Assisted Living in Chino Hills, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Chino Hills

The $3,500 monthly cost for assisted living in Chino Hills is well below the average amount paid in California ($4,500) and the nation ($4,000). Other cities in this region of the state are considerably more expensive, including Santa Maria ($4,825), Oxnard ($4,575), Los Angeles and San Diego ($4,500). The wide range of assisted living costs in California is evident when comparing Chino Hills to Bakersfield ($3,150) and San Luis Obispo, where the average rate is a pricey $5,450 per month.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Chino Hills, so data for the nearest major city, Riverside, was used.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The type of care required and location are the two biggest determinants of senior living costs in Chino Hills. This is easy to see when comparing the average monthly rate for nursing home care ($7,559) with assisted living ($3,500). The $4,000 price difference is largely due to the skilled, 24-hour nursing offered to seniors who have extensive medical needs.

Assisted living costs roughly $1,000 less per month than homemaker ($4,481) and home health aide ($4,576) services. This significant rate difference only increases when other costs of staying at home are added on, such as food, maintenance and utilities. These extra costs are already included in the room-and-board portion of assisted living rates.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Chino Hills

Medicaid in California

Medicaid is the federal and state government-funded health insurance program available to low-income Americans of all ages. The federally regulated program is adapted and administered by each state to best meet the needs of its most vulnerable residents, including young children and their parents, expectant mothers, people with disabilities and the elderly.

Qualifying for California Medicaid

Residents of California who are American citizens or legal immigrants may qualify for no- or low-cost health care coverage through the state Medicaid program known as Medi-Cal. Seniors aged 65 or older and disabled or blind adults receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits are automatically eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. Others must meet the program’s financial requirements that allow:

• Up to $1,242 in monthly income and $2,000 in countable resources for single applicants
• Up to $1,682 in monthly income and $3,000 in countable resources for married couples applying together

All sources of income count toward the Medi-Cal limits, but some resources are disregarded, such as one vehicle, personal effects, a primary home and household furnishings.

Those who meet the functional requirements for institutional nursing home care can qualify at any income level. Approved applicants may keep $35 as a monthly personal needs allowance and any excess income up to the facility’s rate must go toward their care costs. 

To apply for Medi-Cal, seniors can complete an application online, call (800) 300-1506 or visit the San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance office at 10825 Arrow Route in Rancho Cucamonga.

Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver

Medi-Cal eligible residents of Chino Hills who meet the requirements for long-term care coverage but want to avoid institutional nursing home admission may apply for the Assisted Living waiver. This Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services waiver is offered to provide seniors with a higher quality of life in a less restrictive environment and reduce the cost of long-term care. Applicants must be aged 21 or older and be:

• Eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage without a share of cost
• Assessed as requiring a nursing-facility level of care
• Able to safely live in a community setting
• Willing to relocate to a licensed, participating assisted living facility

The ALW program doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living room and board, but it does provide a number of support services, such as:

• Care coordination and transitional assistance
• Recreational activities and social services
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Prepared meals and snacks
• Personal care and help with activities of daily living
• Medication administration assistance
• Transportation

The ALW isn’t a Medi-Cal entitlement program and participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so approved applicants may be placed on a waiting list based on availability.

Chino Hills residents can learn more about the ALW or begin the application process by contacting the local Care Coordination Agency serving San Bernardino County, All Hours Adult Care, at (844) 657-4748.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Senior veterans or their surviving spouses who have increased care needs and costs and receive a standard VA pension may be eligible for a higher monthly payment through either the Aid and Attendance or Housebound program. To qualify for one of these two programs, applicants can’t be already receiving a VA disability pension and must earn less than $22,577 annually. Each program has care criteria as well:

Those applying for Housebound benefits must be largely confined at home due to a permanent disability.

Seniors applying for Aid and Attendance benefits must meet one of these conditions:

• Suffer from severe vision loss or concentric contraction of the visual field in both eyes that don’t improve with corrective lenses
• Disabled or chronically ill and largely confined to bed
• Require assistance with basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing or bathing

Additionally, applicants must have served at least 90 days of active duty, including one or more days during wartime, and been honorably discharged.

For more information about A&A and Housebound benefits or to receive help filing an application for either program, Chino Hills veterans can contact the San Bernardino County Veterans Service office in Rancho Cucamonga at (909) 948-6470.

California Optional State Supplement

Chino Hills residents who are disabled or aged 65 or older and eligible for federal SSI benefits also qualify for a monthly top up from the state of California. The exact benefit amount depends on a person’s income and living arrangement, but the maximum is currently $160.62 for single recipients and $407.14 for couples. To qualify for SSI and OSS benefits, applicants must have no more than $771 in monthly income and $2,000 in assets if single. Married couples are limited to $1,157 in monthly income and $3,000 in assets.

Seniors and disabled adults can apply for SSI and California OSS benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in Chino Hills

Senior Community Center

The City of Chino Hills offers a wide range of programs and activities to help residents aged 50 plus stay engaged with their peers and the community. Seniors can visit the city’s community center Monday through Friday to socialize and play cards, board games or billiards, take a Zumba, pilates or yoga class or enjoy a hot lunch served daily. The center also offers enrichment classes, shared interest groups, educational workshops and seminars and special events, such as ice cream socials and luaus.

Chino Hills Community Center – Active Adults 50+
14250 Peyton Dr., Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909) 364-2826

Veterans Assistance and Medical Services

Senior veterans and their dependants can contact the San Bernardino County Veterans Service office for help identifying and applying to state and VA benefits and pensions. Primary care and related medical services are available at the Rancho Cucamonga VA outpatient clinic.

San Bernardino County Veterans Service Office
8575 Haven Ave., Ste. 160, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 948-6470

Rancho Cucamonga VA Clinic
8599 Haven Ave., Ste. 102, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 946-5348

Area Agency on Aging

As the designated Area Agency on Aging, the San Bernardino County Aging and Adult Services Department connects seniors and disabled adults with vital resources. The agency provides information and referrals and coordinates adult protective services, caregiver and in-home support, congregate and home-delivered meals and long-term care advocacy services.

San Bernardino County Aging and Adult Services
784 E. Hospitality Ln., San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 891-3900