4 Assisted Living Communities in Placerville, California

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,473 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 4 Assisted Living Communities in Placerville and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Placerville, CA

• Assisted Living: $4,473
• Nursing Home Care: $8,517
• In-home Care: $4,767
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,733

The monthly cost of assisted living in Placerville is comparable to the state median ($4,500), but about $500 higher than the average rate paid nationwide ($4,000). Costs in some cities in this area of California are notably lower, including Modesto ($3,200), Merced and Stockton ($3,500), and Yuba City ($3,679). With an average monthly price of $5,425, assisted living costs substantially more in the wine region city of Napa.

Note: Data for senior care costs wasn’t available for Placerville, so data for the Sacramento area was used instead.

To accurately compare the cost of senior care in Placerville, it’s important to consider the underlying factors that affect the rates. These typically include the type of care needed, setting and whether accommodations and meals are included. Nursing home ($8,517) and assisted living ($4,473) facility rates include room and board, but nursing homes average over $4,000 more per month because they provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care. Homemaker ($4,767) and home health aide ($4,957) services appear to average just a few hundred dollars more per month than assisted living, but this isn’t an accurate comparison. The difference is likely much greater because in-home care only covers the direct service hours provided. Seniors must also pay for food and household operating expenses, which can increase their monthly costs significantly.

 

Over 65 million low-income Americans receive free or low-cost health care coverage through Medicaid, a national, government-funded program that’s regulated federally and administered by each state. The California Medicaid program known as Medi-Cal provides coverage for one-quarter of the state’s population, including over 1.5 million elderly and disabled individuals. Those who qualify receive a wide range of essential services, including:

• Preventive care
• Hospital and emergency room care
• Prescription medications
• Doctor and specialist visits
• Physical therapy
• Dental and vision care

Qualifying for Medi-Cal Coverage

Placerville seniors aged 65 and older are eligible for coverage if they’re American citizens or legal residents and have:

• A monthly income of $1,242 or less as an individual or $1,682 as a couple
• Countable resources of $2,000 or less as a single person or $3,000 as a married couple

Medi-Cal counts all sources of income but disregards some resources, including personal effects, one automobile, irrevocable burial trusts, a primary home and household goods.

The program provides coverage for long-term care in nursing homes for those who meet the above resource limits without any restriction on income. Seniors eligible for or receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits are enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal automatically.

Qualifying With a Share of Cost

Those who exceed the income limits but have high medical bills may qualify for coverage with a share of cost. The share required is determined by an individual’s excess income. Once this amount is put toward medical expenses, coverage can begin.

Deductions for Spousal Allowances

Married seniors applying without their spouse may qualify even if they’re over the financial limits once spousal living and resource allowances are deducted. According to federal and state laws to prevent spousal impoverishment, the non-applicant may receive up to $3,160.50 of their spouse’s monthly income and retain up to $126,420 in joint assets. These rules only apply to seniors seeking Medi-Cal for long-term care in a nursing home or through a home and community-based waiver.

Placerville seniors can apply for Medi-Cal coverage online, in person at the local Health and Human Services office located at 3057 Briw Road or by calling (800) 300-1506.

Assisted Living Waiver

Medi-Cal introduced the assisted living waiver program to give seniors the option of residing in community-based assisted living facilities and reduce the number of nursing home admissions. The program is only available in 15 counties statewide, including adjacent Sacramento County. Placerville residents can apply for the ALW if they’re willing to relocate, are aged 21 or older and:

• Eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage with no share of cost
• Have been assessed as needing a nursing home level of care
• Deemed cognitively and physically capable of living in the community without any safety concerns

Participants in the program must pay their own assisted living room-and-board fees, but the waiver covers a number of facility-provided services, including:

• Transition assistance to relocate from a nursing home
• Care coordination and social services
• Oversight of medication administration
• Periodic skilled nursing care
• Meals and snacks
• Laundry and housekeeping services
• Help with daily living activities and personal care
• Recreational and social activities
• Transportation

To learn more about the ALW or begin the application process, Placerville seniors can contact Elder Options, the local approved Care Coordination Agency, at (530) 626-6939.

State Supplemental Payment

Placerville seniors aged 65 or older and blind or disabled adults who are approved for federal SSI benefits may also qualify for a monthly California State Supplemental payment.

To qualify for SSP benefits, single applicants must have a monthly income of $771 or less ($1,157 for couples) and have $2,000 or less in countable assets ($3,000 for couples). The maximum state benefit combined with the highest SSI payment for approved individuals is $931.72. For couples, the amount is $1,564.14, respectively.

The state of California allows the Social Security Administration to handle applications and approval decisions for SSP benefits, so seniors should contact the agency at (800) 772-1213 to apply.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is one option seniors may consider when they’re making plans for covering the costs of assisted living care in the future. LTC policies provide daily or monthly payments to cover specific types of care for a set term or indefinitely. The cost of coverage varies between insurers and depends on an applicant’s age, health history and chosen benefits.

To learn more about long-term care insurance or for help understanding the details of a policy or filing a claim, Placerville seniors can contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

The Older Adult Services department of El Dorado County is the designated Area Agency on Aging serving the Placerville area. The department coordinates and implements aging-related programs and services to ensure the health, well-being and quality of life of local residents aged 60 and over. The many resources Placerville seniors can access through the OAS include health insurance counseling, long-term care advocacy, legal assistance, shuttle and transit programs, adult protective services, peer counseling and in-home support. El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging
937 Spring St., Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 621-6150

Senior veterans and their families who need help determining what compensation is available should contact the El Dorado County Veterans Services department. The department’s trained staff can provide information, counseling and assistance with filing applications for county, state and VA benefits.

El Dorado County Veterans Services office
130 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 621-5892

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