An independent guide for California families
Finding good care for an aging parent in California.
Medi-Cal, CalAIM, IHSS, and the licensed-facility landscape, sourced from CDPH, CDSS, and DHCS public records and cited line by line.
Browse the reference
What makes us different
Clinically informed
Built from California clinical and regulatory sources. Every coverage statement cites the underlying rule.
Independent
Built independently, not a national franchise. We disclose how we are paid in writing before any introduction to a facility or partner, so you always know what to expect.
State-data sourced
Every program claim is footnoted to DHCS, CDSS, CDPH, CDA, or CMS. Inspection reports surfaced where the state publishes them.
Open dataset
California Senior Care Costs 2026, free for anyone to cite (CC BY 4.0). The Genworth successor for California rates.
Where to begin
What is happening with your parent this week?
- 01
Mom fell. Hospital says no going home alone
Discharge, SNF transitions, CalAIM for the first 30 days.
- 02
Dad has dementia, past managing it ourselves
Memory-care licensing, Protective Supervision, tour questions.
- 03
Medi-Cal mentioned IHSS. What is it?
Hours, eligibility, paid family caregivers, dementia math.
- 04
Private pay no longer sustainable
ALW, share-of-cost, California facilities that take Medi-Cal.
- 05
None of these fits. I want a clear map
Five questions, ~2 minutes. Ranked next steps.
A reference
The four California programs that change what families can afford.
- Medi-CalCalifornia's Medicaid
Asset limit eliminated January 2024. Income test still applies. Pays for long-term nursing care, IHSS, and (through the ALW) RCFE rent.
Read the guide
- IHSSIn-Home Supportive Services
Pays for personal care, household help, and Protective Supervision at home. Family members can be paid. Up to 195 monthly hours.
Read the guide
- CalAIMAdvancing & Innovating Medi-Cal
2022 Medi-Cal reform. Adds a Lead Care Manager and 14 Community Supports. Does not pay assisted-living rent.
Read the guide
- ALWAssisted Living Waiver
Medi-Cal pays services at a participating RCFE. About 19,000 slots statewide. Waitlists 8 to 18 months.
Read the guide
How we help
Three things, in order.
Understand the system
Read the four guides. Look up any licensed California facility by name, city, or license number. Every profile shows the state inspection record.
Narrow the options
When you are ready, the five-question Care Checker takes about two minutes and returns a short list sized to your parent's situation, with reasoning that quotes what you told us.
Talk to a clinician-trained navigator
A 40-minute call by appointment. We read the inspection reports with you, walk through the math, and disclose every facility fee in writing before any tour.
A 40-minute call begins here
Five questions, about two minutes. Then we read the inspection reports together.
Five questions, about two minutes. Ranked next steps at the end.
Common questions
Questions families ask first.
Does Medi-Cal pay for assisted living in California?
Sometimes, through the Assisted Living Waiver. Statewide there are about 19,000 slots, with waitlists of 8 to 18 months in the Bay Area and LA. Standard Medi-Cal does not pay assisted-living rent on its own.
What is CalAIM, and does it pay for assisted living?
CalAIM is the 2022 reform of California's Medi-Cal program. It does not pay assisted-living rent. It may pay for a care manager, short-term recuperative care after hospitalization, home modifications, and medically tailored meals, depending on the county and the Medi-Cal Managed Care plan.
Is your service free?
It is free for families to use. We are paid by licensed facilities when a family moves into a place we recommended. The exact percentage is disclosed in writing before any tour. We refuse the word 'free' in marketing because it misleads.
Do you refer to nursing homes (SNFs)?
No. Skilled-nursing referrals in California require a separate state license we do not hold. We explain the system and point you to the hospital discharge planner or the California Department of Public Health.
Who writes and reviews your articles?
Every long-form article is written and editorially reviewed by the California Care Compass team. Program rules and dollar figures come from CDPH, CDSS, DHCS, or the California Department of Aging, with the source URL and access date on the page. We do not employ in-house licensed clinicians or attorneys; where a decision requires one we say so and point you to the right professional.