10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Riverside, CA
In Riverside, California, seniors can receive care in assisted living communities and residential care homes nestled in the heart of the Inland Empire metropolitan area. Named for its proximity to the scenic Santa Ana River, Riverside offers older adults picturesque landscapes, ample outdoor activities, and rich culture. Riverside assisted living facilities offer a way for seniors to remain as independent as possible while receiving help with getting dressed, personal hygiene, and other needed activities of daily living.
It can be challenging to determine which assisted living facility fits your loved one’s unique needs. A Place for Mom can help you navigate your senior living options in Riverside. This comprehensive guide features 18 assisted living communities in A Place for Mom’s Riverside network — all within a 10-mile radius of Riverside’s city center. You can use this guide to learn about Riverside assisted living costs according to our exclusive cost data, what local communities offer, how to pay for assisted living, and how California regulates assisted living facilities.
Riverside Assisted Living Facilities | 807 Reviews
This is an excellent place for your loved ones. Everyone there is so wonderful. So very happy that we chose this placement for my mother in law.
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[Removed] and the staff are all very nice and take very good care of my dad. The place is not fancy but it's clean and the price was just right for our budget. We are very pleased!
It was great!! This woman is amazing and she texts me every other day, to let me know what's going on. I can't say enough about Roberta. I think the pricing is pretty reasonable. They are wonderful. The care...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Riverside community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Riverside community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of assisted living in the Riverside area
- What families are saying about assisted living in Riverside
- How people pay for assisted living in Riverside
- Understand California laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
- What to expect from assisted living in Riverside, CA
- Riverside assisted living services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Riverside? Highlights for seniors
- Health care for seniors in Riverside
- Transportation for seniors in Riverside
- Senior activities in Riverside
Costs of assisted living in the Riverside area
Based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary cost data on what families paid our partner communities, the average cost of assisted living in Riverside is $4,470 per month.[01]
It’s important to note that this cost is an average that includes service fee add-ons for amenities seniors chose and care that seniors needed. The costs of living in an assisted living facility varies based on the specific care services provided, special amenities, and any fees specific to your individual needs, like pet care or parking.
Breakdown of assisted living costs in Riverside
The monthly baseline fees residents pay will typically cover basic assisted living services and amenities, such as:
- Room and board
- Housekeeping services
- Laundry
- Maintenance and landscaping
- Prepared meals and snacks
- Personal care, like help with ADLs
- Transportation
The chart below outlines average baseline costs without any additional fees. It also compares Riverside assisted living costs with nearby cities.
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Riverside, CA vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Riverside, CA vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Riverside vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Assisted Living in Riverside, CA by room type
Average cost of Assisted Living in Riverside over time
What families are saying about assisted living in Riverside
Recent reviews for assisted living in Riverside
Raincross at Riverside
Monterey Peninsula III in Corona, CA
Monterey Peninsula IV in Corona, CA
Reviews mention these favorite features of communities
Riverside review score based on 147 family reviews
This proprietary review score is based on 147 reviews of 41 Riverside assisted living communities. All reviews were submitted in the past two years by verified community residents and family members.Riverside review score compared against nearby cities
Review subcategories for Riverside assisted living
When assisted living residents and family members submit a review on our site, they rate each community on categories such as cleanliness, activities, meals, and more. The chart below is based on 147 reviews of 41 Riverside assisted living communities. This chart helps you compare Riverside resident and family assisted living satisfaction rates against national averages. Use it to assess your needs and develop criteria for your own search. If you know that one of these categories is important to you or your loved one, our senior living advisors can help you find communities to match your needs.How people pay for assisted living in Riverside
In Riverside, older adults and their families usually cover assisted living costs by combining private and public funding sources. It’s common for a senior to pay out of their personal savings for room and board in assisted living while using Medicare to cover qualified medical expenses.
For those looking for ways to pay for assisted living in Riverside, your financial options may include private resources, benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and public pay programs, such as Medicaid. In the sections below, we outline a variety of ways to cover assisted living expenses in Riverside.
In Riverside, seniors pay for assisted living through a variety of private resources such as personal checking, savings, or retirement accounts. If your loved one has a health savings account, they could also use that money toward qualified medical expenses during their stay in assisted living.
For seniors in Riverside, there are ways to use a long-term care insurance policy to cover some or all of the costs of assisted living, depending on the policy. Similarly, a life insurance policy can be leveraged in some cases to help cover assisted living costs.
