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Seniors can find a vast array of senior care options in San Diego, California. From beachfront living to abundant, life-enriching experiences, seniors with a range of care needs can find their ideal lifestyle in San Diego. People sometimes refer to all senior living communities as nursing homes. However, the term nursing home refers to just one type of senior care — skilled nursing care. Skilled nursing facilities provide 24/7 medical care and supervision, rehabilitation, and hospice care by a staff made up of nurses and doctors.
If your loved one does not have a severe medical condition, is not rehabilitating from an illness or surgery, and does not require hospice, a nursing home is not the best option. Most seniors are better suited for an assisted living facility that provides tailored assistance with activities of daily living, medication reminders, and other senior-specific services. Memory care is another type of specialized assisted living for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Many modern assisted living communities also have on-site skilled nursing services, through an on-campus unit or third-party services provided in a resident’s quarters. These residential assisted living communities are meant for peacefully aging in place, so your loved one won’t have to move to an institutional nursing facility if they ever require skilled nursing care.
With so many senior care options to choose from, deciding on a specific community may be challenging. We created this all-inclusive guide to help you make this decision. With 20+ years of senior living market experience and proprietary data from local partners, we highlight details that are important to seniors. You’ll find information on 40 of our assisted living and memory care partner communities in a 10-mile radius of the San Diego city center. For skilled nursing as well as assisted living, this guide provides local information on costs, payment tips, laws and regulations, and an in-depth overview of senior living in San Diego.
Types of care available in San Diego, CA
White Sands facility has everything from independent living to skilled nursing. They have a lot of activities to offer, it is in a really beautiful location. We could not be happier with our decision, we know our mother is safe there. The food is excellent with a wide range of choices. The rooms are very nice and adequate, they have many options to choose from. Our loved one has a beautiful view.
Love my apartment! Most residents are wonderful people, have made lots of nice friends. Food is great. I love that I'm surrounded with people that are fun and you can have conversations with them. I love that I no longer have to cook or clean. I still drive and am able to park my car in gated underground parking. Great place!
When it comes to the overall cleanliness, they could do a little better with some of the appliances and overall open spaces (stains on carpets, etc.) However, based on the experience with have had with Brookdale San Marcos, we would absolutely recommend them to other families.
4075 54th St, San Diego, CA 92105
3890 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
Even the simple pleasures seem luxurious here - like breathtaking sunsets and towering views of San Diego's "Golden Triangle." From nearby shopping to famous attractions to the scenic coastline, adventure awaits you every day. Pacific Regent - La Jolla combines the richness of...
3022 45th St., San Diego, CA 92105
SunBridge Care Center for San Diego focuses on the physical, emotional and social needs of residents in a warm, friendly environment. Our professional staff works closely with each patient's physician and family to create a personalized care plan for optimum recovery. Our facility's attractive...
743 Hacienda Dr, El Cajon, CA 92020
310 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
8625 Lamar St, Spring Valley, CA 91977
8914 Troy Street, Spring Valley, CA 91977
299 Prospect Place, Coronado, CA 92118
The Coronado Royale is located across from Tidelands Park and the Colorado Bridge. The facility offers beautiful views of both the San Diego Bay and the lights of downtown San Diego. The Coronado Royale is also located right next door to the Coronado Hospital and Medical Centers. The Coronado...
5720 Old Carmel Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92130
Pomerado Rd, San Diego, CA 92131
You may find that nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities, cost more than other types of senior care in San Diego, California. Seniors in skilled nursing facilities typically need 24/7 skilled medical care from specialized, medical staff. This leads to higher monthly costs than a senior would incur in an assisted living facility with a less specialized level of care.
The monthly median cost for a semi-private room in a San Diego skilled nursing facility is $9,384, and it’s $12,167 for a private room.[02] These monthly costs may include room and board, personal care services, and senior-specific amenities. If your senior loved one doesn’t require 24/7 skilled medical care, you may want to look at other, more affordable senior living options.
Assisted living and memory care facilities in San Diego are less expensive than skilled nursing facilities and are better options for most seniors. Below are the average monthly costs that families paid in 2022 for A Place for Mom’s partnered assisted living and memory care communities in San Diego. These cost figures include rent, meal plans, care services, and any other add-on fees for extra services, amenities, or pet rent.
Note that the starting costs of assisted living and memory care communities vary depending on location, specific amenities, and floor plan.
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You and your senior loved one have several options to pay for long-term senior care. If the senior meets certain financial and medical criteria, nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities in San Diego can be paid for with the aid of state and federal programs. If assisted living and memory care communities are better suited for the senior in your life, similar payment options are available. Most families use a mix of private and public assistance methods to pay for senior care.
Continue reading to learn how private payment methods, public assistance options, and veterans benefits may be used to cover the costs of long-term senior care.
