California Senior Living and Elder Care Options

How to Choose a California Senior Living Facility

Finding the best senior living center or independent living community for your parent or relative is crucial. But what makes a great long-term care facility?

When reviewing California senior care facilities, look for important marks of quality, like:

• California Senior Care Licensing: All senior residential independent living and memory care facilities are overseen by the California Department of Social Services. Senior care licensing requirements through the state of California include fees, an infection control plan, training, meeting with a facility inspector, and ensuring facilities are up to code.
• Senior care administrator certification: In addition to licensing, senior care facilities must be run by administrators who have completed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly training (RCFE). This 80-hour training course teaches standards and regulations for California senior care.
• Senior care accreditation: Accreditation for senior living facilities shows that the facility has high standards for patient care, staff training, and facility safety. Some organizations that offer accreditation in California include the Better Business Bureau and the Home Care Association of America.
• Accessibility/ADA compliance: The best facilities will offer accessibility features to make their services accommodating for all seniors in their care.
• Amenities and features: Your loved one will be spending the rest of their years in the facility you choose. Look for facilities that offer an array of appealing activities and amenities to boost their quality of life.
• High client ratings from California residents: Seniors deserve the very best in professional care. Choosing a senior facility with high ratings ensures your loved one gets the best long-term care experience possible.

Cost Considerations for Senior Care in California

Cost is often the biggest factor that keeps people from getting the best care for their elderly loved one.

If you’re looking for high-quality senior living options in California, here’s what to know about the average costs and pricing for top senior care options in the state:

Payment Options for Elder Care in California

Funding your loved one’s care services for the long term can be a source of stress and concern. Fortunately, there are a range of ways to pay for elder care in California.

Top payment options for elder care in California include:

• Life insurance: Some life insurance policies allow you to use your life insurance death benefits while you’re alive to pay for senior living costs. There are a few ways to do this, including using the accelerated death benefits option, combining life insurance with long-term care insurance, or selling your life policy.
• Personal savings: Seniors may have a life savings, stocks, or other investments they can use to cover their care. Be sure to have your loved one’s accountant or other financial or legal representative provide an overview of their finances and what they have to spend on care.
• Senior care lenders: A range of trusted financial lenders offer loans specifically for use in covering California senior care providers. Some include major banks, local credit unions, and major lenders like Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.

Senior Living Resources in California

If you’re having trouble finding assisted living facilities in California, funding senior care, or need other senior resources, you can find ample support services near you.

Top senior living resources in California include:

• California Association of Areas on Aging: Offers programs, services, and information, including senior employment training, nutrition services, health insurance counseling, an aging and disability resource, and more.
• California Department of Aging: Provides information on state senior care programs, offers access to public records, and acts as an information resource for older adults, their caregivers, and their families.
• California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation: The DFPI recognizes that seniors tend to own the most assets, but have lower skills in technology, making them targets of fraud. This department is dedicated to helping seniors and other vulnerable groups manage their retirement or savings, protect from identity theft, create a budget on their fixed income, and more.
• CALVET: The California Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers information on veterans benefits, services, and programs, including pensions, Aid & Attendance benefits, home health care, respite care, survivors benefits, and more.
• CDSS Adult Protective Services (APS): The CDSS APS helps regulate care facilities and protects the rights of seniors whose rights have been impacted or who are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

California Senior Living FAQs