DEV | TEST h1 template (view-level fallback) Assisted Living

Let us walk you through your assisted living payment options. First, we describe your personal payment options, some of which seniors and families can combine with certain senior benefits. Then, we present a detailed overview of several senior benefits that may reduce your assisted living costs. The senior benefits we include are Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Social Security.

By reviewing this section, we hope you’ll understand potential senior benefits and feel confident in combining them effectively. Each tab also has access to benefit applications and local contacts for senior benefit assistance.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) regulates and licenses assisted living facilities and residential care homes in Fresno. The CDSS also licenses other senior care facilities in the state, often called Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE).

Seniors must be assessed before moving into a Fresno assisted living facility. The assessment process may involve interviews and health record reviews. In addition, assisted living facilities are required to follow these regulations:

• House a maximum of two residents per bedroom
• Provide individual privacy in each bathroom
• Ensure bedrooms can accommodate equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers
• Provide clean and accessible common areas for residents
• Provide activities involving social, leisure, and daily living skills

Assisted living facilities are inspected by the CDSS once a year and within 10 days of receiving a complaint. Inspection reports for each licensed community can be found through the CDSS Care Facility Search. Scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” and select “Elderly Assisted Living.” Then, select the “Facility Type” and “Fresno County.” Finally, click on the search button. Or you can search by facility name or address.

California Department of Health contact information

California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784

COVID-19 regulations for Fresno assisted living facilities

Fresno County follows the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 guidance. Residents should access vaccines and tests as needed, but the mask mandate has been lifted. However, some Fresno assisted living communities may have their own COVID-19 guidelines. Please reach out to communities of interest to understand their current rules.

You or your senior loved one can find the ideal assisted living community in A Place for Mom’s Fresno network. Experience a hassle-free lifestyle rich with senior-specific activities, resort-style amenities, and a unique range of community styles. Fresno’s offerings have something for everyone, whether it’s an intimate residential home or a combined senior care community.

A range of community styles and senior care offerings

In A Place for Mom’s Fresno network, 61% of the assisted living communities share a campus with other senior living options, such as independent living, memory care, or both. Moving into a combined community enables seniors to transition to other levels of care without having to move when their needs change. The other 39% of in-network assisted living communities are residential care homes, sometimes known in Fresno as care homes. These smaller communities typically offer assisted-living-only services in homelike settings with fewer residents.

Below are the layout options and features typically found in A Place for Mom’s Fresno assisted living network:

• Studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments
• One- and two-bedroom stand-alone cottages
• Private or shared bedrooms in care homes
• Shared suites or companion apartments in combined communities
• Multi- or single-story buildings
• Residential homes
• Pet-friendly policies and accommodations, like pet-relief stations and dog parks
• Full kitchens or kitchenettes
• Furnished rooms in some care homes
• Patios or balconies
• Washer and dryer hookups or on-site laundry facilities

High quality assisted living services

Embark on your retirement journey by getting the most out of convenient on-site services. The offerings below are commonly found in A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living communities:

• Personalized concierge services
• Complimentary or at-cost transportation
• Frequent housekeeping
• Laundry and trash services
• Chef-prepared meals
• Restaurant-style dining
• Room service
• Wellness checks and emergency response systems
• On-site nurses
• Companionship services
• Medication management

Enriching amenities

A life of luxury awaits in your new assisted living community. While many of these amenities are found in larger combined communities, there may be fewer amenities in some residential care homes:

• Heated outdoor swimming pools
• Enclosed courtyards
• Walking paths
• Raised garden beds
• Outdoor seating, like patios and dining areas
• Pet-friendly accommodations
• Shuffleboard courts
• Movie theaters
• Salons and barbershops
• Fitness centers
• Activity rooms and art studios
• Fireplaces in common areas
• Libraries and computer rooms
• Bistros
• Guest accommodations, such as guest suites, guest parking, and private dining rooms

Plentiful senior activities

Fresno assisted living communities offer much more than bingo. Seniors have the opportunity to create a holistic lifestyle with activities ranging from fitness classes to unique community outings. Here are some popular pastimes:

• Volunteer opportunities
• Exercise classes
• Technology classes
• Happy hours
• Movie nights
• Karaoke nights
• Religious services
• Outings, such as boating, hiking, shopping trips, attending sporting events, and visiting museums
• Birthday and holiday celebrations
• Resident-led activities and councils
• Clubs, such as walking clubs and coffee clubs

Health care for seniors in Fresno

Find a medical center that works for you or the senior in your life. Fresno has a variety of local health care options, from cardiology specialists to a veteran-specific clinic.

