Assisted Living in Whittier, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Whittier

At $4,500 per month, the average cost of assisted living care in Whittier is on par with the California average, but $500 more than the nationwide norm. In many of California’s major cities, including Sacramento ($4,473) and San Diego ($4,500), assisted living costs about the same as in Whittier.

Some California cities are much pricier. In Santa Cruz, assisted living costs an average of $5,595 per month, which is over $1,000 more than in Whittier. San Francisco is not far behind at $5,500. Bakersfield seniors pay the lowest assisted living price in California at just $3,150. The Riverside area, at $3,500 per month, is also relatively inexpensive.

Note: Senior care cost data for Whittier wasn’t available, so data for nearby Los Angeles was used.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

While location plays a major role in the cost of senior care, the type of care is also a significant factor. In Whittier, assisted living ($4,500) is nearly three times the cost of adult day health services ($1,565), reports Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study. At $7,604 per month, nursing home care is over $3,000 more expensive than assisted living.

For $4,767 per month, seniors can receive in-home care from a homemaker or home health aide. While this is only $267 more than assisted living, property taxes, home maintenance, utilities, groceries and other such bills are still the senior’s responsibility. These expenses are usually included in monthly assisted living fees.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Whittier

Medicaid in California

Established in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Medicaid offers medical insurance to low-income people. The program is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and each state tailors its Medicaid program to serve its residents.

California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, has over 10.5 million enrollees. It serves seniors, families with children, pregnant women and other eligible Californians. Some of the core benefits provided by Medi-Cal include:

• Emergency services
• Hospitalization
• Mental health services
• Laboratory services
• Preventive services

Whittier seniors may qualify for Medi-Cal if they:

• Are 64 years of age or older
• Are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or eligible immigrants
• Earn less than $16,612 per year ($22,491 for couples)
• Own less than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for couples)

While this asset limit is low, a number of assets are exempt. A primary home, household items, recreational items, personal effects and one car aren’t counted toward the limit. Real estate and personal property used for business purposes are also exempt.

Seniors who earn more than the Medi-Cal income limit may be eligible for a share of cost, which requires that a set amount of monthly income is spent on medical bills before Medi-Cal kicks in.

Seniors can apply for coverage on the Covered California website. Those who prefer to apply in person can enroll at KCAL Health Insurance Services, located at 2148 S Hacienda Blvd. in Hacienda Heights or call (626) 855-8288 for assistance.

For more information or to apply by phone, call the Covered California service center at (800) 300-1506. Seniors can also get answers to Medi-Cal questions through the state’s live chat service.

In addition to core benefits, Medi-Cal offers a number of home and community-based services waivers, including one for assisted living.

Assisted Living Waiver

This Medicaid waiver program may help Whittier seniors pay for assisted living care. The waiver doesn’t pay for room and board, but it covers a wide variety of assisted living services, including:

• Personal care and supportive services
• Skilled nursing and other health-related services
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Three nutritious meals per day
• Daily recreational activities
• Transportation
• Transitional services

The ALW also includes a care coordination benefit, which provides seniors with the services of a care coordinator who identifies their needs and organizes service delivery.

The waiver is only available to seniors who have full Medi-Cal coverage with no share of cost. Applicants must also have care needs normally met in a nursing home and be willing to receive services in an assisted living facility.

Enrollment in the ALW program is handled by Care Coordination Agencies, including Archangel Home Health, located at 16446 Woodruff Ave., Ste. A, in Bellflower. To learn more or apply, call Archangel Home Health at (562) 861-7047 or Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

PACE is a Medicaid and Medicare program that provides comprehensive medical and supportive services to frail seniors. These services can be provided at home, at a PACE center or in the community. Seniors can receive any Medicare or Medicaid-covered service through PACE as long as it’s authorized by their physician. The PACE program doesn’t contribute funds toward assisted living facility fees but may provide services a senior would otherwise pay for through their AL fees. 

Seniors may qualify for PACE participation if they:

• Are 55 years of age or older
• Live in the service area of a PACE provider
• Need a nursing home level of care
• Can safely live at home or in the community

PACE premiums are paid by Medicaid and Medicare, and seniors who are dually eligible for these programs won’t pay any out-of-pocket costs. 

Whitter’s PACE provider is AltaMed Senior BuenaCare. To learn more or to schedule a PACE assessment, call (855) 252-7223.

Optional State Supplementation

The federal government’s Supplemental Security Income program provides monthly cash assistance to low-income seniors with limited assets. Whittier SSI recipients may be eligible for an additional monthly state supplementation payment. 

For single seniors in assisted living facilities, the maximum combined benefit is $1,194.37 per month. Couples may receive up to $2,388.74 per month. 

For more information about SSI or the OSS program, call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in Whittier

Senior Centers

Whittier residents aged 55 or older can join the city’s two senior centers for just $3 per year. The centers offer a number of drop-in activities such as cards, billiards and table tennis. Scheduled programs and activities include art classes, line dancing, hikes, discussion groups and group outings.

Parnell Park Community and Senior Center 
15390 Lambert Rd., Whittier, CA 90604
(562) 567-9450

Uptown Senior Center 
13225 Walnut St., Whittier, CA 90602
(562) 567-9470

Social Security

Seniors can learn more about Social Security or SSI and apply for these programs at the local Whittier Social Security office. The office staff can also answer questions or help seniors enroll in Medicare.

Whittier Social Security Office 
7200 Greenleaf Ave., Ste. 200, Whittier, CA 90602
(800) 772-1213

Veterans Affairs

Eligible seniors in Whittier can access many Veterans Affairs resources located near the city. The Los Angeles VA hospital offers emergency care, cardiology, urology and other specialties, while the VA clinic in Santa Fe Springs provides primary care and related services. Seniors can visit the Vet Center in Commerce to receive counseling.

Santa Fe Springs VA Clinic 
10330 Pioneer Blvd., Ste. 180, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 347-2200

West Los Angeles VA Medical Center 
11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073
(310) 478-3711

East Los Angeles Vet Center 
5400 E Olympic Blvd., Ste. 140, Commerce, CA 90022
(323) 728-9966