The costs of long-term senior care can be covered by personal income sources, such as savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, and investment returns. Some of the following options may apply to your family as well:
Selling a house
Reverse mortgage
Health savings accounts
Life insurance
Long-term care insurance
It may be helpful to note that long-term care insurance policies can vary in what they cover. If your loved one has a policy, we recommend speaking with their long-term care policy provider to understand what aspects of senior care their policy covers.
California nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities, are sometimes also referred to as rehabilitation centers and convalescent hospitals. All of these terms apply to skilled nursing facilities, which must be licensed in the state. Skilled nursing facilities that are part of larger senior living communities, such as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (or CCRCs), must be licensed by the California Department of Public Health (or CDPH). The CCRC as a whole must also be licensed by the California Department of Social Services (or CDSS).
Skilled nursing facilities in California are required to provide a range of services, including but not limited to services in the list below:
California skilled nursing facilities must also adhere to the following requirements for staff members and living spaces:
A nursing home, or skilled nursing facility, may not be the right option for your loved one, particularly if they don’t need 24-hour medical supervision. So, we’ve included information on California’s assisted living and memory care laws and regulations.
Assisted living and memory care facilities in San Diego must be licensed by the California Department of Social Services (or CDSS). All assisted living and memory care facilities in California must assess a senior via interviews and by reviewing their health records before welcoming them as a resident. Once a senior moves in, these facilities must also adhere to the following regulations:
Nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities, are inspected annually by the CDPH’s Licensing and Certification Division. The CDPH Center for Health Care Quality (or CHCQ) has a dashboard of the most common skilled nursing facility requirement violations. You can search by facility name, facility type, and county to find them.
The CDSS inspects assisted living and memory care facilities once each year. The CDSS must also inspect a facility within 10 days of receiving a complaint. Licensed facilities and their inspection reports are available to the public via the CDSS Care Facility Search. Scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” select “Elderly Assisted Living,” select the “Facility Type” and “San Diego County,” then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
San Diego County has COVID-19 guidelines that residents are encouraged to follow. The most current recommendations include staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if symptoms are suspected. In general, mask-wearing is not required. However, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, a recent positive test, or been exposed to the virus, San Diego County asks that you wear a mask in public. Masks are also required in at-risk settings, such as health care centers and skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes.
Read the most recent San Diego County COVID-19 guidelines here.
Vaccinations. San Diego County encourages all citizens to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
Masking. Guests are required to wear masks in skilled nursing facilities.
Facility cleanliness. Surfaces and shared items are routinely cleaned and disinfected with hospital-grade disinfectant.
Staff safety. Health care facility staff are given personal protective equipment (also known as PPE) and are routinely screened for COVID-19 symptoms. [14]
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Assisted living and memory care communities in San Diego have much to offer seniors. From full calendars of engaging activities to connected care opportunities, seniors with a variety of needs can find the lifestyle option that fits them.
San Diego nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are staffed with doctors and nurses that provide seniors with round-the-clock supervision and skilled medical care. Skilled nursing facilities may also coordinate hospice and rehabilitation services for seniors. Rehabilitation services are designed for seniors recovering from surgery or an illness. Skilled nursing facilities as well as assisted living communities have a range of rehabilitative therapies available on-site. These therapies often include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Residents of these San Diego facilities may also find unique options, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and certified therapy dogs.
All of our San Diego assisted living and memory care communities should provide a least some on-site nursing care services to current residents, equivalent to the services received at a skilled nursing facility. However, it is not typical that an assisted living community will admit a senior in need of 24/7 medical observation, as that service is reserved for seniors already living in the community. For example, residents already in an assisted living community that grow to need rehabilitation or hospice care can receive such care services in the comfort of their own unit.
Seniors who aren’t recovering from surgery or an illness, aren’t in need of hospice care, and don’t require 24/7 medical oversight should look at assisted living communities — not nursing homes — to meet their current and future needs.
Seniors who choose assisted living facilities in San Diego are set up to enjoy all that the city and their new lifestyle has to offer. Activities both within and outside of the community make for enriching social experiences, such as fitness classes, volunteer programs, parties, and live on-site entertainment. Visits to local museums, outings to sunny beaches, and lively tours of SeaWorld San Diego also await residents who want to maximize each day.
Luxe amenities can be found in many of San Diego’s assisted living communities, from living units to dining and common areas. Residents enjoy on-site fine dining experiences, pamper themselves in full service salons, wellness spas, and optimize their health in fitness centers and therapy pools. In addition, pools with views of the ocean waves and walking paths to nearby sandy beaches await residents. Some communities even maintain exclusive, private beach access and rooftop decks overlooking the ocean.
Most of San Diego’s assisted living facilities offer multiple senior care services in a single location, such as memory care and on-site skilled nursing care. These communities allow seniors to choose their ideal living situation without worry of moving in the future if their care needs change. Some of these facilities even have social services teams to coordinate residents’ appointments and facilitate communication between residents, families, and nursing staff.
