Families can find the right type of care in Fresno for their senior loved one, whether that’s a nursing home, assisted living, or memory care community. Known as “America’s breadbasket” and praised for its farm-to-fork dining experiences, Fresno is also rich with senior- and family-friendly activities.
Sometimes, the term nursing home is used to refer broadly to all senior care communities. On this page, we use this term specifically when referring to skilled nursing facilities. Skilled nursing care involves 24/7 medical oversight and support from highly trained medical staff. If your loved one doesn’t need such an advanced level of care, an assisted living community may be more appropriate, where seniors receive help with daily tasks and social activities. There are also memory care communities, which are specialized assisted living facilities designed to support seniors with dementia.
While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with skilled nursing facilities, we have a robust network of 29 partner assisted living and memory care communities in a 10-mile radius of north-central Fresno. Many of these communities also provide on-site skilled nursing services to current residents. Use this guide to find the right care for you or your loved one in Fresno. You’ll find information on senior care costs in Fresno, how seniors pay, and the features of our partner senior care communities. We also outline state-wide laws and regulations, and provide contact information for local senior support resources.
Visiting my friend [name removed] at Willow is always memorable. The staff's commitment to personalized care shows in countless ways - they remember how she likes her tea and which activities she prefers....
The staff is incredible and helpful in the transition of mom into the facility. We were all having a tough time. But now are so glad she is getting the 24/7 care that she deserves. The director of Memory...
Visiting is welcome and encouraged. Family/friends can dine w their loved one for a low meal charge. Basic furniture and bedding are provided , as is laundry care and all meals and snacks included in the...
It's not home and has been an adjustment but for what it is it's fine. I chose Fairwinds mainly for 2 reasons. Because of my eyesight I had to give up my license. They have transportation for medical...
They are not properly staffed in the kitchen and causes delays. However, based on the experience we have had we would recommend The Windham by Cogir community to other families who may need a place for their...
Everyone is so friendly that works there. Once my mom got used to the day to day activities and made friends she has been happy. She’s eating better, getting out and seems happier. As a family we are happy...
My dad was at Pacifica for almost 6 months and had a great experience. He has since moved out. During his stay there, they were very patient and accommodating with his needs.
The transition during the first month was hard for my mom. The staff has been extremely caring and understanding and reassuring us that this is normal behavior for many new memory care residents. They are...
I have been happy about the care they provide. I have had to remind them of certain things regarding hygiene more than once. (making sure she is brushing her teeth, making sure she has socks and shoes on)...
If a friend asked about my experience I would say that overall, it has been mostly positive. I would like the communication to flow more smoothly between myself and my mom's caregivers. As her mental decline...
Truewood by Merrill, Clovis was the first and only facility we toured. There is something special about Beau and the staff that let us know our grandmother would be cared for. Truewood is clean, the staff go...
We chose Carmel Village at Clovis because they offered the level of care she needed for a cost she could afford. It was a good experience for the 3 months she was there. She received the care she needed.
It's all 5s it would be nice if there wasn't so many extra little charges but so far all 5s and we would absolutely recommend this community to other families based on the experience we have had so far.
Bella Vista staff has heart like no other- they are lead by a group who understand the dementia disease process. No matter what day of the week or time their management has always answered any questions and...
Facility is good. Most staff seem like they actually care. Staff rotates from between the 3 houses each week so no one gets stuck caring for the same residents day in and day out causing people to dislike...
Finding Elim was a blessing for our family. The staff's expertise in senior care is evident in their attentive, patient approach - they even created a special morning routine that helps Mom start each day...
My father moved into Nazareth House several months ago. As with any life change, there is an adjustment. The staff at Nazareth House have been caring and supportive of his needs, as well as ours during...
This facility was good, overall. I will say it seems to be a better fit for residents with mental challenges rather than physical challenges like our loved one had. The facility was kept clean. We were there...
My father lived there for almost 2 years until he passed away. He was blind, couldn't talk due to stroke, and eventually needed a wheelchair. We were under the previous care staff and they took pretty good...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Fresno community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, are the most expensive senior care options in Fresno. The 24/7 medical care that doctors and nurses provide make the monthly cost much higher than other care types, such as assisted living and memory care.
