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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in El Cajon, CA for 2024

El Cajon is a vibrant city located about 15 miles east of San Diego’s downtown district, promoting access to outstanding medical facilities, community-based services and age-friendly recreation. The city offers a variety of transportation options for seniors, making it easy to navigate even without a private vehicle, and pleasant weather throughout the year appeals to those who enjoy outdoor living. It also has numerous assisted living agencies to accommodate the city’s seniors, a demographic that makes up 12% of the 106,000 residents.

Assisted living is a popular option among older adults who need help with some daily activities and are seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle. This type of care costs $5,475 per month, which is affordable compared to rates in nearby communities such as Oxnard and El Centro. Assisted living includes comfortable housing, daily meals, regular social and recreational activities and individualized care plans. Many facilities are pet-friendly and have amenities such as swimming pools and hair salons. 

This guide provides more details on how local assisted living costs compare to rates in other California communities, along with ways seniors pay for services. It also lists top resources that serve seniors in the region. 

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Assisted Living Facilities in El Cajon, California

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in El Cajon

The California Department of Social Service, Community Care Licensing Division, licenses and monitors assisted living facilities in El Cajon and the rest of California. This department maintains a list of licensed assisted living facilities in the state, and it operates a complaint hotline for those who observe substandard care or conditions in a residential facility.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in El Cajon

  • El Cajon seniors have access to a variety of transportation services to supplement what they access through assisted living. These include the San Diego County Senior Transportation Program, which provides free services for income-qualifying seniors; FACT, which has budget-friendly services for those with limited financial resources; and the Rides & Smiles program through Jewish Family Service.
  • El Cajon’s air quality is subpar and may be a concern for older adults with certain health conditions. High levels of smog and particle pollutants earn the city failing grades in the Ozone and 24-Hour Particle Pollution categories from the American Lung Association. However, it has a passing score for annual particle pollution. Assisted living facilities often have air purification systems to minimize irritants indoors.
  • Social Security benefits are exempt from state income taxes in El Cajon and the rest of California, but other forms of retirement income are subject to some of the highest taxes in the nation. While this may impact how much seniors can pay toward assisted living expenses, organizations such as the Area Agency on Aging provide tax preparation services to help seniors obtain the deductions and exemptions they qualify for.
  • The closest hospital to El Cajon is Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, about 3 miles from El Cajon’s center. This hospital is one of the largest in the county and provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services. Many local assisted living facilities also have on-call physicians who provide routine check-ups and medical services.  
  • The overall cost of living in El Cajon is high compared to the national norm but in line with what’s typical of California. On a 100-point index set to a national norm of 100, the city rates 148.2 versus the California rating of 149.9. Housing costs in this city are about double the national norm, which may make assisted living a budget-friendly alternative to living alone.
  • El Cajon’s weather is pleasant throughout the year, making it a prime option for retirees who enjoy outdoor activities. Daytime highs range from 69-88 degrees, and the city gets 14 inches of annual rainfall and no snow.

 

Paying for Assisted Living in El Cajon

Seniors in El Cajon pay $5,475 per month on average for assisted living.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

In El Cajon, assisted living facilities charge monthly rates of $5,475. This is $225 higher than California's norm, and it exceeds the national average by nearly $1,000. El Cajon is a budget-friendly alternative to El Centro, where facilities charge monthly fees of $6,150. Local care costs are also competitive compared to rates in Oxnard, which average $5,750. In nearby Los Angeles, fees are a little lower than in El Cajon at $5,250, and opting for care in Riverside offers a potential monthly savings of $1,475.

El Cajon

$5,475

California

$5,250

United States

$4,500

El Centro

$6,150

Riverside

$4,000

Los Angeles

$5,250

Oxnard

$5,750

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Compared to other long-term care options, assisted living is competitively priced at $5,475 per month. This is roughly $1,000 less than in-home care and home health care, which feature comparable care services in the individual’s home. Assisted living costs about $3,900 less than nursing home care, which provides around-the-clock medical care and monitoring. However, seniors may save $3,400 per month by choosing adult day health care, which features daytime care in a community setting.

In-Home Care

$6,387

Home Health Care

$6,473

Adult Day Health Care

$2,058

Assisted Living Facility

$5,475

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$9,384

Note: Data for El Cajon was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Diego, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in El Cajon

Seniors in El Cajon can receive financial assistance through the Med-Cali Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Assisted Living Waiver (ALW), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the optional state supplement (OSS).

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.

Financial Assistance in California

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in California page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in El Cajon

El Cajon and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free assisted living resources in El Cajon, please visit our Assisted Living in California page.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in El Cajon

El Cajon Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in California

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Linn

I am/was a resident of this facility

Review of Lo-Har Senior Living

I have my own room in Lo-Har Senior Living. They help me with showers, they provide three meals a day, they help me with medications, they clean the room, and they wash my laundry. They have an...

Read more

Assisted Living

sburdick1956

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Parkway Gardens Retirement Care Home

My mom was a resident at Parkway Gardens before she passed away, the faculty always treated her with the utmost respect and was always there whenever Mom needed anything. She was treated great. ...

Read more

Assisted Living

Valerie

I visited this facility

Review of Lo-Har Senior Living

I visited Lo-Har Senior Living. We stood at the gate for the longest time waiting for somebody to come greet us. We had an appointment, but it didn't seem like it. Once we got to talking and...

Read more

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Other Options in El Cajon, CA

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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