Assisted Living in San Diego, CA

• The monthly cost of assisted living in San Diego is $5,475. This is more expensive than the California average monthly cost of $5,250
• There are several ways older adults can find help to cover the costs of assisted living in San Diego, including personal savings, long-term care insurance, and Medicare or Medicaid
• Taking the time to tour assisted living facilities in San Diego and asking questions is essential to finding the right fit for you or your loved one.

Assisted living facilities offer support for older adults who seek social interaction and value their independence, but may need help with some or all activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, or eating. Those who are interested in moving to an assisted living community in San Diego will find they have several options.

The National Center for Assisted Living reported that the state of California has 2,272 assisted living communities. Throughout the state, 50% of assisted living residents are over the age of 85, and 2% of residents rely on Medicaid for their long-term care.

When choosing an assisted living facility, the most important thing to think about is the quality of care and how comfortable you or your loved one will feel. However, assisted living can be quite costly, so it’s important to talk about finances. This article will give you a general idea of how much assisted living costs and ways to pay for it.

The average monthly cost of assisted living in San Diego is about $5,475, which is more expensive than the average monthly cost of assisted living in California, which is $5,250. Assisted living in San Diego is less expensive than the national average, which is $4,500.

Assisted living offers three shared meals each day, social activities, and assistance with managing medications and some daily tasks. However, most assisted living facilities do not provide skilled nursing care. It’s important to keep in mind that there are various options for senior living and long-term care. You or your loved one might require more or less care than what is available in assisted living, and you may choose to continue living at home rather than in a residential community.

In the table below, learn what you can expect to pay for other types of senior care in California. Keep in mind that Medicare can be used to pay for some home health aide services, and Medicaid will often cover the cost of long-term care in a nursing home. In some cases, Medicaid will cover all or part of the cost of assisted living.

Source: Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey

Our comprehensive guide to assisted living facilities in San Diego can help you find the ideal community for yourself or a loved one. The goal of this directory is to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for and help you make informed decisions that match your specific needs and preferences. After you’ve found assisted living facilities that suit your needs, make sure to visit them in person. This way, you can get a better understanding of the care they offer.

California residents pay for assisted living with personal savings, insurance, home equity, or a combination of these payment options. Assisted living in California offers in-depth coverage of California-specific financial assistance programs.

Here’s a list of the resources people use to pay for assisted living:

• Personal savings: You can use pension payments, Social Security benefits, stocks, and IRA or 401(k) accounts to pay for assisted living.
• Long-term care insurance: If you or your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, it’s possible to be reimbursed for the cost of long-term care. Just be sure to know the details of your policy. In some cases, there’s a 90-day out-of-pocket period before expenses can be reimbursed.
• Medicare or Medicaid: Medicare will not cover the cost of long-term care. In most cases, Medicaid will cover the cost of personal care received when living in an assisted living facility, such as help with ADLs or medication administration, but it will not cover the cost of room and board.
• The value of your home: You can use proceeds from the sale of your home to pay for assisted living expenses. A reverse mortgage, which allows you to borrow money using your home as security for the loan, is also an option for helping to cover costs. Always check with a trusted financial advisor before signing off on this kind of financial agreement.

Sometimes, an older person who needs help with personal care qualifies for assisted living but can’t pay the fees. Other times, older people who can afford assisted living can’t find a place that meets their needs, like a locked memory care unit. If either of these situations applies to you or someone you know, consider staying at home with the support of in-home care. Usually, Medicaid is more likely to cover the cost of in-home care than the cost of assisted living.

In-home care includes:

• Personal companions, also called homemakers, provide companionship as well as light housekeeping and some meal preparation.
• Home health aides can help with housekeeping and can also assist you or a loved one with ADLs, such as bathing and dressing.
• In-home nursing services must be administered by a registered nurse (RN). These services are essential for anyone who is aging in place and also needs skilled nursing for wound care or chronic illnesses like diabetes.
• Adult day centers, which provide social activities during the day, are a great way to engage older adults who are aging at home while also offering caregivers a break from caregiver responsibilities.

There are free resources available in San Diego for older adults who are seeking assisted living and other forms of long-term care. Many assisted living resources are state-specific. You can learn more about California resources through our coverage of assisted living in California.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

An Area Agency on Aging is a community organization created to serve the needs of all older adults in that region or area. AAA refers to the type of organization, but the names of AAAs will vary by region.

Social Security Offices

Social Security benefits often help older adults pay for the cost of assisted living. You can apply to start receiving your Social Security benefits as early as age 62. Just keep in mind that the longer you wait to start receiving benefits—up to the age of 70—the more your monthly benefit will increase. You can find a local Social Security office or apply to start receiving your Social Security benefits through the Social Security Administration website.

No senior living option is one-size-fits-all. When visiting assisted living facilities in San Diego, ask lots of questions of the administration, and don’t forget to ask residents about their experiences. Make sure the community you choose is a good fit for your personal needs and preferences, and offer a home you’ll be happy to live in.

Other Cities worth considering:

• Assisted living in Roseville
• Assisted living in Santa Rosa
• Assisted living in Riverside