3 Assisted Living Communities in Sonora, California

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,200 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 3 Assisted Living Communities in Sonora and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Sonora, CA

• Assisted Living: $3,200
• Nursing Home Care: $8,882
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,517

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care study, Sonora has one of the lowest average costs for assisted living in California. This area is less expensive than the state average by $1,300 and the national average by $800.

When compared to nearby areas, the savings in cost aren’t as dramatic. In Stockton and Merced, the monthly cost is an average of $300 higher than Sonora. The lowest average cost for assisted living in California is in Bakersfield ($3,150), and the highest is in San Luis Obispo ($5,450).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Sonora, so data for the closest city, Modesto, was used.

The price difference between assisted living and nursing home care is relatively large in Sonora compared to the rest of California, with the latter costing almost three times as much. The distinction between these two types of senior care is that nursing home care includes round-the-clock skilled nursing, whereas assisted living has less intensive care.  In-home and adult day health services are also relatively expensive in Sonora. Homemaker and health aide services cost about $1,300 more per month compared to assisted living, and this is before taking into account the utilities, groceries and other bills that are covered in the cost of most facilities.

 

California’s state-run Medicaid program is Medi-Cal. The purpose of this Medicaid program is to provide medical services and related programs to low-income individuals. Medi-Cal has its own requirements for eligibility, including varying levels of service depending on income, assets, disability, age and other factors.

Assisted living is not supported by Medi-Cal by default because the federal government places restrictions on what state-run Medicaid programs can distribute funds towards. However, through the use of a waiver, it’s possible to have this restriction lifted. This requires Californians to apply for the Assisted Living waiver (ALW) program, which is explained in this guide.

Medi-Cal is split into full- or partial-scope coverage, and some applicants may be required to pay a share of cost (SOC). For low-income seniors in California, one of the easiest methods of securing full-scope coverage with no SOC is through Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Everyone who currently receives SSI qualifies for what is often known as SSI-Linked Medi-Cal.

Seniors (65+) as well as the disabled or blind who aren’t eligible for SSI should consider the Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level program. This category of coverage is full-scope and has no share of cost. Applicants for the A&D FPL program must own countable assets under $2,000 and have an income under $1,242 a month as of 2019 (for couples, it’s $3,000 and $1,682).

Californians who exceed the monthly income limit but have countable assets below $2,000 can qualify for institutional or nursing home Medicaid. However, this partial-scope category of coverage can only be used by those who have been assessed as requiring a nursing home level of care, and it’s not possible to benefit from the Assisted Living waiver program at this level.

Apply for Medi-Cal at Covered California via the online forms, or call (800) 300-1506. Free assistance is available via local enrollment helpers and educational events for the public.

Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALW)

Californians seeking help with assisted living payments can take advantage of the Assisted Living waiver program.

To qualify for the waiver, residents must be approved for a full-scope Medi-Cal category of coverage that has no share of cost. Applicants must also be assessed as needing a nursing home level of care.

It’s important to note that Tuolumne County doesn’t currently participate in this waiver program, but residents of Sonora and the county as a whole can still benefit from it. If successful in their application, residents are required to move to an assisted living community within one of the participating counties. Currently active counties in the ALW can be found on the DHCS website.

Applications for the Assisted Living Waiver are handled differently than most federal or state assistance programs. Interested individuals must contact a Care Coordination Agency in your area for an assessment. For more information, call (800) 585-6606.

Optional State Supplement (OSS)

The federal government provides financial assistance to at-risk groups, such as seniors and the disabled, who have a low income. This assistance comes in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSI can provide an additional monthly payment increase called the Optional State Supplement (OSS) program, which helps with assisted living costs. The specific amount of additional payment is determined by age, disability, marital status and current living arrangements; however, seniors may receive a maximum combined SSI and OSS benefit payment of $1,194.37 ($2,388.74 per couple) per month.

Call ahead to make an appointment to apply for OSS at a nearby Social Security office, or call the local Sonora office at (800) 772-1213.

Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance (A&A) Program

The Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance program may provide veterans or their surviving spouse an additional source of funds that can be used for assisted living costs. If accepted into the program, payments from A&A are in addition to the pension the applicant is currently receiving.

To be eligible, veterans must have served a minimum of 90 days of active duty with at least one of those days determined to be during wartime. They must also have received an honorable discharge. The maximum income for an individual applicant is $22,577 ($26,766 with dependant) per year as of 2019.

Successful applicants must also meet at least one of these requirements:

• Require assistance with some activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, eating, bathing and putting on prosthetic devices

• Be bedridden due to disability

• Reside in a nursing facility for physical or mental disabilities

• Be legally blind

Detailed requirements can be viewed at VA Benefits. Call the Tuolumne County Veterans Service Office in Sonora at (209) 533-6280 during business hours for more information.

Sonora is served by the Area 12 Area Agency on Aging (AAA), which advocates for seniors’ independence to enhance their quality of life. Certified specialists provide free assistance to seniors and their families, including help identifying beneficial services such as Medicaid waivers and providing referrals and supports for care management. Area 12 Agency on Aging
19074 Standard Road, Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-6272

Veterans and their families can stay up to date with their VA benefits through local VSOs. The Veterans Service office in Sonora offers assistance in determining eligibility for various benefits, including the A&A program detailed in this guide. The staff can begin the application process and keep track as it moves through the system or help with an appeal if denied.

Tuolumne County Veterans Service Office
105 Hospital Road, Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 533-6280

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