California Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living facilities in California for couples

California is one of the most popular states when it comes to retirement and senior living. Prospective retirees who live in the Golden State might consider one of the many assisted living facilities, as these retirement communities have a lot of advantages to offer. Residents of ALFs receive assistance with daily living activities, as well as access to a wide range of services and amenities.

Information about assisted living in California

How many assisted living centers are there in CA? The state of California has an impressive number of assisted living facilities, over 3,500. These senior living communities are located in different metropolitan areas, including Napa, Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, Modesto, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Diego.

All prospective ALF residents must go through a pre-admission appraisal. The staff, which usually includes medical doctors and nurses, will assess the resident's functional capacity, meaning the ability to handle the activities of daily living. Mental conditions and social factors are considered, and the resident is subjected to a medical evaluation. As part of this assessment, the following aspects will be analyzed: customized diet, medication and treatments, pre-existing medical conditions, general health status.

If the application is approved, the resident will be admitted to the ALF. Within a period of 30 days, he/she will be given an individualized service plan. The plan must state medical conditions, any impairments (cognitive, physical, behavioral), level and scope of service, type of services and frequency. Should the resident present significant health changes, the plan should be revisited and updated.

California-based ALFs will not accept residents who require prolonged skilled nursing care, those with disruptive or dangerous behaviors, and residents who are bedridden. If the respective resident requires care for advanced dermal ulcers, gastrostomy, nasogastric tube, tracheostomy, staph infection, or other several conditions, he/she might not be accepted to move into the assisted living facility.

Financing and costs of assisted living in California

The average monthly cost for California assisted living is around $4,500. By comparison, the national average cost of assisted living is $4,000. From all the neighboring states, only Oregon has higher costs. Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Idaho have more affordable fees. Within the state, the costs vary from one metropolitan region to the other. The most expensive ALFs are located in the Napa region, famous for its wine production, while the most affordable can be found in Bakersfield.

Assisted living in this state is cheaper than other long-term care solutions, with the exception of independent living. Analyzing the average costs, it can be concluded that ALFs are considerably less expensive than nursing homes.

Additional financing options include reverse mortgages, veteran benefits, long-term insurance policies, and life insurance policies. Senior adults can also try to access federally-funded assisted living services through the Area Agencies on Aging (valid for adults over the age of 60).

Assisted living costs in California

Assisted living refers to a concept of long-term care, where residents benefit from housing, assistance with ADLs, and limited healthcare. The access to amenities and services is also guaranteed, but the options might vary from one facility to the other. In the state of California, there are different types of assisted living facilities for seniors. These senior living centers offer a wide array of care packages, in accordance with one's needs and budget. The majority of these communities do not offer skilled nursing care or limit such services to three months. In the following paragraphs, you will find useful information regarding assisted living and the associated costs. Our goal is to help you find the best senior living option for you or your loved one.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in California

How much does assisted living cost in CA? In California, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $5,250 or $63,000 per year. This is considerably higher than the national median of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living communities are located in Santa Rosa, averaging at $7,000 per month or $84,000 per year. The most affordable facilities of this kind are found in Visalia, with an average monthly cost of $3,450 or $41,400 per year.

How much does memory care cost in CA? As for the cost of memory care, this averages at $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year. As with the other type of long-term care, we are talking about a considerable difference from the national median, which is of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are located in Santa Rosa, averaging at $8,800 per month or $105,000 per year. The most affordable facilities of this kind are located in Bakersfield, with an average monthly cost of $4,600 or $55,000 per year.

Assisted living costs more than adult day care, but is less expensive than other long-term care options, such as home care, home health care, and nursing home care. The latter averages at $9,700 per month or $116,000 per year. Memory care costs more than in-home care, home health care, adult day care, and assisted living. The only exception is represented by nursing home care.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Before moving into an assisted living facility, seniors have to cover a deposit fee. As per standard, this fee is returned when the contract has been signed. Residents have to pay monthly fees, which cover the chosen care package. Several factors influence the overall costs, including the type and size of the living unit, the marital status, available services and amenities. The costs might also cover certain utilities, meal plans, general maintenance, laundry and linen service, housekeeping, etc. Additional services might be available at extra costs.

