Assisted Living in Fullerton, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Fullerton

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study shows that the average monthly price for assisted living in Fullerton is the same as the state average of $4,500 and $500 more than the national average of $4,000. Costs in nearby Oxnard are similar at $4,475, while to the east of Fullerton, they are lower in Riverside ($3,500). Further north up the coast, costs are higher in both Santa Maria ($4,825) and San Luis Obispo ($5,450). To the south, prices are the same in San Diego ($4,500) and significantly lower in El Centro ($3,650). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Fullerton, so data for the closest city, Los Angeles, was used. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of senior care varies with the type of care provided, the location and the number of service hours offered each week. In Fullerton, assisted living is about $3,000 less per month than nursing home care, while both homemaker and home health aide services cost about $267 more than assisted living. It’s important to note that seniors who choose to remain at home need to continue paying for daily living expenses, such as property taxes, home maintenance and utility bills, while seniors who move to a residential care facility have these expenses included in their monthly costs. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Fullerton

Medicaid in California

Medicaid is the nationwide health coverage program that provides basic services to low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities. Funding is jointly offered through the state and federal governments, and in California, one in four residents is covered through Medi-Cal, the state-administered Medicaid program. 

Seniors must earn no more than $1,242 a month and own no more than $2,000 in countable assets to qualify for Medi-Cal when applying as a single, and couples applying together can earn no more than $1,682 and own no more than $3,000 in countable assets. Seniors 65 and older who already receive Supplemental Security Income payments are automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal. 

Seniors who have incomes that exceed Medi-Cal limits may qualify for coverage on a Share of Cost basis. Through SoC, seniors must spend a specific amount of their income toward medical costs before they become eligible for Medi-Cal benefits. Note that in many cases, the SoC is more expensive than private health insurance premiums. 

Assisted Living Waiver

Seniors who qualify for Medi-Cal coverage and have care needs that meet the requirements for nursing home placement may be eligible for additional care services in an assisted living setting under the Assisted Living waiver. 

This home and community-based services waiver delays or prevents the placement of low-income seniors in nursing homes by providing medically necessary care services in an assisted living environment. Eligible seniors are screened by a registered nurse through the local care coordinator agency, and if approved, seniors must reside in an ALW-participating facility. 

In Orange County, Access TLC Home Health Care coordinates the ALW. To apply for the ALW, contact Access TLC at (818) 551-1900. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Seniors aged 55 and older living in Fullerton who are Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible and need the level of care normally provided in a nursing home may qualify for comprehensive services through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. 

PACE is a voluntary managed-care program designed to prevent nursing home placement among low-income seniors by providing a wide range of case management, preventative and acute care services and supports in an assisted living setting. 

In Fullerton, CalOptima manages the PACE program. If accepted into PACE, seniors may be eligible for services such as personal care, access to recreational programming, physical and occupational therapy and transportation assistance. 

For more information, contact CalOptima at (714) 468-1100. 

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors 65 and older who receive Social Security benefits and need to live in an assisted living facility due to age-related disabilities may qualify for the California Optional State Supplementation program. 

This program provides top-up funds that bring the SSI monthly payment up to a maximum of $1,194.37 for single seniors and $2,388.74 for couples. OSS funds are added to the SSI payment and supplement the room-and-board portion of assisted living costs. 

To learn more about the OSS program, contact Social Security at (800) 772-1213. 

Assisted Living Resources in Fullerton

Senior Recreation Programs

The Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center at the Fullerton Community Center is a community resource geared toward seniors aged 50 and older. The center hosts a wide range of free and low-cost recreational programs, activities and groups, including Fit-n-Fun Aerobics, table tennis, yoga, tai chi and a walking group. Seniors can also take part in a fitness assessment, join in Hawaiian and Middle Eastern dance lessons and enjoy escorted day trips to local attractions. 

Fullerton Community Center – Senior Multi-Service Center
340 West Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, CA 928322
(714) 738-6575

Community Aid for Seniors

In addition to serving as a recreation center, the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center offers a number of seniors wellness programs such as InSTEP fall prevention. Seniors can also access a nutritious, low-cost or free lunch on weekdays. 

Veterans Services

Veterans and eligible survivors can access VA health care services at the Anaheim VA Clinic, an outpatient clinic affiliated with the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. Assistance with VA benefits applications, appeals and local programs is available through the Orange County Veterans Service Office. A number of American Legion and VFW posts in the area let veterans participate in congregate meals, make new friends and learn about local services. 

Anaheim VA Clinic
2569 West Woodland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92801-2608
(714) 763-5300

Orange County Veterans Service Office – County Operations Center
1300 South Grand Avenue, Building B, Room 247, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 480-6555