Get Pricing & Availability for Assisted Living in Santa Rosa, CA
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Page Reviewed / Updated – January 12, 2024
Santa Rosa has a high cost of living compared to the United States as a whole, although it is still slightly below the California average. In addition, seniors with lower incomes can take advantage of tax-exempt Social Security retirement income at the state level and a wide range of government benefits.
Rates for assisted living average $6,043 in Santa Rosa, placing it above the national average of $4,459 and even the California average of $4,946 per month. Final costs may vary depending on the extent of support, medical services and amenities offered by each care community.
This guide covers the average assisted living costs in Santa Rosa, as well as supportive resources it provides to its senior community.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Santa Rosa, CA
When determining how to finance Assisted Living, it’s essential to first know the expense involved for your loved one to join a reputable community. With the ongoing increase in costs, having current information is crucial when budgeting for senior care. To help highlight the influence of inflation on senior living expenses, PayingForSeniorCare.com has collected cost data from its extensive network of over 75,000 senior living communities. This data represents the average cost of Assisted Living in Santa Rosa and in 200 other cities in California.
Inflation & the Cost of Assisted Living in Santa Rosa, CA
Since inflation can significantly affect the quality of life for seniors, it is advisable to stick to a sensible retirement plan that can accommodate rising prices. From 2022 to 2023, assisted living rates in Santa Rosa grew by 10% to $6,043 per month. This is above the 7% rise that California costs experienced, but aligns with the average increase across the United States.
Rates also underwent an average 10% hike in several other major cities of California, such as Los Angeles and Sacramento. By 2024, costs are expected to reach $6,508 in Santa Rosa and $8,375 in San Francisco.
|
Location |
2022 Cost (Historical) |
2023 Cost (Current) |
2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|
Santa Rosa |
$5,516 |
$6,043 |
$6,508 |
|
U.S. Average |
$4,070 |
$4,459 |
$4,802 |
|
California |
$4,625 |
$4,946 |
$5,221 |
|
San Francisco |
$7,099 |
$7,777 |
$8,375 |
|
Sacramento |
$4,995 |
$5,472 |
$5,893 |
|
Los Angeles |
$5,621 |
$6,158 |
$6,632 |
The Cost of Other Types of Care in Santa Rosa, CA
Assisted living, in addition to recreational programs, offers 24-hour supervision and support with activities of daily living, which explains its monthly $6,043 rate in Santa Rosa. Independent living caters to more autonomous seniors and comes at a correspondingly lower average cost of $4,542 per month. Memory care, a more expensive option at $6,092, provides for seniors with cognitive impairments and a need for access to specially trained staff and enhanced safety measures.
|
Care Type |
Cost |
|
Assisted Living |
$6,043 |
|
Memory Care |
$6,092 |
|
Independent Living |
$4,542 |
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Santa Rosa, CA
Other Ways To Pay for Assisted Living in Santa Rosa, CA
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For additional information and planning, read our comprehensive guide to paying for senior care in California.
Free Resources for Seniors in Santa Rosa, CA
Seniors and low-income families in the United States may be able to get low-cost or free health insurance through the Medicaid program. This program is a federally funded entitlement, which means that all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements of the program may sign up and start receiving benefits immediately, without any waiting periods or enrollment caps.
Medicaid operates as a joint venture in all 50 states, with the federal government paying half of the cost of care and the state picking up the rest. Management of each state’s program is generally left to the local government. In California, the state Medicaid system is known as Medi-Cal, and it helps eligible residents pay some or all of the cost of preventive care, urgent and emergency care and residential care options for seniors, such as skilled nursing and memory care. The plan also has a prescription drug component, though the list of covered medications changes from time to time.
Seniors in Santa Rosa who need help paying for their senior living arrangements may be able to use Medi-Cal benefits to reduce their personal costs. The state government chooses to deliver care through a network of private insurance carriers, such as Kaiser Permanente and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which administer seniors’ benefits as if they were any other HMO or personal-pay option (PPO). The system can get complicated for new applicants, but intake workers and senior consultants are generally able to answer questions about coverage and eligibility criteria.
Seniors in Santa Rosa can apply for Medi-Cal coverage online, through the Covered California website, or in person at a Sonoma County Economic Assistance Division office. Applicants must provide proof of residency and income, as well as fill out an application for the program. In California, the Medi-Cal application paperwork can also be used to sign up for CalFresh, the food stamp program, cash aid and the WIC nutrition program. Financial and other eligibility requirements for these programs are virtually identical, and so Medi-Cal is assumed to be approved for anyone who has already been accepted by the other means-tested entitlement programs the state offers.
To qualify for Medi-Cal, seniors in Santa Rosa must be:
- Citizens, legal residents or U.S. nationals living in California
- Age 65 and over, OR
- Legally considered disabled, OR
- Low-income earners
The low-income requirement for Medi-Cal is based on federal benefits rates, with some modification to account for California’s generally high cost of living. Applicants must earn no more than 138% of the federal poverty line, which as of 2018 is $16,395 a year for individuals applying for themselves. Married couples, applying individually or as a pair, may earn up to $22,108. For every adult who shares a household with the applicant, an additional $5,741 may be added to the allowable annual income, whether that adult is also applying for Medi-Cal or not.