Additionally, if you own a house, you can potentially fund an assisted living stay by selling the house, renting the house, or taking out a reverse mortgage. For more information, read the articles linked below.
Approximate number of veterans in Riverside as of 2021
About 12% of Riverside County veterans are 60+
California’s veterans and their families can receive support and resources through the VA. Benefits through the VA may help Riverside veterans pay for qualified medical care expenses or may be used at the beneficiary’s discretion, including paying for assisted living.
If your loved one has a VA pension, they may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. This is typically added to an existing VA pension, and can be used for anything that improves the veteran’s life or surviving spouse’s life, such as room and board at an assisted living community.
Riverside veterans can connect with California’s CalVet Veterans Services for support and guidance on VA benefits. CalVet’s Veterans Benefit Enhancement program can help eligible veterans on Medi-Cal — California’s Medicaid program — with navigating VA health care options.
Veterans and their families can reach CalVet through the following options:
- Calling 1-800-952-5626
- Submitting a CalVet email contact form
It can be challenging to navigate VA benefits and programs on your own. In most cases, it’s helpful to reach out to a representative at a local veterans service organization (VSO) for additional support and guidance. VSOs can be a valuable resource when it comes to understanding your options. Reach out to any of the experts listed below.
Resources for Little Rock veterans
VA Benefit Office at Camp Pendleton
Bldg H-49 Santa Margerita Road
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Phone: 800-827-1233
Los Angeles VA Regional Benefit Office
11000 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: 800-827-1233
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 184
Meeting location: 3091 Esperanza St.
Riverside, CA 92504
Phone: 951-312-9118
VFW Post 9223 Arlington Post
Meeting location: 10303 Arlington Ave
Riverside, CA 92505
Phone: 951-688-7170
California’s Medicaid program is known as Medi-Cal. This joint state and federal program provides health insurance to eligible low-income people. It can also help eligible seniors pay for long-term care services like those available at an assisted living facility. Riverside seniors can apply for Medicaid through the following methods:
- By mail with the Medi-Cal single streamlined application
- In-person at the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services
- Online at the Covered California website
If you have questions or need help applying, you can call Covered California toll-free at 1-800-300-1506.
Will Medicaid cover assisted living in California?
Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) can help cover the cost of care services in assisted living for qualified individuals. ALW is a home and community based services waiver that generally allows eligible seniors in Riverside to receive care in an assisted living community rather than an institutional-like nursing home. However, it’s important to note that ALW does not cover the cost of room and board in a private assisted living facility.
It can be challenging to navigate Medi-Cal on your own. The Riverside County long-term care ombudsman program can help older adults understand available benefits, learn about senior’s rights in California, and help with accessing care services from assisted living. The Riverside County Office on Aging (OOA) serves as the local Area Agency on Aging for Riverside and the surrounding areas. This office can help connect seniors with local resources and programs.
Riverside resident Medicaid resources
Riverside County long-term care ombudsman program
2280 Market St.
Suite 140
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 833-772-6624
Riverside County Office on Aging (OOA)
7894 Mission Grove Pkwy. S
Riverside, CA 92508
Phone: 877-932-4100
Note: Office visits are by appointment only. Call to schedule.
Riverside County Department of Public Social Services
4060 County Cir Dr.
Riverside, CA 92503
As a federal health insurance program, Medicare in California is available to eligible seniors who are at least 65 years old. It’s important to understand that Medicare won’t cover the costs of assisted living room and board, though short-term rehabilitative care or nursing services may be covered.
Medicare may cover certain health care service costs, many of which may be available in an assisted living setting:[03]
- Doctor’s appointments
- Outpatient care
- Medical supplies
- Preventative care services
- Prescription medications
- Selected vaccines
- Home health care services
- Rehabilitative services
- Hospice care
Eligible older adults may also qualify for California’s Medicare Savings Programs. These specialized programs can help seniors pay for the following:
- Medicare premiums
- Deductibles
- Copayments
To apply for the Medicare Savings Programs, Riverside seniors use the BenefitsCal online portal.
Older adults in Riverside can also receive assistance with Medicare from local support organizations, such as the local Social Security Administration office and the county’s long-term care ombudsman program. In California, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (or HICAP) also provides Medicare guidance and can help older adults apply for benefits. The contact information for these Riverside offices can be found in the resources section below.
