6 Assisted Living Communities in Tehama County, California

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,900 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 6 Assisted Living Communities in Tehama County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Tehama County, CA

• Assisted Living: $3,900
• Nursing Home Care: $8,745
• In-home Care: $4,862
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,788

The average cost of assisted living in Tehama County, according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey, is $3,900 per month. This is well under the state’s average cost of $4,500 and also slightly below the national average of $4,000. Among the other areas listed in Northern California, only Stockton ($3,500) is less expensive than Tehama County. Seniors in cities such as Sacramento ($4,473) and the Vallejo area ($4,350) pay prices close to the state median, while those in cities closer to the Pacific coast, such as Santa Rosa ($5,500) and Napa ($5,425), pay significantly more.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Tehama County, so data for the closest city, Redding, was used.

With a monthly average rate of $8,745 per month, 24-hour skilled nursing home care in Tehama County is more than double the cost of assisted living ($3,900). Home health care services, caregivers who provide ongoing support within a senior’s home, are also more expensive than assisted living at an average of $4,862 per month. This cost, unlike the costs associated with assisted living, doesn’t include necessary living expenses, such as mortgage payments, home maintenance, meals and utilities. For mobile seniors who don’t require around-the-clock care or have a caregiver at home, adult day health services ($1,788) may be a more affordable option.

California’s health insurance program for low-income seniors, individuals with disabilities, families with children and pregnant women is called Medi-Cal. The program provides the following free or low-cost essential health benefits to enrolled members:

• Wellness services and doctor’s visits
• Chronic disease management
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Prescription drugs
• Hospitalization
• Emergency services
• Laboratory services
• Behavioral and mental health counseling and treatment

Seniors who want to enroll in Medi-Cal should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be at least 65 years old, disabled or blind
• Live in a nursing home, intermediate care facility or other community setting in which they receive care
• Participate in a refugee assistance program
• Receive Supplemental Security Income
• Have no more than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (married couple) in assets, excluding certain items such as a home, furniture and personal vehicle, and earn no more than $16,395 (individual) or $22,108 (married couple) in annual income

Seniors in Tehama County can apply for Medi-Cal online, or they can call the Covered California Service Center at (800) 300-1506 or visit the Tehama County Department of Social Services at 310 South Main Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080 for more information.

Assisted Living Waiver
California’s Assisted Living waiver may be an option for Tehama County seniors who wish to live in an assisted living home and are able or willing to relocate to a nearby covered county, such as Sonoma, Sacramento or Contra Costa.

ALW services include:

• Residence in an assisted living facility for a set, low-cost monthly rate (SSI recipients pay $1,039.37, and those with income greater than $1,193.37 pay $1,059.37)
• Application of an individualized service plan and care coordination services
• Assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating and dressing
• Medication administration and oversight
• Transportation services

To qualify for the ALW, Tehama County seniors must first be eligible for Medicaid and require the level of care provided in a nursing facility. Because the ALW is not considered an entitlement program, qualified individuals may be placed on a wait list to receive services. Those interested in enrolling should call the NorCal Care Coordinator Agency at (916) 385-2784 to request an in-person assessment of care needs. 

Elderlife Bridge Loans
Tehama County seniors interested in receiving a line of credit to help pay for assisted living costs can apply for an Elderlife Financial bridge loan. These low-interest loans can last for a term of up to 12 months and can be used to pay for living costs such as rent and moving fees at a care facility.

To qualify for a bridge loan, seniors can apply with six other family members as co-applicants. Elderlife evaluates combined credit scores, income and asset information as well as the applicant’s plan to pay for assisted living costs once the loan term is over. In as little as 24 hours after an applicant is approved, Elderlife can send funds directly to an assisted living facility. Seniors can easily request disbursements at their convenience and set up automatic payments.

Individuals can apply for a bridge loan online or over the phone at (888) 228-4500.

Veterans Aid and Attendance
Veterans and their surviving spouses who live in Tehama County may qualify for the Veterans Aid and Attendance program. This federal program distributes payments to eligible individuals in addition to their monthly pension. 

To qualify, a veteran or survivor must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Require caregiver support for activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing and bathing

• Are bedridden due to disability or illness

• Have corrected vision of no more than 5/200 in both eyes and 5 degrees or less concentric contraction of the visual field

• Are a skilled nursing facility patient

Interested individuals can apply for assistance at the Rancho Cordova benefits office located at 3046 Prospect Park, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. They can also send a written report containing evidence of illness or disability, mobility level and daily habits to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: St. Paul Pension Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365

Tehama County’s local Area Agency on Aging is located in Chico and provides seniors with free services and resources, such as the Caregiver Resource Center that includes an ombudsman program and offers health insurance counseling. Passages
25 Main Street, Chico, CA 95929
(800) 822-0109

The Veterans Service Office provides area veterans and their immediate family members with benefits assistance, referrals and information services for programs such as home loans and outpatient services. The office also provides residents with Tehama County ID cards for enrollment in the free lifetime bus rides program for veterans. The Redding VA clinic offers veterans a full range of outpatient health care services and a mobile clinic for those living in rural areas.

Veterans Service Office
444 Oak St., Room C, Red Bluff, CA 96080
(530) 529-3664

Redding VA Clinic
351 Hartnell Ave., Redding, CA 96002-1845
(530) 226-7555

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