Care fees are part of the monthly costs, in accordance with the daily living activities seniors receive assistance with. Residents have access to planned daily activities, emergency response systems, physical and occupational therapy, scheduled transportation, and medication management. If both spouses want to move into an assisted living community, they will have to cover an additional occupancy fee. In some communities, certain utilities, such as the Internet and cable access, have to be paid outside the monthly costs. Limited healthcare is available from third-party providers, on a fee-based basis.

What goes into memory care costs?

Dementia seniors can move into memory care communities, which are designed especially for their specific needs and challenges experienced. Aside from room and board, residents have access to round-the-clock monitoring, amenities and services, healthcare, and assistance with ADLs. The available care packages cater to those who suffer from various types of dementia, taking into account the disease stage. Safety features are available for all residents, helping them feel less confused and protecting against self-harm or wandering. Independence is encouraged at all times.

Memory care communities have experienced therapists, who work with seniors, helping them preserve their cognitive and speech skills. As for the general services, these can include maintenance, housekeeping, meal planning, laundry and linen service, and scheduled transportation. Additional care might be offered, including mobility assistance, wound care, and incontinence care.

Senior living in California - cost comparison with other states

The monthly cost of assisted living in California is above the national median, as previously mentioned. California is less expensive than Hawaii, which averages at $5,300 per month or $63,000 per year. Other neighboring states, such as Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona have more affordable rates. The overall costs are: Oregon - $5,045 per month or $60,000 per year; Nevada - $3,750 per month or $45,000 per year; Arizona - $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year.

As for memory care, the monthly cost is significantly higher than the national median, as stated above. Washington is more expensive than California, averaging at $7,500 per month or $90,000 per year. Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon have more affordable rates to offer for memory care as well. The overall costs are: Oregon - $6,300 per month or $75,000 per year; Nevada - $4,600 per month or $55,000 per year; Arizona - $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility for your needs in California

If you are looking for a long-term care facility for you or your loved one, careful research can help you identify the best possible options. Whether you are interested in assisted living or memory care communities, remember that the overall costs will vary from one facility to the other. Be sure to inquire about the difference care packages available and choose the one that speaks to your needs the most.

To make the whole process easier and faster, we recommend you come to us. All you have to do is give us a call and we will happily offer detailed information on the costs of each senior living facility. We make it our purpose to assist caregivers in discovering the right communities for their loved ones, depending on their needs and available budget. Last, but not least, we are happy to discuss other details regarding the big move. If you are curious about the acceptance guidelines, we can also offer information on these. Also, both assisted living and memory care facilities can provide you with additional details on their care programs.

Services provided to couples by assisted living facilities in California

Assisted living facilities in CA offer room and board to single individuals or married couples. Spouses are allowed to live together, but they will have to cover the additional cost of residency. Senior couples benefit from general services, such as general maintenance, housekeeping, meal preparation and serving, Internet access, security, laundry and linen service.

As part of the basic care service, residents receive personal assistance with daily living tasks, such as eating, dressing, toileting, and bathing. The personnel might monitor them and help with planned activities. Assistance can also be offered for dental hygiene, medication administration, and food intake. Sometimes, residents need to be supervised, either to reduce the risk of injuries or to make sure they adhere to the prescribed diet/treatment.

If the respective facility has a memory care unit, residents who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's disease will benefit from specific services. They receive help with daily living tasks, being constantly monitored by the on-site staff. Sometimes, seniors need extra assistance with simple activities, and guidance to avoid confusion.

Amenities for couples moving into an assisted living in California

Assisted living communities are not required by law to offer private apartments to their residents. The units can be designed in the style of apartments or regular bedrooms, which can house one or two residents. Couples are allowed to stay together for as long as their health allows it. If the respective resident has an Assisted Living Facility Waiver, private occupancy is mandatory; the exception regards the decision of the resident to share occupancy with another person.

Living units in assisted living centers must have basic appliances, such as refrigerators and cooking stoves. Seniors can take advantage of the on-site amenities, including: fine-dining restaurant and cafe, barber shop and hair salon, swimming pool gym, social club, Internet room, library, game room, religious service. Dementia residents have special amenities, such as cognitive therapy, guided walks, memory gardens. Last, but not least, one might be allowed to live together with his/her pet (check policy first).