What happens when living independently at home – or moving in with family – is no longer an option? How do you find a senior care facility that offers not just a place to live, but a safe and comfortable home?

For many older adults and their families, the search can be daunting. Costs vary widely; quality of care can be difficult to assess; and waiting lists at desirable facilities can stretch for years. Eric and Chris Deweese, relatively new members of Pasadena Village, discovered just how complicated the process can be after hearing about the experiences of elderly relatives and friends.

“It didn’t take long to realize that research and planning were key,” Chris recalled.

Determined to help fellow Villagers navigate these challenges, the Deweeses organized an educational program to share what they had learned. On October 7, 2026, more than 50 Villagers gathered to hear the results of their research, along with firsthand accounts from five Villagers currently living in local senior care facilities. A lively discussion followed, offering practical advice, cautionary tales, and some eye-opening insights.

Here are the major takeaways:

The Price of Care: What Can You Expect?

Senior care comes with a substantial price tag, and costs vary dramatically depending on the type of facility and level of assistance required. At smaller, residential-style care homes, basic room and board averages approximately $3,800 per month. Larger assisted living facilities may charge around $7,000 per month, even before adding fees for specialized care or extra staff assistance. Memory care can add another $2,000 per month, while skilled nursing facilities may charge as much as $16,000 per month.

Some senior living communities offer entrance-fee contracts, requiring an upfront payment that can reach several hundred thousand dollars. In exchange, residents may benefit from lower monthly charges. Depending on the contract, a portion of the entrance fee may eventually be returned to the resident's estate.

Another financially-related concern raised was the changing ownership of senior care facilities. With fewer facilities operating as nonprofits and growing involvement by private equity firms and other investment groups, questions arise about whether financial returns are being prioritized over residents' well-being. The potential consequences for quality of care and affordability deserve careful scrutiny.

Amenities: More Than Just a Room

As the saying goes, you often get what you pay for.

Amenities vary enormously from one facility to another. Some provide few services beyond basic accommodations, while others offer restaurant-quality meals, organized social activities, recreational programs, and transportation to appointments and community events. Food quality alone can range from merely adequate to exceptional. Opportunities for social engagement may be virtually nonexistent at one facility and abundant at another.

The lesson? Look beyond the brochure. Consider not only what care you may need, but also what will make daily life enjoyable and meaningful.

Waiting Lists: Don't Wait Until You Need Care

Perhaps the most urgent message of the afternoon was this: Start looking long before you need to move.

At popular communities such as MonteCedro, waiting lists can exceed 200 people. Even more modest facilities may have waits of one to three years. For someone facing an unexpected health crisis or a sudden loss of independence, those delays can leave few desirable options. The overwhelming consensus among presenters and participants was clear: research facilities early; identify those that meet your needs and budget; get on waiting lists well before a move becomes necessary.

Quality of Care: Look Behind the Curtain

An attractive building and a polished sales presentation don't necessarily guarantee good care.

Dan DiStefano, who managed nursing homes in Los Angeles County for 20 years before retiring, offered valuable insights into what prospective residents and their families should investigate.

Staffing levels and the quality of hands-on care deserve particular attention. Serious shortcomings can occur in facilities serving residents with limited financial resources, including some who rely on Medi-Cal assistance.

One especially useful suggestion: Visit outside normal business hours.

A facility may appear well staffed and efficiently run during a scheduled daytime tour. But what happens in the evening or overnight? Staffing shortages and lapses in care can be much harder to conceal after the administrative staff has gone home.

Prospective residents should ask pointed questions, observe how staff interact with residents, and seek independent information about a facility's record.

Two government resources can help:

Medicare Care Compare provides information about nursing homes participating in Medicare or Medicaid, including inspection results and quality measures.
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division provides licensing information and inspection reports for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs), including many assisted living communities.

These records can reveal problems that may not be apparent during a guided tour.

Finding Help With the Search

Fortunately, families don't necessarily have to navigate the process alone.

Senior housing referral and placement agencies can help identify suitable facilities, arrange tours, and explain available options. Many offer these services at no direct cost to prospective residents because they receive referral fees from participating facilities.

Such assistance can be valuable, although families should understand how agencies are compensated and whether their recommendations include facilities that do not pay referral fees.

For an informative introduction to these services, visit the Pasadena Village YouTube channel and watch Supportive Housing Options for Seniors, a presentation by Jason Bloome, a representative of one such agency.

With Thanks

Special thanks go to John Merriam, Catharine Deeley, Dick Myers, Ed Rinderle, and Alice Landolph, who generously shared their personal experiences living in local senior care facilities. Their firsthand observations brought an invaluable perspective to the discussion.

We also thank Dan DiStefano for contributing his professional expertise on evaluating quality of care, and Eric and Chris Deweese for organizing a timely and informative program. The Deweeses' initiative provided Villagers with both useful information and a powerful reminder: A little planning today can make an enormous difference tomorrow.

Author's note: Some information about costs, inspection reports, and referral assistance was added during preparation of this article and was not part of the October 7 presentation. The author acknowledges significant assistance from ChatGPT.

Blog Topics Posts about this Topic