Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

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

1.1 miles from city center

Description

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community, is a senior living community situated in the vibrant heart of Santa Cruz, within walking distance of the Santa Cruz Wharf, beach, and boardwalk. With individualized care services catered to each resident’s needs and preferences, this historic landmark provides high-quality assisted living and memory care. Since 1990, Sunshine Villa has been a dependable member of the Santa Cruz community, offering top-notch care in a lovely, idyllic environment.

Sunshine Villa’s goal is to provide its residents with a satisfying and rewarding lifestyle, and it is committed to meeting and beyond their expectations. The community offers a number of amenities, such as chef-prepared meals, elegantly furnished common rooms, a library, landscaped gardens with courtyards, private dining room, on-site RNs/LPNs, and a Victorian sunporch, ensuring a comfortable and engaging living experience.

Map

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Details

What does this place offer?

Pets Allowed Yes, Pets Allowed

Room Sizes 320 / 490 - 576 sq. ft

Housing Options Studio / 1 Bed

Building Type 3-story

Amenities

Transportation Services

Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living Memory Care

Comparison Chart

Compare senior living communities around the area

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

Santa Cruz

Studio / 1 Bed

N/A

Yes

Brookdale at Home Hemet

CA 92545

Studio / 1 Bed

N/A

Yes

Atria Walnut Creek

SNF

Walnut Creek

Studio / 1 Bed

N/A

Yes

Maple House II

SNF

Santa Cruz

Private / Semi-Private Rooms

N/A

Maple House

SNF

Santa Cruz

Private / Semi-Private Rooms

N/A

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.