a combined 49 residents. The Census Bureau estimates 9,545 adults age 65 and older live in Merced.

Do memory care communities in Merced have a state dementia credential?

Every memory care listing on this page has a state record for dementia care: 7 are licensed by the state to serve residents with dementia.

Which Merced ZIP codes have the most memory care communities?

95348 (3), 95340 (2), 95341 (2). In all, 3 ZIP codes in Merced have at least one.

Who licenses memory care in California?

The California Department of Social Services licenses memory care in California. You can check a community’s license in the agency’s public records.

Who can help if there is a problem with care in Merced?

The long-term care ombudsman is a free, independent advocate for residents. In Merced County, call (916) 419-7510. To report suspected abuse or neglect, call California Adult Protective Services at 1-833-401-0832.

Are there memory care communities near Merced?

Nearby cities with listings include Atwater (2, 7.4 mi), Chowchilla (1, 18.4 mi).

Guides

Guides for families choosing memory care

Other types of care

Other senior care in Merced

Methodology

About this data

How the figures on this page are built. Each number links to its source below.

  • Listings come from California CDSS (Community Care Licensing facility layer - RCFE dementia client group (983/980/981/982)), Oct 14, 2026.1 A listing appears under the city on its license or certification address.
  • Adults 65+ is the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimate for Merced (Census place). Census boundaries can differ from the mailing-address city used for listings, so per-1,000 figures are a guide, not a precise rate.11
  • Licensed capacity is the figure on the public record; 7 of 7 memory care communities report it.
  • Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Merced (U.S. Census Bureau place center). “Nearby” means within 25 miles and can include other states.
  • Agency contacts come from each program’s own directory and are checked when we rebuild the data. WeFoundCare does not rate or rank communities.

Sources and references

  1. California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing: Community Care Licensing facility layer - RCFE dementia client group (983/980/981/982). data.chhs.ca.gov/dataset/community-care-licensing-facilities Accessed Oct 14, 2026.
  2. National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center / National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care: Find your Long-Term Care Ombudsman. theconsumervoice.org/get-help Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  3. National Association of Medicaid Directors: Medicaid Directors. medicaiddirectors.org/about/medicaid-directors Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  4. 42 CFR §441.310 via LII: Limits on FFP (room and board excluded from HCBS waiver). law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/42/441.310 Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  5. CMS / Medicare.gov: Long-term care coverage. medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  6. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: State Veterans Affairs Offices. discover.va.gov/external-resources Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  8. SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living): Find your local SHIP. shiphelp.org/ships Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  9. U.S. Administration for Community Living: Eldercare Locator. eldercare.acl.gov Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  10. Alzheimer’s Association: 24/7 Helpline. alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  11. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B01001. data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2024.B01001 Accessed Oct 18, 2026.