Seniors who earn more than the allowable limit may still be eligible to receive coverage, although Medi-Cal may impose a co-payment or share of cost requirement. These vary with individual circumstances, and only an intake worker can give a definitive answer to what a specific plan charges. In general, seniors can arrange a share of cost plan up to 300% of the federal poverty line, beyond which they may not be eligible for any Medi-Cal coverage.
In addition to covering the cost of medical care, the Medi-Cal program may also help seniors in Santa Rosa live at home with a caregiver. This is done through the In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program. IHSS allows seniors who have a medical need for a caregiver, due to diminished physical or mental capacity, a certain number of hours a month. The program then issues payment to a caregiver of the senior’s choice, who may be a spouse, family member or personal friend, for services rendered. Seniors are able to sign off on caregivers’ time sheets to verify the work done, which gives benefit recipients a measure of control over how their care is delivered.
Medicaid Waivers in Santa Rosa
Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP)
Medi-Cal recipients in 15 counties, including Sonoma County, may be able to pay for assisted living through the Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP). This waiver is available to seniors who have been accepted into a Medi-Cal managed care plan and who opt out of admission to a skilled nursing facility, preferring to live in a lower-cost assisted living community enrolled in the ALWP system. Applications may be sent through a Medi-Cal worker or via the benefits specialist at a participating assisted living facility.
Multipurpose Senior Services Waiver
The Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) waiver allows some Santa Rosa seniors to remain in their own homes, instead of taking up residence in an assisted living facility. Applications go through the normal Medi-Cal system. Benefits under this waiver include:
- Access to case managers who act as guides to understanding benefits
- In-home care from a caregiver hired by the senior
- Respite care in the home or at a community facility
- Ramps, guard rails and other minor home improvements for mobility challenged seniors
- Some home repairs
- Vouchers for public transportation and disabled ride service
- Reasonable household chore
- Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) call buttons
- Adult day care in the home or at a second location
- Protective supervision for seniors with dementia
- Meal service to the home
- Senior-focused money management advice
- Translation services
Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver
The Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver helps Santa Rosa seniors cover the cost of moving out of residential care and back to their own homes. Benefits coordinators at participating residential care facilities can often apply on behalf of residents being discharged, though caregivers and family members can also apply through Medi-Cal.
Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS)
The Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) waiver program plugs many of the gaps other waivers leave for paying the cost of senior living at home. Applications for this waiver go through a county Medi-Cal worker, though applications are sometimes filed by residential care staff or social workers working with the senior. Santa Rosa seniors who need help from CBAS may qualify for:
- Adult day care
- Meal delivery at home
- Coordination of social activities with other seniors in Huntington Beach
- Physical and mental therapy as needed to stay independent
Other Financial Assistance Programs in Santa Rosa
Paid Family Leave
Residents of California who have a senior loved one who needs their help may take up to six weeks away from work with pay under the state’s Paid Family Leave Act. Benefits take the form of a check delivered in the mail every two weeks to make up for pay lost while caring for a loved one. Benefit amounts are based on the recipient’s prior salary with a three-year look-back period. Money paid out under this program acts exactly like a private pay check, and the cash can be spent without restrictions, as if it is the recipient’s own pay.
Applications for Paid Family Leave benefits can sometimes be sent through a benefits specialist at work, if the employer permits it, or they can be made via phone or online with the Employment Development Department. This department also processes Californians’ unemployment and student aid requests, and the application process is similar. Applicants for Family Leave pay must provide medical documentation of their loved one’s needs, as well as proof of their own income to establish benefit amounts.
Rules and Regulations for Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Rosa, CA
Assisted Living Communities in Santa Rosa are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined by the state. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in San Francisco, CA
Brookdale Chanate
Nestled in beautiful Santa Rosa, California, Brookdale Chanate is located near restaurants, parks, shopping and places of worship. Transportation is available, allowing residents to enjoy all the area has to offer. Studio and one-bedroom apartment homes come with private bathrooms, spacious closets, kitchenettes and private decks. Restaurant-quality dining is part of the experience along with amenities like an on-site library, a beauty/barber shop and a bistro cafe. The paved walking paths and outdoor courtyards provide safe spaces for seniors to enjoy the outdoors. Wi-Fi is available throughout the community.
Features
- Concierge available on-site to help plan visits and entertainment
- Memory Care
Sunrise Villa Santa Rosa
At Sunrise Villa Santa Rosa, residents take a leading role in determining what goes on the menu and the activities calendar. The Live with Purpose program combines elements of art, music, movement, education, spirituality and community service to create an environment that is fulfilling and active. Assisted living residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with staff on-hand to take care of housekeeping, laundry and trash removal. The Sunrise community welcomes pets, and each housing group comes with its own cat or dog cared for by the staff.
