Cost of Assisted Living in Riverside, California

Page Reviewed / Updated - March 29, 2024

This guide gives detailed information on senior care in the city of Riverside including costs of long-term care, different types of financial support programs, and housing communities for low-income seniors. For details on senior care costs and financial assistance in the entire state, refer to our guide on paying for senior care in California.

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Riverside

Riverside offers the most affordable senior care in California after Bakersfield. According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, the monthly average costs of assisted living, home care, adult day care, and nursing home care are lower than the median cost for the entire state and most of the cities.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Riverside?

At a monthly average of $3,500, Riverside is the second most affordable city for assisted living in California after Bakersfield. The average cost of assisted living in Riverside is considerably less than the state's median cost with a difference of $1,000.   

The cost of assisted living in many major California cities is significantly higher than Riverside’s average cost. San Francisco and San Jose average at $5,500 per month, while San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Oxnard average between $4,473 and $4,575.  

How much does Home Care Cost in Riverside?

The average home care cost in Riverside is fairly low at $4,481 when compared to the state average and other cities in Greater Los Angeles Area. The exception is Oxnard which averages about $5,030 per monthly. The cost disparity is wide when compared to major cities like San Francisco and San Jose with Riverside being at least $1,000 less.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Riverside?

The monthly average cost of adult day care in Riverside is $1,668, which is similar to the state's average. There is hardly any difference in cost when compared to most metropolitan cities in California with the exception of Los Angeles and San Jose. Los Angeles averages $100 cheaper than Riverside while the average cost in San Jose is about $300 higher.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Riverside?

The monthly average costs of nursing home care in Riverside is considerably lower than most of the cities in the state with the exception of Los Angeles and Bakersfield. At $7,559 for a semi-private room, nursing homes in Riverside cost about $800 less than the state's median. San Francisco and San Jose have a much higher cost than Riverside averaging about $1,200 more.

Financial Assistance Programs in Riverside

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (Medicaid)

The Medicaid program in Riverside is called Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal is a need-based program that is jointly funded by the federal and state governments to help low-income seniors pay for medical care. The program covers all medical services including long-term care like home care services and nursing home facilities as long as it's determined to be medically necessary.

There are two types of programs in Riverside – entitlement and non-entitlement. Medi-Cal is entitlement which means that everyone who meets Medi-Cal's criteria is entitled to receive financial assistance. On the other hand, waiver programs are non-entitlement which means that there may be participant caps and waiting lists, so not everyone who qualifies may be able to receive services.

Medi-Cal services are available to individuals and couples with a monthly income limit of $1,366 and $1,842 respectively. The Share of Cost program offers some financial relief to individuals with income that is a little over Medi-Cal's income limit. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income in Riverside are automatically eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.

Individuals can contact Medi-Cal enrollment centers in Riverside for more details on eligibility, benefits, and application. You can apply online or over the phone by calling (866) 613-3777 or (626) 569-1399.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

Assisted Living Waiver Program

The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program in Riverside is designed to help pay for the expenses of qualified individuals living in an assisted living facility. However, recipients have to pay for the room and board. Applicants for the ALW program must be eligible for Medi-Cal and agree to stay in state-approved facilities. The area agencies on aging in Riverside can help individuals apply for the waiver. You can read more details about the program.

Multi-Purpose Senior Services Program Waiver

Seniors who want to live in their homes or communities but require a nursing home level of care can opt for Medi-Cal's Multi-Purpose Senior Services Program Waiver (MPSS). The waiver is also available for seniors who are returning home after a hospital stay. MPSS covers adult day care, home medications, and other personal care services. Applicants eligible for Medi-Cal are eligible for this waiver. However, it is not an entitlement program and has a cap of 12,000 applicants. If Riverside County, you can utilize long-term care services covered by the MPSS waiver through Molina Healthcare. You can find out more about the MPSS waiver here.

Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver

Medi-Cal has designed the Home and Community-Based Alternatives waiver (HCBA) to assist seniors in returning home after hospitalization or from a nursing facility. The waiver covers services that help individuals in their daily living like respite care, personal care, home modification, and maintenance of medical equipment.

