Why Select Assisted Living in San Diego, CA?

Is there a more beautiful place to live in the world than San Diego, CA? With its idyllic location along California’s southern edge and with the Pacific Ocean to its west, San Diego enjoys arguably the best weather in the country. Regardless of the time of year, the days tend to be mostly sunny, warm, and dry and there’s always a cool breeze blowing in off the coast. As you might expect, it is a city that is extremely popular among retirees and older adults. And this is also why it has some of the very best Assisted Living communities in the state.

Besides its spellbinding climate, San Diego is a vibrant city that is probably most renowned for its pristine beaches, lush parks, and long-standing Naval legacy. All throughout the city you can see signs of its maritime influence, as well as its early Spanish history, especially in its architecture and food. San Diego also enjoys one of California’s most prolific arts and culture scenes, being home to numerous noteworthy art galleries, artist studios, and museums. And with its dazzling array of family- and senior-friendly attractions, it is practically impossible to not fall in love with “America’s Finest City.”

If you’re thinking about Assisted Living for yourself or a loved one, then you will find plenty of top-tier facilities in the San Diego area for you to consider. And at Senioridy.com, we recommend taking your time to thoroughly compare the facilities you’re most interested in. This will help ensure that you choose the right residence for your unique needs and budget.

Want to learn more about Assisted Living in San Diego, CA? This guide from Senioridy is the perfect place to start.

Assisted Living in San Diego: What You Need to Know

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If you want to learn more about San Diego’s Assisted Living facilities, such as their average costs, admittance criteria, and more, then Senioridy is here to help. Just click on the topics below to learn more about Assisted Living in San Diego and the city itself.

Senior Population and Assisted Living Volume in San Diego, CA
Criteria for Admittance in Assisted Living in California
Typical Costs of Assisted Living in San Diego, CA
Benefits of Assisted Living in San Diego, CA
Quality of Life for Seniors in San Diego
Senior Centers in San Diego County
Public Transportation Services in San Diego, CA
How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in San Diego, CA

Senior Population and Assisted Living Volume in San Diego, CA

San Diego has a population of nearly 1.4 million people, 12.6% of which are seniors aged 65 and older. With roughly 115 Assisted Living facilities in San Diego County, there are plenty of choices for the region’s older adults and their families to consider when comparing Assisted Living facilities and the services they provide.

With its beautiful year-round weather, nationally recognized healthcare systems, and excellent selection of senior-friendly attractions and senior services, San Diego is a particularly favorable city among older adults to live in. As a result, there can often be a waiting list to get into some of the best Assisted Living facilities in San Diego.

Criteria for Admittance in Assisted Living in California

a doctor talking to a patient

To qualify for Assisted Living in California, a senior needs to be able to administer their own medications, receive medical care or treatments outside of the facility or from a visiting nurse, and only require to be reminded to take or assisted in taking their medications. They also need to have a degree of self-mobility that allows them to function in an Assisted Living environment. Prior to admission, a senior also needs to be evaluated by the specific Assisted Living residence where they are seeking entrance to ensure social compatibility.

In cases where a prospective resident has a mental health disorder, they may be accepted if it is a mild, temporary issue resulting from personal loss or a change in their residence.

Seniors who require more advanced care, such as 24-hour skilled nursing or related care for stage 3 or 4 dermal ulcers, gastrostomies, nasogastric tubes or tracheostomies, or treatment for staph or other serious infections are not eligible for Assisted Living. If an individual requires assistance performing all of their activities of daily living (ADLs), has a communicable disease, is unable to get out of bed, or has a serious mental disorder, then these situations may also prevent admission.

Typical Costs of Assisted Living in San Diego, CA

The average monthly cost for Assisted Living in San Diego County is $5,475 per month, which is a couple of hundred dollars more than the state average and nearly $1,000 more than the national average. This is not to be unexpected as San Diego enjoys a luxury resort-like atmosphere almost year round. Luckily, older adults with limited incomes living in San Diego may qualify for one or more programs that can help cover their Assisted Living costs

One of the most common programs is the Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver. This waiver helps seniors pay for Assisted Living in many parts of the state, including San Diego County. Another program is the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, which provides financial support to frail seniors who are otherwise unable to live independently. Financial aid is also available to those with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through California’s Optional State Supplement (OSS) program.

