Assisted Living Costs in California $1,300 to $5,500 / month

Each year, MetLife surveys the cost of assisted living facilities in all 50 states.  While the survey is performed by Met's  elder services group, The MetLife Mature Market Institute, the numbers can be helpful for families planning to provide for a person with developmental disabilities who may not be able to live without 24 hour care.

This year, MetLife surveyed three California cities and found a range of $1,300 at the lowest end to $5,500 at the highest end. In Los Angeles, the average base rate was $2,426.  Base rates typically include two or three meals per day, assistance with "activities of daily living," medication management, laundry and housekeeping. 

While assisted living costs are up 17% since 2004, this year's increase was a modest 2.2%.

For families with kids who may not require skilled nursing care but who also may not be able to live at home, these numbers are a good basis for projecting the cost of lifetime care for their child.

To ensure that children receive the maximum government benefits they are entitled to, a special needs trust should be established to provide the child with important quality-of-life goods and services like dental care.  The Special Needs Trust is the gold standard in protecting the child's inheritance when the parents are no longer there to help.