Why Select Assisted Living in Los Angeles, CA?

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world and one of the world’s most populous megacities. It offers a nearly endless variety of attractions and activities, from movie studios and landmark museums to unparalleled outdoor activities and the very best shopping, dining, and arts and culture west of the Mississippi. Los Angeles is also one of the world’s leading influences on technology, education, politics, tourism, fashion, and sports. And, although it can be one of the more expensive options for seniors, it has some of the very best Assisted Living communities to be found in the United States.

Located in southern California, Los Angeles enjoys beautiful weather all year round, with summers in the city typically getting especially hot and humid. One of the most diverse cities in the world, the culture of Los Angeles is made up of dozens of ethnicities. This creates a unique living experience that is both rewarding and refreshing, and it’s reflected throughout L.A. in its art and food. In Los Angeles, there’s always something new to see and do, regardless of how long you’ve lived here.

For L.A.’s seniors, moving into an Assisted Living community can be an excellent compromise between independent living at home and a nursing home. In Assisted Living, seniors can receive as much or as little assistance they need to thrive, in a comfortable and supportive environment where they’re surrounded by friends.

If you’re thinking about Assisted Living in Los Angeles for yourself or a loved one, then you will find an abundance of options available in the city for you to consider. And at Senioridy.com, we recommend taking your time to thoroughly compare the facilities you’re most interested in, so you can find the right one for your unique needs and budget.

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

 

Assisted Living in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know

If you’re interested in learning more about what to expect from Los Angeles’ Assisted Living facilities, such as the typical costs and benefits of Assisted Living, then Senioridy is here to help. Just click on the topics below to learn more about them.

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

 

Senior Population and Assisted Living Volume in Los Angeles, CA

With nearly four million residents, Los Angeles is the most populous city in the state of California. And approximately 13% of its population are aged 65 and over. With more than 760 Assisted Living facilities in Los Angeles County, there are plenty of choices for seniors and their families to consider.

The senior population in the city of Los Angeles is expected to increase to 24% by 2030. And there are several reasons for this sizable growth. From its pleasant year-round weather and nationally recognized healthcare to its excellent public transportation system and impressive array of senior-friendly attractions and senior services, Los Angeles is a great place for older adults to live. As a result, there might be a waiting list to get into some of the best Assisted Living facilities in Los Angeles.

 

Criteria for Admittance in Assisted Living in California

To become an Assisted Living resident 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. 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. New residents must also have a degree of self-mobility that allows them to function in an Assisted Living environment and they will need to be assessed by the specific Assisted Living residence where they are seeking entrance to ensure social compatibility.

Individuals who require 24-hour skilled nursing or related care or need 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 will also prevent admission.

 

Typical Costs of Assisted Living in Los Angeles, CA

The average monthly cost for Assisted Living in Los Angeles is $5,250 per month, which is the same as the state average, but nearly $1,000 more than the national average. However, there are some facilities in the Greater Los Angeles area that charge as high as $14,000 per month.

Older adults with limited incomes may qualify for several programs to 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 Los Angeles County. Another program is the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, which provides financial support to frail seniors who are otherwise unable to live independently. Each of these programs have eligibility requirements, which you can find in detail on their respective websites.

Veterans in California 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA

Moving an aging parent into an Assisted Living residence isn’t always easy. After all, it’s a major change in their lifestyle, so not every senior will be welcoming of the change. Discussions can often get heated and very emotional.

But in a lot of cases, many of the fears and concerns can be alleviated by helping your loved one understand all the benefits that these communities provide their residents. When a senior moves into the right Assisted Living residence, the improvement on their quality of life can be immeasurable. Here are just some of the benefits that your loved one can expect when moving into Assisted Living in Los Angeles:

 

Assistance Is Always Available When Needed

If you or your loved one is no longer able to perform certain daily tasks, such as doing chores around the house, managing a bank account, or practicing proper hygiene, then Assisted Living can be a worthwhile consideration. These communities employ highly trained, compassionate staff who are always on hand to provide residents with professional and respectful, hands-on assistance regardless of how much, or little, support they require.

 

Advanced Safety and Security Features

One of the most common reasons why families choose to move aging loved ones into Assisted Living is because of the residences’ advanced safety and security measures. If your loved one is no longer able to live independently, prone to wander, or they have been exhibiting unsafe behaviors, then an Assisted Living facility is the best place for them to be.

 

Apartments That Feel Like Home

Moving into Assisted Living is challenging for many seniors because many are leaving homes that they’ve lived in for years, if not decades. One way that Assisted Living facilities help new residents deal with the emotional loss of leaving their homes is by allowing them to furnish and decorate their new living spaces. This helps to make the resident’s new living space feel more comfortable and familiar, and more like home.

 

Personalized Care

Assisted Living residences have skilled healthcare professionals and compassionate support staff always on-site. This helps to ensure that every resident receives a personalized level of support and care. In Assisted Living, help is always just seconds away should your loved one require it.

 

Proper Nutrition

Getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals is important at any age, but for seniors it takes on even greater importance because a lack of good nutrition increases the risks of a wide range of avoidable health concerns. This is especially the case when you consider that many seniors who live on their own rarely get the nutrition their bodies need. But by moving into an Assisted Living residence, your loved one will get all the nutrition they need by eating three delicious and healthy meals per day, including diet-specific meals, created for them by highly trained nutritionists and culinary professionals.

