Silverado San Juan Capistrano is a specialized memory care community located conveniently off the 5 freeway at Junipero Serra Road, serving the needs of individuals and families in and around the Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, and Coto de Caza areas. More than just an assisted living community, Silverado San Juan Capistrano focuses specifically on providing enriching and supportive environments for individuals living with dementia and other memory impairments. The campus is thoughtfully arranged into three distinct care “neighborhoods,” allowing residents to experience support tailored to their unique stage and level of need, which helps foster a sense of familiarity, comfort, and safety.
The community's care philosophy centers on creating fulfilling, meaningful daily life experiences, emphasizing amenities and features that are intentionally designed for persons with dementia. This includes a wide array of enriching activities and programs, such as Nexus at Silverado, an internationally recognized, evidence-based brain health initiative. Nexus offers a non-drug approach for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia and has demonstrated improvements in cognition and function for many residents. Residents benefit from access to a committed team that includes a physician medical director, masters-level social workers, and 24-hour licensed nurses, ensuring comprehensive, round-the-clock support rooted in best practices for memory care.
Each team member at Silverado San Juan Capistrano is carefully chosen and trained, participating in a certification program that includes forty hours of classroom and hands-on training focused on dementia care techniques and understanding the unique needs of each resident. The community leadership includes Administrator Sheila Fike, who brings over twenty-five years of experience in assisted living and a passion for creating smooth transitions for new residents and their families. Medical care is overseen by both Jason Abney, D.O., whose approach blends compassion and clinical knowledge, and Dr. Torsten Kruse, who has a background in both internal medicine and cardiology and a focus on helping senior adults preserve their independence and health. Jaclyn Vasquez, MSN, RN, contributes her expertise in health services and neurology, having previously specialized in conditions such as strokes, seizures, and dementia-related disorders.
Supporting residents and their families is also at the heart of what Director of Resident and Family Services Casey Lambert provides, drawing on a background in social work and a Master’s in Gerontology. Family transitions and ongoing engagement are further enhanced by Family Ambassador Andrea Furch, whose extensive knowledge aids families in navigating the challenges of memory care, and Heather Sahargun, Director of Resident Engagement, who creates meaningful and stimulating experiences and activities. Nutritious and delicious meals are crafted by Leonardo Aguilar, Director of Culinary Services, whose long-standing dedication to the memory care community enhances residents’ dining experiences and includes special events such as “Lunch with Leo” in the community’s courtyard. Physical wellbeing and a well-maintained environment are stewarded by Russ Windes, Director of Plant Operations, who has deep experience in maintenance and operations, and day-to-day administrative and community coordination are facilitated by Stephanie Carillo, the Business Office Coordinator.
Silverado San Juan Capistrano offers a vibrant, caring environment with amenities such as gardens, visiting pets, and community events, all designed to create a sense of belonging and joy for residents. Leadership and associates are deeply committed to understanding each resident as an individual and working collaboratively with families. The community’s mission is to enrich lives at all stages of memory impairment, providing peace of mind to families and a place where residents can truly thrive.