California Assisted Living

California is a massive state in terms of population with 40+ million residents. It is by far the largest state in the U.S. as it has over 12 million more individuals than Texas, and is double the size of Florida.

Why look for assisted living in California?

The numbers do not lie. California has over 40 million people so it must be doing something right. And for retirees, it’s the quality healthcare and senior services.

California assisted living may be pricey, but the prestigious senior living options are unprecedented, as is the excellent staff, along with the terrific weather.

The selection is unparalleled, so while some units may be extraordinarily expensive for the average family, others are fairly reasonable.

California Assisted Living - Cost

The Top 5 Most Affordable Cities for Assisted Living in California:

1. Clearlake, CA - $3,400
2. Hemet, CA - $3,530         
3. Twentynine Palms, CA - $3,530
4. Yreka, CA - $3,550         
5. Sun City, CA - $3,570

The Top 5 Most Expensive Cities for Assisted Living in California:

1. Los Altos, CA - $5,500
2. Saratoga, CA - $5,400
3. Sunnyvale, CA - $5,180         
4. Palo Alto, CA - $5,120
5. Pacific Palisades, CA - $5,070

The Top 5 Most Affordable Counties in California for Assisted Living:

1. Lake County - $3,400
2. Siskiyou County - $3,560         
3. Merced County - $3,670
4. Tehama County - $3,675
5. Humboldt County - $3,780

The Top 5 Most Expensive Counties in California for Assisted Living:

1. Santa Clara County - $4,975
2. Ventura County - $4,665
3. San Mateo County - $4,860
4. Marin County - $4,825                   
5. Contra Costa County - $4,550

Types of Assisted Living Available in California

People living in California are very fortunate with not only the number of assisted living centers but also the variety.

There are various types of California assisted living including adult day health care facilities, assisted living facilities, assisted living centers, assisted living homes and residential care institutions.

Though the care options are variable based on the type of assisted living as well as provider, several crossovers exist including the food preparation and serving, community center, coordinated activities and helpful staff.

Paying for Assisted Living in California

Medi-Cal, otherwise known as California’s Medicaid, does in part cover expenses for individuals and families struggling to pay for assisted living. In order to apply for the program, you need to pursue the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW).

However, it should be noted that as of last year the ALW was only available in select counties in California. You will need to check with the individual assisted living provider for more information about the ALW.

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