Under California law, senior care homes are defined under the encompassing term “residential care facility for the elderly”. The state of California defines residential care facility for the elderly as housing arrangements where residents who are of or older than 60 years of age, account for at least 75 percent of the residential population and those residents consent to or have a guardian consent for the resident to receive services such as varying levels of care and supervision.
California goes on to define the general services provided under assisted living which is a special combination of housing, personal care services, and health-related care specifically for those needing help with tasks associated with daily living.
There are 7,570 assisted senior living facilities operating in the state of California.
| City | Monthly Minimum | Monthly Maximum | Monthly Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $2,2800 | $4,800 | $3,750 |
| Sacramento | $1,300 | $7,380 | $3,350 |
| San Francisco | $998 | $8,445 | $4,000 |
| San Diego | $2,100 | $6,070 | $4,000 |
| Santa Cruz | $2,400 | $5,900 | $4,200 |
The average cost of an assisted living community in California is $3,750 per month, which is higher than the national average costs for assisted living care. Compared to the surrounding states and the rest of the United States, California’s average cost for personal care falls in the middle of the cost spectrum. With the overall cost of living within the state of California exponentially higher than the rest of the United States, assisted living home prices vary greatly depending on the area and population in California.
For more information about assisted living costs in California, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.
The state of California sits on the beautiful west coast and enjoys the many environmental benefits of the coastline. Living in California, there are endless opportunities for one to experience a new and fun activity! The general attitude of the locals in California is calm, laid back and always looking for a fun adventure.
This can be seen from the multitude of amusement parks spread heavily throughout the coastal state. California is home to several of the most notable amusement parks in the world such as Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort, LEGOLAND California Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Although California is predominantly known for its massive entertainment industry in Hollywood, California’s nature preserves are one of the state’s biggest attractions.
Intriguing, rare and indigenous plant life can be explored in California’s famous national parks such as Yosemite National Park, the Redwood National Forest, and the Sequoia National Park. California’s indigenous wildlife, such as sea lions, can be experienced at Fisherman’s Wharf and numerous aquariums and zoos. Diverse culture can be found spread throughout the urban areas of California. Iconic architecture such as the Golden Gate Bridge and free art exhibits at the Getty Center offer mind opening experiences.
California is described as a near paradise with warm and sunny weather year round. People from all over the world flock to California to live in the state. Californians are more liberal than other Americans, especially when compared to the southern or Midwestern states. Since the Gold Rush of the 1850s, California has kept that pioneering spirit, and is a state with entertainment and economic fads and booms that the rest of the world follows.
A majority of California experiences two seasons during the year. Summers in California are long, dry and are characterized by a consistent summertime drought every year. Average summer temperatures peak in the 70 degrees Fahrenheit range with low humidity, perfect beach weather! Winters are mild and predominantly rainy with temperatures never falling below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Major cities in California experience between 10 – 20 inches of rain on average annually. On the contrary, the mountains of California experience all four seasons with snow beginning to fall in November and lasting until April.
Assisted living homes in California are overseen by the state Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division. They are also required to inspect the homes annually and within 10 days of receiving a complaint. Each assisted living community is subject to an in-depth inspection every 5 years.
The average cost of an assisted living community in California is $3,750 per month, which is higher than the national average costs for assisted living care. Compared to the surrounding states and the rest of the United States, California’s average cost for assisted home care falls in the middle of the cost spectrum. With the overall cost of living within the state of California exponentially higher than the rest of the United States, assisted living home prices vary greatly depending on the area and population in California.
| Location | Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents | Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Saratoga | 0.61 | 9.25 |
| Calabasas | 0.78 | 10.36 |
| Hillsborough | 0.09 | 9.05 |
| San Clemente | 1.06 | 10.51 |
(Source: safewise.com)
For those seeking financial assistance for assisted senior care, California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) offers monetary assistance via the Assisted Living Waiver. The Assisted Living Waiver is a fairly new program and has been in a trial period since 2009. The program has been funded through 2019. Because it is in a trial period, the program is offered in seven California counties as of 2014. As of 2016, the California Department of Health and Human Services requires recipients to pay at least $1,014 per month out of pocket. The required sum is dependent on the recipient’s income.
Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment
While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. A complete list of resident rights inside an assisted living home as defined by the state of California can be found in the state’s document with official regulations for residential care facilities for the elderly.
Assisted Living Homes with more than seven residents must:
Assisted living homes in California are required to provide any type of heath services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. All medical records must be kept at a minimum of 7 years from the date of discharge.
Residents have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records, and access them within 24 hours. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information at a cost not to exceed the community standard for photocopies.