In 2021, the median monthly cost of a private room in a Fresno skilled nursing facility was $10,038, and $8,638 for a semi-private room.[01] Typically, these costs vary depending on your chosen facility’s services, amenities, and location. Even so, the following features and services are commonly included in nursing home costs:
However, we understand that the senior in your life may not require intensive 24/7 medical care. In that case, take a moment to review our Fresno assisted living and Fresno memory care pages. These two care types cost significantly less per month than skilled nursing home care and are better suited for seniors who only need general assistance and supervision.
We’ll guide you through payment methods often used by families to cover senior care costs, whether for skilled nursing, assisted living, or memory care. First, we outline the most common types of private payment methods. Personal assets can often be combined with health care benefits to make the most out of long-term senior care. Next, we describe how senior long-term care benefits like Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medi-Cal, and Medicare are typically used to cover different forms of senior care.
We’ll help you understand which options might work best for the senior in your life. You’ll also find local contacts, resources, and application assistance for families in Fresno.
When planning for the costs of senior care, personal finances are where seniors and their families typically begin. Your personal assets such as pensions, savings accounts, investment returns, Social Security benefits, and other sources are the first places to look to fund a preferred senior living community. Depending on resources, the options below are other ways families look to free up funds to cover long-term senior care and living costs:
Approximate number of veterans who live in Fresno
Approximately 26% of veterans in Fresno are 75+.
It’s possible for senior care costs to be covered by a range of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Continue reading to learn what may apply to Fresno senior veterans or their surviving spouses.
The benefit option that’s typically the most generous to disabled veterans is the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. Disabled senior veterans who are enrolled in VA health care — or their surviving spouse — may be eligible for these monthly payments. By combining VA Aid and Attendance with a Veterans Pension, seniors can afford costs of senior living and services that improve their quality of life.
CalVet’s Veterans Benefit Enhancement (VBE) program
Seniors or their surviving spouses may want to consider CalVet as they begin the process of accessing VA benefits. This is a California-specific program that helps veterans maximize the benefits available to them through the state and federal governments. The first step is to enroll in a Veterans Benefit Enhancement program (VBE). VBEs are key when transitioning from Medi-Cal to VA health care, which opens the door to even more veterans benefits.
Regardless of the type of care they need, many seniors think they won’t qualify for VA benefits. We recommend browsing the VA’s list of service-connected disabilities to see what applies. However, this list doesn’t necessarily include all combat- and military-related qualifying conditions. Please reach out to a local veterans service organization (VSO), because getting help with the application and identifying qualifying disabilities is crucial to a successful application.
Let your local, VA-vetted veterans service organizations (VSOs) guide you with their expertise. From increasing your likelihood of a successful application to appealing denied claims, VSOs can help alleviate the challenge. The following local resources are a great place to start for seniors who plan to apply for VA benefits:
Resources for Fresno veterans
Fresno County Veterans Service Office
1320 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 105
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-600-5463
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1320 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 125
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-487-5660
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): E.G. Henry Gutierrez VFW Post 8900
3585 N. Blythe Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
Phone: 559-275-4061
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Homer Blevins Chapter 1
3508 N. First St.
Fresno, CA 93726
Phone: 559-241-6418
Meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month
The state’s Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal, helps those with low-income status cover the cost of health care services. These can include hospital stays, medical appointments, and rehabilitation services. Using Covered California is a helpful way to apply for Medi-Cal. It’s the state’s online health care portal that allows eligible residents to choose a Medi-Cal plan as well as other low-cost, full-coverage health care plans.
Medi-Cal considers medically necessary skilled nursing care to be a mandatory benefit. Eligible seniors in Fresno have the option to use Medi-Cal to cover the costs of care in a nursing care facility or in a home health care agency, as long as the facility or agency is contracted with Medi-Cal.[04]
In-home supportive services may include skilled nursing services if they are declared medically necessary by a physician. The services must also be provided by agencies contracted with Medi-Cal. From there, seniors can continue living in their homes or in an assisted living facility while getting skilled medical care services. However, not every assisted living facility is contracted with Medi-Cal. Please check with the senior living facility you’re interested in to see what on-site care services may be covered by Medi-Cal.
