2 Assisted Living Communities in Lompoc, California

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,500 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 2 Assisted Living Communities in Lompoc and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Lompoc, California

• Assisted Living: $4,500
• Nursing Home Care: $7,604
• In-home Care: $4,767
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,565

In Lompoc, assisted living costs are on par with the California average of $4,500 but somewhat higher than the national average of $4,000, according to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Care Study. Assisted living costs are about the same in Oxnard ($4,575) but are around $1,000 lower in Riverside ($3,500) and El Centro ($3,650). The cost of assisted living is much higher along the coast in cities such as San Luis Obispo ($5,450) and San Francisco ($5,500). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Lompoc, so data for the closest city, Los Angeles, was used.

The type of care required is usually the biggest factor in the cost of senior care, and Lompoc is no exception. Nursing home care in Lompoc is about $3,100 higher than assisted living, with semiprivate rooms averaging $7,604 per month. Homemaker and home health aide services are both $267 more expensive than assisted living. When choosing between care types, consider the added expenses of utilities, rent, groceries and upkeep of your home. Remember that assisted living fees usually include these expenses.

 

California’s Medicaid plan is called Medi-Cal. The program helps low-income seniors and disabled citizens pay for nursing home care, doctor and dental care, prescription drugs, transportation, in-home care, adult day health care and personal care services.

Medi-Cal may pay for some or all of the needed services depending on the applicant’s qualifications, which are based on the following general criteria:

• Aged 65 or older
• Blind or disabled
• Living in an intermediate care home or nursing home
• Legal resident of California and the U.S.
• Maximum income of 138 percent of the federal poverty level 
• Maximum countable assets of $2,000 per individual and $3,000 per couple, including bank accounts, cash, investments and real estate (excluding a home an applicant still resides in and one personal vehicle)

Lompoc seniors can apply for Medi-Cal online, by visiting the local social services office at 1100 W. Laurel Ave. or by calling (805) 737-7080.

Full coverage for assisted living isn’t provided under Medi-Cal, but seniors can apply for a waiver to help pay for some services in this setting as an alternative to nursing home care.

Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver

Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living waiver doesn’t pay the room-and-board portion of assisted living fees, but it does cover some provided services such as meals, housekeeping, laundry, recreation, health and social services and transportation. The program also pays for care coordination and the cost of transitioning from a nursing facility if needed.

To qualify for the waiver program, applicants must be enrolled in Medi-Cal and assessed and determined to require a nursing facility level of care. Unlike nursing home care, this program isn’t an entitlement, so qualified seniors may be placed on a waiting list due to enrollment caps.

The ALW program isn’t available in Santa Barbara County. However, Lompoc seniors who relocate to one of the 15 participating counties statewide may be able to take advantage of the program. Lompoc seniors may find approved ALW facilities in nearby Santa Clara County.

To apply, seniors or their caregivers should contact the nearest Care Coordination Agency.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Seniors with long-term care insurance have their annual care costs in assisted living and nursing care homes paid by their insurance providers. Typically, there’s a yearly deductible set up at the time the policy is purchased.

Eligibility and policy terms vary across providers and depend on the plan chosen. However, most insurance companies don’t offer this insurance to seniors in poor health or who require daily care. The price of a long-term policy is primarily determined by the policyholder’s age and health history.

Elderlife Bridge Loan

Bridge loans can provide seniors with short-term funding to pay for assisted living care. Funds can be sent to the care facility directly and repaid in monthly installments. Elderlife Financial bridge loans offer low interest rates and flexible terms of up to 24 months.

Eligibility is determined based on a number of factors, including credit history and income. Seniors can have up to six family members cosign their loan application to improve their chances of approval.

Seniors can apply for a bridge loan by calling Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

Optional State Supplement 

Federal Supplemental Security Income benefits are available to low-income seniors and disabled citizens who meet the program’s eligibility guidelines. California offers an additional supplemental payment to those who qualify for SSI through its Optional State Supplement program.

The specific payment amount is based on an individual’s age, physical limitations, marital status and living arrangement. 

To apply for OSS in Lompoc, contact the Social Security Administration office at (800) 772-1213.

Veterans eligible for medical care can visit the Santa Maria VA clinic to receive regular checkups and treatment by specialists, such as cardiologists, gynecologists and mental health providers. Eligible veterans can apply for assistance with the cost of prescriptions, medical equipment and prosthetics. The Santa Barbara County Veterans Affairs office offers information and help applying for benefits, pensions and other financial assistance a veteran may be eligible for.

Santa Maria VA Clinic
1550 E Main St., Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)-354-6000

Santa Barbara County Veterans Affairs
401 E Cypress Ave., Rm. 101, Lompoc, CA  93436
(805) 737-7900

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.