Santa Ana is a city in Orange County that’s home to 310,227 residents. Although only 9% of its population is in the 65+ age group, the city is senior-friendly. For example, its health costs are below average despite California having the third-highest cost of living in the country. Its older residents also enjoy one of the best climates in the state and easy access to a multitude of medical facilities. For leisure, they can visit the city’s many parks and museums, including Santiago Park and the Lyon Air Museum, as well as Santa Ana Zoo.  

Assisted living costs in Santa Ana average $5,000 per month, which is also the state average. Although each facility is unique, the fee often covers the costs of seniors’ accommodation and staff to clean their rooms, launder clothes, prepare meals and manage their medications. Other common features include organized group activities and 24-hour security. Consequently, assisted living is most suitable for seniors who retain most of their autonomy and need minimal support.

This guide covers senior living costs in more detail and considers the pros and cons of living in Santa Ana. It also includes a list of resources for seniors. 

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Ana, CA

Hollybrook Senior Living of Orange

Hollybrook Senior Living of Orange is conveniently located close to Main Street and 17th Street, where you can easily find a number of restaurants, stores and entertainment venues. The facility is wel … (read more)
Hollybrook Senior Living of Orange is conveniently located close to Main Street and 17th Street, where you can easily find a number of restaurants, stores and entertainment venues. The facility is wel … (read more)

2013

Ivy Park at Tustin

Ivy Park at Tustin is an assisted living and memory care facility located less than two miles north of Tustin, CA. Residents can choose from a studio apartment up to a two-bedroom apartment, each equi … (read more)
Ivy Park at Tustin is an assisted living and memory care facility located less than two miles north of Tustin, CA. Residents can choose from a studio apartment up to a two-bedroom apartment, each equi … (read more)

2013, 2016

Town & Country Manor

Town and Country Manor is located in a prime location of Santa Ana, cozily tucked away with the view of the lush woods on one side of the community, while still being just a short distance from a near … (read more)
Town and Country Manor is located in a prime location of Santa Ana, cozily tucked away with the view of the lush woods on one side of the community, while still being just a short distance from a near … (read more)

Crescent Care Villas – Lemon Heights

Visited this place last saturday, My thoughts, 1. Location: Safe neighborhood. Quite. clean. 2. The staff: friendly 3. The house: recently renovated. Layout was nice. Felt like a spac … (read more)
Visited this place last saturday, My thoughts, 1. Location: Safe neighborhood. Quite. clean. 2. The staff: friendly 3. The house: recently renovated. Layout was nice. Felt like a spac … (read more)

Espiritu Guest Home Iv

Espiritu Guest Home IV provides Senior Living Services in Santa Ana, California located in Orange County, home of Disneyland Resort and Amusement Park in Anaheim. Espiritu Guest Home IV receives recog … (read more)
Espiritu Guest Home IV provides Senior Living Services in Santa Ana, California located in Orange County, home of Disneyland Resort and Amusement Park in Anaheim. Espiritu Guest Home IV receives recog … (read more)

Casa Palma

My husband moved to Casa Palma and they have been amazing. The facility is very, very clean. It’s board and care. They have things for the people to do if they want to, like puzzles, cards, reading or … (read more)
My husband moved to Casa Palma and they have been amazing. The facility is very, very clean. It’s board and care. They have things for the people to do if they want to, like puzzles, cards, reading or … (read more)

St. Francis Home

St. Francis Home, based in beautiful Santa Ana, California, is a caring, home-like facility run by Franciscan nuns. This assisted living facility provides a loving environment, along with opportunitie … (read more)
St. Francis Home, based in beautiful Santa Ana, California, is a caring, home-like facility run by Franciscan nuns. This assisted living facility provides a loving environment, along with opportunitie … (read more)


Bubbe & Zaydes Place

Bubbe and Zayde’s Place is a senior facility in Santa Ana, California. Caregivers provide care based on individual needs and support seniors with the tasks of daily living, such as bathing, grooming a … (read more)
Bubbe and Zayde’s Place is a senior facility in Santa Ana, California. Caregivers provide care based on individual needs and support seniors with the tasks of daily living, such as bathing, grooming a … (read more)