Veterans living in San Diego may also be eligible for one of several different programs from the VA to help cover some of the costs associated with Assisted Living.

It is important to remember that the monthly cost mentioned above is just an average. Depending on the facility you choose, the monthly cost of Assisted Living in San Diego may be higher or lower than that amount. A facility’s monthly price often depends on its location and size, as well as the programs, amenities, and services it offers its residents. For instance, some of the amenities and services that can impact the cost of Assisted Living can include, but are not limited to:

Restaurant-style dining
Pet-friendly accommodations
Private and shared apartments with full kitchens
Housekeeping and linen service
Scheduled transportation
Social, cultural, and recreational activities
Emergency response system
On-call medical staff

It is also important to note that an affordable Assisted Living facility may not be any more or less effective or beneficial than one that costs considerably more. It is always recommended to thoroughly compare several different facilities, so you can find the one that best meets yours or your loved one’s unique needs and budget.

Benefits of Assisted Living in San Diego, CA

For many adult children and their aging parents, conversations regarding Assisted Living can often become emotionally charged and heated. It’s one of life’s most difficult conversations to have with a parent. They are, after all, facing the reality of experiencing a major change in their lifestyle, and they can often feel as if they’re losing control over their lives.

But in a lot of cases, an aging parent will gradually start to realize that this is the best move for their health and wellness. Getting them to accept the transition is also made easier by helping your loved one understand all the benefits that Assisted Living communities provide their residents, most of which can have an immediate effect on your loved one’s quality of life. Here are just some of the many benefits that your loved one can expect when moving into Assisted Living in San Diego, CA:

Assistance Is Available Around the Clock

If your loved one is no longer able to perform certain daily tasks, such as doing chores around the house, managing their bank account, or practicing proper hygiene, then moving them into Assisted Living can be a highly beneficial solution. These communities have highly trained, compassionate staff who are always on site to provide residents with the professional and respectful hands-on assistance they need whenever they need it.

Enhanced Safety and Security

For many seniors, an Assisted Living residence is the safest place for them to be. This is because these residences have advanced safety and security measures that are put in place to help protect those seniors who are no longer able to live independently, prone to wander, or have been exhibiting unsafe behaviors. When your loved one lives in Assisted Living, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that they’re safe.

Comfortable and Private Apartments

a man and a woman holding a box of boxes

One of the biggest challenges seniors face when moving into Assisted Living is dealing with the emotions that come from leaving homes that they’ve lived in for years, if not decades. One way that Assisted Living facilities help new residents manage these emotions is by providing them with well-equipped, private apartments where they can furnish and decorate their new living spaces as they wish. This helps to make a resident’s new living space feel more comfortable and familiar, and more like home.

Personalized Level of Care

Assisted Living residences have skilled and compassionate support staff who are always on-site, 24/7. This helps to ensure that every resident receives a personalized level of support and care, so they can enjoy living their lives to the fullest despite any physical limitations they might have.

Quality Nutrition

The older we get, the more important it is to get the right amount of vitamins and minerals in our diet. For seniors, eating healthy is one of the most important factors in maintaining their health and wellness and avoiding potential health problems. Unfortunately, many seniors who live on their own rarely get the nutrition their bodies need. This is just one reason why moving into an Assisted Living residence can be such a benefit. Assisted Living provides seniors with three healthy meals per day, so they always get the nutrition they need and hunger is never an issue.

Social Activities

Assisted Living communities provide their residents with plenty of activities to keep them busy. From gardening classes and book clubs to sewing circles and exercise classes, every resident can take advantage of a full calendar’s worth of opportunities for making friends, staying healthy, and having fun. These activities are often instrumental in helping new residents acclimate to their new living environment, so participation is always encouraged.

Outstanding Healthcare Resources

While most Assisted Living facilities are well equipped to provide their residents with high quality care and support services, they aren’t designed to treat those who might need treatment for more serious medical conditions. But in San Diego, outstanding healthcare resources are always close by thanks to the city’s many excellent hospitals, medical centers, and clinics. Some of the best healthcare facilities in the San Diego area include UC San Diego Health, Scripps Memorial La Jolla Hospital, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center, and the Naval Medical Center, to name just a few.

