Memory Clinics & Alzheimer's Research Centers in San Diego

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This page is a local directory of how San Diego families can find National Institute on Aging (NIA) designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers, which hospitals serve the city, and what a first memory evaluation typically involves.

Named hospitals and agencies are listed as public resources only. They do not endorse this guide, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a treatment plan. If you are also comparing in-home help, see our San Diego city guide alongside the clinic and hospital listings below.

San Diego's older adult population

San Diego has 196,289 residents age 65 and older and 23,020 residents age 85 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.

The same Census estimates show 46,031 seniors living alone in the city and a median household income of $104,321. Those figures describe the local older population. They are not a count of people living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Finding NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers

NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers are major medical research programs funded by the National Institute on Aging, and families locate them through NIA's public listings rather than through a hospital star rating. The NIA-funded Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers page explains this national network.

Use the NIA tool to find an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center when you want current locations, then call the center to confirm referrals, whether it sees community patients, and what a new-patient visit includes. Alzheimer's.gov also describes national research centers. Center addresses and phone numbers can change, so rely on those official directories instead of an unofficial local list.

San Diego hospitals to contact about memory services

San Diego families often start with local hospitals that CMS lists by name, address, type, ownership, and overall star rating. CMS does not publish whether a hospital has a dedicated memory, dementia, or geriatric unit, so ask each hospital directly whether it offers a memory disorders clinic, geriatric assessment, or dementia-aware discharge planning.

UC San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Medical Center is an acute care hospital at 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103. The phone number is (619) 543-6222. CMS lists voluntary non-profit - other ownership, emergency services, and an overall rating of 5 out of 5.

VA San Diego Healthcare System is an acute care Veterans Administration hospital at 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161. The phone number is (858) 552-8585. CMS lists veterans health administration ownership, emergency services, and an overall rating of 5 out of 5. Ask the VA which services are open to enrolled veterans.

Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego is an acute care hospital at 4647 Zion Ave, San Diego, CA 92120. The phone number is (619) 528-5000. CMS lists voluntary non-profit - private ownership, emergency services, and an overall rating of 4 out of 5.

Scripps Mercy Hospital is an acute care hospital at 4077 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. The phone number is (619) 294-8111. CMS lists voluntary non-profit - private ownership, emergency services, and an overall rating of 4 out of 5.

Sharp Memorial Hospital is an acute care hospital at 7901 Frost St, San Diego, CA 92123. The phone number is (858) 939-3400. CMS lists voluntary non-profit - private ownership, emergency services, and an overall rating of 4 out of 5.

Aurora San Diego is a psychiatric hospital at 11878 Avenue of Industry, San Diego, CA 92128. The phone number is (858) 487-3200. CMS lists proprietary ownership and has not assigned an overall star rating.

NMC San Diego is an acute care Department of Defense hospital at 34800 Bob Wilson Dr, San Diego, CA 92134. The phone number is (619) 532-6400. CMS lists department of defense ownership and emergency services, and has not assigned an overall star rating. Ask about eligibility for military beneficiaries.

Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego is a children's hospital at 3020 Childrens Way, San Diego, CA 92123. The phone number is (858) 576-1700. CMS lists voluntary non-profit - other ownership and has not assigned an overall star rating. It is listed here because it serves the city, not as an adult Alzheimer's clinic.

What a first memory clinic visit typically involves

A first memory clinic visit typically includes a medical history, questions about changes in memory and daily function, a physical exam, and cognitive screening, with a family member or caregiver present when possible. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, a current medication list, prior test results if you have them, and notes on when symptoms began and how they affect cooking, driving, bills, or safety.

The clinician decides whether lab work, imaging, or a follow-up visit is appropriate. This overview is general information only. It is not medical advice, and it does not describe the protocol of any named San Diego hospital or research center. Confirm parking, interpreters, and how long the appointment lasts when you schedule.

If getting to the appointment is hard, companion care can provide a familiar person for transportation and notes. After a hospital stay, ask the discharge team how follow-up memory evaluation will be scheduled, and review our hospital discharge care options if extra help is needed at home during that transition.

Alzheimer's Association support in San Diego County

The Alzheimer's Association San Diego Chapter offers free support groups, care consultations, education programs, and a 24/7 helpline serving San Diego County. Call 800-272-3900, and review current programs on the Alzheimer's Association San Diego Chapter site.

A care consultation can help families decide whether the next step is a primary care referral, a hospital-based assessment, or an NIA research-center inquiry. Support groups do not replace a clinical evaluation.

Care at home after a memory evaluation

After a memory evaluation, many San Diego families add in-home help so routines stay familiar while appointments and follow-up testing continue. Memory care at home focuses on cueing, supervision, and consistent daily structure. Personal care can cover bathing, dressing, and other hands-on help if daily tasks have become unsafe.

Some households need overnight or round-the-clock coverage, which is when families look at 24-hour live-in care. Caregivers who need a break to attend their own appointments can consider respite care. Match any in-home plan to what the clinic or hospital actually recommended, and keep a written list of medications and emergency contacts at the house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an NIA Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in San Diego?

Use the National Institute on Aging's public finder to see current Alzheimer's Disease Research Center locations, then call the center to confirm that it serves San Diego-area patients and what referral paperwork it requires. Listings can change, so an official NIA directory is more reliable than a static local address list.

Do San Diego hospitals have dedicated dementia or memory units?

CMS Hospital General Information publishes each hospital's name, address, type, ownership, and overall star rating. It does not publish whether a hospital has a dedicated memory, dementia, or geriatric unit. Call the hospital and ask about memory clinics, geriatric assessment, and discharge planning for a patient with dementia.

What happens at a first memory clinic appointment?

A first visit typically covers medical history, daily-function questions, a physical exam, and cognitive screening. A family member who can describe day-to-day changes is usually asked to attend. Bring medications, insurance information, and prior records. Only the clinician can decide on further testing.

What does the Alzheimer's Association San Diego Chapter offer?

The chapter provides free support groups, care consultations, education programs, and a 24/7 helpline serving San Diego County. The helpline number is 800-272-3900. These services support families and do not replace a medical evaluation.

How many adults age 65 and older live in San Diego?

U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates for the city of San Diego report 196,289 residents age 65 and older and 23,020 residents age 85 and older. Those are population counts, not estimates of how many people have dementia.

What in-home care can help after a memory evaluation in San Diego?

Families often combine clinic follow-up with companion visits, personal care, memory care at home, respite, or 24-hour live-in help, depending on safety and daily-function needs. Ask the clinic or hospital what level of supervision they recommend, then match home support to that plan rather than to a generic package.