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San Luis Obispo is a central Californian city less than 13 minutes from the coast. It has a rich winemaking heritage and impressive historical architecture, particularly downtown, which is also home to numerous restaurants and coffee shops. Seniors comprise about 13.5% of the city’s 47,000 residents, which is below average. They are beneficiaries of an excellent climate, above-average air quality and more physicians per capita than in the typical American city.
Assisted living communities provide 24/7 care in homelike environments for seniors who can no longer live independently without support. Each facility is unique, but it’s common to find licensed caregivers assisting with everyday living tasks such as dressing or bathing and for chefs to prepare three meals daily. Most communities allow residents to furnish their rooms with personal items so they are able to feel more at home. The median monthly fee for assisted living in San Luis Obispo is $5,300, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, which is just $50 more than California’s average cost.
This guide explores assisted living in San Luis Obispo and considers costs in relation to alternative locations in California. It also lists some senior-friendly resources available in the city.
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.
The median cost for assisted living in San Luis Obispo is $5,300. This is based on 44 hours worked per month, but fees will differ depending on the type of services provided.
The typical senior in San Luis Obispo pays an additional $50 per month for assisted living over California’s median fee of $5,250. They also pay $800 more than the typical American, as the national average is $4,500.
Although above California’s average, San Luis Obispo is not the costliest city in the state, which is Santa Rosa ($7,048). Many cities are costlier, including San Francisco ($6,319) and San Diego ($5,475). However, San Luis Obispo seniors looking for more affordable assisted living could save money in other cities, including Los Angeles ($5,250) and Sacramento ($5,225). The biggest potential savings come from California’s most affordable city for assisted living, Madera ($3,828).
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.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| SLO Legal Assistance Foundation | (805) 543-5140 | SLO Legal Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit law firm helping seniors, veterans and others in need access quality legal support. The full scope of services is available, including legal advice and representation. SLO handles civil law matters only, which include elder abuse, government benefits, planning for incapacity and consumer law. |
| Long Term Care Ombudsman | (805) 785-0132 | The Long Term Care Ombudsman visits licensed senior care facilities to determine if they’re continuing to uphold standards. Ombudsmen speak directly and confidentially to residents and investigate their complaints while ensuring their anonymity. The ombudsman negotiates solutions to complaints with care providers but can escalate them, if necessary. |
| Riso Family Loan Closet | (805) 541-4990 | The Riso Family Loan Closet provides free loans of durable medical equipment to seniors in need throughout San Luis Obispo. The program can provide a wide range of gently used and refurbished basic equipment for agreed periods of time, such as wheelchairs, crutches, canes and walkers. |
| Veterans Services | (805) 781-5766 | San Luis Obispo County’s Veterans Services department helps those who served and their dependents access state and federal benefits. It can also help them claim benefits connected with active service, such as VA Aid and Attendance and burial support, and refer vets requiring nonmedical care to the appropriate VA providers. |
| SLO Senior Center | (805) 781-7222 | SLO Senior Center is for adults aged 55+. There’s a small cost for membership and for some activities. The center provides opportunities for seniors to play popular games, such as pinochle and bingo, as well as participate in fitness classes. There are also educational programs and arts and crafts. |
| Senior Volunteer Services | (805) 544-8740 | Senior Volunteer Services connects seniors who wish to volunteer with nonprofits and government agencies that need extra hands. Seniors can become involved in areas of particular interest to them, such as food insecurity, law enforcement, animals, homelessness, youth services and arts and culture. |
| Senior Go! | (805) 473-3333 | Senior Go! is a low-cost transportation service adults aged 65+ can use to travel throughout San Luis Obispo County. It operates during working hours, Monday through Friday, and for part of Saturday. Seniors can get door-to-door or curb-to-curb services for up to four round trips per month. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the San Luis Obispo 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.
