Almost 40 million people are living in California, and just under 15% of them are 65 or older. In the next few years, this group is expected to grow and account for 19% of the population by 2030. This means that they will need more accessible care. In order to do this, the state has top hospitals like UCLA Medical Center, which is ranked nationally in more than a dozen specialties and conditions, and Stanford Hospital, which is ranked nationally in 11 specialties.
There are also many home care agencies in the state that offer basic housekeeping services. Also, many home health care providers offer skilled nursing services. Both levels of care cost $6,101 per month, but your costs may be higher or lower depending on how much care you need.
Learn more about how much in-home care costs for seniors in California, by comparing how rates vary in different parts of the state, how they compare to other long-term care options, and more.
According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of home care in California is $6,101 per month, which is $1,000 higher than the national average of $4,957. In Oregon, the monthly costs are about the same, at $6,006, but in Arizona and Nevada, the monthly rates are lower, at $5,339 and $5,148, respectively.
How much you pay for home care in California depends a lot on where you live. In-home services cost the least in El Centro, where the average monthly fee is $3,432, while Visalia residents pay $5,339. Residents of Chico and Vallejo pay $5,720 and $5,958, which are closer to the state average. In Sacramento, the capital city of California, care costs $6,292 per year. The most expensive places in California to get in-home care are Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, where residents pay $6,864 and $7,150 per month.
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Long-term care costs in California range from less than $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much care you need and where you live. Adult day health care costs $1,842 per month and is for people who want to stay at home but need help with personal care, meals, and activities during the day in a group setting.
For $5,250 per month, assisted living gives you all these services and a place to live. On the other hand, in-home care and home health care cost $6,101 per month, while nursing home care costs $9,794 per month and is the most expensive option in the state.
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid managed care program, may cover in-home care and home health care for seniors. This program pays for medically required emergency services and hospitalization, outpatient care, laboratory services, rehabilitative services, preventative care, and prescription medications, as well as home health care to help people avoid going to a nursing home.
Basic in-home services like meal preparation and help with daily activities are not covered by the regular Medi-Cal program. However, these services are covered by a number of waivers and programs, such as the In-Home Support Services Program, the Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver, the Multipurpose Senior Services Program Waiver, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. In contrast to regular Medi-Cal, these programs have limits on how many people can join, and eligible people may be put on a waitlist.
Home care services are covered by a number of Medi-Cal programs and waivers, so low-income seniors can get personalized care. Each program has its own rules, but in general, applicants for services must meet Medi-Cal's guidelines for financial and functional needs. Take note that you can't be in more than one program at the same time.
To qualify for Medi-Cal, your income and assets must fall within the program's guidelines. Single applicants may have a maximum annual income of $18,768; married applicants may have a maximum household income of $25,272. Single applicants are granted $2,000 in countable assets, whereas married applicants are granted $3,000.
To be eligible for services, seniors must also meet a few additional requirements. To qualify, you must be:
You can apply for Medi-Cal in person, over the phone, or by mailing a Single Streamlined Application to your local county social services office. Likewise, you can submit your application online at www.CoveredCA.com.
Having specific documentation on hand prior to initiating the application procedure can facilitate a prompt decision. The following are examples of information you may be required to provide:
While the aforementioned programs assist many individuals in financing in-home care, they do not cover all expenses for everyone. There are more options to pay for in-home care, including as private arrangements with siblings, reverse mortgages, annuities, and private insurance.
