Assisted Living in Torrance, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Torrance

Assisted living costs an average of $4,500 per month in Torrance, which is $500 higher than the $4,000 paid nationally but right on par with the state median rate and costs in San Diego ($4,500).

Most cities in this region of California are more expensive, including Oxnard ($4,575), Santa Maria ($4,825) and San Luis Obispo ($5,450). Only two cities have lower assisted living costs, Riverside ($3,500) and Bakersfield, where the average price is only $3,150 per month.

Note: Torrance senior care cost data wasn’t available, so data for metropolitan Los Angeles was used instead.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The category of care, total service hours and residence are three major factors affecting the cost of senior care in Torrance. At $7,604 per month, nursing home care costs over $3,100 more than the $4,500 average paid for assisted living. This extra expense is largely due to the 24/7 skilled nursing services provided in institutional facilities.

Seniors receiving in-home care from homemakers and home health aides pay an average of $4,767 each month, which is about $250 more than the rate for assisted living. While this may seem a small hike in cost, the true price gap may be much wider when the room and board included with assisted living is considered. At-home rates only reflect the total service hours of care provided, and seniors still have to pay for groceries, utilities, maintenance and other household expenses.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Torrance

Medicaid in California

Over 65 million Americans who can’t afford basic health insurance receive vital coverage through Medicaid. This joint initiative of the federal and individual state governments provides low-cost or free health care services for pregnant women, children and their parents, senior citizens and adults with disabilities.

How to Qualify for California Medicaid

Torrance seniors aged 65 and older and adults who are blind or disabled can receive full-scope coverage under the California state Medicaid plan known as Medi-Cal if they’re American citizens or legal immigrants and have:

• $1,242 or less of income per month and $2,000 or less in countable resources if single
• $1,682 or less in monthly income and $3,000 or less in combined countable assets if married and applying with a spouse

Medi-Cal counts income from all sources toward the eligibility limits, including wages, VA pensions, Social Security and earnings on investments. While most assets are counted, several are exempt from the limits, including personal effects, one automobile, an owner-occupied primary home and household items.

Torrance residents receiving or eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits are automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal with full-scope coverage. Applicants assessed as needing institutional nursing home care can qualify regardless of income if they meet the program’s asset limits and other eligibility requirements.

Qualifying Through a Share of Cost

Disabled adults and seniors who meet Medi-Cal coverage criteria but exceed the income limit may become eligible through a share of cost. This requires that an individual puts their over-limit income toward allowable medical and care expenses to reach the coverage threshold.

Torrance residents can apply for the Medi-Cal program online or by calling Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver

Medi-Cal only provides nursing home care as an entitlement, but it also offers an Assisted Living waiver that pays for support services provided in these facilities, although seniors must cover the cost of their room and board.

Applicants must be aged 21 or older and eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage with zero share of cost to qualify for the ALW. They must also be assessed as needing the level of care provided in a nursing home but physically and cognitively able to live in a community setting without any risk of harm.

Participants in the ALW program may receive coverage for various support services, such as:

• Transitional aid to move back to the community from a nursing home
• Assistance with basic daily living activities, such as bathing, grooming, dressing and eating
• Intermittent skilled nursing care
• Daily meals and snacks
• Laundry and housekeeping services
• Social and recreational programming

The ALW program is only available at participating, approved facilities throughout Los Angeles and 14 other California counties. Because it’s not a Medi-Cal entitlement program, enrollment in the ALW is capped. Given these limitations, qualified Torrance seniors who wish to apply may need to relocate to another community or spend time on a waiting list to receive waiver-covered services.

To learn more about the ALW or start the assessment and application process, seniors can contact their choice of the 12 Medi-Cal-approved Care Coordination Agencies serving Los Angeles County.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

The PACE program provides comprehensive managed medical and long-term care services to California seniors aged 55 and older who’ve been assessed as needing a nursing home level of care. Those who enroll are evaluated by the program’s interdisciplinary team, and a personalized plan is developed to meet their care needs. Each participant receives complete medical care, case management and support services that may include:

• Social services
• Personal care
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Prescription and nonprescription medications
• Dental, optometry and podiatry services
• Recreational and social therapy
• Occupational, physical and speech therapy
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Transportation to medical appointments

The PACE program doesn’t pay for room and board or services provided by an assisted living facility. Seniors eligible for or enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal can receive PACE services at no cost, and signing up for the program may help some seniors reduce their overall cost of care.

AltaMed is the PACE provider in Los Angeles County, and although Torrance isn’t within the agency’s service area, local seniors may apply if they’re willing to relocate to a nearby community where the program is available.

To learn more or apply for the program, seniors should contact AltaMed PACE at (855) 252-7223.

State Supplemental Payment

Seniors in Torrance eligible for SSI and not living in a public institution may be entitled to an additional monthly cash benefit through the State Supplemental Payment program. The benefit amount received depends on an applicant’s marital status, income and living situation. Those residing in assisted living facilities may be eligible for a maximum combined federal and state payment of $1,194.37 if single or $2,388.74 if a married couple.

To apply for SSI and SSP benefits, Torrance seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in Torrance

Senior Activity Programs

The City of Torrance Recreation Services division operates a senior center, two satellite activity centers and a senior golf club to keep residents aged 50 or over active and enjoying life. The Bartlett Center is open seven days per week and offers a wide range of programs and services.

A hot congregate lunch is available on weekdays, and the center hosts exercise and dance classes, card games, shuffleboard, billiards, special interest clubs and singing groups. Seniors can obtain free legal advice and information on public benefit programs and sign up for escorted day trips to interesting destinations throughout Southern California.

Bartlett Senior Center
1318 Cravens Ave., Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-5918

Herma Tillim Senior Center 
3612 W. Artesia Blvd., Torrance, CA 90504
(310) 329-1889

Walteria Park Senior Citizens Program 
3855 W. 242nd St., Torrance, CA 90505
(310) 378-3862

Senior Golf Club
22730 Lupine Dr., Torrance, CA 90505
(310) 618-2930

Information and Referral Service

The Torrance Community Focal Point on Aging is an AAA-sponsored information and referral service where older adults can learn about community resources available to meet their emotional, physical and social needs. Seniors and their caregivers can call or drop in to learn about programs and services, including transportation, housing, meals, health care, health insurance and social and legal services.

Community Focal Point on Aging
1339 Post Ave., Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-1300