Merrill Gardens at Rockridge

Article: How to get Medicare and Medicaid to Pay for Assisted Living

Description

Found in Oakland, California, Merrill Gardens at Rockridge stands out as a vibrant and thoughtfully designed community. Owned by a family company, it offers both independent senior living and memory care services, excelling particularly in providing top-notch assisted living facilities. Residents can trust in the commitment to premier care, ensuring privacy, security, and exceptional support services.
This community goes beyond the basics, featuring a variety of amenities for a well-rounded lifestyle. From cozy studio to one-bedroom units with kitchenettes and private balconies, Merrill Gardens at Rockridge caters to diverse preferences. The community spaces include a movie theater, living areas, game room, landscaped courtyard, library, computer room, and fitness center. With a calendar brimming with activities and proximity to cafes, restaurants, antique shops, and bookstores, residents can enjoy both convenience and an engaging social environment. The addition of a concierge further enhances the overall experience, providing a seamless living experience for those seeking various assisted living levels of care.

Comparison Chart

Compare senior living communities around the area

Merrill Gardens at Rockridge

Oakland

N/A

Elder Ashram

SNF

Oakland

N/A

Yes

Claim What’s Yours: Financial Aid for California Seniors

Program

State Program Name

Eligibility

Benefits

Multipurpose Senior Services Program

MSSP (Medi-Cal Waiver)

General: Age 65+, California resident, Medi-Cal eligible, nursing home risk.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
CA Specifics: County-managed; waitlists possible.

Services: In-home support (4-6 hours/day), respite care (14 days/year), meals (~$6/meal), transportation (8 trips/month), care management.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

California IHSS

General: Age 65+, California resident, Medicaid-eligible or low-income.
Income Limits: ~$1,732/month (individual, Medi-Cal threshold).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual).
CA Specifics: Can hire family as caregivers.

Services: Personal care (up to 283 hours/month), homemaker services, respite (varies).

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

CA MSSP

General: Age 65+, California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible but community-capable.
Income Limits: ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual).
CA Specifics: Available in 38 counties; waitlists common.

Services: Case management, respite care (up to 10 days/year), minor home mods (avg. $500), adult day care (~$50/day).

Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP)

CA PTP

General: Age 62+, California resident, own and live in home, 40% equity.
Income Limits (2025): ~$51,500/year (household, adjusted annually).
Asset Limits: Equity-based; no strict asset cap.
CA Specifics: Deferred taxes accrue interest (5% as of 2024); repaid upon sale/death.

Services: Property tax deferral (avg. $1,000-$3,000/year, varies by county).

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

CA ALW

General: Age 65+ or disabled, California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible.
Income Limits: ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual).
CA Specifics: Available in 15 counties (e.g., LA, Sacramento); waitlists common.

Services: Personal care in ALFs (5-7 hours/day), medication management, social services.

California CARES Program

CA CARES

General: Caregivers of California residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.
Income Limits: No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.
Asset Limits: Not applicable; need-based.
CA Specifics: High demand in urban areas; complements IHSS respite.

Services: Respite care (up to 10 days/year), counseling (4-6 sessions/year), training (2-3 workshops/year), supplies (~$200/year).

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

CA LIHEAP

General: Age 60+ priority, California resident, low-income, utility/heating need.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (200% of poverty level, individual).
Asset Limits: Not applicable; income-focused.
CA Specifics: High demand in inland/coastal extremes; weatherization capped at $5,000/home.

Services: Utility payments (avg. $500-$1,000/year), weatherization (e.g., insulation, avg. $1,000-$3,000 savings).

Claim What’s Yours Financial Aid for California Seniors

MSSP (Medi-Cal Waiver)

Multipurpose Senior Services Program

Eligibility

General: Age 65+, California resident, Medi-Cal eligible, nursing home risk.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
CA Specifics: County-managed; waitlists possible.

Benefits

Services: In-home support (4-6 hours/day), respite care (14 days/year), meals (~$6/meal), transportation (8 trips/month), care management.

California IHSS

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+, California resident, Medicaid-eligible or low-income.
Income Limits: ~$1,732/month (individual, Medi-Cal threshold).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual).
CA Specifics: Can hire family as caregivers.

Benefits

Services: Personal care (up to 283 hours/month), homemaker services, respite (varies).

CA MSSP

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+, California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible but community-capable.
Income Limits: ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual).
CA Specifics: Available in 38 counties; waitlists common.

Benefits

Services: Case management, respite care (up to 10 days/year), minor home mods (avg. $500), adult day care (~$50/day).

CA PTP

Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP)

Eligibility

General: Age 62+, California resident, own and live in home, 40% equity.
Income Limits (2025): ~$51,500/year (household, adjusted annually).
Asset Limits: Equity-based; no strict asset cap.
CA Specifics: Deferred taxes accrue interest (5% as of 2024); repaid upon sale/death.

Benefits

Services: Property tax deferral (avg. $1,000-$3,000/year, varies by county).

CA ALW

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible.
Income Limits: ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual).
CA Specifics: Available in 15 counties (e.g., LA, Sacramento); waitlists common.

Benefits

Services: Personal care in ALFs (5-7 hours/day), medication management, social services.

CA CARES

California CARES Program

Eligibility

General: Caregivers of California residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.
Income Limits: No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.
Asset Limits: Not applicable; need-based.
CA Specifics: High demand in urban areas; complements IHSS respite.

Benefits

Services: Respite care (up to 10 days/year), counseling (4-6 sessions/year), training (2-3 workshops/year), supplies (~$200/year).

CA LIHEAP

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Eligibility

General: Age 60+ priority, California resident, low-income, utility/heating need.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (200% of poverty level, individual).
Asset Limits: Not applicable; income-focused.
CA Specifics: High demand in inland/coastal extremes; weatherization capped at $5,000/home.