Assisted Living in San Marcos, CA

Assisted Living Costs in San Marcos

In its 2018 Cost of Care Survey, Genworth reveals San Marcos’ average monthly cost of assisted living to be $4,500 per month. This is $500 more per month than the national average of $4,000 but equal to the California state average. While surrounding cities, such as El Centro ($3,650), Riverside ($3,500) and Bakersfield ($3,150), enjoy much lower assisted living costs, the fees in nearby Santa Maria, Los Angeles and Oxnard are the same or higher than those in San Marcos. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for San Marcos, so data for the closest city, San Diego, was used.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• San Marcos/San Diego area: $4,500
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,500
• El Centro: $3,650
• Riverside: $3,500
• Los Angeles Area: $4,500
• Oxnard Area: $4,575
• Bakersfield: $3,150
• Santa Maria Area: $4,825

Care Cost Comparison

As in many cities, the cost of nursing home care in San Marcos is much higher than those of an assisted living home. The cost of at-home care, including homemaker services and home health aides, is slightly more expensive than assisted living (about $300 more per month) but doesn’t include the additional living expenses of utilities, home maintenance and room and board. For San Marcos residents who don’t require full-time care, adult day health is the least expensive care option with an average cost of $1,733 per month. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,500
• Homemaker services: $4767
• Home health aide: $4,799
• Adult day health: $1,733
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,517

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in San Marcos

Medicaid in California

California’s Medicaid program, also known as Medi-Cal, is jointly funded by state and Federal funds. Medi-Cal provides low-income California residents with a wide range of medical care and services, including hospitalization, physical therapy, outpatient and emergency services, chronic disease management and mental health services.

There are several ways San Marcos seniors can qualify for Medi-Cal. One is to earn below the annual income limits, which are $16,395 for individuals and $22,108 for married couples. Seniors must also have less than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple) in assets. These asset limits exclude the applicant’s home, furnishings, personal items and one vehicle.

Seniors may also qualify if they:

• Are blind, disabled or aged 65 and older
• Receive refugee services for a limited time
• Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Reside in a nursing home or an intermediate care facility

San Marcos residents can apply for Medi-Cal online or call (866) 262-9881 for more information.

Assisted Living Waiver

Within the larger Medi-Cal program, smaller programs exist to aide residents of varying ages and needs. One such program for seniors is the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW). Participants have access to three waiver benefits within the ALW, including care coordination, assisted living services and nursing facility transition care coordination.

The ALW is available to California seniors enrolled in Medi-Cal who require a nursing home level of care but prefer to live in the community. To participate in the ALW program, seniors must first request an assessment with a nurse employed by their local Care Coordination Agency (CCA).

Some assisted living services offered through the ALW include laundry, housekeeping, help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, recreational activities and three meals per day.

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

San Marcos residents may also be eligible to receive services through the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), a program offered to certain Medi-Cal seniors through the federal Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waiver. The program aims to help seniors remain at home or in the community and includes services, such as personal care assistance, adult day health centers, care management, meals, transportation, respite and housing assistance. 

To be eligible for the MSSP, seniors must be over age 65, qualify for Medi-Cal and certify as needing nursing home level care. The cost of services must also remain below that of nursing home care. Because services provided are not entitlements, those wishing to enroll may be put on a waiting list. The San Marcos MSSP program is offered through San Diego County’s Aging and Independent Services agency and can be contacted by calling (800) 339-4661.  

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit

Financial assistance from the national Veterans Aid and Attendance program may be available to qualified San Marcos veterans or their surviving spouses. To qualify, applicants must already receive or be eligible to receive a VA pension, and they must also require the aid of a caregiver to perform personal activities of daily living. Seniors requiring aid may also qualify if they are legally blind, bedridden or live in a nursing facility.

To be eligible, veterans must earn below $22,577 in annual income as an individual (no dependents) and below $26,765 if married or caring for a dependent. A surviving spouse must earn below $14,529. Assets may not exceed $126,000 including annual income (excluding homes and vehicles). When calculating income, unreimbursed medical expenses should be deducted.

Senior San Marcos veterans or surviving spouses can apply by visiting their local benefit office, calling (855) 898-6050 or writing their regional pension management center.

Supplemental Security Income

California provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to people with disabilities and certain seniors who are at least 65 years old. Eligible seniors can receive monthly financial benefits for nonmedical out-of-home care up to $1,194.37 for an individual or $2,388.74 for a married couple.

To meet the low-income and asset requirements, seniors must:

• Earn less than $771 per month as an individual or $1,157 as a married couple
• Have less than $2,000 in assets as an individual and $3,000 as a married couple (homes, cars and burial plots are excluded)

In addition to financial assistance, some seniors may qualify to receive protective services or an additional allowance for a service dog if the individual is blind or disabled.

San Marcos residents can apply for SSI online or call (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in San Marcos

Community and Senior Centers

Several community and senior centers provide free programs to enrich the quality of life for seniors, their caregivers and families. These centers often provide free classes, information and social activities on issues relevant to seniors lives and needs.

San Marcos Senior Activity Center
111 Richmar Ave., San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 744-5535

Alzheimer’s San Diego
6632 Convoy Ct., San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 492-4400
This center offers free programs, support groups and resources to help people with dementia and their families

The Foundation for Senior Wellbeing
131 Richmar Ave., San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 891-8176
The foundation’s Information Resource Center provides seniors, their caregivers and families with resources and information on topics including housing, meals, medical issues and transportation.

Veterans Resources

Veterans resource centers in and around San Marcos provide benefits counseling, claims processing, pension filing, loan assistance and many other  services to veterans and their families.

San Marcos Veterans Center
1 Civic Center Dr. #150, San Marcos, CA 92069
(855) 898-6050

Escondido Military and Veterans Affairs Resource Center 
649 W Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 740-5573 

Area Agency on Aging

San Marcos’ Area Agency on Aging provides resources and programs designed to help seniors and family members live healthy, more independent lives. Services include care coordination, in-home support, an ombudsman program, nutrition, mental health care and legal services. 

Aging and Independence Services (AIS)
151 Van Houten Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
(800) 510-2020