Assisted Living & Board and Care in Fullerton, CA — 47 Licensed Homes

Orange County is one of California's counties where the Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver operates. Within this county, Fullerton offers a substantial selection of licensed senior care options across a range of sizes and settings, with 16 homes marked as accepting the waiver.

Fullerton's licensed senior care landscape includes 47 homes in total. Of these, 35 operate as board and care facilities licensed for 6 or fewer residents, while 12 are larger assisted living communities with capacity for 7 or more residents. The 47 homes collectively hold 2188 licensed beds, spanning a capacity range from 4 residents at the smallest to 712 at the largest. This distribution means families can choose between smaller homes that function as converted residential houses with limited occupancy, or larger communities that may offer expanded services and activities. The decision between these options hinges on whether a family values the lower-overhead model of a small home or seeks the range of programming and social opportunities available in a bigger setting.

Small and large senior care homes are both regulated by the California Department of Social Services as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, or RCFEs, with size being the main factor that sets them apart. RCFEs furnish support with activities of daily living, meals, and social engagement, but they are not medical facilities and do not deliver skilled medical care. If a parent or partner requires medical-level care, a skilled medical facility would be the appropriate setting instead.

Choosing the right home requires visits and direct conversation with management. Families should ask about staffing, daily routines, meal planning, activities, costs, what the monthly fee covers, and any additional charges. Before selecting a home, check the CDSS Community Care Licensing Division's public records to review each facility's license status and inspection reports. These records provide insight into how a home operates and its compliance history.

What families pay monthly typically depends on what the home includes in its base fee—generally room, board, and support with daily living tasks—though pricing differs considerably from home to home and should be confirmed directly. 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. Funding may also come from personal resources, long-term care insurance policies, or VA benefits including Aid and Attendance for qualified veterans and their surviving spouses.

Fullerton's 47 licensed senior care homes comprise 35 board and care homes and 12 larger assisted living communities, with capacities spanning from 4 to 712 residents.