Assisted Living in Los Angeles, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Los Angeles

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, assisted living costs in Los Angeles are the same as the state average of $4,500 and higher than the national average of $4,000. Assisted living costs are similar in nearby Oxnard ($4,575) and lower in Riverside ($3,500), El Centro ($3,650) and Bakersfield ($3,150). The cost of assisted living is higher in other California coastal cities such as San Luis Obispo ($5,450), Salinas ($5,500) and San Francisco ($5,500). 

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Los Angeles: $4,500
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,500
• Oxnard: $4,575
• San Diego: $4,500
• Riverside: $3,500
• Bakersfield: $3,150
• El Centro: $3,650
• San Luis Obispo: $5,450

Care Cost Comparison

Senior care costs vary widely based on the type of care and location. Los Angeles assisted living is more than $3,000 less per month than nursing home care, while in-home services such as a home health aide or homemaker cost slightly more than assisted living. 

Seniors who want to compare the cost of different care options need to consider additional expenses associated with in-home care like rent, upkeep and utilities that are usually covered under costs for residential care. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,500
• Homemaker services: $4,767
• Home health aide: $4,767
• Adult day health: $1,565
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,604

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Los Angeles

Medicaid in California

Medicaid is a national health insurance program that provides low-income, low-asset Americans with access to basic health care services. The federal and state governments fund Medicaid, and in California, the program is called Medi-Cal. The California Department of Health Care Services administers Medi-Cal. 

Seniors who meet the income and asset limits of Medi-Cal may qualify for free coverage under the Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Program. To qualify, seniors must be 65 and older, blind or disabled according to Supplemental Security Income standards. 

Individual applicants must also own less than $2,000 in nonexempt assets, while couples applying together must have less than $3,000 in nonexempt assets. Countable monthly income limits are $1,242 for an individual and $1,682 for a couple and include income from pensions, wages and alimony. In California, Medi-Cal applicants do not have to add their principal residence in the asset calculation as long as one of the owners intends to continue living there.

Like all other states, California has a Medicaid look-back period; however, it is the only state that looks back 30 months rather than 60 months. Any assets that a Medi-Cal applicant gave away or sold during the look-back period may be appraised, and the value of these assets can be used to levy a period of Medicaid ineligibility. 

Seniors who have incomes that exceed Medi-Cal limits may obtain Medicaid coverage on a Share of Cost basis; however, in many cases, the cost of purchasing Medi-Cal out of pocket is greater than comparable private insurance costs. Alternatively, seniors who earn more than Medicaid permits may reduce their income by buying enough private health insurance to decrease their Medi-Cal countable income to a level that meets the Medi-Cal limits for free coverage. 

Assisted Living Waiver

Medi-Cal-eligible seniors who require the level of care provided in a nursing home may receive funding for assisted living costs and supplemental support services through an Assisted Living Waiver. 

Services offered under an ALW help prevent or delay nursing home placement. Each senior’s needs as identified by a registered nurse through a Care Coordination Agency (CCA) determines the level of service. ALW services may include: 

• Personal care and assistance with activities of daily living 
• Homemaker services
• Medication management and administration
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Provision of a personal emergency response device

Seniors do not need to apply for an ALW; the CCA screening determines eligibility. Note that Medi-Cal members who have Cost of Share coverage are ineligible for the ALW. 

For more information on Medi-Cal and Assisted Living Waivers, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Service, Customer Service Center at (866) 613-3777 to locate your nearest district office. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Veterans Aid and Attendance and Housebound Pension Benefits

Veterans and their survivors who are eligible for the VA pension and are housebound or need daily assistance due to a disability may be eligible for a pension top-up through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound program. This benefit may also be available to veterans who meet the criteria but do not currently qualify for a VA pension due to a high income. 

To qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, seniors must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Require daily assistance with daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting or managing a prosthesis
• Reside in a nursing home to receive care for a physical or mental impairment
• Be bedridden
• Have vision tested at 5/200 or worse when wearing corrective lenses or have a visual field of 5 or fewer degrees

To qualify for the Housebound allowance, applicants must have a permanent disability that confines them to their place of residence. Note that disabilities do not need to be service-related, and applicants may only receive one of these benefits. 

For more information on the Aid and Attendance and Housebound program, contact the Los Angeles Vet Center at (310) 767-1221 or the Los Angeles County Veterans Service Center at Patriotic Hall by calling (877) 452-8387. 

Assisted Living Resources in Los Angeles

Senior Centers in Los Angeles

The city of Los Angeles operates 16 multipurpose senior centers, or MPCs, where seniors can participate in a variety of free and low-cost recreational activities, including exercises classes, day trips and social clubs. 

To locate the nearest MPC, call an Information and Assistance Specialist at (213) 482-7252 or (800) 510-2020.  

Community Assistance Agencies

Seniors who need help accessing health care services, completing their tax returns or navigating the senior care system can call a community assistance agency that serves older adults in Los Angeles. The city also operates a number of social assistance programs for seniors, including curb-to-curb transportation, legal assistance and congregate meals at the 16 MPCs.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
520 South La Fayette Park Place, Suite 214, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 383-4519

Los Angeles Department of Aging
221 North Figueroa Street, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 482-7252

Veteran Centers and Clinics

Veterans and survivors can access information about VA services, apply for VA benefits and learn about programs and resources for veterans by contacting the Los Angeles Vet Center or the Los Angeles County Veterans Service Center. Veteran health services are available at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center. 

Los Angeles Vet Center
1045 West Redondo Beach Blvd. Suite 150, Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 767-1221

Veterans Service Center at Patriotic Hall
1816 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(877) 452-8387

VA West Los Angeles Medical Center
11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073-1003
(310) 478-3711