Assisted Living in Riverside, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Riverside

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, Riverside’s average monthly cost of $3,500 for assisted living is moderately less than the national average of $4,000 and substantially below the state average of $4,500. It’s comparable to assisted living costs in Fresno ($3,500) and Visalia ($3,675) and notably less expensive than the major metro centers of Los Angeles ($4,500) and San Francisco ($5,500).

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Riverside area: $3,500
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,500
• Los Angeles area: $4,500
• Fresno: $3,500
• Bakersfield: $3,150
• San Diego area: $4,500
• San Francisco area: $5,500
• Visalia area: $3,675

Care Cost Comparison

Senior care costs vary depending on location and type of care. In Riverside, nursing home care in a semiprivate room ($7,559) is more than double the cost of assisted living care ($3,500). Home health care, including homemaker services and home health aides, cost roughly $1,000 more than assisted living per month. These in-home services do not include living expenses, such as rent, food or utilities, which are usually included in the costs of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $3,500
• Homemaker services: $4,481
• Home health aide: $4,576
• Adult day health: $1,668
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,559

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Riverside

Medicaid in California

California’s Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal, and it pays for a variety of medical services for low-income California residents of all ages. Medi-Cal is an umbrella program made up of numerous smaller programs which are focused on specific demographic groups, such as children, the disabled and the elderly. It provides services including preventative medical care, mental health care, personal care, prescription assistance and nursing home care to eligible residents. To qualify, an applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or legal alien
• Reside in California
• Be either pregnant, blind, disabled (or caring for someone disabled) or over 65 years old
• Have a yearly income under $16,395 for an individual or $22,108 for a couple

For more information about Medi-Cal, visit the Apply for Medi-Cal page or call the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services at (877) 410-8827.

Assisted Living Waiver

Several of the programs under the Medi-Cal umbrella offer assistance with long-term care for seniors. The Assisted Living Waiver program helps individuals who are eligible for nursing home care but prefer to live in an assisted living facility. It offers participants a broad range of services, including help with personal care, meals, recreational activities and housekeeping services. The waiver does not cover room-and-board costs.

To be eligible for the waiver, applicants must:

• Be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal with zero share of cost
• Be at least 21 years old
• Require a level of care provided by a nursing home but be able to function safely in an assisted living facility
• Have a monthly income of no more than $1,242 for an individual or $1,682 for a couple
• Have countable assets that do not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple (a primary home, vehicle and personal items are exempt from this requirement)

Not all assisted living facilities participate in the program, and there may be a waiting list. Contact the Riverside County Office on Aging at (800) 510-2020 or visit the California Department of Health Care Services website for more information on participating facilities and how to apply.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Supplemental Security Income

California provides Supplemental Security Income to anyone with limited income and few resources. The program is administered by the Federal Social Security Administration, and the payment is automatically added to the applicant’s federal SSI payment. The amount of the supplement varies depending on an applicant’s income. In California, SSI recipients cannot get SNAP benefits because the state adds money to the federal SSI payment instead. To qualify for SSI, applicants must:

• Be at least 65 years old, blind or disabled
• Have assets of no more than $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples  (a primary home and vehicle are excluded)
• Live in the U.S. and be a citizen or lawful resident
• Be a resident of California

For more information or to apply, visit the Social Security Administration website or call (800) 772-1213.

PACE

PACE, or the Program For All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, provides health care and social services to seniors, regardless of their living situation. Each participant works with a team of medical experts to develop a customized care plan to meet their individual needs. For more information on Southern California’s PACE Program, visit the InnovAge website or call (909) 366-4230.

Elderlife Financial Services Loans

Seniors who need immediate funds to make assisted living arrangements can apply for a loan through Elderlife Financial Services. They provide up to 12 months of payments and can be useful for seniors who are waiting for the sale of a home or going through the process of benefit approval. Approval time is fast, sometimes within 24 hours.

Multiple borrowers can apply for one loan so credit scores are not as important in the approval process. Since family members of a senior in need of care often apply, the age and health of the senior aren’t a factor in the approval process. Elderlife typically requires information about anticipated sources of permanent funding. Contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500 for more information.

Assisted Living Resources in Riverside

Community and Senior Centers in Riverside

The Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department (PRCSD) operates three senior centers in Riverside which offer a variety of clubs, educational classes and social activities for seniors. These programs let elderly residents remain active and engaged in the community. The PRCSD also offers a free senior resource guide consisting of local resources for residents over 55. Call or visit a center for more information.

Dales Senior Center
3936 Chestnut St, Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-5303

La Sierra Senior Center
5215 La Sierra Ave, Riverside, CA 92505
(951) 351-6435

Janet Goeske Foundation & Senior Center
5257 Sierra St, Riverside, CA 92504
(951) 351-8800

Community Aid Agencies

The Riverside County Office on Aging provides seniors information and support on the myriad of services available to them, including meal programs, transportation and legal assistance. Community Connect helps connect Riverside residents to services and resources such as housing and utility assistance, transportation and veterans services.

Riverside County Office on Aging
6296 River Crest Dr, Suite K, Riverside, CA 92507
(800) 510-2020

Community Connect
2060 University Ave # 212, Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 686-4402
Or dial 211 to reach their 24-hour service hotline

Veterans Affairs

Qualified veterans can get assistance with health care, benefits information and counseling by contacting the County of Riverside Veterans Services office.

County of Riverside Veterans Services
4360 Orange St, Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-3060

Murrieta VA Clinic
28078 Baxter Rd, Suite 540, Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 290-6500