 

Social Engagement

Some new Assisted Living residents can suffer from depression and feelings of isolation because their world has suddenly changed. But one way that Assisted Living residences help seniors overcome these feelings is by providing their communities with calendars that are filled with social activities, entertaining programs, educational courses, and other activities that are designed to help increase each resident’s social engagement.

 

Access to Nationally-Ranked Healthcare

Assisted Living facilities provide their residents with high quality medical services that can satisfy most of their basic care needs. But should a resident require more advanced or emergency healthcare services, then Los Angeles has several nationally-ranked hospitals and healthcare facilities where they can get the care they need. Some of the best healthcare facilities in the Greater Los Angeles area include UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Keck Medical Center of USC, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, and Torrance Memorial Medical Center, to name just a few.

 

Quality of Life for Seniors in Los Angeles

Despite having a cost of living that is 51% higher than the national average, Los Angeles can be very accommodating to seniors because there are so many programs and resources that can help older adults afford everything from their Assisted Living costs to public transportation.

Los Angeles is also exceptionally equipped to provide seniors with a fantastic quality of life with its vast collection of senior-friendly attractions. Some of the big attractions for older adults in and around the city include Hollywood Walk of Fame, Venice Beach, TCL Chinese Theatre, Griffith Observatory and Park, the Getty Center, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the LA Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Other attractions in Los Angeles that are particularly loved by seniors include:

• Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
• Huntington Library
• The Petersen Automotive Museum
• The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• The Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits
• The Craft Contemporary Museum
• The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
• The Hollywood Sign

Los Angeles is also home to some of the sports world’s most passionate fans. And with so many different franchises calling the city home, seniors can enjoy thrilling sporting events all year. And just about every sport is represented, with most having two home teams to root for, like the Chargers and Rams in the NFL, the Dodgers and Angels in the MLB, the Ducks and Kings in the NHL, the Clippers and Lakers in the NBA, and the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC in the MLS. The city is also home to the WNBA’s Sparks and Angel City FC in the National Women's Soccer League. In Los Angeles, there’s always an action-packed sporting event taking place in town.

Whether you’re visiting a museum, attending a game, shopping, or seeing the sights, you will find that Los Angeles is home to some of the very best restaurants, bistros, and cafes you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at. From the freshest sushi outside of Japan to the most authentic tacos north of Mexico, L.A.’s culinary scene is as deliciously innovative as can possibly be.

 

Senior Centers in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County operates several senior centers that work to provide older adults with a rich variety of opportunities for making new friends, staying healthy, and staying socially active. At any senior center, seniors can access and enjoy educational resources, meals and food services, supportive services and groups, seasonal events, health and wellness programs, fun activities, and so much more.

Visiting a local senior center regularly has been shown to benefit older adults in several important ways, including helping them to live a healthier lifestyle and maintain a more positive mindset through social engagement.

Below is a list of the senior centers in the Los Angeles County area:

• Altadena Senior Center
• Antelope Valley Senior Center
• Asian Service Center
• Centro Maravilla Service Center
• East Los Angeles Service Center
• East Rancho Dominguez Park and Community
• Florence Firestone Service Center
• Los Nietos Community and Senior Center
• Potrero Heights Park Community and Senior Center
• San Gabriel Valley Service Center
• San Pedro Service Center
• Santa Clarita Valley Service Center
• Willowbrook Senior Center

 

Public Transportation Services in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles has one of the country’s top-rated public transportation systems, called Metro. Quality transportation is important for a major city to have because so many seniors rely on it for getting to doctor appointments, visiting their family, shopping, and for just getting around town. Metro’s service area is 1,433-square-miles, in which the network’s large number of subways, light-rail, buses, and shuttles help seniors access nearly every corner of the Greater Los Angeles area.

The City of Los Angeles Transportation (LADOT) also operates another fleet of public transportation buses in Los Angeles County, called DASH. DASH features six quick bus routes designed to provide riders with express service through Downtown LA.

Seniors aged 62 and over are eligible for reduced fares on the Metro and DASH networks via a Reduced Fare TAP Card. Reduced Fare TAP Cards are available at any Metro Customer Center or by submitting an online application. Seniors can also purchase discounted fare at any TAP vending machine.

 

How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in Los Angeles, CA

Whether you are looking for an assisted living facility for yourself or an elderly parent or loved one, there are a few different ways that can find the right one for your needs in the Los Angeles area. One option is to do it the old-fashioned way by looking in the phone book or inquiring about assisted living from your friends and relatives.

Another is to contact a placement agency. Senior placement agencies help seniors find the right assisted living facility for them by working with the senior and their family to find the best possible fit for their needs and finances. These types of services typically charge a referral fee to the Assisted Living community since they are bringing in revenue to that facility, so they don’t usually charge seniors or their families. It is important to note that since agents can only get paid by assisted living facilities that they have contracts with, you may not be shown all the assisted living facilities that are available to you.

Another option is to use an online directory to search for assisted living facilities in Los Angeles from Senioridy.com. Senioridy's comprehensive assisted living search engine can provide you with the best possible results based on your needs.

Once you do this simple search, you will be presented with many of the top-rated facilities in Los Angeles, CA to compare.