Assisted Living in Sunnyvale, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Sunnyvale

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, Sunnyvale’s average monthly cost of assisted living is $1,000 higher than the state average and $1,500 higher than the national average.

At $5,500, prices are the same in neighboring coastal cities, such as San Francisco and Salinas, while Santa Cruz is slightly more expensive at $5,595. Assisted living costs are much lower to the east in Modesto ($3,200), Merced and Stockton ($3,500). 

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

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The level of care is the single most important factor when it comes to senior care costs. In Sunnyvale, around-the-clock medical care in a state-licensed nursing facility is $9,125 per month for a semiprivate room, while assisted living costs $5,500 per month. 

Community-based senior care services start at $1,993 per month for an adult day care program, which is nonmedical care in a group setting. In-home care services range from $5,720 to $6,006 per month in addition to the costs associated with maintaining a home. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Sunnyvale

Medicaid in California

Low-income Californians who have limited financial resources may be eligible for Medicaid, the nationwide government health plan that covers essential health services. California’s Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal, and in accordance with federal law, all Medi-Cal plans include primary, hospital and long-term care benefits. 

Some additional state-specific benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, case management, adult day health services and hospice care, may be offered through waivers and special programs. 

Qualifying for Long-Term Medi-Cal Services

To qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal coverage with access to home and community-based waivers, seniors aged 65 and older must be U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants who are full-time California residents. The income limit for singles is $1,242 per month and $1,682 per month for couple’s applying together. 

If only one spouse in a couple needs care, the non-applicant isn’t expected to contribute towards the cost of care, therefore, their income is disregarded by Medi-Cal. 

Asset limits are set at $2,000 per person and $3,000 per couple and include on-hand cash, bank account balances and investments. Applicants can keep some assets and still qualify for Medi-Cal. Most notably, a home that’s owned and occupied by the applicant and/or their spouse, irregardless of the home’s value, is rated as a Medi-Cal exempt asset. 

Seniors with monthly earnings that exceed the Medi-Cal limits who need long-term care may be able to enroll in a Share of Cost basis, also referred to as Medicaid spend-down program. Under a SOC agreement, seniors must agree to pay a predetermined amount towards their monthly medical costs. Once this amount is reached, Medi-Cal benefits cover eligible costs for the remainder of that month. 

For more information about Medi-Cal, call (800) 541-5555 or apply online.

Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver

Seniors aged 65 and older who meet the clinical criteria for placement in a nursing facility may qualify for the Assisted Living Waiver, a Medi-Cal nursing home diversion program. Seniors who are already in a nursing home can also apply for the ALW. 

Note: Medi-Cal Share of Cost participants are not eligible for the ALW. 

ALW gives fragile seniors the option to remain in a designated assisted living facility by providing seniors with additional medical and nonmedical support services. Under the ALW, seniors are responsible for the room-and-board portion of their monthly assisted living costs. 

To receive ALW services, seniors must complete a care assessment conducted by the area Care Coordination Agency. If applicants are eligible for the ALW, they may be provided with one or more of the following: 

• A case manager
• Personal care services to help with activities of daily living
• Laundry and housekeeping
• Prepared meals and snacks
• Recreational programming
• Transportation
• Intermittent skilled nursing
• Assistance with medication management
• Transition services (for seniors moving from a nursing facility)

There are two ALW participating facilities in Santa Clara County with a combined maximum capacity of 132, therefore, wait lists may be in place. 

To learn more about the ALW, contact the Institute on Aging, Santa Clara County, at (408) 474-0679.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

California’s Optional State Supplementation program provides additional cash benefits for senior Supplemental Security Income recipients who reside in an assisted living setting. 

The OSS is added to the monthly federal SSI payment to help seniors pay the room-and-board portion of their care costs. Eligible seniors may collect up to $1,194.37 per month in SSI/OSS benefits, and couples may collect up to $2,388.74. 

For more information, contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a community-based managed care program designed to let seniors age in place in the community rather than be institutionalized in a nursing home. It’s open to seniors aged 55 and older who have either Medi-Cal or are dual-covered by Medicare and Medi-Cal. Seniors may also participate in PACE on a private-pay basis if space is available. 

Although PACE doesn’t cover the room-and-board portion of assisted living costs, assisted living residents are eligible to enroll in PACE and receive all of the associated medical and nonmedical benefits. 

Every PACE participant is provided with a range of personalized services, supports and supplies designed to help them stay as active and healthy as possible. These services are largely based at the local PACE center, and participants are provided with door-to-door transportation to the center up to five days a week. 

PACE services include primary and specialty medical care, rehabilitation, recreational and day programming and case management. Participants may also receive in-home support, such as personal care, home adaptations, a medical alert system and home delivered meals. 

Once seniors enroll in PACE, all of their Medi-Cal benefits are delivered through PACE-affiliated providers. Participants are free to leave the program at any time. 

For more information, contact On Lok Lifeways, the PACE provider for Santa Clara County, at (888) 886-6565.

Assisted Living Resources in Sunnyvale

Senior Center

The City of Sunnyvale’s Senior Center offers a variety of recreational and leisure activities designed to help seniors aged 50 and older stay active and connected with the community. Annual memberships cost $28 and include access to the computer lab, drop-in movies and games, the billiard room and special events. 

The center also serves a low-cost noon meal on weekdays, and live music is included on select days. 

Sunnyvale Community Center
550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 730-7350

Community Aid Agencies

Sunnyvale seniors aged 50 and older can receive free care management services through the city-operated care management program. 

The program provides seniors with no-cost care planning, assessment and service referrals. Seniors can learn about local resources, nursing home diversion programs and Medi-Cal enrollment. 

City of Sunnyvale Care Management Program
550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale, VA 94088-3707
(408) 730-7360

Veterans Services

Comprehensive VA health services, including primary, acute and 24/7 emergency care are available through the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in nearby Palo Alto. 

Veterans can contact the Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services for free assistance with state and federal benefit applications and appeals. 

VA Palo Alto Health Care System
3901 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 493-5000

Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services
68 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 918-4980