Transportation for seniors in Fresno

Fresno has a few bike-friendly routes and walkable areas, but residents and visitors consider it a car-dependent city. That’s why seniors and their loved ones may appreciate knowing that 89% of A Place for Mom’s in-network Fresno assisted living communities provide either complimentary or at-cost transportation. Community transportation services are a safe and convenient way for seniors to participate in community outings, run errands, and attend appointments. The options outlined below are additional senior-friendly and visitor-friendly ways to explore Fresno.

Fresno Area Express (FAX)

The Fresno Area Express (or FAX) is the city’s public transportation service. Every bus can accommodate seniors and people with physical disabilities, and there are routes throughout Fresno. There’s also a paratransit service called Handy Ride which assists seniors who need more support than FAX already provides. The following FAX features can be found on all buses to help you and your visitors get around Fresno:

• Priority seating for seniors
• Space to transport mobility devices
• Bike racks
• Ramps and lifts
• Bus drivers who can provide assistance with mobility devices, getting on, and getting off

Taxis, Uber, or Lyft

Lyft and Uber are the shared-ride services typically readily available in Fresno. Both are great options for visitors who want to get around without depending on their own cars. Some local ride-share options even allow riders to schedule trips in advance.

If seniors opt to use a taxi service instead, they can apply for the local Senior Scrip Program through the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC). This program is exclusively for seniors who are at least 70 years of age, and it provides a 75% discount on rides. Below are the Fresno taxi services that currently participate in the Senior Scrip Program:

• Alpha Cab
• Fresno EOC Taxi
• Checker Cab
• Fresno Cab
• Sierra Vista Cab
• American Eagle Taxi
• Green Point Taxi
• Taxi Rosa

Walk Score — Fresno’s transportation ratings

Below are Walk Score’s transit rankings for Fresno. These numbers paint a picture of the local environment and how accessible you and your visitors’ preferred transportation methods are. Walk Score ranks cities from zero to 100 based on how easy it is to use and access each transportation method. High scores point to an especially accessible Fresno transportation option.

Senior activities in Fresno

Browse local highlights below, and curate a Fresno experience that’s ideal for families and seniors alike. An expansive Californian adventure awaits, from picturesque Yosemite to the Sierra National Forest. We also recommend perusing the helpful Visit Fresno website to learn why seniors choose to claim Fresno as their home.

Outdoor opportunities

Spending time with loved ones outdoors is a great way to enjoy Fresno. Visit the Clovis Botanical Garden for themed displays and a calming sensory garden, both of which are accessible to people with disabilities. Or, relax in Woodward Park, known for its tranquil Japanese garden and walking trails. Fresno is also home to lively outdoor markets full of local produce, handmade gifts, food trucks, and more.

Must-sees for newcomers and visitors

Experience the city’s culture at farm-to-table restaurants that offer the fresh, local ingredients that Fresno is known for. To get a feel for Fresno’s diversity, visit the Fresno Art Museum, which has a disability-friendly layout. You can also explore Old Town Clovis and its historic Vintage and Antiques District. For another disability-friendly activity, visit the Forestiere Underground Gardens, where you’ll find wheelchair-accessible tunnels that lead to pristine courtyards and gardens.

A vibrant senior community

The Fresno area is also home to attractions for all ages. Nearby, the Clovis Senior Activity Center provides a haven for seniors who want to foster social relationships or join classes and activities. For the young and the young at heart, Fresno Chaffee Zoo offers wildlife exhibits and a wide range of accommodations for people with disabilities.