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The Cost of Assisted Living in California

Although the California median assisted living cost is not extremely divergent from the national average, it’s significantly more expensive than in some nearby states. For example, assisted living costs in Nevada and Utah average $3,400 per month. In Arizona, the monthly average is $3,750, while seniors in Oregon pay $4,499, which is $1 less than the California average.

• California: $4,500
• United States: $4,051
• Oregon: $4,499
• Nevada: $3,400
• Utah: $3,400
• Arizona: $3,750

The Cost of Assisted Living in California’s Top Cities

The median cost for assisted living is between $4,500 and $4,750 per month in the largest California cities. San Jose, a popular destination, is an outlier with a cost of $5,853, and the inland cities of Fresno and Bakersfield are on the lower end at $3,861 and $3,650, respectively.

• Los Angeles: $4,500
• San Diego: $4,750
• San Jose: $5,853
• San Francisco: $4,750
• Fresno: $3,861
• Sacramento: $4,500
• Long Beach: $4,500
• Oakland: $4,750
• Bakersfield: $3,650

Senior Care Cost Comparison in California

Other types of care are available in California besides assisted living, including in-home care, home health care, adult day care, and nursing home care. For independent seniors, one of the least costly options is adult day care, at a median rate of $1,668 per month. In-home care is also available, including homemaker services at $5,335 and home health aide services at $5,339 a month. Nursing home facilities provide a higher level of care, and the median cost in California is $8,760 per month for a semiprivate room.

• Assisted Living: $4,500
• In-Home Care: $ 5,335
• Home Health Care: $5,339
• Adult Day Care: $1,668
• Nursing Home Care: $8,760

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in California

Medi-Cal

Address: California MMIS Fiscal Intermediary, 820 Stillwater Road, West Sacramento, CA 95605-1630
Phone Number: (916) 636-1200
Website: medi-cal.ca.gov/contact.asp

Individuals aged 62 and over who have a family income of less than 138% of the state poverty level may be eligible for paid nursing home care under Medicaid, which is called Medi-Cal in California. The Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP) pays for residential care for seniors who need assistance with the activities of daily living and have Medi-Cal approval for nursing home care. Seniors who qualify can often get the same level of care at a participating assisted living facility, and a Medi-Cal waiver pays the cost of room and board.

The senior contribution is $1,069 to $1,089 per month, depending on income, paid directly to the facility, and $134 per month is reserved for the assisted living resident’s personal use. The waiver program is open to all California seniors who qualify for Medi-Cal nursing home care, but the benefit is limited to facilities in specific counties.

HUD Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

Phone: (800) 225-5342
Website: hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/hecm/hecmhome

There are other HUD programs designed to help make assisted living more affordable for seniors. For example, HECM is a reverse mortgage program insured by the federal government. Approved lenders must follow guidelines from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and there is no income requirement for obtaining a loan.

A reverse mortgage allows a senior to draw on the equity of a home without selling it, in the form of regular monthly payments. It’s an option for a situation in which one spouse needs an assisted living environment and the other is living independently at home. The benefits of taking out an HECM loan instead of using a private lender include government financial counseling and a detailed cost comparison. Contact information for local HUD offices can be found here.

California Assisted Living Rules and Regulations

The California Department of Social Services provides licensing regulations designed to ensure the health, safety and quality of life for seniors in assisted living facilities. The thirteen regional offices located throughout the state license and monitor assisted living facilities in designated geographic areas. Below is an overview of California requirements and regulations for residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE).

