A son came to me frustrated and upset. He knew his mom had been in assisted living for three years. He also knew she didn’t make much money. She raised him as a single mom and mostly worked low-paying jobs. Her savings would only last a few months before she ran out of money. People kept telling him Medi-Cal would cover the bill. The facility even told him she was on Medi-Cal and would get a spot as soon as one became available.
I asked if she was on the waiting list for the Assisted Living Waiver program. He checked, and it turned out everyone assumed she was automatically on the list because she was on Medi-Cal, and that once her money ran out, a spot would open. That wasn’t the case. Facilities often handle their own paperwork so they can accept the waiver, but they don’t always explain what you must do to actually get on the waiting list. To qualify, you must go through agencies licensed to evaluate you and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. She hadn’t done any of this.
I helped him get his mom evaluated and added to the waiting list. Later, he called back saying someone told him she’d be placed at the top of the list because she had no money. I explained that’s not how it works. This program is only available to those with low income, but it’s not prioritized based on financial need alone. I also referred him to CalAIM, a program that does give preference to people who lack resources. Fingers crossed, she’ll be able to get help.
Her son will contribute as much as he can, but with a wife and two children, his resources are limited. And here’s the reality—if she can’t get help and CalAIM funding is cut next year, as we’ve seen with other Medi-Cal and Medicare programs, her facility could face a tough choice: accept whatever she can pay or ask her to leave.
Most facilities that accept the waiver will allow someone to stay while waiting for a spot to open. But right now, the average wait time is about two years. I wish they had reached out sooner. She would already be much higher on the list.
If you or a loved one are worried about paying for assisted living, don’t wait. Call me today so we can make a plan.
