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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Chico, CA for 2023

Chico is in northern central California, roughly 90 minutes north of the state capital Sacramento. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Chico is home to an estimated 102,338 people, with 12.5% of them 65 years of age or over. Its somewhat remote location puts it far from major cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, so Chico’s older residents get the full benefit of California’s exceptionally sunny weather without the downside of the state’s notorious urban congestion and high cost of living.

Seniors who feel prepared to move from independent living situations but don’t need the level of care available from a nursing home may find that assisted living is the best option. Here, seniors can receive support with their day-to-day activities while still retaining as much independence as their health allows. The average monthly cost for residence in a Chico assisted living facility is $5,106.

This guide to assisted living in Chico explores some of the benefits and drawbacks of calling it home and includes a cost comparison between Chico and other California cities. It concludes with a short list of government agencies and nonprofit organizations tasked with supporting the older population in the area.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Chico, California

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Chico

The California Department of Social Services’ Adult Care Licensing Program oversees assisted living facilities and other residential care communities in the state. Its brief is to ensure safety and quality of care by regularly monitoring such facilities’ compliance with California law.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Chico

  • Chico can get fairly hot in the summer, with July and August highs regularly reaching the mid-90s. That’s offset by comfortable year-round lows, though. It’s rare for the temperature to drop below freezing even in winter; in the coldest months of December and January, the average high is 55, and the average low is 37 degrees. Seniors who love the sun are likely to enjoy this area: the average U.S. city gets 205 sunny days per year, while Chico gets an impressive 276.
  • The overall cost of living in Chico is much like its cost of assisted living — high when compared to the U.S. in general but low when compared to California as a whole. Specifically, Chico’s cost of living is 17% higher than the U.S. average, while California’s cost of living is 50% higher than the U.S. average.
  • Taxes can be a significant drain on the wallets of Chico-area seniors. While the sales tax rate in Chico is identical to the U.S. average of 7.3%, the income tax rate of 9.3% is over twice as high as the national average of 4.6%.
  • While Chico is located hours away from most of California’s population centers, Enloe Medical Center in Chico is consistently ranked among the top 50 hospitals in all of California by U.S. News and World Report’s annual study. The facility is particularly well-regarded for multiple procedures related to heart surgery, kidney failure and diabetes.
  • Chico’s crime rates are simultaneously slightly below and significantly above national averages. On a scale where 1 represents low crime, and 100 represents high crime, Chico’s violent crime is ranked 19.4, putting it under the national average of 22.7. However, the city’s property crime rate is 51.5, much higher than the national average of 35.4. Most assisted living facilities have multi-level security for entrances and exits, making property crime less of a consideration for their residents than it might be for seniors receiving care in private homes.

Paying for Assisted Living in Chico

According to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2021, residents of assisted living facilities in Chico pay an average of $5,106 per month. Exact costs may be higher or lower based on location, services and related factors.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Though Chico’s monthly cost for assisted living is roughly $600 higher than the national average of $4,500, it’s also just slightly below the California state average of $5,250. Within California, costs tend to be higher closer to the Pacific coast: Santa Rosa reports the highest prices at $7,048 a month. Generally speaking, lower prices are found in northern and central California, with Redding reporting prices of $4,450 a month and Stockton reporting the state’s lowest cost at $3,649 a month. The destination city of Los Angeles perfectly matches the state’s average at $5,250.

Chico

$5,106

California

$5,250

United States

$4,500

Santa Rosa

$7,048

Los Angeles

$5,250

Stockton

$3,649

Redding

$4,450

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors who don’t need round-the-clock support may find that adult day health care fulfills their needs and is much cheaper than other choices at $2,676 a month. Prices jump significantly for care rendered in the home, at $5,720 a month for both in-home care and home health care. Nursing home care involves an even larger price jump, with a semiprivate room costing $9,201 a month.

In-Home Care

$5,720

Home Health Care

$5,720

Adult Day Health Care

$2,676

Assisted Living Facility

$5,106

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$9,201

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Chico

Seniors in need of financial assistance for assisted living costs can check their eligibility for the government-funded Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP) offered through California’s Medicaid system, Medi-Cal.

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 Chico

The following free or inexpensive resources can help seniors in Chico further their education, meet new friends, find mental health support and use technologies that make their lives easier.

ResourceContactService
Chico Vet Center(530) 899-6300This non-medical counseling center for military veterans focuses on offering mental health support that can help those dealing with PTSD, bereavement and depression, among other challenges. All services are both free and confidential.
Disability Action Center(530) 893-8527Chico seniors can borrow gently used assistive devices and durable medical equipment for free from this local branch of the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition. Device availability varies over time, but the selection generally includes safety items such as shower chairs and mobility items such as wheelchairs.
Lakeside Pavilion(530) 895-4711This building sits on Chico's picturesque California Park Lake and hosts social events and programs as part of the city's Fun Over 50 initiative. Programs include fitness classes and cooking seminars, while social events include dances and communal dinners.
California State University(530) 898-6322California residents who are at least 60 years old can apply to take classes for almost free at Cal State, which has a campus in Chico. Under this program, all tuition, application and health services fees are entirely waived, and some related fees are reduced to $1.
Butte County Public Library(530) 552-5652Several free adult-focused programs are available at this library's Chico branch, including book clubs, crafting circles, basic computer classes and creative writing groups. The library also regularly screens classic movies.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Chico

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

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in California

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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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