Riverside Medicare resources
Riverside County long-term care ombudsman program
2280 Market St.
Suite 140
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 833-772-6624
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Phone: 800-434-0222
Understand California laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
In Riverside, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) monitors and licenses assisted living facilities. It’s important to note that senior care facilities in California are usually referred to as “residential care facilities for the elderly” on state government websites.
The CDSS also oversees continuing care retirement communities, commonly called CCRCs, in California. CCRCs typically provide the following on a single senior living campus:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Skilled nursing services
Riverside assisted living communities and residential care homes are subject to California’s Residential Regulations. Generally, elder Californians must be assessed before joining an assisted living community in California. Each assisted living facility is typically responsible for interviewing a potential resident and reviewing their health records.
As outlined in the rules and regulations for California, assisted living facilities are required to follow these regulations:
- Restrict the number of residents per room
- Provide individual privacy in bathrooms
- Maintain clean and accessible common areas in their communities
- Offer activities that support social, leisure, and daily living skills
When considering a potential assisted living community in Riverside, you may want to review inspection reports. CDSS inspects assisted living communities on a regular basis. Inspection reports for each licensed community can be found through the CDSS Care Facility Search.
To use this search, you’ll need to scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” and select “Elderly Assisted Living.” After that, the search system will prompt you to input additional details to find the specific community you’re looking up. You may need to conduct multiple searches to view all of your prospective communities’ reports.
Department of Health contact information
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899
Phone: 916-558-1784
COVID-19 regulations for Riverside assisted living facilities
While California’s COVID State of Emergency has ended, the state still provides COVID-19 best practice recommendations to Californians as noted below. It’s important to keep in mind that some assisted living communities may have their own guidelines.
What to expect from assisted living in Riverside, CA
If you’re considering assisted living in Riverside, it’s important to know about the assisted living options available through A Place for Mom’s partner communities.
Activities in Riverside assisted living communities
Assisted living communities in Riverside help to create an engaging atmosphere for older adults through a variety of activities. Riverside assisted living communities typically offer the following types of activities on-site:[01]
- Cultural and devotional services, such as services or visiting clergy
- Educational classes, such as art classes or lifelong learning programs
- Entertainment and celebrations, like happy hours, karaoke, and birthday parties
- Fitness and wellness programs, which could include tai chi, stretching classes, or water aerobics
Amenities and services in Riverside assisted living communities
Communities with a larger footprint in Riverside may offer more amenities. Common on-site amenities in these communities may include the following:[01]
- Fitness centers
- Game rooms
- Libraries
- Beauty salons
- Outdoor spaces, such as patios, balconies, or walking trails
It’s important to note that more intimate assisted living options may provide more privacy in lieu of vast amenities.
Additionally, assisted living communities in Riverside offer valuable services that support residents’ daily lives. These may include, but not be limited to, the following:[01]
- Dining services
- Personal and nursing care
- Housekeeping and linen or laundry services
- Landscaping and maintenance
- Transportation
Some of these services may incur additional fees at select communities. If a specific service is important to your loved one, make sure to confirm availability and pricing with a prospective community.
Combined senior care
For senior living facilities in Riverside, it’s not unusual to offer more than just assisted living on their campus. They may offer an independent living or memory care wing, as well. Skilled nursing services may be able as an add-on at some communities, too. This can be helpful if you prefer to age in place at one community versus moving to another community in the future.
Residential care homes
In Riverside, this type of assisted living is often referred to as board and care homes or residential care homes. This type of assisted living typically houses a smaller number of residents than larger communities, which allows for personalized care in a more intimate home-like setting. For some seniors, it may help ease the transition into assisted living to move into an environment that closely mimics a house in Riverside.
Religious-focused communities
The majority of A Place for Mom’s partner communities in Riverside offer cultural and devotional services on-site, which may include the following:[01]
- Bible study groups
- Christian, Catholic, Jewish, or Mormon services
- Devotional activities
- Visiting chaplains, priests, or rabbis
For seniors who consider their faith a large part of their lives, these communities may make them feel at home, allow them to continue with their faith in assisted living, and help them connect with other residents through a shared faith.
Riverside assisted living services and amenities
Availability of select care services in Riverside assisted living
Availability of select dementia care services in Riverside assisted living
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Riverside assisted living
Availability of select dining options in Riverside assisted living
Availability of select programs and activities in Riverside assisted living
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Unfamiliar with Riverside? Highlights for seniors
Health care for seniors in Riverside
Situated in a high-population center in California, Riverside and the surrounding areas offer easy access to a number of medical providers, hospitals, and more in the region. Below are some highly rated options for health care in or close to Riverside for seniors.