Features
- Three, family-style meals served daily
- Personalized care plan and social plan
Oakmont Gardens
Residents at the Oakmont Gardens facility enjoy resort-style senior living within a homely, campus setting in the popular Oakmont Village Retirement Community. The facility is just a short distance to a variety of shopping, dining and medical centers in Santa Rosa. Seniors can take advantage of the many amenities present, including swimming pools, a fitness center, a golf course, tennis courts, a soothing spa, a library, a club room and hiking trails. You can choose between private, spacious one- or two-bedroom apartments, and cable TV, an emergency call system and cleaning services are included.
Features
- Pet friendly
- Specialized care plans
Brookdale Paulin Creek
Seniors can enjoy apartment-style living in a lovely, secure assisted living environment at Brookdale Paulin Creek. The facility has private accommodations, including small kitchenettes in each unit and Wi-Fi access throughout the campus. For those that like spending time outdoors, there is a garden and patio, with a small pool to help seniors stay fit. Inside, an on-site beauty and barbershop is open during business hours, and a cozy library and common area are great places for games and organized activities.
Features
- Three meals a day in a communal setting and meal delivery
- Staff available 24/7 for personal care assistance
Brookdale Windsor
Brookdale Windsor provides everything seniors need to enjoy their later years. From delicious, chef-prepared meals served in the community dining room to planned activities that help new residents settle in and meet new friends, this assisted living community nestled in the Russian River Valley offers comprehensive service. Compassionate, trained staff is available 24/7 to give gentle assistance with daily living tasks such as medication reminders, and there's a skilled nurse available during business hours. Indoors, there is a business center with computers available and each apartment has Wi-Fi access. Parking is available for those who still drive and transportation is provided for those who don't drive.
Features
- Paved paths for strolling or walking a small pet
- Concierge Service
Spring Lake Village
With downtown Santa Rosa conveniently nearby, Spring Lake Village lies in a scenic Sonoma Valley neighborhood and offers a welcoming 30-acre community replete with natural beauty. Residents spend fair-weather days in the beautiful courtyards, on walking trails and on the patio, while common spaces, such as the library, activity rooms and fine dining room, offer engaging indoor socialization. The facility makes it to the top 10 list for its award-winning wellness program, which goes beyond healthy eating and regular exercise and consists of resident-driven, staff-facilitated activities that promote social, emotional and intellectual well-being.
Features
- Yoga and Tai-chi classes, fitness center and heated indoor pool
- Covia Lifeplan Community
Wild Rose Care Home
The Wild Rose Care Home is an assisted living facility with a six-bed capacity that offers residents plenty of social, educational, and recreational activities. The facility aims to provide personalized care and attention to its residents with activities that meet their physical, social, and psychological needs within a stimulating environment. Activities include exercise sessions, group reading, arts and crafts, games and bird watching, and services available to residents include laundry, housekeeping and transportation to medical appointments. Caregivers assist seniors with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, and the coordination of scheduled doctor appointments and medication administration.
Features
- 24 hour staff
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Care
Arbol Residences of Santa Rosa
The Arbol Residences of Santa Rosa is a senior living community that offers the perfect balance of an active lifestyle and serenity, with amenities that encourage socialization, learning and exploration. The facility is set on a 15-acre parcel with beautifully landscaped grounds comprised of gardens, walking trails, and a courtyard. Residents enjoy living an independent life, with hospitality workers taking care of housekeeping and laundry, and warm caregivers assisting them with activities of daily living. Scheduled transportation and 24/7 emergency services are provided.
Features
- Chef-prepared meals and family-style dining
- Trivia nights, art classes and wine-tastings
Villa Capri at Varenna
Residents at the Villa Capri at Vienna enjoy a rewarding lifestyle in their golden years, with comprehensive support that promotes continuing independence in a safe environment available 24/7. Located on a lush green campus with lovely views and near numerous dining, shopping, and excursion sites, this facility is a home away from home. Seniors can take advantage of amenities such as a library, movie theater, fitness center, activity room and indoor restaurant. There are plenty of activities to engage in, such as games and exercise sessions, and residents are urged to pursue their hobbies or learn new crafts in the activity center. Weekly excursions to nearby beaches and parks are scheduled.
Features
- Continuum of care plan
- Concierge Service
Rohnert Park Retirement Community - Happy Living by Cogir
Residents at the Rohnert Park Retirement Community - Happy Living by Cogir enjoy a myriad of amenities, fun activities and outings designed to spice up their retirement years. Located in Northern California's scenic Wine Country and only an hour away from San Francisco, this community is the ideal relaxation and socialization haven for seniors. Residents enjoy hotel-like amenities, including restaurant-style all-day dining, bus transportation and housekeeping and laundry service. Caregivers assist residents with activities of daily living such as medication management, personal care and incontinence management.
Features
- Game and media rooms, library, lounge, pool, and fitness center on-site
- 24/7 staff
