Resources for Assisted Living in San Diego
Alzheimer's San Diego
As an independent and truly local organization, 100% of all dollars given to Alzheimer’s San Diego stay in San Diego. Alzheimer’s San Diego a new local a 501(c) (3) tax exempt (Tax ID 47-5534541) California public benefit corporation.
Alzheimer's Association San Diego
The Alzheimer’s Association San Diego & Imperial Chapter offers a monthly telephone support group for caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The group is designed to provide emotional, educational and social support for caregivers. The support group also helps participants develop problem-solving skills and encourages caregivers to maintain their own health.
Assisted Living Waiver Program
The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that was created by legislation that directed the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to develop and implement the project to test the efficacy of assisted living as a Medi-Cal benefit.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Since 1983, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) advocacy organization, has been dedicated to improving the choices, care and quality of life for California’s long term care consumers. Through direct advocacy, community education, legislation and litigation it has been CANHR’s goal to educate and support long term care consumers and advocates regarding the rights and remedies under the law, and to create a united voice for long term care reform and humane alternatives to institutionalization.
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (CCL)
The Community Care Licensing Division’s (CCLD) mission is to promote the health, safety, and quality of life of each person in community care through the administration of an effective collaborative regulatory enforcement system. Today the CCL Program remains a Division within CDSS. However the nature of community care has changed significantly and now includes care for persons whose needs require the management of severe behavior adjustment problems, serious mental disorders and significant medical needs. In order to give emphasis to the different populations served the CCL Program is now governed by three separate licensing Acts and a fourth statute that was enacted in 1990.
California Quality Care (CalQualityCare.org)
Free and easy-to-use, CalQualityCare.org features information on nursing homes, and other assisted living facilities, along with tips and checklists about how to choose a health care provider, questions to ask, how to pay for care, and what to do if something goes wrong. Better information enables smarter choices when making long-term care decisions decisions. Publicly available information about health care quality — and consumers eager to consider quality in their long-term care decisions — will improve the health care system.
Seniorly's Guide to Assisted Living in San Diego
The city of San Diego is home to more than 200 senior living communities, from small homes to large 100+ apartment buildings. Assisted living communities are residential properties that deliver non-medical care focused on Activities of Daily Living and/or memory support. They are licensed by the State of California’s Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing (“CCL”). This agency is responsible for ensuring these communities are safe and secure. CCL’s database lists 200+ licensed communities in San Diego. There are four types of properties offer these assisted living services in San Diego: Board and Care Home, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
Board and Care Homes are single family homes. Pros: They are usually more budget friendly, have an intimate setting, and have higher staff to resident ratios (industry average 1:6). Cons: They do not have amenities, much socialization opportunities, or fine dining services.
Assisted Living Communities are purpose built properties often appearing to be a large apartment complex from the outside. Pros: They have many amenities, robust social programing and therapies, and typically offer better dining experiences. Cons: They are expensive and often have lower staff to resident ratios (industry average 1:16).
Memory Care Communities are either purpose built properties or wings within Assisted Living communities. In San Diego most large Assisted Living communities have Memory Care wings which offer 20-30 private and shared rooms to seniors. Pros: They typically have staff training in Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving, and have higher staff to resident ratios (sometimes as low as 1:5). Cons: They are very expensive and not all “training” is equal.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs or LifeCare) communities are purpose built properties meant to care for seniors when they are more independent. Pros: They offer a new “age in place” solution. Cons: They are very expensive with initial buy-in fees in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
The challenging part is finding a community within your budget and/or making a decision on the type of community that best fits your needs. In terms figuring out what type of community works for you, the best way to experience it is to take tours. In fact, most families tour 3-5 properties before making a decision. You can always try a community temporarily through short-term stays (typically 2-4 weeks). So there you have it. Everything you need to get started with your search process for Assisted Living in San Diego. I know that making these decisions can be tough. Especially when you are looking for a parent. Rest assured that many of these properties are a far cry away from the modern connotation of nursing homes. From Art Deco buildings to holistic approaches to senior care, the modern Assisted Living community has a lot to offer. Give it a chance.
