Guidance for local families
Senior Care
Resources
Clear answers for families navigating memory care and assisted living in Martinez and Contra Costa County.
Explore the resourcesQuestions are normal.
Good guidance matters.
Choosing care for a parent can feel overwhelming. How much help do they need? Is assisted living enough? Would memory care be safer?
Alhambra Creek created this resource center to help families in Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and nearby communities understand their options before making a decision.
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Start with the question
that brought you here.
Each guide focuses on one important family question and gives you a practical place to begin.
Featured now
Memory Care or Assisted Living?
Understand the warning signs and the difference between these two levels of support.
Read the guideSigns a Parent Needs More Support
Learn which repeated changes may signal that living alone is becoming unsafe.
Coming nextPreparing for a Tour
What to notice, what to ask, and how to compare communities with confidence.
Planned guideMoving & Family Transitions
Helpful ways to prepare your parent and family for a change in living arrangements.
Planned guideFeatured guide
How do I know if my parent needs assisted living or memory care?
The right choice depends on more than a diagnosis. Look at your parent’s daily needs, safety, memory, judgment, and the amount of supervision they require.
- Recognize repeated warning signs
- Understand what each level of care provides
- Know what your family can do next
A conversation can bring clarity
Not sure what level of care your parent needs?
Speak with the Alhambra Creek team about your family’s situation and possible next steps.Alhambra Creek Team · (925) 314-5588
Contact TeamFeatured guide
How Do I Know if My Parent Needs Assisted Living or Memory Care?
If your parent is having difficulty staying safe, managing daily activities, or remembering important information, it may be time to consider additional support.
Signs to notice
Repeated falls, missed medication, unsafe cooking, poor hygiene, isolation, confusion, wandering, or changes in judgment can signal a need for more support.
When assisted living may fit
Assisted living can support someone who still makes many everyday decisions but needs help with meals, medication reminders, bathing, dressing, mobility, or social connection.
When memory care may be safer
Memory care may be appropriate when memory loss affects safety, orientation, judgment, or the ability to understand familiar surroundings.
Look for a pattern
Keep a simple record of what happened, when it happened, and what help your parent needed. A repeated change tells you more than one difficult day. Bring your notes to a care conversation and include your parent in decisions whenever possible.
What to do next
Write down the changes you have noticed, speak with your parent’s healthcare provider, and arrange a care assessment to understand the level of support needed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a memory problem always mean memory care?
The right level of care depends on daily needs and safety, as well as memory. Discuss changes with your parent’s healthcare provider and ask for a care assessment.
What should our family bring to a care conversation?
Bring a list of daily routines, current help, medications, and changes you have noticed. Describe where your parent manages independently and where support is needed.
What should we ask during a tour?
Ask how staff assess care needs, provide daily support, and communicate with families. Describe your parent’s routine and ask how the community would support it.
How can we help a parent prepare for a move?
Talk through the change in small steps. Involve your parent where possible, bring familiar belongings, and share their preferences and routines with staff.