79 assisted living communities near San Diego

What is Assisted Living?

Seniors become residents in assisted living communities when they want to stay socially active and connected to others, but they're in need of some help with the activities of daily living (or ADLs), which include bathing, grooming, dressing and cooking. Assisted living communities can vary in size and in the amenities offered, but they all provide nonmedical personal care within a residential environment.

Some assisted living communities offer a range of activities, with exercise programs being among the most popular. Residents typically have meals prepared for them, and they also get help with housekeeping, laundry, transportation and medication management. In some cases, some medical care is available, but assisted living services don't include skilled nursing.

Services Available in Senior Living Communities in San Diego

All assisted living communities provide residential accommodations as well as three meals a day, often in a shared dining hall. Larger or more lavish communities may also have coffee shops or cafes available for residents who want to snack outside of normal meal hours.

Among the key amenities provided by San Diego's many assisted living communities are the help many seniors need with ADLs. Trained staff are available to help with dressing, grooming, medication management and bathing. In addition, staff take care of both personal laundry and residents' linens, removing a time-consuming chore from their to-do list. Cleaning, basic housekeeping and maintenance are provided.

Many assisted living communities provide transportation for seniors who need to get to medical appointments. Some also arrange for shopping trips and errands, as well as day trips to off-site entertainment and local attractions such as Balboa Park, where seniors can take in a play at the Old Globe Theatre or visit the famous San Diego Zoo. Some communities also offer activities and entertainment on-site, with facilities that range from swimming pools and theaters to computer rooms and beauty salons.

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in San Diego

If you're helping your loved one make the move to a San Diego assisted living community, you'll have to arrange for two evaluations. First is a visit to their personal physician for a review of your loved one's physical and mental condition. The doctor will also provide information about all current medications, therapies and treatments, as well as about any special dietary or exercise needs.

After this, the staff at the assisted living community will want to evaluate your loved one as well to make sure the services they need are compatible with what the facility is able to provide. They'll check out how much help your loved one needs with the ADLs, and they'll make recommendations if they feel they're not a good fit.

Costs Associated with Assisted Living in San Diego

As you're considering the various rates charged by the assisted living communities you're considering, it's important to remember that you're not looking at simple rent. The rates you're quoted cover all the services provided, including assistance with the ADLs, and they also include all meals and the various amenities offered.

No matter your budget, you should be able to find a well-appointed assisted living community that meets your loved one's needs. Assisted living averages less than $5,000 per month, with basic communities available closer to the $2,000 range and some particularly luxurious communities tiptoeing up toward $10,000.

If you opt for a basic assisted living community, you can relax knowing that your loved one is getting the basic care they need without straining the budget. This type of care is ideal for seniors who don't have a high demand for lots of activities. Even at this low cost, you can count on all the basic personal care needed and meals, all provided by trained staff. You may be able to reduce costs even more if your loved one is willing to share a room.

The high-end luxury assisted living communities in San Diego often feel more like resort hotels than residential care. Look for large, active communities that offer lots of activities, lavish facilities and customized meal choices. In addition, these communities may have medical care available while also bringing in specialists like podiatrists or physical therapists on a regular basis.

Right in the middle of these two ends of the spectrum are boutique assisted living communities that provide some amenities while still charging more modest fees. Private suites or apartments are typical here, and choices are often available at meal time.

When you work with our Seniorly Guides to find a home to love, this is always a free service for families. The Seniorly Guide is compensated directly from the community you eventually select in San Diego.

Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living isn't the only type of residential care available for seniors. If your loved one is need of significant medical care on a regular basis, you may want to consider a skilled nursing facility. At the other end of the spectrum, independent living communities are a great choice for seniors who can take care of themselves but are looking for social interaction with people their own age.

In skilled nursing facilities, residents receive the 24/7 nursing care that their medical conditions require. These facilities, which are also known as nursing homes, typically care for residents who aren't physically active and who have significant medical issues, often including Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Independent living facilities focus on helping seniors stay connected and maintain an active lifestyle. While activities are provided, few to no arrangements are made to help seniors with ADLs or medication management.

Right in the middle is assisted living. Most assisted living facilities strive to help their residents maintain their independence, but they also provide the specific help with personal care and transportation that residents require.

Helpful Apps and Websites for Assisted Living Residents in San Diego

Many delivery services are accessible via apps and websites to help San Diego seniors free their schedules and enjoy a convenient lifestyle. Check out Seniorly's exclusive list of apps designed to make life easy by delivering household services, pet care, auto repair and health care right to your front door. Senior care reaches a new level of convenience and ease with the help of this unique list of apps.

Resources for Caregivers in San Diego

Being a caregiver can be very demanding, but fortunately, support is available throughout San Diego to lend a hand. Education is available for caregivers on a wide range of challenges that seniors face, with special training available to help in caring for seniors with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Local organizations also provide help with legal issues that seniors face and repair projects, as well as with transportation. Our exclusive list of resources provides plenty of helpful information for caregivers, giving them access to a huge array of organizations prepared to help with senior care. Remember, you can't find these lists anywhere else.

Government Resources for Seniors in San Diego

Seniors and caregivers alike can take advantage of the services and advocacy provided by California's Department of Aging. Adult day care programs facilitated by the department provide a break for caregivers, and assistance is also available for seniors who need help to apply for Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid.

San Diego County's Aging and Independence Services department connects seniors throughout the county to community organizations designed to promote independence, provide home-based services, advocate for seniors and enrich their quality of life. In addition, the city of San Diego provides legal assistance to seniors and hosts a wealth of activities for them, many of them taking place at Balboa Park's Senior Lounge. Through the Parks and Recreation department, the city also connects seniors with volunteer opportunities in the community.

San Diego Demographics

You might be surprised to realize that San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States — and it's still growing. Fully 40 percent of the population speaks a language other than English at home. San Diego residents tend to be highly educated, and the city is home to plenty of ethnic diversity. San Diego also has the largest military community in the United States.

San Diego Weather

San Diego's annual climate is pretty close to perfect, with wintertime highs ranging around 66°F, rising to the high 70s and 80s in the summer. It rarely gets very hot or humid, and warm water temperatures from July to October attract locals and visitors alike to the county's famous beaches. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, San Diego has the most pleasant weather in the nation. 

Transportation in and Around San Diego

Overlapping bus systems serve San Diego proper and the North County region, with the San Diego Trolley available to shuttle people around downtown and waterfront shuttles conveying folks to Mission Bay and the various beaches. Amtrak connects San Diegans to Orange County, Los Angeles and other destinations to the north.

Fun Facts About San Diego

San Diego is one of the fittest cities in the United States (#3 in fitness, to be exact), so you shouldn't be surprised to see joggers on the beach. The mini-communities of San Diego each have their own personality (college kids in Pacific Beach, for example, or well-to-do families in Coronado). If you're a fan of craft beer or Mexican food, you've come to the right place, because San Diego is tops in both — In fact, the city even has its own style of burrito named after it.