Mandel House

Mandel House offers senior services in a private, homelike setting. It is located in a beautiful neighborhood of Santa Ana, California, with its lovely weather and spectacular views. The facility is s … (read more)
Mandel House offers senior services in a private, homelike setting. It is located in a beautiful neighborhood of Santa Ana, California, with its lovely weather and spectacular views. The facility is s … (read more)

Stocker Group Homes

Stocker Group Homes is a small facility located in the beautiful Santa Ana, California valley. It offers a limited number of beds, which means that everyone in the facility receives personal care acco … (read more)
Stocker Group Homes is a small facility located in the beautiful Santa Ana, California valley. It offers a limited number of beds, which means that everyone in the facility receives personal care acco … (read more)


The Meridian at Anaheim Hills

The Meridian at Anaheim Hills is located in a quiet area of Anaheim, California, a short distance from Anaheim Hills and East Santa Ana Canyon Road where there are a wide variety of shops, restaurants … (read more)
The Meridian at Anaheim Hills is located in a quiet area of Anaheim, California, a short distance from Anaheim Hills and East Santa Ana Canyon Road where there are a wide variety of shops, restaurants … (read more)

2013, 2015

Brookdale Garden Grove

Brookdale Garden Grove is located in Garden Grove, California, a few minutes away from the Navy Golf Course Seal Beach, Disneyland and Westhaven Park. Residents give this facility high marks for its r … (read more)
Brookdale Garden Grove is located in Garden Grove, California, a few minutes away from the Navy Golf Course Seal Beach, Disneyland and Westhaven Park. Residents give this facility high marks for its r … (read more)

2016

Huntington Terrace

Huntington Terrace is in a prime location in Huntington Beach, California, near numerous stores, restaurants and, of course, breathtaking Huntington Beach. Visitors highly praise the facility for the … (read more)
Huntington Terrace is in a prime location in Huntington Beach, California, near numerous stores, restaurants and, of course, breathtaking Huntington Beach. Visitors highly praise the facility for the … (read more)

Brookdale Anaheim

Brookdale Anaheim is located in Anaheim, California, just minutes from I-5 and Route 91. Residents and their loved ones give high marks for the kind and caring staff and the clean and inviting facilit … (read more)
Brookdale Anaheim is located in Anaheim, California, just minutes from I-5 and Route 91. Residents and their loved ones give high marks for the kind and caring staff and the clean and inviting facilit … (read more)

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Kirkwood Orange

I had an in-person tour of Kirkwood Orange. The care is good there. This is one I can recommend in Orange if you need assisted living. The thing I liked least about it was that the location was close … (read more)
I had an in-person tour of Kirkwood Orange. The care is good there. This is one I can recommend in Orange if you need assisted living. The thing I liked least about it was that the location was close … (read more)
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2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

2016, 2017, 2022

Rowntree Gardens

Located in Stanton, California, Rowntree Gardens is nestled next to Premier Park and the Playa Galleria Shopping Center. Residents and their families praise the facility’s friendly staff, homelike i … (read more)
Located in Stanton, California, Rowntree Gardens is nestled next to Premier Park and the Playa Galleria Shopping Center. Residents and their families praise the facility’s friendly staff, homelike i … (read more)
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2016, 2017, 2022

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Santa Ana

Two authorities share the responsibility of licensing, monitoring and regulating assisted living facilities in California. They are the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services and the California Department of Social Services. Unannounced inspections of facilities are carried out by the California Department of Public Health

