State regulations
With the senior population in the United States, California is also one of the most expensive places to retire according to U.S. Census 2010 cost of living index. Finding the best assisted living for your budget and care needs is all the more important.
Cost of Assisted Living in California
According to the 2012 A Place for Mom Senior Living Costs Survey, the median monthly cost to live in an assisted living one bedroom apartment in California is $3,341.
A Place for Mom uses the term “assisted living” to indicate that the community provides some level of assistance with daily living activities. It is not intended to indicate that the facility meets official state requirements for level of care.
California Assisted Living Regulation Agency
Assisted living facilities in California are licensed, monitored and regulated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with the California Department of Social Services. The California Department of Public Health inspects properties only once every five years. However, if the facility has frequent complaints or poor inspection results, it will be inspected annually.
File a complaint about a residential care facility for the elderly.
Top Cities in California
Monthly costs in neighboring states
All cities offering Assisted Living
Assisted Living Rules and Regulations in California
For many people. choosing the best assisted living care for a loved one can feel overwhelming. States provide insight into assisted living records and inspection reports, but public access to these records can vary greatly from state to state. Learn more about accessing public records in California and how California ranks when it comes to assisted living records transparency.
Public Records and License Status
To access records in the state of California, visit the California Department of Social Services and click on “find licensed care” to see a list of licensed facilities in the state. Once you search for a facility, click on Inspection Reports to view violations a community has had.
California ranks in the bottom 50% of all states when it comes to assisted living transparency. This is mainly due to the fact that inspections in the state take place every five years, although information about violations, inspections and complaints is searchable online.
Violations and Resident Protection
In California, a list of licensed assisted living communities are located online in a searchable form. The information is updated frequently and the state posts information about inspections, survey results, complaints or violations online. The state shows special licensing information and the capacity for licensed communities but does not show price or payment types accepted at the facility.
The state performs inspections every 60 months, or every 5 years and is able to fine facilities.