Note: If the facility you’re interested in isn’t contracted with Medi-Cal for their on-site skilled nursing services, there’s another option. Some seniors are able to receive in-home health care services in their place of residence via Medi-Cal-contracted, third-party home health care agencies.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is an in-home long-term care option available through California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Through this program, seniors have the option to receive skilled medical care without moving into a skilled nursing facility. To enroll in PACE and receive in-home health care, seniors must meet all of the following requirements:[05]
Seniors who are eligible for Medi-Cal may also benefit from the Assisted Living Waiver. This waiver removes the need for seniors to move into a hospital or skilled nursing facility and helps them receive care in an assisted living facility instead. However, it only covers the cost of care services, not the cost of room and board.
You can also look into any of A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living and memory care communities that provide on-site skilled nursing services. If current residents grow to need higher levels of care during their stay, they don’t necessarily have to move into a separate facility.
Enrolling in Medi-Cal is pretty simple, but identifying the Medi-Cal programs that can benefit you or your loved one most can sometimes be confusing. Please browse the following resources to get more information on the application process and your local Medi-Cal programs:
Fresno resident Medi-Cal resources
2037 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 512
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: 559-214-0299
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9177, ext. 401
Apply through Covered California
2631 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Phone: 800-650-0922
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that usually covers medical costs for seniors age 65+. A maximum of 100 days of nursing home care in a Fresno skilled nursing facility is covered by Medicare either in full or in part.[06] Review each part of Medicare below to see what may be covered:[07]
Note: Medicare does not cover the cost of room and board in assisted living and memory care communities. However, medical care costs may be covered if they occur during a senior’s stay in these types of facilities.
Seniors might also be able to save money on Medicare premiums and prescriptions through Medicare Savings Programs. Seniors who meet low-income requirements and are already enrolled in Medicare can apply for Medicare Savings Programs online through BenefitsCal.
Support with Medicare
Follow the steps below for additional support with the application and accessing benefits:
Fresno resident Medicare resources
Fresno Office — Social Security Administration
845 Fulton St.
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 800-772-1213
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9177, ext. 401
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9117, ext. 304
2037 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 512
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: 559-214-0299
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fresno’s nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are licensed by the California Department of Public Health (or CDPH). Each nursing facility must provide the following services to their residents:[08]
The caregivers and residents’ living spaces in California’s skilled nursing facilities also have a range of requirements:[08]
When a skilled nursing facility accepts Medi-Cal or Medicare, it’s also regulated by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (also known as CMS). CMS has the right to approve or deny a facility’s state-level certification through the CDPH.[09]
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) regulates and licenses assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and residential care homes in Fresno.[10] Every facility is required to follow regulations like the following:[11]
Fresno’s memory care communities have additional staff ratio and training requirements:[12]
In addition, the CDSS requires that seniors be assessed before moving into an assisted living or memory care facility. Assessments should involve interviews and a review of the senior’s health records.
Skilled nursing home facilities are inspected each year by the Licensing and Certification Division of the CDPH.[13] The CDPH Center for Health Care Quality (or CHCQ) has an online dashboard that allows you to search by facility name or type. You can also browse the county’s common skilled nursing home facility violations. Assisted living and memory care facilities are inspected by the California Department of Social Services (or CDSS) once a year and within 10 days of a complaint.[11]
Inspection reports and a list of licensed communities can be found in the CDSS Care Facility Search. Scroll to “Search By Facility Group,” choose “Elderly Assisted Living,” choose the “Facility Type” and “Fresno County,” and then click on the search button. You can also search by community name or address if you have that information.
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
Fresno County recommends that residents get tested when needed and stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines. There isn’t a current mask mandate, but the county follows the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 guidance.
Note: Fresno senior care communities may have individual COVID-19 guidelines in place. Please contact your prospective community to know what to expect.