Eisenhower Medical Center
As one of the region’s finest health care providers, Eisenhower Medical Center, also referred to as Eisenhower Health, is known for offering care in the fields of cardiology, nephrology, neurology, orthopedics, emergency care, and more. It’s also known for its work in cancer, stroke, and diabetes care.
Loma Linda University Medical Center
This faith-based, teaching hospital provides highly ranked care to seniors in the region. As part of the Loma Linda University Health system, this location typically offers cancer care, neurology, neurosurgery, transplant care, and behavioral health.
Kaiser Permanente Fontana and Ontario Medical Centers
As a part of the Kaiser Permanente family, this highly ranked medical provider offers specialty services, such as a cardiac catheterization laboratory, cardiac surgery services, and an intensive care unit (ICU).
Transportation for seniors in Riverside
Riverside is most easily traveled via personal vehicle. For seniors who are in good health and have a valid driver’s license, it may make sense to travel in their own car. If you plan to bring your vehicle with you to an assisted living community in Riverside, you should talk to the prospective community in advance to see if on-site parking is available and how much it may cost to park on-site. In this region of California, it’s common for parking to be limited. Even if a community has on-site parking, there may not be a parking spot available and you may wind up on a waiting list.
If you chose to no longer drive, you’ll be happy to know that most of the A Place for Mom partner communities offer transportation options to residents. If this is an important service to you, it’s a good idea to ask prospective communities for full details on how their individual transportation service works, what hours it operates, and how much it costs. There are also public transportation options in the area geared toward older adults, some of which we’ve outlined below.
Riverside Connect
As an origin-to-destination service, Riverside Connect’s Special Transportation Division is operated by the City of Riverside to assist people 60+ and people with disabilities. It’s important to note that advance reservations are required to use this service. Riders may request to be transported anywhere within city limits.
Those who are considered to be ADA-certified passengers may bring a personal care attendant with them at no charge. For non-ADA certified passengers, additional companions may be charged a small fee to ride with them.
It’s a good idea to reserve a ride time, at least two days in advance by calling Riverside Connect at 951-687-8080.
Riverside Transit Agency
The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) offers a program called Dial-A-Ride for seniors and people with disabilities. This advanced reservation transportation service offers priority to people who are certified under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, service is limited to areas within three-quarters of a mile of an RTA fixed route. It’s a good idea to reserve a ride with advance notice.
Those interested in reserving a ride can call 800-795-7887. TTY users can dial 800-369-3610.
For seniors who are more active, it may be easier to walk to an RTA stop to ride on established RTA bus lines than trying to reserve a spot on Dial-A-Ride.
Riverside Walk Score
Walk Score rates Riverside on the metrics below, calculated out of 100 and which detail how easy or challenging it can be to travel through the city via certain types of transportation. These scores can be useful to people residing in Riverside and their visiting family members.[07]
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in Riverside
As a strong arts and culture community, Riverside offers many things to do for older adults and their family members. We highlight some of those dynamic features of Riverside below. You can also check out Visit California — Riverside website for a more thorough outline of the area’s offerings. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to learn if places offer special pricing and accessibility options for seniors.
For those who enjoy exploring local culture, you can take in the internationally renowned Riverside arts scene at any of the following locations:
- The Culver Center of the Arts
- The UCR California Museum of Photography and Culver Center of the Arts
- The Fox Performing Arts Center
- The Riverside Art Museum
If you appreciate nature and the outdoors, the charming landscapes of this Southern California city will inspire you. Take a stroll through the University of California Riverside (UCR) Botanic Gardens or the nearby California Citrus State Historic Park. There are extensive notable locations to enjoy the outdoors when you live in Riverside.
For seniors or their families who enjoy light exercise, history, and seeing the sights, there’s also a Historical Riverside Downtown Walking Guide available. This walking map outlines historic buildings while you walk through downtown Riverside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Villas At San Bernardino, Sunrise of Canyon Crest and Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Riverside, CA. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Riverside is $3,648 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). American community survey: Riverside County. [Data set].
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare?
California Department of Aging. Facts about California’s elderly.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Centers for Environmental Information. (1991-2020). U.S. climate normals.
U.S. News and World Report. Best hospitals in Riverside-San Bernardino, CA.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Riverside.
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