Senior Care Costs Compared: In-Home vs. Assisted Living

Senior Care Costs Explained

When planning for senior care in Orange County, it’s important to understand why costs can vary so much. Factors like location, type of care, and service hours all play a role. For example:

Distance Matters: In areas further from where caregivers live, home care companies will often require higher hourly rates or a higher minimum number of service hours. Caregivers won’t often accept work otherwise, since they can take care of seniors closer to their homes.
Luxury Areas = Higher Costs: In wealthier cities like Newport Beach or Laguna Beach, assisted living facilities (ALFs) and board and care homes tend to cost more because of pricier real estate, building maintenance, and staffing.
Service Quality Affects Costs: The more experienced the caregivers or specialized the services, the higher the price the hourly rate. Also, caregivers are in short supply and demand is growing.

Let’s break it down with the most common types of senior care in Orange County.

Senior Care Costs Breakdown

Type of Care	Cost Per Day	Hours/Day	Weekly Cost	Mothly Cost	Annual Cost
In-Home Care	$160 – $912	4–24 hours	$160 – $6,384	$640 – $27,600	$8,320 – $331,200
Adult Day Care	$80 – $120	6–8 hours	$400 – $600	$1,600 – $2,400	$19,200 – $28,800
Assisted Living	$120 – $250	24 hours	$1,220– $2,325+	$5,246– 10,000+	$63,000 $120,000+
Board and Care	$150 – $300	24 hours	$1,050 – $2,100	$4,500 – $9,000	$54,000 – $108,000
Private Duty	$224 – $672	8–24 hours	$1,750 – $4,704	$7,500 – $20,230+	$91,000 – $242,760
Referral Registry	$24 – $40/hour	Flexible	Varies	Varies	Varies

FAQs About Senior Care Costs in Orange County

Why is senior care more expensive in some Orange County, CA cities?
Wealthier areas like Newport Beach, Dana Point, Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Laguna Niguel have higher costs due to real estate prices, caregiver demand, and overall cost of living.
Does living farther away affect costs?
Yes, if caregivers need to travel longer distances, some senior in-home care agencies may charge higher rates or require longer service shifts to offset travel time.
What’s the difference between assisted living and board and care?
Assisted living facilities (ALFs) or communities, are often larger and offer more structured services, while board and care homes have no more than 6 residents and are in residential areas. These homes have typically one caregiver every 8 hours, shared among the 6 people living in the home. Board and care can be more affordable in certain areas.
Can long-term care insurance help cover these costs?
Yes, LTC insurance can help offset costs for in-home care, assisted living, or board and care. If you are receiving home care services and live in Orange County, CA, we can help with LTCi claims processing! Learn more about filing claims with our SimpliClaim Services.
How do I choose the right type of care?
It depends on your loved one’s needs, preferences, and budget. Learn more with our helpful guide.

Senior Care Costs Explained

Senior Care Costs Breakdown

FAQs About Senior Care Costs in Orange County

Why is senior care more expensive in some Orange County, CA cities?

Does living farther away affect costs?

What’s the difference between assisted living and board and care?

Can long-term care insurance help cover these costs?

How do I choose the right type of care?

Contact us for a free senior care consultation to explore your options.

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