10 Best Nursing Homes in Long Beach, CA

Paying for a skilled nursing, assisted living, or memory care facility often requires a combination of resources. After all, public resources may not cover certain expenses. In the section below, you’ll learn more about private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.

In California, skilled nursing facilities must obtain a license to operate through the California Department of Social Services. The license comes with certain requirements, such as providing sufficient staffing, food service, living accommodations, and maintenance.

Other senior living facilities, such as assisted living and memory care communities, are classified as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and must obtain licenses through the California Senior Care Licensing Program.

RCFEs must have sufficient staff members that pass criminal background checks, have licensed nurses employed or on call, have a licensed administrator, and provide basic care services. This includes help with daily activities, medication assistance, supervision, planned activities, and help with arranging medical and dental care

Whether skilled nursing, assisted living, or memory care, all facilities are subject to regular inspections by the Adult and Senior Care Regional Office. You can review past inspection reports by calling 916-558-1784 or searching specific facilities online. Nursing homes must also adhere to federal regulations in addition to those from the state.

California Health Department Contact Information

California Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-558-1784
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Long Beach nursing homes

Long Beach has COVID-10 health orders in place to prevent the virus from spreading. They align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for prevention. However, these orders may be different from the guidelines at the senior living community you’re looking at. You’ll want to contact the facility for more information.

Long Beach isn’t as crowded as its neighboring cities of Los Angeles and Anaheim. This makes the SoCal city a great place for retirees. You or your loved one can enjoy its seaside charm and Mediterranean climate at a senior living community that best suits your needs.

The difference between skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care

When making the move to a senior care facility, you might first think about nursing homes. However, this term actually refers to skilled nursing facilities which provide 24/7 supervision and medical care to residents. This level of care may be perfect for seniors who live with a chronic disease or recently underwent surgery. However, it might be too much for a senior who just needs assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, getting dressed, or mobility issues.

It’s important to determine exactly what type of care is needed when reviewing senior living options. If a senior is still somewhat active but can no longer live entirely on their own, then an assisted living community may be a good choice. If a senior has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, then a memory care facility might be best. It all depends on the individual’s needs.

Exploring transitional care opportunities in Long Beach

Most of our partner communities in Long Beach offer transitional care. This means seniors can age in place and still receive the level of care they need. Here’s a breakdown of available options in Long Beach: Of the 68 senior living communities we partner with, five are stand-alone assisted living facilities, and four are stand-alone memory care facilities.

• One is an assisted living, memory care, and adult day care facility.
• Four communities offer both assisted living and memory care.
• Four provide assisted living and independent living.
• Six are combination assisted living, memory care, and independent living facilities.
• Eighteen communities are group homes. These facilities are smaller and provide more intimate environments for seniors.
• Twenty-six are group homes that provide memory care.

Services at senior living facilities

Our partner assisted living and memory care facilities offer services such as housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, and medication management. Additional health care services are available at many of our partners; for example, more than half bring in visiting medical professionals like podiatrists and physical therapists. In fact, 65% of our partner facilities have visiting nurses.

Activities  at senior living facilities

In addition to the quality of life and health care, many of our partner senior living communities focus on engagement. They want to create an environment where seniors can remain active and form social connections. This is done in a number of ways. At our partner communities, you’ll find facilities that offer regular stretching classes, live musical performances, and devotional activities.

Health care for seniors in Long Beach

Transportation for seniors in Long Beach

Depending on the assisted living or memory care community you or your loved one choose, you may not need to worry about transportation. Out of our partner communities, 65% offer complimentary transportation, and 47% offer at-cost transit.

However, there are other transportation methods available. Long Beach offers a light rail system called the Metro Blue Line that takes city residents from the downtown area to Seventh Street. It also has Long Beach Transit, which offers special rates for seniors. Finally, Dial-a-Lift provides curb-to-curb services.

Senior activities in Long Beach

The facilities we partner with in Long Beach have a large assortment of in-house activities for seniors. Cooking classes, arts and crafts, and gardening are just some of the many recreational offerings hosted by our partners. These activities allow seniors to socialize with other residents and provide a way for residents to have fun with visiting friends and family.

The city of Long Beach also has plenty to offer seniors and their families. Most senior living communities schedule day trips to take advantage of all that the area has to offer. As a coastal city, Long Beach features plenty of popular beaches that you or your loved one will enjoy, including Bay Shore Beach and Alamitos Beach.

Looking for something a little less sandy? Shoreline Village, a popular Cape Cod-style shopping center and waterfront boardwalk, is home to quirky boutiques, interesting shops, delicious restaurants, boat rentals, and an arcade. There’s even a carousel at the Pelican Pier Pavilion.

Not far from the shopping center, you’ll encounter another highlight of the area: the Aquarium of the Pacific. This tourist attraction features more than 11,000 animals on around five acres of land. You or your loved one will enjoy seeing the shark lagoon, sea otter habitat, penguin habitat, coral reef, and aviary. The aquarium costs $33.95 for seniors, and it has accommodations for guests who are blind or deaf and guests with wheelchairs, service animals, or sensory concerns.

Those looking to learn more about the area may want to check out Rancho Los Cerritos. Here, visitors get a chance to explore the property’s gardens and historic buildings. It’s not only a state historic landmark but also one of the largest adobe homes in California. Tours of the residence and the gardens are scheduled regularly.

You or your loved one may also enjoy a trip to El Dorado East Regional Park. On the grounds, you’ll find two fishing lakes, a stream, and forested areas — all serving as a sanctuary for local wildlife. The park is also home to a nature center, which features walking trails, educational displays, an art gallery, and more. With over 105 acres, the nature center offers plenty for you or your loved one to explore.

If you or your loved one is more interested in art, the East Village Arts District won’t disappoint. Serving as a hub for the creative community, this district features several galleries, shops, wine bars, restaurants, and more. Located nearby is the Museum of Latin American Art, the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art.