Over 16,000 Californians died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2019, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This is an increase of 281% since 2000 and makes Alzheimer’s the state’s third-leading cause of death. Currently, 690,000 seniors are living with the condition, and that number is projected to rise by 21.7% to 840,000 by 2025. The CDC expects that almost 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s or other dementias by 2060.
Memory care facilities provide those living with Alzheimer's and dementia with care that is tailored to their unique needs. Memory care can take place in its own facility, or as part of a designated wing of another residential care community. Staff members of memory care units or facilities undergo specialized training in caring for those with memory impairment, and the facilities often coordinate social activities and schedules specifically for the needs of those living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
This guide will cover the cost of memory care in California, financial assistance options for paying for memory care, free memory care resources in the state, and a directory of memory care facilities in California.
Because of the specialized staff training and resources required to provide high-quality memory care, memory care typically costs more than other types of residential care. On average, memory care will cost 20-30% more than assisted living.
To calculate the cost of memory care, we added 25% to the assisted living costs in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This shows that the average monthly cost of memory care in California is $6,563, which is almost $1,000 higher than the United States average of $5,625. California’s costs are also high when compared to its neighbors. Oregon’s prices are similar at $6,306, while in Arizona, seniors pay $5,000. Nevada is the most affordable of nearby states, with a cost of $4,688 per month.
Costs can vary widely depending on where you reside. Average rates in California range from $8,810 in Santa Rosa to $4,313 in Visalia. The state’s biggest cities fall on the higher end of the range. In Los Angeles, the cost is $6,563, and San Diego’s prices are slightly higher at $6,844. Farther north in San Francisco, seniors pay an average of $7,899 per month.
In California, Medicaid is known as Medi-Cal. It provides free and low-cost health coverage to eligible Californians. In addition to covering medical care, Medi-Cal offers nursing home care and some personal care in the home. Memory care that’s received in a residential setting isn’t covered directly by the program. Instead, Medi-Cal has four waiver programs that provide home and community-based services. This includes the Assisted Living Waiver, which can cover memory care services.
Assisted Living Waiver Program
The Assisted Living Waiver Program helps people who need a nursing home level of care remain living in the community. It’s open to residents statewide but only available through certain providers. These providers are only located in 15 counties, so participants may need to relocate to access the program. In addition, there’s a limited number of slots available, so applicants may be put on a waitlist.
People in the program get access to the range of services offered in assisted living facilities. This includes:
The ALWP asks participants to contribute to the cost of room and board. In 2021, the monthly rate for room and board was $1,079.37 or $1,099.37, depending on the individual’s income.
Seniors must meet both income and asset limits to be eligible for the program. In California, the financial criteria for waivers are the same as those for regular Medicaid for people aged 65 and over. Single applicants must earn less than $1,481 a month and have countable assets of less than $2,000. Married couples can have an income of up to $2,003 per month and assets of $3,000 when both spouses are applying.
When only one spouse is applying for the waiver, the limits are the same as for single applicants. However, the non-applicant spouse can have up to $137,400 in assets and may be eligible for a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance. This allows the non-applicant to keep some of the applicant's income to ensure they can meet their needs.
2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in California
family size | annual income limits | asset limits |
---|---|---|
Single Person | $17,772 | $2,000 |
Two-Person Household (Single Applicant) | $17,772 | $2,000 applicant; $137,400 non-applicant |
Two-Person Household (Dual Applicants) | $24,036 | $3,000 |
In addition to financial criteria, applicants for the waiver must also:
California has assistance available to help people applying for Medicaid. This includes a helpline, guidebook and in-person counseling.
