Palm Desert is located centrally in California’s Coachella Valley and is considered a cultural and retail hub for the surrounding desert communities and resort towns. The city is home to a very high senior population, at 33.7%, which is more than double the national average. Several upscale boutiques and cozy local eateries can be found in the El Paseo Shopping District or at the nearby Westfield Palm Desert mall. The area has several golf courses and country clubs, including Desert Willow Golf Resort, which offers two award-winning courses, as well as an array of vineyards, including the organic Anthony Vineyards winery. Palm Desert’s hot summers and higher number of sunny days than the national average make it perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Assisted living facilities provide older adults with the assistance they need to remain as independent as possible while aging. Services include help with dressing, bathing and routine household tasks. Residents of assisted living facilities in Palm Desert, CA, pay an average of $5,475 per month, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
We’ve put together the following guide to assisted living in Palm Desert for those interested in exploring this option. The guide includes cost comparisons, suggestions for paying for assisted living and a list of services designed to promote independence among Palm Desert seniors.
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.
Assisted living facilities cost an average of $5,475 in Palm Desert.
At a monthly average of $5,475, assisted living is slightly more expensive in Palm Desert and other Southern California communities near San Diego than the California average of $5,250. At $4,500, the national median is nearly $1,000 less than the average cost of assisted living in Palm Desert.
Assisted living costs are lower in California’s Central Valley and the Inland Empire than they are in Palm Desert. Residents of Visalia and Fresno pay $3,450 and $3,900, respectively. Costs are higher in the San Francisco Bay area, with residents paying an average of $6,319 in San Francisco and $7,048 slightly to the north in Santa Rosa. Those in the Northern California community of Redding pay $1,025 less, at $4,450 per month.
Note: Data for Palm Desert 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 | |
Office on Aging, Riverside County | (951) 867-3800 | As the local Area Agency on Aging, Riverside County’s Office on Aging offers a variety of services for seniors, including case management, insurance counseling and caregiver support. The office also provides nutrition and food budget counseling and transportation services, and oversees the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which is responsible for investigating and resolving complaints made by assisted living residents. |
The Joslyn Center | (760) 340-3220 | The Joslyn Center works to improve the well-being of adults aged 50 and over through a variety of educational, fitness and social programs. Over 50 activities are offered, including arts and crafts, sports, games and musical performances. Educational programs include language classes and health seminars, and wellness initiatives include free health screenings and a variety of support groups. |
Riverside County Department of Veterans’ Services | (951)955-3060 | The county’s Veterans Services Department provides assistance to Palm Desert senior veterans with navigating the application and appeal processes for state and federal benefits, including the Aid and Attendance pension top-up program that can help pay for assisted living. |
Desert Recreation District | (760) 347-3484 | The Desert Recreation District provides a variety of programs designed specifically for the senior community. A Fit Over 50 initiative offers fun, low-impact classes, including Zumba and yoga. Day trips, guest speakers and special events including the Palm Desert Senior Games & International Sports Festival are hosted at various senior centers throughout the Coachella Valley. |
Indio Senior Center | (760) 391-4170 | The senior center located in nearby Indio offers athletic, social and wellness programming. The center hosts fitness classes as well as hearing and blood pressure screenings, and offers self-defense classes and seminars by local health professionals. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Palm Desert 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.