Key Takeaways on Assisted Living in California
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in California is $5,250. In comparison, the national median monthly cost of assisted living is $4,500.
- California has 2272 assisted living communities.
- You can visit your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more about Assisted Living in California.
The number of older adults in California is increasing, and there are lots of good housing choices for retirees who want to stay independent but still get assistance with daily activities and managing medication.
What is Assisted Living?
In assisted living, older adults receive personal care based on their needs. Benefits may include communal meals, a social activities calendar, and help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting dressed and maintaining personal hygiene.
Assisted living communities are there for older adults who need assistance with daily activities but still want to have some independence in a home-like environment with their own things. Some people move to assisted living after living at home or in a community for independent living. These facilities usually offer help with managing and administering medication, social activities, cleaning, meals, laundry services, and transportation. They are designed to meet the needs of older adults in a residential setting.
The assisted living facilities in California can suit many preferences, with some offering multi-acred campuses and others consisting of a single building with apartments and communal spaces. The goal of assisted living is to provide a sense of community and a degree of independence while ensuring all residents receive the care they need.
Assisted Living in California: The Big Picture
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) reports that California has 2272 assisted living communities. In California, the median monthly cost of assisted living is $5,250, while the national average is $4,500.
According to the NCAL, 50 percent of assisted living facility residents in California are over the age of 85, with 2 percent relying on Medicaid for long-term care. 40 percent of assisted living residents in California are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
What Services Are Provided in Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities often offer services like helping with medications, cleaning, doing laundry, providing three meals a day, organizing activities, and assisting with some but not all daily tasks. The level of care provided by these facilities depends on the regulations set by each state. Read about the scope of care for assisted living facilities in your state in the National Center for Assisted Living State Regulatory Review.
Assisted Living Scope of Care in California
Because assisted living is regulated at the state level, the scope of care will vary depending on where you live. The primary factors that vary from state to state are minimum staffing requirements and background checks for staff members.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does California have a minimum staffing requirement for assisted living facilities? | no |
| Does California require an administrator to be onsite 24 hours per day? | yes |
| Does California require state and federal background checks for all staff members? | no |
The Cost of Assisted Living in California
According to Genworth, the median monthly cost of assisted living in California is $5,250. In comparison, the national median monthly cost of assisted living is $4,500. Still, that median monthly cost varies depending on your location within California.
The cost of assisted living often reflects a state’s overall cost of living. In California, the cost of living index is 134%. To figure out the cost of living index, we start by finding the typical cost of living in the United States, which is called the baseline. The baseline for the US is set at 100. Then, we compare the cost of living in each state to the national baseline. For example, if a state has a cost of living index of 150, that means it is 50% more costly than the national average. Conversely, if a state has a cost of living index of 50, it is half as expensive as the national average.
How to Pay for Assisted Living in California
Going to an assisted living facility can be a lot to handle, and seniors might be concerned about how to pay for it. There are different ways to cover the costs of assisted living. Usually, people use a mix of different resources.
Common ways to pay for assisted living in California include:
- Personal savings: This may include Social Security benefits, pension payments, stocks, and 401(k) or IRA accounts.
- Reimbursement from long-term care insurance: Know the details of your policy. Many have an initial 90-day out-of-pocket period. If the 90 days begin when you start assisted living, you could face thousands of dollars in non-reimbursable expenses.
- Home equity: This may include proceeds from the sale of your home or a reverse mortgage plan. Always consult a trusted financial advisor before deciding how to structure your assets.
- Veterans benefits: Check with the Department of Veterans Affairs or use BenefitsCheckUp to discover your options.
- Medicaid benefits: For Medicaid-eligible older adults, Medicaid can help cover the cost of care received in assisted living. In combination with a state-level Medicaid waiver, Medicaid dollars can also help cover the room and board costs of assisted living.
Will Medicare Pay for Assisted Living in California?
Medicare will not pay for any form of long-term care, whether the care is received at home or in a facility. Because the federal government regulates Medicare, this is true in every state, including California.
Here are the goods and services often covered by Medicare for assisted living residents:
- The cost of physician-ordered physical, occupational, and speech therapy, which residents can often receive onsite in assisted living settings
- Up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility
- Durable medical equipment (DME) such as bedside commodes and shower stools
- Outpatient health care services and some prescription drug costs
Will Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living in California?