Quality of Life for Seniors in San Diego

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San Diego’s cost of living is 3% higher than the state average and 44% higher than the national average, but luckily, the city offers many programs and resources that can help make it easier for older adults to afford everything from their Assisted Living costs and public transportation to experiencing the best of what San Diego has to offer. As a result, despite its high cost of living, San Diego is more than capable of providing seniors with a rewarding quality of life.

Some of the most popular attractions for older adults in and around the city include visiting Balboa Park, home to the world-famousSan Diego Zoo and the Japanese Friendship Garden, the USS Midway Museum, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, SeaWorld San Diego, and the Hotel del Coronado. Other attractions in San Diego that are particularly loved by seniors include:

Whether you’re visiting a museum, spending the day shopping San Diego’s many boutiques, or just watching the seals bask in the sun in La Jolla Cove, you will find that there’s no shortage of excellent restaurants, bistros, and cafes where you can grab a memorable bite. From the freshest seafood and tastiest fish tacos to the original California-style pizza and all the Mexican and Southeastern Asian food you could ever want, when you live in San Diego, you’re living the good life.

Senior Centers in San Diego County

In San Diego County, seniors have access to several local senior centers where they can enjoy a wide variety of opportunities for making new friends, learning new skills, staying healthy, and staying socially active. Senior centers are valuable resources for San Diego’s older community because these facilities provide high quality educational resources, hot meals and food services, supportive services and groups, seasonal events, health and wellness programs, fun activities, and more to local seniors.

Below is a list of the senior centers in San Diego County:

Public Transportation Services in San Diego, CA

Senior citizens who live in San Diego’s Assisted Living residences enjoy easy access to reliable public transportation provided by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). The MTS offers affordable transportation in and around the city via its fleet of trolleys, buses, trains, and shuttles.

Seniors aged 65 and over can ride the MTS for a reduced fare or with a discounted pass. To be eligible for reduced fare or a discounted pass, seniors must apply and provide an accepted form of identification, which can include any of the following:

PRONTO Card Photo ID (Preferred)
A valid government-issued photo ID with birthdate
Medicare card + government-issued photo ID
DMV Placard ID (Receipt) + a government-issued photo ID
Senior ID card (65+ or born on or before September 1, 1959)
NCTD or other California transit agency unexpired reduced fare disabled or complementary paratransit ID + government-issued photo ID (if no photo included on disabled ID)

How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in San Diego, CA

Whether you are looking for an Assisted Living facility in San Diego for yourself or an elderly parent or loved one, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the process. But having a reliable resource that can provide you with information about Assisted Living in San Diego, including a detailed list of the facilities themselves, can be a tremendous asset and a great time saver.

Senioridy.com provides you with a comprehensive directory of Assisted Living facilities whenever you use our easy online search tool. Using Senioridy does two things for you – you enjoy instant access to everything you need to know to compare Assisted Living facilities in San Diego and you get the contact information for the facilities, so you can contact them directly.

Instead of going through a senior placement agency (which will charge you a sizable fee), just use Senioridy and get the same information for free. With Senioridy, you get everything you’re looking for without the middleman, and this saves you time and money.

To search for Assisted Living facilities in the San Diego area on Senioridy.com, just type “San Diego'' in the search box under Located Near and click on the arrow. Senioridy's comprehensive Assisted Living search engine will then provide you with a selection of the top-rated facilities in and around San Diego to compare. With Senioridy, finding Assisted Living communities has never been easier.

About the author

Cindy Moore

Cindy is the author of many informational topics found on the Senioridy website and website's abroad. Her advice has been sought and published on several national media websites, including the U.S. News and Quicken Loans websites. She is passionate about providing information to Seniors and their Adult Caregivers to help make the journey to finding the information and resources that they need easier for them. Cindy Moore is also one of the hosts on Senioridy's YouTube Channel series "My Aging Parent" that delivers tips and advice for those seeking guidance for age-related issues.