Memory care communities in San Diego are ready to make each resident’s day meaningful. These specialized senior living communities are staffed with memory-care trained staff and uniquely designed for the safety and comfort of seniors with memory care needs. From person-centered activities to specialized therapies and amenities, these communities have something for all seniors to keep their minds engaged. Some communities even offer unique experiences, like virtual reality brain fitness games, accessible and safe social events, and chauffeured field trips to many of San Diego’s popular attractions.
Most memory care facilities in San Diego are a part of a larger assisted living facility which provides an array of on-site skilled nursing care services. Some even advertise themselves as luxury care communities, offering many high-end amenities for seniors to enjoy along the stages of their care journey.
Seniors can socialize in comfortable common areas after treating themselves to fresh styles and manicures in full-service, on-site salons. Residents are often found enjoying a gourmet meal with regional seafood and seasonal produce, or spending tranquil moments in on-site therapy gardens and landscaped courtyards. Like assisted living communities, many San Diego memory care communities even have unique, on-site amenities like personal wine storage, bars, and sports lounges.
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Percentage of seniors 75 and older currently living in San Diego, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Senior residents in San Diego, California, have access to several nationally ranked hospitals and senior health care centers.
UC San Diego Health – La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals are teaching hospitals that provide general and surgical care. They’re nationally ranked for several areas of adult care, including cancer surgeries, cardiology, and their geriatric clinic.[17]
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla provides general and surgical care. They’re nationally ranked for cardiology and orthopedics.[17]
Sharp Memorial Hospital is nationally ranked for lung surgery and urology. This hospital also provides general medical and surgical care, in addition to having geriatric specialists and several senior resource centers.[17]
Many of San Diego’s nursing homes and senior care facilities offer scheduled transportation to their residents for specific appointments, errands, and scheduled outings. Resident visitors will also find many public transportation options available, allowing them to maximize their experiences with their loved ones in San Diego.
San Diego Public Transportation has a program called PRONTO that enables riders to buy their tickets online through an app. These public transportation options are available to San Diego residents and visitors alike:
San Diego also has transportation options designed with seniors in mind.
Endless entertainment awaits seniors and their visitors in San Diego, California, a city known for its scenic beaches and world-renowned attractions. From lounging on picturesque beaches to visiting San Diego’s most iconic attractions, this city has something for everyone. Check out the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website for updates on things to do and local guides for San Diego visitors and locals alike.
Many of San Diego’s popular attractions are wheelchair accessible and make accommodations for people with disabilities. For example, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the USS Midway Museum all offer wheelchair rentals, tour scripts, and accessibility guides. SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo itself also offer accessibility accommodations and options for people with varying cognitive and physical abilities.
Family visitors and locals alike have many opportunities to enjoy gorgeous coastal scenery while in San Diego. There are many popular beaches, including La Jolla Shores and Cove, located near unique shops and restaurants. Natural beauty, stunning views from the rocky cliffs, and marine life sightings await. Day trips to Coronado Island are also full of possibilities and unique experiences, from lounging on the breathtaking Coronado Beach to sipping coffee in coastal cafes.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy spending time in Old Town San Diego or Balboa Park — a historical site and thousand-acre park with serene nature areas as well as entertainment venues, cafes, and museums. The Comic-Con Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, lush gardens, tropical trails, and much more are all located in the park.
Find every cuisine imaginable in San Diego’s popular restaurants, from seafood fine dining experiences to unique steakhouses. And after dinner, live entertainment awaits. Whether via a sporting event or theatrical performance, San Diego’s cultural attractions make for an exciting and bustling city. Catch a San Diego Padres game in Petco Park or a rugby or lacrosse game at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego is also home to several performing arts centers. The Old Globe and two venues managed by San Diego Theatres — Civic Theater and Balboa Theater — host famous acts, popular musicals, theatrical comedies, and more.
Monte Vista Village, Silvergate Retirement Residence - Fallbrook and Silvergate Rancho Bernardo are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near San Diego, CA. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in San Diego is 5,533 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of care survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and over (B21001) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA aid and attendance benefits and housebound allowance.
Medicaid.gov. Mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits.
Department of Health Care Services. (2023, January 12). Program of all-inclusive care for the elderly.
Department of Health Care Services. (2019, November 19). Medi-Cal eligibility & covered California FAQ’s.
Medicare.gov. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care.
Department of Health Care Services. (2023, January 3). Senior care action network health plan.
Required Services, 22 CCR § 72301 (1983 & rev. 2023).
State of California Health and Human Services Agency Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
California Association of Health Facilities. (2021, March). Facts and statistics – Long-term care providers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus disease (2019) preparedness checklist for nursing homes and other long-term care settings.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Weather Spark. (2022). Average temperature in San Diego.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best hospitals in San Diego, California.
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