Assisted Living & Board and Care in Anaheim, CA — 112 Licensed Homes

Anaheim is home to 112 licensed senior care homes offering a wide range of settings for families exploring options in Orange County. The vast majority of these homes are small board and care facilities: 98 homes licensed for 6 or fewer residents, alongside 14 larger assisted living communities. Across all of these homes, there are 2327 licensed beds, with individual homes ranging from 3 to 334 residents. This mix of small and larger settings means families have genuine choice in what kind of environment might work for their relative. Understanding the difference between a board and care home and a larger assisted living community, and knowing what questions to ask at each, is the starting point for finding the right fit.

The California Department of Social Services licenses both board and care homes and larger assisted living communities under a single category: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, known as RCFEs. What sets them apart is primarily their size and structure. A board and care home is typically a converted residential house with a smaller number of residents, while a larger assisted living community has more units and residents. Both types of RCFE provide help with daily activities like meals, bathing, and household tasks. Skilled medical care is not part of an RCFE's scope; that level of service is available only in nursing homes, which operate under different state licensing. When comparing homes, families should consider what daily activities and support matter most, what the physical environment looks like, and how the home's size affects the kind of care routine a resident would experience.

Visiting homes in person is essential. During a tour, families should ask about daily routines, meal options, activities, how staff respond to requests, and what services are included in the monthly fee versus billed separately. Request information about how the home handles medical appointments and what happens if a resident's needs change. Bring a written list of your loved one's specific preferences and care needs to each visit, and take notes so you can compare homes later. Every RCFE's license status and inspection reports are available through the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division, and reviewing these records gives families a fuller picture of each home's regulatory history.

Monthly fees at RCFEs typically cover room, board, and basic support services, though families should confirm in writing exactly what is and is not included before move-in. What families actually spend depends on the home's location and the services provided, and amounts differ significantly from one home to another. Private resources and long-term care insurance are common ways families fund residential care. Veterans and their surviving spouses who meet eligibility criteria may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits to help cover care costs. Orange County participates in California's Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver, which can help pay for care services (not room and board) at participating homes. Slots are limited and there is currently a waitlist; new applicants enroll through a Care Coordination Agency. In Anaheim, 22 homes on this directory are marked as accepting the waiver, giving families additional options if they qualify.

Before touring, take time to write down your loved one's daily care needs, preferences, and any concerns that matter most to your family, and bring that list with you to every home you visit.