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Carlsbad is a relatively safe mid-size California city, which makes it a popular destination for seniors and others who can afford the high cost of living. However, residents of assisted living facilities in the area are somewhat sheltered from the high median home cost — the largest contributor to cost of living — and many locals pay less for health care. The price tag on Carlsbad has done little to slow its population growth, outpacing the state and country by roughly 50%, including a higher percentage of people aged 65 and over.
Assisted living facilities can be beneficial for aging seniors. These communities take care of the burdens of home ownership, such as household chores and maintenance. They are staffed by trained caregivers who can assist residents with daily tasks while allowing them to live as independently as possible. On average, these communities cost $5,475 per month in Carlsbad, which is expensive compared to other cities in California.
This guide offers more information about assisted living in Carlsbad, including an overview of facility regulations, a breakdown of average care costs and a list of local resources offering free programs and services.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in California. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living for seniors in Carlsbad is $5,475.
Assisted living in Carlsbad costs an average of $5,475 per month, which is $225 higher than the California state average of $5,250 and nearly $1,000 higher than the national average of $4,500.
While Carlsbad’s costs are higher than the average California city, they are affordable compared to Oxnard, where costs are $275 higher per month, and El Centro, where rates are $675 higher. Further north along the coast, San Jose ($6,000) and San Francisco ($6,319) also have higher rates than Carlsbad. In Riverside and Fresno, seniors can find $1,500 lower priced care. Los Angeles is also a less expensive option, with rates that are $225 less per month than in Carlsbad.
Note: Data for Carlsbad was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Diego, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in California.
| Contact | Description | |
| San Diego County Aging & Independence Services | (800) 339-4661 | AIS is the Area Agency on Aging for Carlsbad residents, which helps seniors and caregivers with all kinds of aging-related issues, and it’s also responsible for many other community support services that may be useful. Information on senior facilities, financial assistance and insurance is available, including one-on-one counseling, and all services are provided free of charge. |
| San Diego County Veterans Services | (858) 694-3222 | San Diego County Office of Military & Veterans Affairs is the local connection point for the veteran population and VA services, including access and transportation to VA medical facilities. Staff members can help veterans and family members secure VA benefits and extras such as the Aid and Attendance benefit. This can provide a substantial increase to the monthly pension for some seniors in assisted living facilities. |
| Legal Assistance & Health Insurance Counseling | (858) 565-1392 | Elder Law & Advocacy provides free civil legal assistance to eligible seniors in San Diego County. This organization also manages the local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) to help seniors get the most out of Medicare, Medigap, HMO options and other long-term care insurance matters. |
| Social Security Office | (855) 287-4793 | Carlsbad residents can access Social Security services at the local office near The Shoppes mall. Seniors aged 65 or over, and people with disabilities, who are financially vulnerable may qualify for SSI benefits that can cover some assisted living costs. Furthermore, eligibility for SSI creates additional pathways to qualify for more assistance and higher levels of Medi-Cal funding. |
| Carlsbad Senior Center | (760) 434-5022 | The local senior center is part of the Pine Avenue Community Center located on the former grounds of Pine Elementary. This large, multi-generational center hosts classes, activities and events for seniors and adults of all ages, as well as various nutrition and wellness initiatives. It’s more suited to active seniors, although it’s also a good source of local information on assisted living and financial assistance programs. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Carlsbad area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
