13 Assisted Living Communities in Visalia, California

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,675 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 13 Assisted Living Communities in Visalia and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Visalia, CA

• Assisted Living: $3,675
• Nursing Home Care: $6,540
• In-home Care: $4,290
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,040

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care study, the average monthly cost of assisted living facilities in Visalia ($3,675) is relatively affordable when compared to most other areas in California. The state average is almost $900 higher per month at $4,500.

Nearby areas, such as Hanford and Fresno, are similarly priced to Visalia with only about $100 per month difference. The least expensive average cost for assisted living facilities in California can be found in Bakersfield at $3,150 per month, and the most expensive is in San Luis Obispo at $5,450 a month.

The cost of adult day health services is relatively low in Visalia compared to nearby areas, and it’s the least expensive level of care available. Choosing this level of care could result in considerable savings over time if the individual doesn’t require extensive services in the home. A semiprivate room in a nursing home will cost an average of $6,540 a month, almost double that of assisted living. Homemaker and home health services cost $600 to $800 more per month compared to assisted living and don’t include living expenses, such as rent, groceries, utilities or transportation. 

 

The federal and state governments fund Medicaid to help low-income people, including the elderly and disabled, pay for a wide variety of professional services, such as medical equipment, ongoing care, emergency care, dental and transportation. The state-run Medicaid program in California is called Medi-Cal.

Medicaid programs generally don’t directly cover expenses related to assisted living. However, most states realize that assisted living is much more affordable than a nursing home and have implemented programs that can help residents pay for this level of care. The waiver program for assisted living in California is detailed in the section below.

Successful applicants for Medi-Cal receive full- or partial-scope coverage depending on eligibility, and in other cases there may be a share of cost (SOC) for this service. However, low-income seniors automatically qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage with no share of cost if they receive Supplemental Security Income payments. This plan is sometimes referred to as SSI-Linked Medi-Cal.

Californians aged 65 or over and the disabled who don’t qualify for SSI may be able to secure full-scope coverage with no share of cost through the Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level program. To qualify for the A&D FPL program, applicants must own less than $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for married couples in countable assets and have a monthly income below $1,242 for individuals or $1,682 for married couples.

There is no income limit for applicants aged 65 or over to receive institutional or nursing home Medicaid, although the $2,000 countable-asset limit still applies. This is partial-scope coverage and is only appropriate for those who require a nursing home level of care. No waivers will be granted at this level of Medi-Cal coverage.

Applications for Medi-Cal can be made online, in person or by calling (800) 300-1506. Visit the Covered California website for more information and to begin the application process. Free assistance is available from certified enrollers for in-person support.

Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALW)

Individual states are permitted to run their own Medicaid programs at the state level, such as Medi-Cal for California, but there are federal regulations in place that forbid payments going toward assisted living. This restriction may be lifted by a waiver program which allows payments for assisted living.

Seniors in California who require daily help and supervision but don’t wish to live in a nursing home can apply for the Assisted Living waiver program. Applicants must be on a full-scope Medi-Cal plan with no share of cost and require a nursing home level of care.

This program is relatively new and slowly spreading across the state, and it’s not currently active in Tulare County. However, seniors in Visalia and Tulare County as a whole can still enroll in this program if they’re willing to move to an assisted living facility in an area that participates in the ALW. The up-to-date list of participating counties can be found on the DHCS website.

Applications for the ALW cannot be made online or by phone, and the individual must be assessed by a registered nurse at a Care Coordination Agency. To begin the process, contact a nearby CCA and request an assessment.

Optional State Supplement

Supplemental Security Income is designed to help seniors and the blind or disabled who have low income and need help paying for various services. SSI payments are federally funded; however, it may also be possible to receive additional funds at the state level from Optional State Supplement programs.

In California, the amount of OSS that an individual receives is determined by payment levels that consider their health, disabilities, type of housing and whether they apply as an individual or couple. The maximum combined federal and state payment is $1,194.37 for an individual and $2,388.74 for married couples. 

The state combines SSI and OSS into a single payment at the start of each month, and because of this form of payment, it’s possible that an individual is already receiving the OSS without being aware.

Applications for the OSS program can be made by phone or in person at a local Social Security office. Call (866) 344-8475 for the Visalia office.

Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance Program

This program is only available for veterans or their surviving spouses. Payments from the Aid and Attendance program are made in addition to the VA pension the applicant is currently receiving and can be used to pay for assisted living.

The detailed list of eligibility requirements can be found on the VA Benefits website. Successful applicants must have a recorded active-duty service of at least 90 days, including 1 day considered to be wartime. The applicant must also be honorably discharged and within the maximum allowed for countable income and assets. As of 2019, the annual income limit is $22,577 for an individual or $26,766 for veterans with 1 dependant.

In addition to meeting all of the above requirements, applicants must also meet at least one of these:

• Assessed as needing help with activities of daily living

• Bedridden due to disability

• Have severely limited eyesight

• Currently live in a nursing home as a result of mental or physical incapacity

Due to the complex nature of eligibility for the A&A program, it’s recommended that applicants seek help in the process. Visit the Visalia Veterans Services Office to begin the process or call (559) 713-2880 during business hours.

Area Agencies on Aging are the authority and advocate for aging-related issues in the local area that they serve. Visalia is served by the KTAAA. This agency provides many services and resources for seniors, caregivers and family members who need help with insurance, long-term care, state and federal assistance programs as well as health and nutrition through congregate dining and meal delivery. Kings Tulare Area Agency on Aging (KTAAA)
5957 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277
(800) 321-2462

Veterans, surviving spouses and other family members should educate themselves on the benefits that may be available to them. The local Veterans Services Office in Visalia can help with the eligibility process for additional benefits, filling out forms, monitoring the submission and approval process and providing information how the VA works. Help is also available to submit an appeal if an applicant is refused additional benefits.

Visalia Veterans Services Office
5957 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 713-2880

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