Assisted Living & Board and Care in Santa Maria, CA — 44 Licensed Homes

This directory lists 44 homes in Santa Maria licensed by the California Department of Social Services as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly: 38 board and care homes licensed for 6 or fewer residents and 6 larger communities licensed for 7 or more.

Board and care homes and assisted living communities are both licensed in California as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly and help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meals. Board and care homes are small, usually a converted house with 6 or fewer residents; assisted living communities are larger buildings. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) are licensed separately by the California Department of Public Health and provide skilled medical care.

Regular Medi-Cal does not pay for room and board in assisted living or board and care. Santa Barbara County is not currently one of the counties where the Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) operates, so families here usually rely on private funds, long-term care insurance, or VA benefits.

Costs vary by home size, level of care, and room type, so the most reliable figure is a written quote from each home. Ask what the monthly fee includes, how it changes if care needs increase, and whether there are move-in or level-of-care fees. Private funds, long-term care insurance, and VA Aid and Attendance are common ways families pay.

Start with the board and care section on this page, which lists the homes in Santa Maria licensed for 6 or fewer residents. Call a few to ask about openings and pricing, visit in person, and review each home's licensing record with the California Department of Social Services before deciding.