Operating Requirements	Each facility must have a plan in place to deal with loss and theft and must have an emergency disaster plan. Opportunities must be provided for residents to socialize, pursue hobbies and interests, maintain physical activity and stimulate the mind.
Physical Environment and Accommodations	Common areas, such as living rooms, dining rooms, dens and recreational rooms must be provided. Each senior must have a private or semiprivate bedroom with enough space to move around comfortably. Each resident must have a chair, nightstand, reading lamp and chest of drawers.
Support Services	Facilities with a capacity for 16 or more persons must have a business office, reception area and visitor restroom.
Fundamental Services	Sufficient personnel must be provided at all times to meet the needs of residents, along with extra staff for cooking, cleaning, maintenance and administrative support.
Food Services	Snacks and three nutritionally complete meals must be served to each resident daily in a dining area that provides an opportunity for residents to socialize. Tray service to rooms must be provided temporarily as needed.
Health-Related Services	A plan for routine medical and dental care must be developed for each resident. Seniors must receive assistance with self-administered medications and transportation to medical and dental appointments.
Staff Screening	All personnel must undergo a criminal record review and receive a criminal record clearance or exemption before beginning work.
Staff Certification and Training	Within four weeks of employment, staff members who provide for the daily needs of seniors must receive 10 hours of training, followed by four hours per year annually. Staff must also be in good physical health, determined by a health screening and chest x-ray.

Free Assisted Living Resources in California

California Registry

California Registry is a free public service licensed by the State of California Department of Health that provides assisted living resources to area seniors. Seniors can find links to information about assisted living waivers, Medicare, SSI benefits and veteran’s pensions on the website, along with an explanation about different types of care.

Contact: Call (800) 777-7575 for more information, or email California Registrythrough the website.

California Assisted Living Association (CALA)

CALA calls itself the voice of assisted living, and it provides advocacy, information and education to assisted living residents and providers. Consumer data includes details about residential facilities for the elderly (RCFEs), including a facility search, reviews from residents and a shopping guide for senior services and housing.

Although CALA is an industry-oriented organization, it’s a useful free resource to help seniors find out about pending legislation that affects seniors and laws related to RCFEs. The association also provides continuing education opportunities for senior living staff members and the opportunity to network and develop best practices for caring for the elderly.

Contact: Call (916) 448-1659 for more information, or email [email protected]

California Agencies

California Department of Aging

Address: 1300 National Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95834-1992
Phone Number: (916) 419-7500
Website: aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services

The California Department of Aging provides resources, information and services for the senior population. For example, the CalFresh Healthy Living Program (formerly SNAP-Ed) provides physical education and meals for seniors in group settings, which may include assisted living in some counties. Seniors aged 60 and over who meet income eligibility requirements may participate in the program. The agency also provides Medicare counseling, ombudsman services and community-based senior services.

California Department of Health Services

Address: P.O. Box 997413, MS 0000, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
Website: www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals
Phone: (800) 541-5555 (Medi-Cal Helpline)

Older adults who qualify for Medi-Cal have access to a range of other services besides supplemental living payments: wellness, mental health and dental benefits are also provided. Medi-Cal is available to California residents who have an income of up to 138% of the poverty level, a maximum of $17,609 for individuals and $23,792 for couples.

Area Agencies on Aging in California

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a nonprofit organization in California that represents 33 area agencies for seniors. The member agencies work together to provide programs that enable independence in older Californians. Besides providing resources, such as meals, transportation and other support, AAA advocates for legislation that benefits seniors. Assistance is provided to individuals aged 60 and over, regardless of income level, including help locating assisted living facilities.

Veteran Affairs Offices in California

Individuals who have served in the armed forces during a time of war and are 65 years old and over or disabled may be eligible for a veteran’s pension and may also qualify for additional VA benefits. The Aid and Attendance Benefit will be awarded if a senior meets one of these criteria:

• Needs help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating
• Spends most of the time in bed due to illness
• Is a patient in a nursing home due to a disability
• Has severely limited eyesight

Seniors in California looking for assistance with assisted living services can find their local VA office online here.

Social Security Offices in California

For low-income individuals over 62 or disabled, Social Security provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This program assists seniors who have limited income and assets, and, in California, a RCFE may not charge more than the SSI rate set by the state. If a participating senior has additional income, the facility may charge an extra $20 per month.

Optional State Supplements (OSS) may also be available from the state of California to help pay for assisted living. The benefit is based on a senior’s income and it ranges from a few dollars to over $1,000 per month. These forms of financial assistance are in addition to social security payments and are paid directly to the assisted living facility.