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Santa Ana

  • Working to a national index of 100, Sperling’s Best Places gives Santa Ana an average cost of living index of 146.3. Although this is high when compared to the national average, it’s lower than the 149.9 given to California. Seniors considering assisted living may be pleased to know that Santa Ana’s health cost index, although above the state average, is below the national average.
  • There are many well-regarded medical facilities in the city, such as the Orange County Global Medical Center and Kindred Hospital. Also, a significant number of Santa Ana’s doctors are registered to treat Medicare beneficiaries, 152 of whom specialize in family medicine. Being only 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, seniors are within easy reach of some of the country’s finest hospitals
  • Santa Ana’s crime statistics are generally in line with the state averages, with property crime being a little lower (and also below the national average). Crime in the city happens more often in certain neighborhoods. The north, northeast and east of Santa Ana experience less crime, as do the districts nearest to Fountain Valley. 
  • Santa Ana has one of the most comfortable climates in California. Annual rainfall averages 25 inches below the national average of 38, which means seniors rarely have to handle uncomfortable humid heat. Winter temperatures are typically a pleasant 47 degrees, while in summer, 82 degrees is the norm. 
  • The Senior Non-Emergency Transportation Program operates throughout Orange County, taking older residents to their medical appointments for a low cost. Members of Santa Ana’s senior centers can apply to join the Senior Mobility Program, a free service that can also be used for grocery trips.
  • Although Santa Ana’s air quality is nine points below the U.S. average of 58, the city scores 97 out of 100 for the work in minimizing pollution as part of the EPA’s Superfund program. Its water quality outperforms most other cities too, scoring 65 points (the national average is 55). 

Paying for Assisted Living in Santa Ana

The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found that the average fee for assisted living in Santa Ana is $5,000 per month, equal to the state average and $700 more than the national average.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities 

Looking within a two-hour radius of Santa Ana, the Genworth survey shows that Oxnard is the most costly city in the area, with fees averaging $5,845. More affordable assisted living is available in San Diego for $4,525 per month and Riverside for $3,900.

$5000

Santa Ana

$5000

California

$4300

The United States

$5845

Oxnard

$3900

Riverside

$4525

San Diego

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care 

Seniors at adult day care centers have the lowest senior care fees in Santa Ana, at $1,647. Assisted living, which provides accommodation and care, typically costs $5,000, which is $434 per month less than the standard care offered by home care providers. For an additional $95, seniors at home can also receive basic health care. Nursing home care is the most expensive due to its offering of accommodation and hospital-like medical care. A typical private room in Santa Ana costs $10,570, although seniors willing to share a room can save $2,510 per month on that.

$5434

Homemaker Services

$5529

Home Health Aide

$1647

Adult Day Health Care

$5000

Assisted Living Facility

$8060

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$10570

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Note: Data for Santa Ana was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Los Angeles, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Santa Ana

Eligible seniors can find financial assistance services in Santa Ana through both the Medicaid 1915(c) Assisted Living Waiver Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the optional state supplement (OSS).

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

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living 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 Santa Ana

Many resource providers are dedicated to helping seniors live in Santa Ana. The following resources are a few examples of what’s available to the city’s older residents. They include where to get medical attention if they spent time in the U.S. military, how to get help if they can’t resolve a dispute with their care provider and how they can contribute towards their community.

Resource

Contact

Service

(800) 300-6222

The Council on Aging-Southern California is a nonprofit organization focused on helping seniors in the counties of Orange and Riverside. One of its services is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, an advocate for residents in senior living communities. Residents and others can register complaints about care standards with the ombudsman, who will investigate and try to resolve their complaints with the facilities' owners and managers. The ombudsman also educates seniors on their rights.

(714) 953-5757

RSVP is a nonprofit organization with many years of experience matching seniors with spare time and life skills to charities and government agencies that rely on the help of volunteers. Operating through OneOC, a local nonprofit, RSVP connects volunteers to suitable organizations. Examples of voluntary work include delivering fresh meals to homebound seniors, driving others to medical appointments and preparing food parcels for low-income families. Seniors with specific skills may also have the opportunity to mentor Orange County's younger residents.

(714) 647-6540

The Santa Ana Senior Center, and Southwest Senior Center, are local hubs for adults aged 60+, enabling them to enjoy quality time with others in their age group. The centers offer recreational, educational and fitness programs designed to stimulate the mind and body, in addition to generating a welcoming social environment for seniors. 

(714) 434-4600

Santa Ana VA Clinic is part of the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. It provides primary care for U.S. military veterans and their families. The clinic also specializes in mental health treatments and delivering care via telehealth programs. Other on-site services include radiology and audiology, optometry and podiatrist visits once per month. Patients needing greater levels of care get referred to the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach, which is approximately a 20-minute journey from the clinic.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Santa Ana

Santa Ana-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities 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