Medicaid is regulated by federal and state governments, meaning its coverage will vary widely from state to state. In most cases, Medicaid will cover the cost of personal and medical care received within assisted living, but it will not pay for room and board. In combination with a state-based Medicaid waiver, Medicaid dollars can help cover the total cost of assisted living.
Assisted Living Waiver
Provides care for individuals who require a nursing facility level of care and wish to live in a residential care setting or in publicly funded senior and/or disabled housing
| Coverage Type | Included |
|---|---|
| Home Care | no |
| Memory Care | no |
| Community-Based Care | no |
| Assisted Living | yes |
Home & Community Based Alternatives Waiver
Provides medical, behavioral health, and In-Home Supportive Service, asnd arranges for other available long-term services and supports available in the local community.
| Coverage Type | Included |
|---|---|
| Home Care | yes |
| Memory Care | no |
| Community-Based Care | no |
| Assisted Living | no |
Resident Resources for Assisted Living in California?
Several resources are available in California to help support assisted living residents.
- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They help residents get quality care, assist in resolving conflicts, and prevent and address elder abuse. Find the LTCOP in California.
- An area agency on aging (AAA) is an organization designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of older persons at the regional and local levels. Area agency on aging is an umbrella term for this kind of organization, and specific names of local AAAs may vary. An AAA can provide information on health services, community engagement, and long-term care options. Find the AAA closest to your California location using the Eldercare Locator.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Veterans and their families are eligible for federal benefits covering health care, life insurance, housing assistance, and pension payments. To maximize your benefits, ensure you receive the federal VA benefits you qualify for before checking with California Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, veterans are also eligible for services at the state level, such as State Veterans Homes, which offer full-time skilled nursing care.
Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care in California
Assisted living facilities provide help, social activities, and care to residents while still allowing them to be independent. Although there are many advantages to living in these communities, they might not be suitable for every elderly person. Fortunately, California offers various options for senior living, with distinctive differences to accommodate residents’ needs. Each senior care option comes with different levels of care and associated costs.
The five main senior living options available in California are:
1. Independent Living
Independent living facilities offer a community where people can live without having to do yard work, clean their homes, or cook. These facilities usually have social groups, games, exercise classes, outings, and other activities available on-site. All-inclusive fees for independent living in California vary widely based on the facility’s style and size, the types of amenities included, and the specific area’s cost of living.
Older adults needing personal care or help with ADLs while staying in an independent living community can receive that care through third-party service providers.
2. Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offer housekeeping, three communal meals per day, onsite activities, and daily help with ADLs and medication. The average monthly cost for assisted living in California is $5,250, and additional fees for personal care services could increase that fee. In comparison, the national average median monthly cost for assisted living is $4,500.
3. Nursing Homes
All of the services available in assisted living are also available in a nursing home, with the addition of skilled nursing care provided by RNs. In California, the average monthly cost for nursing home care in a private room is $12,167, while the average monthly cost for a shared room is $9,794. Nationally, the cost of nursing home care in a private room averages $9,034 per month, while sharing a room drops the national monthly average to $7,908.
4. Memory Care
Also called special care units, memory care can be found in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The average monthly cost for memory care varies by facility. Our research found that, in California, the cost falls somewhere between the cost of assisted living care and nursing care, depending on individual needs.
5. Aging in Place
Staying at home with the help of in-home care is also an option worth considering, especially if you can’t find a residential facility that meets your or a loved one’s needs. Usually, Medicaid will cover in-home care services more readily than it covers the cost of an assisted living facility.
In-home care includes:
- Personal companions, or homemakers, provide companionship, light housekeeping, some meal preparation, and help with errands. In California, the median monthly costs of homemaker services for 44 hours a week is $6,101. Nationally, the average monthly cost is $4,957.
- Home health aides assist you or a loved one with ADLs such as bathing and dressing. They will also help with housekeeping and meal preparation. Hiring a home health aide in California for 44 hours a week will cost, on average $6,101 a month. The national average monthly cost of 44 hours a week of home health aide care is $5,148.
- A registered nurse (RN) can come to your home to provide nursing services. This is important if you are growing older and want to stay at home, but need help with things like wound care or long-term illnesses like diabetes. The price for these services changes based on where you live and how much help you need.
- Adult day centers provide social activities for older adults during the day while also offering caregivers a break from caregiver responsibilities. The median monthly cost for adult day health care in California is $1,842. Comparatively, the national average monthly cost for adult day centers is $1,690.