Assisted Living Communities in Fresno, California

In Fresno, the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports assisted living fees of approximately $6,750 per month. This rate outpaces the state median of $6,250 and exceeds costs in nearby cities by hundreds or thousands of dollars. For example, costs in Bakersfield run substantially lower at roughly $4,595. Similarly, seniors save money by choosing care in Merced or Madera, where respective costs fall near $3,195 and $2,925

Assisted living residents in Fresno use various funding sources, including their monthly income, waiver programs and veterans’ benefits, to pay for residential long-term care fees.

• Medicaid: California Medicaid features the Assisted Living Waiver, which pays for care services for Fresno residents who live in participating assisted living facilities. This program covers services such as recreational and therapeutic activities, care coordination, personal care services and transportation.
• Medicare: The federal health insurance program for seniors limits coverage to medically necessary services, meaning it doesn’t pay for housing or custodial services in assisted living facilities. However, it can help seniors reduce their out-of-pocket medical costs by covering skilled nursing services, medication administration and durable medical equipment.
• VA Benefits: Two types of veterans’ benefits can help qualified seniors pay for assisted living: Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits and VA health insurance. Aid and Attendance provides an increased monthly pension seniors can use toward care fees, while the VA health insurance program’s Geriatrics and Extended Care program pays for assisted living services directly.
• Private Payments: Assisted living residents typically use their monthly retirement income, savings, annuities or equity from their home to pay for assisted living services. Facilities accept private payments for all services, including room and board, meals, personal care and recreation.

Fresno's assisted living residences set monthly fees near $6,750, making this one of the costlier senior care solutions in the city. In general, seniors who opt for private nonresidential care pay less on a monthly basis, anticipating costs near $6,101 for in-home care and $6,292 for home health care. On the other hand, nursing home costs run well above assisted living rates, with those in semi-private rooms paying around $10,038.

In California, the California Senior Care Licensing Program oversees assisted living communities. The facilities must obey rules that uphold seniors’ quality of life and safety, and to that end, the licensing program undertakes monitoring and enforcement actions.

• Fresno’s cost of living aligns closely with the national norm, and food, health care and housing expenses trend below nationwide benchmarks. This promotes competitive assisted living costs and benefits seniors seeking affordable care.
• Fresno has one of the highest crime rates in America, with the city reporting around 44 incidents per 1,000 people annually. Assisted living facilities, which typically have security cameras, monitored entrances and alarm systems, provide peace of mind for vulnerable seniors.
• Fresno’s Transportation Department operates 18 fixed-route bus lines throughout the Fresno region, along with the Handy Ride Paratransit Service. Seniors aged 65 and over ride public buses for free, making it easy to keep appointments and complete errands.
• Daytime temperatures in Fresno range from 55 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, and the city rarely experiences noticeable humidity. To give residents opportunities to enjoy the warm weather, many local assisted living communities have amenities such as outdoor living spaces, and the proprietary Caring.com database shows that several residences have swimming pools.
• California’s income tax rate, which ranges from 1.00% to 13.30%, exceeds national norms. However, the state fully exempts Social Security benefits and offers a senior income tax exemption, promoting seniors’ financial stability and helping them afford long-term care.