resource | contact | description |
---|---|---|
My Medi-Cal | Online | My Medi-Cal is a guidebook produced by the California Department of Health Care Services to help people applying for Medicaid. It has detailed information about how to apply, benefits covered and the rights and responsibilities of Medi-Cal recipients. |
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program | 800-434-0222 | HICAP is a free program that provides one-on-one counseling to individuals and their families regarding health insurance and long-term care planning. Although originally designed to assist with Medicare decisions, all counselors are trained in Medi-Cal and can help with applications, filing appeals and more. |
Medi-Cal Member and Provider Helpline | 800-541-5555 | The Medi-Cal Member and Provider Helpline has staff available to answer questions during business hours. Assistance includes help applying for Medi-Cal, learning about the services offered and finding Medicaid providers. |
Unfortunately, Medicare does not generally cover the cost of Memory Care. Most Memory Care Facilities are considered to be "social settings," so Medicare does not cover the cost incurred in these facilities. The only exception to that is if you are receiving memory care services in a Nursing Home. While this situation is much less common, Medicare would sometimes cover the cost, depending on a number of circumstances.
That being said, Medicare does still cover qualified doctor visits, medications, etc., as it would if you were still at home, but it will not cover the cost of care received at the Memory Care Facility.
In addition to the state programs mentioned above, those looking for resources to finance memory care may consider:
Facilities in California that provide memory care are categorized as residential care facilities for the elderly, and include board-and-care homes with up to 15 residents and assisted living facilities with 16 or more residents. RCFEs are licensed and inspected through the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD). Inspections of each facility in the state are conducted every five years, which the CCLD accomplishes by randomly selecting 30% to inspect annually. The CCLD also makes yearly targeted visits to facilities with a history of compliance issues.
RCFEs are licensed as non-medical facilities, and are not required to have doctors, registered nurses or certified nursing assistants on staff. Facilities that accept residents with memory impairment must comply with specific licensing requirements to ensure the state's standard of care and safety of individuals with dementia is met. RCFEs that offer memory care must have a plan of operation that details the:
The level of care provided in residential care facilities for the elderly is suitable for individuals who can no longer live on their own but do not require 24-hour nursing care. The scope of care includes housing and various support services to assist residents with the normal tasks of daily living. At minimum, RCFEs must provide or coordinate these services:
Facilities that offer care for those diagnosed with dementia must meet additional requirements that include:
Residential care facilities for the elderly in California must have a minimum 75% ratio of residents aged 60 or older, and may only accept younger individuals who have care needs that are compatible with other residents. This chart details other requirements:
Residents Who May Be Admitted
Older adults and people who:
Residents Who May NOT Be Admitted
Those who:
RCFEs must complete a preadmission assessment of an individual's functional abilities, mental and physical condition, and interests, likes, and dislikes. They must also obtain medical assessment results, signed by a physician, to verify the person can receive an adequate level of care in the facility. For those with dementia, a written physician care plan that minimizes the use of psychoactive medications is also required.
Within two weeks of admission, facility staff must meet with a new resident and their family or legal representative to formulate a personalized care plan that details strategies to maintain or enhance the individual's mental, social and physical well-being. An individual must be reassessed and their care plan updated if their condition changes significantly, or on an annual basis at a minimum.
RCFEs may store and distribute medications, however, residents must be able to self-administer their own medications with assistance from a facility staff member. Medications may only be administered by a licensed medical professional, and the facility has met any special regulations and licensing requirements set forth by the CCLD to arrange or provide such services.
RCFEs are not required to provide private apartments, but occupancy is limited to two residents per bedroom. There is no square footage requirement for rooms, but they must be sufficient to allow for furnishings, equipment and resident mobility. Facilities may offer either private or shared bathrooms, and must provide a minimum of one washbasin and toilet for every six residents, and one shower or bathtub for every 10 persons.
RCFEs must employ a certified administrator who manages day-to-day operations and have an administrator, manager or qualified alternate on-site 24 hours per day. There are no specific staffing ratios required, but a facility must have sufficient care staff on duty to meet the needs of residents at all times. RCFEs with more than 16 residents must have an adequate number of awake overnight staff based on the number of residents. At least one staff member with CPR training must be on the premises at all times.
Administrators must complete an 80-hour long initial certification program, and pass a written exam. They must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, which includes eight hours of training in Alzheimer's disease and dementia care.
