This webpage will help Californians understand assisted living, home care, and adult day care costs throughout the state. It also explores payment options and financial assistance programs available to assist in caring for the elderly, be that in residential care or for aging in place at home.
The programs outlined here are comprehensive of what is available from the state of California. But it is not comprehensive of what is available at a national level. To search for assistance nationwide, and the program that best fits your needs and circumstances, make sure to use our Resource Locator Tool.
California Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in California is $6,250 / month. However, based on the geographic region of the state, the average monthly cost ranges from $2,925 to $9,410. The most expensive cities include Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo. The least expensive assisted living can be found in the cities of Madera, Merced, and Modesto. In these areas, the average monthly cost is between $2,925 and $4,100.
Alzheimer’s residential care, also called Memory Care, is on average 20% to 30% more costly. This type of care can add as much as approximately $731 to $2,352 to the monthly cost of assisted living.
Home Care
Per Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average hourly rate for home care across California is $36. As with the cost of assisted living, the average range across the state is large. On the low end, in-home care can be found at $17 / hour, and on the high end, in-home care can be as much as $76 / hour.
Some of the least expensive areas of the state for home care are Redding, Sacramento, Fresno, and Stockton, where the average cost is closer to $17 – $32 / hour. The costliest home care can be found in San Jose, Santa Rosa, and Santa Monica, where the cost is approximately $42 – $76 / hour.
Home health care, which is provided by a health professional, is also available and is slightly more than the statewide average hourly cost of home care at $37 / hour. However, in some areas of the state, the cost of home health care does have a higher average hourly cost. In the areas of San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and San Jose, the average cost is approximately $40-$44 per hour.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care is the most affordable care option for seniors. Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey shows the average daily cost to be $85. The least expensive adult day care can be found in San Jose, at $58 per day. While the most expensive care is found in Sacramento, at $400 per day.
Medi-Cal Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid in California is called Medi-Cal. It is a program for disabled and elderly individuals and persons with limited income and resources. Through Medi-Cal, some personal care, as well as nursing home care, is provided.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program
Via the IHSS state Medicaid program, non-medical care is provided for eligible elderly individuals to prevent or delay nursing home placement. Services and benefits may include assistance with daily living activities, house-cleaning, meal preparation, and grocery shopping, to name a few. This program is an entitlement, meaning if one meets the eligibility requirements, services will be received. This program allows individuals to select the provider of their choosing, including family members and even spouses.
HCBS Waivers
In addition to the state Medicaid plan, four Medicaid Waiver programs (also referred to as Home and Community Based Services waivers) are available that provide assistance for home care, adult day care, home modifications, and assisted living. These programs also exist to help prevent nursing home placements. Unlike the state Medicaid plan, Medicaid waivers are not entitlement programs. This means there are enrollment caps for program participation, and if the cap has been reached, a wait list for services will exist.
Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP)
In some areas of California, Medi-Cal offers the Assisted Living Waiver Program. It helps individuals who are eligible for nursing home care but would prefer to live in an assisted living community. While room and board are not covered, several supportive services are available. These can include personal care assistance, medication administration, and prepared meals.
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
The Multipurpose Senior Services Program Waiver helps nursing home eligible individuals who prefer to stay in their homes to continue to do so. It covers care management and supportive services, such as adult day care, personal emergency response systems, and home modifications. But it doesn’t pay for medical care. This program, unfortunately, is not available in every county of California.
Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA)
The Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver, previously called the Medi-Cal Nursing Facility / Acute Hospital (NF/AH) Waiver, is a combination of several former waivers that helps nursing home eligible individuals receive care services, including medical care, in their homes. This program also offers assistance to individuals currently residing in nursing facilities who wish to move back to their home.
Community Based Adult Services (CBAS)
Medi-Cal’s Adult Day Health Care program has transitioned into the newly created CBAS program. This program provides daytime care, meals, social activities, therapies, and skilled nursing. Functional needs must be met.
Medicaid Eligibility
In order to qualify for the state Medicaid plan or one of the waivers, Medi-Cal has income qualifications. As of April 2024, there are no longer any asset limits. Income limits depend on one’s age and marital status. As of 2024, a single elderly individual’s monthly income cannot exceed approximately $1,732 for an individual or $2,352 for a married couple with both spouses applying.
Persons with income over these limits can still become eligible for Medi-Cal assistance. Individuals whose income exceeds the limit but who have high medical expenses may qualify through a Medi-Cal spenddown program called Share of Cost. One might become eligible by working with a Medi-Cal planner to restructure their resources appropriately. If there is some question about qualification, it is strongly recommended individuals contact a Medi-Cal planner prior to application. This especially holds true if one is over the income limits.
California Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
California Paid Family Leave
Another option for working families caring for a loved one is California Paid Family Leave. This program provides up to six weeks paid time off for working professionals, specifically to care for a family member.
Support at Home
Finally, for San Francisco residents, there is a local, pilot program called Support at Home. It provides financial assistance for elderly individuals or disabled persons to help them remain living in their homes.
PACE Programs in California
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a joint initiative between Medicare and Medicaid to help seniors get the care and services they need in the community rather than transitioning to a nursing home for care. Because Medicaid differs in each state, PACE eligibility varies between states.
California’s PACE program offers primary care, inpatient care, adult day care, transportation to medical appointments, prescription drug coverage and home care, which includes skilled nursing, light housework, meal preparation and therapies.
To qualify for PACE in California, individuals must:
- Be 55 years of age or older
- Live in an area served by a PACE program
- Meet the requirement for skilled nursing home care
- Be able to live in the community without jeopardizing their health or safety
How To Get Started with PACE in California
To find out more about California’s PACE program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the state’s Medi-Cal website or contact a provider below.
Other Financial Options for Care
In addition to these state specific options that help pay for care, there are many non-profit and federal options. Use our Resource Locator Tool to find other programs that help pay for or reduce the cost of care. There are also programs that help veterans with assisted living, as well as eldercare loans available in California.
Finding Affordable Care in California
Given the broad range of elder care pricing throughout the state of California, there is good reason to contact multiple providers to find the most affordable care. When considering assisted living in particular, one should consider communities away from the densely populated coastal areas if price is of concern.
To help families with this process, our organization provides a free service that matches an individual’s specific care needs with care providers in their price range in their preferred geographic area. Click here for assistance finding affordable care.
