4 Assisted Living Communities in Studio City, California

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

• Assisted Living: $4,500
• Nursing Home Care: $7,064
• In-home Care: $4,767
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,565

At an average monthly price of $4,500, assisted living in Studio City costs are in line with the state average ($4,500) and $500 above the national average. Prices in nearby Oxnard are similar ($4,575), while assisted living is $1,000 less expensive to the east in the Riverside area ($3,500). 

Statewide, assisted living costs are highest in the Bay Area cities, such as San Francisco, San Jose and Salinas ($5,500). Costs are lower throughout the central region of California, where costs range from $3,150 in Bakersfield up to $4,473 in Sacramento.  

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Studio City, so data for Los Angeles, the city where Studio City is located, was used. 

There are a wide range of senior care options available in Studio City, and the price of each option reflects the level of care provided. At $7,604 per month for a semiprivate room, nursing home care is the most expensive senior care service in Studio City because it involves 24/7 medical care. By comparison, adult day health services are the least expensive because this option involves nonmedical care in a group setting during weekdays only.  Assisted living costs $4,500 per month, which is $267 less than either a home health aide or homemaker service. Not only does assisted living cost less than in-home care, but it includes room and board along with most daily living expenses, such as utilities, home maintenance and groceries. 

 

About 25% of California’s residents are covered by Medicaid, the government-funded, state-administered health plan for low-income people. Medicaid benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital care, doctor visits, X-rays, lab tests and long-term care. Additionally, state-specific benefits may be provided, such as physical therapy, vision and dental care, expanded health screening programs and hospice care. 

In order to enroll in California’s Medi-Cal plan, seniors aged 65 and older can earn up to $1,242 per month ($1,682 per couple) and own up to $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 per couple). If only one spouse needs Medi-Cal, they fall under the single income limit and any money that their spouse makes is disregarded. 

Applicants can keep one vehicle, household furnishings, a prepaid burial contract and a home that’s owner occupied regardless of its assessed value. 

Share of Cost

Seniors who meet the Medi-Cal asset criteria, but have excess monthly income, may be eligible for a Share of Cost agreement if they have high, ongoing medical expenses. 

SOC works like a deductible on a private health insurance policy. Seniors agree to pay for their own preapproved medical expenses each month up to a limit set by Medi-Cal. Once that limit is reached, Medi-Cal benefits are activated for the remainder of the month. 

It’s important to know that seniors who enroll in Medi-Cal on a SOC basis are excluded from Medi-Cal waiver programs. 

For more information about Medi-Cal enrollment and the SOC program, call the LA County Department of Public Social Services at (818) 701-8200 or visit the East Valley and Santa Clarita Sub Office in Van Nuys. 

Assisted Living Waiver

The Assisted Living Waiver is a Medi-Cal home and community-based waiver that prevents institutionalization of fragile seniors by funding additional care services in select assisted living facilities. 

To qualify for the ALW, seniors must be aged 65 or older, have no-cost Medi-Cal benefits and meet the clinical criteria placement in a nursing facility. Seniors who already live in a nursing home may also apply to the ALW, and if accepted, they’re provided with transitional supports.

Personal care and health services offered through the ALW are assigned based on each participant’s care plan and may include:

• Skilled and intermittent nursing
• Help with activities of daily living
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Home-delivered meals and snacks
• Adult day health and recreational programming
• Transportation
• Mobility equipment and devices
• Medical supplies
• Case management

ALW services are only delivered in participating facilities, therefore, seniors who are accepted into ALW may be placed on a wait list. 

For more information on the ALW and to request an ALW assessment, contact Access TLC Home Health Care, the Los Angeles County Care Coordinator Agency, at (818) 551-1900. 

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Seniors aged 55 and older who need nursing home level of care and are able to live safely in the community with supports may be eligible for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

This managed care program allows frail seniors to age in place in their homes or an assisted living facility by providing all medical and nonmedical services. PACE includes all of the mandatory Medi-Cal benefits along with:

• Occupational, physical and speech therapy

• Case management and social work

• Nutritional counseling

• Communal dining and home-delivered meals

• Adult day health services and recreational programming

• In-home care, including personal care and homemaker service

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications

• Access to 24-hour emergency medical care

• Transportation to the PACE center and off-site medical appointments

Most PACE services are centralized at the local PACE center — a barrier-free multipurpose center equipped with outpatient medical clinics, therapy rooms and recreational spaces. Once a senior signs up for PACE, all of their Medi-Cal funded services are delivered through PACE-affiliated providers. 

Seniors who are eligible for Medicare and no-cost Medi-Cal can enroll in PACE for free. Seniors who have a share-of-cost agreement with Medi-Cal pay a monthly PACE fee equivalent to their Medi-Cal SOC. PACE also accepts participants on a private-pay basis. 

For more information, contact On Lok Lifeways, the PACE provider for Santa Clara County, at (888) 886-6565.

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors aged 65 and older who live in an assisted living facility and collect Supplemental Security Income qualify for cash benefits through the Optional State Supplementation program. 

The OSS helps seniors cover their room-and-board costs by adding state funds to their monthly SSI benefit. Individuals may receive up to $1,194.37 ($2,338.74 for a couple) in monthly OSS/SSI benefits. 

For more information on the California OSS program, contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

The City of Los Angeles operates 29 senior centers; two of the centers are located near Studio City. These centers operate hot lunch programs, host escorted field trips to local attractions and have daily social activities designed to keep seniors active and connected. 

Las Palmas Senior Center
1820 Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 465-7787

Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center
5056 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 386-9674

Veterans and survivors can learn about local, state and federal entitlements through the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. Appointments are available at multiple service centers throughout the county.  For more information, call (877) 452-8387. 

Outpatient VA health services are available at the Los Angeles VA Clinic, and eligible vets can access comprehensive hospital services at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. 

Los Angeles VA Clinic
351 E. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012-3328
(213) 253-5000

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