Staff must have related experience in their assigned job or receive on-the-job training. Those providing direct care to residents must have 40 hours of initial training: they must complete 20 hours before working with residents independently and the remaining 20 in the first four weeks of employment.
Direct care staff working with memory care residents must receive 12 hours of initial training in dementia care, and complete half before working with residents independently and the remainder during the first four weeks of employment. Staff must also complete eight hours of in-service dementia care training each year.
Additional initial and ongoing training is required for staff who assist residents with medication self-administration, or provide hospice or restricted health care, and all facility staff must receive training in first aid.
The California Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, does not pay room and board costs in RCFEs. However, the state offers the Assisted Living Waiver program to help eligible individuals cover the cost of certain memory-care related services received in RCFEs that have been approved as participating providers.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides assistance with complaints or concerns related to poor quality of care, safety and health issues or verbal, mental, physical or financial abuse in RCFEs. Residents and others may contact the local ombudsman in their county or call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman CRISISline at 800-231-4024 for immediate assistance.
Seniors in California who require memory care can access many free and low-cost resources. Government and nonprofit organizations provide assistance with a range of needs, including diagnosis, care planning and connecting with other people who have dementia.
resource | contact | description |
---|---|---|
The Healthy Brain Initiative: California Project | 916-552-9927 | The California Project of the Healthy Brain Initiative identified practical educational tools to aid in the prevention, diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. |
Dementia Care Management Toolkit | 844-435-7259 | The Dementia Care Management toolkit developed by Alzheimer's Los Angeles provides assessment tools to help health care professionals identify those with dementia and assess their care needs. |
California Alzheimer's Disease Centers | The California Alzheimer's Disease Centers are a statewide network of ten dementia care centers providing comprehensive assessments that include laboratory tests, neuroimaging and neurological, medical, psychological and psychosocial evaluations, as well as access to clinical trials and research studies. | |
Alzheimer's Association | The five Chapters and numerous local offices of the Alzheimer's Association located throughout California provide support services and educational resources for individuals with dementia and their loved ones. The organization also supports research and funding efforts within the state and nationwide. | |
California Alzheimer’s Disease Centers | The California Alzheimer’s Disease Centers are a network of ten dementia care Centers of Excellence. They’re located throughout the state and provide assessment, diagnosis and care. Many also conduct research studies and have support groups, education and information available for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. | |
Alzheimer’s Association | 800-272-3900 | The Alzheimer’s Association is a national nonprofit organization that provides education and support to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. It has five local chapters across California that offer support groups, caregiver training and social programs for people in the early stages of the disease. There’s also a 24-hour helpline to answer questions and provide referrals to local resources. |
Caregiver Resource Centers | There are 11 nonprofit Caregiver Resource Centers around California that help the families and caregivers of people affected by chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The range of services available at the centers include counseling, care planning and financial consultation. | |
California Healthy Brain Initiative | The California Healthy Brain Initiative funds projects that help address dementia throughout the state. The initiative aims to educate the public, develop policies, ensure workers understand the condition and monitor dementia in the community. | |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman | 1-800-231-4024 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program provides advocacy for people living in long-term care facilities, such as memory care units. Representatives investigate and help resolve complaints related to health, safety, day-to-day care and personal preferences. |
Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/2/2022. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your Memory Care Facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.
question | answer |
---|---|
Am I allowed to visit my loved one in person? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Is my loved one required to quarantine after I visit him or her? | No (Conditions Apply) |
Am I required to wear a mask if I visit my loved one in person? | Yes |
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Are residents allowed to leave the facility at-will? | Yes |
Are residents of senior living facilities who leave required to quarantine when they get back? | No (Conditions Apply) |
Are staff members and contractors checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Are staff members and contractors tested for COVID-19? | Yes |
Do staff members have to regularly screen residents for COVID-19 symptoms? | Yes |
Do staff members have to regularly check residents for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Do staff members have to regularly test residents for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |