For MaryAnne Roberto, the inspiration behind the Elder-Well Adult Day Program is deeply personal.
“I opened this place in honor of my mother who had Alzheimer’s,” she says. That experience, which began more than 15 years ago, ultimately reshaped Roberto’s own life path. “After my mom’s diagnosis, I kind of just changed my entire career.”
Now, a year after opening on Wilshire Boulevard, Elder-Well has quietly grown into a supportive hub for local families navigating the challenges of aging and memory care. “We’ve slowly been building,” Roberto tells The Sun. “We’re up to about 10 guests per day.”
Elder-Well offers a non-medical, social day program that provides structure and engagement for seniors—and a much-needed break for their regular caregivers.
The program includes breakfast and lunch as well as various cognitive and sensory therapies. One of the center’s most popular programs is “Wellness Wednesdays,” which offers guests complimentary haircuts, manicures, and other pampering services.
“I kind of consider us to be the bridge, to be able to keep your loved ones home longer, before having to transition into residential care,” Roberto says.
That “bridge” is especially meaningful for what she describes as the “sandwich generation”—adults caring for both senior parents and their own young children.
A former estate manager, Roberto is also the co-founder of Always Home Connected, an online retail business that specializes in games, puzzles, activity boxes, and other items designed for individuals with dementia.
As Elder-Well approaches its first anniversary next month, Roberto is embarking on yet another entrepreneurial venture. She recently took over a vacant restaurant space next door to ElderWell that was previously home to Cafe Zella. She plans to reopen it in August as Wellside Cafe.
With its combination of personal purpose and practical support, ElderWell is carving out a unique role in Santa Monica—one rooted not just in care, but in connection.
📍 Business at a Glance: ElderWell Adult Day Program
- Address: 1529 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
- Phone: (310) 310-8313
- Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Mon – Fri); Closed (Sat, Sun)
- Website: elderwelladultday.com
- Email: maryanne@elderwelladultday.com
- Known For: Day programs for older adults and those experiencing cognitive decline.
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This page is maintained by the Santa Monica Sun Editorial Desk. Last updated: July 20, 2026. Have an update, correction or missing information to add? Contact us at hello@santamonicasun.com.
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