A Place for Mom’s Fresno partners can help local seniors find the right senior care community. Choose a Fresno community that provides skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, or a combination of all care services. Below, we outline each type of senior care community in detail so you can understand what to expect.
Fresno nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities provide 24/7 medical care and skilled observation through highly trained medical caregivers, like doctors and nurses. In some instances, the medical caregivers can arrange rehabilitation services if a senior needs to recover from an illness or procedure. However, some seniors and their families choose among the 31% of our Fresno partner assisted living and memory care communities that also provide skilled nursing services.
Please note that most assisted living communities usually only provide access to on-site skilled nursing care to current residents. It’s rare for these facilities to admit seniors who are already in need of this high level of care. So, if you have the opportunity to help your senior loved one establish residency in an assisted living facility before they require 24/7 care, it’s something to consider. If it works out, your elder family member can stay in their preferred assisted living community even if their needs change, rather than moving to an institutional nursing home.
Know where to start.
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Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Approximate number of seniors age 75+ living in Fresno
Wherever seniors live in Fresno, there are local health care options that can fit their needs. Browse the top-rated local medical centers below, including a veteran-specific clinic and medical centers with doctors who specialize in dementia.
Community Regional Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. It’s staffed with medical professionals that specialize in Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also a teaching hospital that ranks highly for specialties related to heart failure, stroke, and uterine cancer.
Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital is a heart facility in the Community Regional Medical Center network. They have dozens of private suites for patients and are located across the street from an advanced diagnostic laboratory.
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital with a dedicated memory care clinic. It ranks highly for adult needs such as heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, and pneumonia.
Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. Veterans can access care 24/7, including primary care and many types of specialty health care services.
About 83% of A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living and memory care facilities provide transportation services to residents. Whether it’s a complimentary or at-cost service, these transportation options are a secure and reliable way for seniors to navigate Fresno. Common reasons seniors use these transportation services are for community outings, errands, and doctor’s appointments.
Families and visitors also have convenient options for exploring this car-dependent city if they don’t have their own transportation:
Fresno is full of experiences for visitors and those exploring with their senior loved ones. The spellbinding Sierra National Forest, gorgeous Yosemite, and more California destinations are never far away in the center of the California Central Valley. For locally tailored activities, explore the helpful Visit Fresno website to create meaningful memories with your loved one. We’ve also provided some local highlights below that we think residents of our senior partner communities may enjoy.
Enjoy Fresno’s tranquil outdoor spaces with loved ones.
Join your loved one on an experiential journey through Fresno’s farm-to-table flavors.
This historical Californian city suits a range of interests.
Elim Place, Truewood by Merrill, Clovis and The Villages at Willow are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Fresno, CA. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Fresno is $4,590 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth. (2022, June 2). Cost of care survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Fresno city profile. American Community Survey.
Medicaid.gov. Mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits.
Department of Health Care Services. (2023, January 12). Program of all-inclusive care for the elderly.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Medicare.gov.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
Required Services, 22 CCR § 72301 (1983 & rev. 2023).
Williams, M. (2014, January 15). Overview of inspection processes. Division of Public & Behavioral Health.
California Department of Social Services. (2023). Laws and regulations. CA.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
California Assisted Living Association. (2015). California compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy.
California Association of Health Facilities. (2021, March). Facts and statistics – Long-term care providers.
U.S. World and News Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Fresno, California.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth. (2022, June 2). Cost of care survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Fresno city profile. American Community Survey.
Medicaid.gov. Mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits.
Department of Health Care Services. (2023, January 12). Program of all-inclusive care for the elderly.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Medicare.gov.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
Required Services, 22 CCR § 72301 (1983 & rev. 2023).
Williams, M. (2014, January 15). Overview of inspection processes. Division of Public & Behavioral Health.
California Department of Social Services. (2023). Laws and regulations. CA.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
California Assisted Living Association. (2015). California compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy.
California Association of Health Facilities. (2021, March). Facts and statistics – Long-term care providers.
U.S. World and News Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Fresno, California.