Individuals eligible for Medi-Cal can apply for the HCBA waiver. Since this waiver aims to help a limited population, it is not an entitlement program and has a waitlist with a cap of 4,000 applications as of 2018. Priority is given to individuals who currently live in nursing care facilities and are ready to move out. To apply for the HCBA waiver call 1-833-388-4551.

Community-Based Adult Services Waiver (CBAS)

The Community Based Adult Services waiver is for the elderly who can live independently but need help with activities of daily life. The program offers health services to seniors who are capable of self-care in their homes to prevent needless institutionalization. The monthly income limit for individual applicants is $1,235 and they must qualify for the Aged and Disabled Medi-Cal program. The CBAS waiver also allows eligibility through the Share of Cost program. Residents of Riverside can apply through the adult day services centers or through Molina Healthcare. Go here for more details.

In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS)

Residents of Riverside can opt for non-Medicaid programs like the In-Home Supportive Services that help low-income senior individuals live in their homes and avoid needless institutionalization. The program provides protective supervision and domestic, personal, and paramedical services. IHSS is an entitlement program coordinated by Molina Healthcare. While applicants don't have to be enrolled in Medi-Cal to be eligible for IHSS, they should have a Medicaid determination of eligibility. To apply for IHSS, call the Riverside Department of Public Social Services at 1-888-960-4477. Go here for more details.

Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

PACE is for older individuals who can live in their homes and communities safely with medical and social support. Eligible applicants must need nursing home level care determined by the California Department of Health Care Services. Individuals who qualify for Medicaid or are enrolled in Medi-Cal are eligible for the PACE program. Seniors who are not enrolled in Medi-Cal or don't meet the eligibility criteria can enroll in PACE using the Share of Cost payment method. Residents of Riverside County are eligible for the PACE program through InnovAge PACE which helps senior individuals with the application process. You can also call at 844-704-9613.  

Senior Care Action Network (SCAN)

SCAN is a special needs plan that provides financial support to seniors who are eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare without any share of cost. Senior residents who need a nursing facility level of care and live in their own homes or communities are eligible for SCAN. This is an entitlement program that is available to all eligible applicants. Residents of Riverside County can enroll in the SCAN program through the SCAN Health Plan. SCAN providers in the city of Riverside assist individuals to understand the program details and apply. You can also enroll online or over the phone by calling 1-877-452-5900.

Inland Empire Health Plan Dual Choice Cal MediConnect Plan (IEHP)

The IEHP Dual Choice Cal MediConnect Plan serves the city of Riverside with affordable healthcare coverage through both Medicare and Medi-Cal long-term care programs. The plan combines benefits and services of Medicare, Medi-Cal, and some CBAS and MSSP services to provide elderly residents of Riverside with high quality coordinated care. Applicants must be fully enrolled in a Medi-Cal and Medicare program. You can call at 1-877-273-4347 to enroll and read more about dual eligibility here.

More Senior Living Resources in Riverside

Resource

Address

Phone Number

Description

Human Good

Mount Rubbidoux Manor
3993, 10th St.
Riverside, CA 92501

951-684-3154

Human Good is a non-profit organization that has offers 188 apartments for low-income seniors 62 years or older to residents of Riverside.

Foundation For Affordable Housing

Santa Fe Apartments

3279, Bernard Street,

Riverside, CA

92504

949-443-9101

The Foundation For Affordable Housing is a non-profit organization that develops, acquires, and manages senior housing communities in Riverside that offer additional services to low-income seniors. The Foundation operates Santa Fe Apartments for residents of Riverside.

Volunteers of America

Cambridge Gardens Senior Housing

3533 Harrison Street
Riverside, CA 92503

951-352-7701

Volunteers of America manages senior housing properties across the US. Their senior housing community in the city of Riverside is called Cambridge Gardens and offers 74 units along with supportive services to low-income residents of Riverside who are 62 years or older.

Housing Authority of Riverside County

The Housing Authority of Riverside County is directed by the State of California to help low-income seniors in Riverside find affordable housing. Currently, the authority has listed 8 housing communities in Riverside.