Assisted Living in Thousand Oaks, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Thousand Oaks

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the monthly cost of assisted living in Thousand Oaks is $4,575, slightly above the state average of $4,500 but well over the national average of $4,000. The cost here is also significantly higher than more inland California cities such as Riverside ($3,500) and Bakersfield ($3,150). Other coastal areas including Los Angeles and Santa Maria are similarly priced, while costs in San Louis Obispo are much higher at $5,450 per month.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Thousand Oaks, so data for the closest city, Oxnard, was used.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

In Thousand Oaks, the average monthly cost of assisted living is much lower than home health care, whether homemaker ($5,030) or health aide services ($5,119). Although at-home services cost $500 more than assisted living, they don’t include necessary living expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, meals and home maintenance. Assisted living is also much less expensive than nursing home care ($8,213). Seniors who only require limited daily care outside the home have the least expensive option with adult day health services ($1712).

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Thousand Oaks

Medicaid in California

California’s Medi-Cal program provides medical care through a form of public health insurance to eligible low-income individuals including seniors, pregnant women, families with children and people with disabilities. Many enrolled individuals receive care at no cost, while some pay a low monthly premium.

To qualify for Medi-Cal, seniors may need to meet one or more of these requirements:

• Earning less than $16,395 annually as an individual or $22,108 as a married couple
• Having assets valued at less than $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a married couple (not including a home, one vehicle or personal items)
• Being over age 65, blind or disabled
• Enrolling in a refugee assistance program
• Receiving Supplemental Security Income
• Living in a community setting such as a nursing home or intermediate care facility 

As recipients of Medi-Cal, seniors receive the following essential health benefits:

• Doctor’s visits
• Hospitalization and emergency services
• Mental and behavioral health treatment
• Occupational and physical therapy
• Prescription drugs
• Chronic disease management
• Wellness services
• Laboratory services

Thousand Oaks residents interested in enrolling in Medi-Cal can apply in person at the Ventura County Office, online or by mail. 

Assisted Living Waiver

Medi-Cal recipients may qualify for an assisted living waiver designed to help keep seniors out of nursing homes and in the community. Services provided through the ALW include care coordination, assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating and dressing, short-term skilled nursing, meals and transportation services.

To qualify for the waiver, a senior must be assessed as requiring the level of care provided in a skilled nursing facility but be able to live safely in a residential care or adult residential facility with the provided support services.

The ALW isn’t available in Ventura County, so Thousand Oaks residents  must be willing to relocate to an assisted living facility in one of the 15 participating counties. Those closest to Thousand Oaks include Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino. The waiver isn’t an entitlement program, so applicants may be placed on a waitlist before receiving services.

To apply for the waiver, Medi-Cal members can contact the closest Care Coordination Agency and schedule an assessment to evaluate their care needs. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

State Supplemental Payment

The federal government provides monthly payments to certain low-income individuals through its Supplemental Security Income program, and for those who qualify, California adds on a State Supplemental Payment. Currently, the maximum SSP amount is $160.62 for an individual and $407.14 for a married couple.

To be eligible for SSI, seniors must meet Medi-Cal’s asset limits and have monthly income below $771 (individuals) or $1,157 (married couples). Applicants must also be over age 65, disabled or blind and apply for any other benefits for which they qualify.

To apply for California’s combined SSI and SSP program, seniors can call (800) 772-1213 or visit the Social Security Administration website.

Veterans Aid and Attendance

Thousand Oaks veterans and their surviving spouses over age 65 may qualify for federal Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits in addition to their basic monthly pension amount. Individuals earning below $22,577 per year, and married couples earning less than $26,765, may qualify if their assets, excluding home and vehicles, total less than $126,000.

Along with meeting the income and asset criteria, applicants must also be legally blind, unable to perform activities of daily living, bedridden or living in a nursing home due to disability. Seniors receiving a VA disability pension don’t qualify for the benefit.

Eligible vets and their surviving spouses can learn more or obtain assistance filing an application by contacting Ventura County Veterans Services at (805) 477-5155.

Assisted Living Resources in Thousand Oaks

Community Centers

The Thousand Oaks Senior Concerns organization facilitates community involvement for seniors through a boutique thrift store, Meals on Wheels program, annual Love Run, caregiver support groups and respite. The Goebel Adult Community Center hosts drop-in sports such as badminton, softball and tennis, and its nutrition program provides healthy lunches on weekdays for a $3 suggested donation.

Senior Concerns
401 Hodencamp Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 497-0189

Goebel Adult Community Center
1385 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 381-2744

Area Agency on Aging

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging offers various programs and services to meet the needs of aging seniors and their families. Senior Nutrition and Home-Delivered Meals programs provide healthy meals, and the HomeShare program helps seniors remain at home. Other services include legal assistance, referral services and senior employment training. 

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
646 County Square Dr., Ste. 100, Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 477-7300

Veterans Resources

Thousand Oaks veterans can access a wealth of services including financial, life insurance and pension assistance, counseling and medical treatment referrals at the Ventura County Veterans Services office and Vet Center.

Veterans Services
5740 Ralston St., Ste 304, Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 477-5155

Ventura Vet Center
790 E. Santa Clara St., Ste 100, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 585-1860