10 Best Independent Living Communities in Sacramento, CA

Many people use personal income sources and a variety of benefit programs to cover independent living costs. Because independent living communities don’t typically provide senior care services, costs aren’t covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, or long-term care insurance. Even though these programs won’t cover independent living costs, they may help you cover the cost of medically necessary in-home care services.

Below you can find private pay, Veterans Affairs benefits, Medi-Cal, and Medicaid resources for seniors.

Independent living communities are similar to senior apartments but with more luxurious and all-inclusive amenities and services, so they don’t need a senior care license. The exception is if an independent living community shares a campus with other senior care facilities, such as assisted living and memory care.

If your California independent living community shares the same campus with a senior care facility, it needs to have a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) license from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). To keep this license, the senior care facility must adhere to these regulations:

• It must house a maximum of only two residents per bedroom.
• It must provide individual privacy in each bathroom.
• It must ensure bedrooms have enough room to accommodate equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers.
• It must provide clean and accessible common rooms for residents.
• It must provide activities involving social, leisure, and daily living skills.^[04]

If you want to learn more about assisted living regulations and the Residential Care Facility license in California, visit the regulations section of our Sacramento assisted living page.

Independent living residents and their rights

Independent living communities in California have to provide residents with safe and well-maintained housing, just as they would for seniors renting a house or apartment. The following are some of the standards you can expect from stand-alone independent living communities in California:

• Senior independent living communities typically have a minimum age requirement of 62 years.^[05]
• Tenants have a right to basic services — such as maintenance, landscaping, and fully functioning utilities — when they rent a unit in these communities.
• It’s illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.
• Seniors with disabilities have protections under the law when renting.^[06]

Accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landlords must consent to reasonable accommodations and modifications for persons with disabilities. Independent living community owners must pay for accommodations and certain structural modifications of common areas, while the resident should pay for certain structural modifications to their individual unit.^[07]

Accommodations involve changes to community procedures that might restrict disabled individuals from access if not changed. Some examples of accommodations include the following:

• Offering designated parking spaces close to the building
• Allowing residents to have a service animal even if a no-pet policy is in place
• Changing the due date of rent to accommodate a tenant’s disability payments

Modifications involve changes to the structure of building common areas or individual units, such as those listed below:

• Installing easy-to-reach appliances
• Installing grab bars in bathrooms
• Putting a ramp at the building’s entrance

The following are some other protections granted to renters under the ADA:

• Independent living communities must make modifications and accommodations to enable seniors with disabilities to participate in all activities and programs.
• Buildings must be accessible with elements such as curb ramps, restrooms that accommodate wheelchairs, and doors that accommodate wheelchairs.
• If a community has an elevator, it must be designed or modified to fit a wheelchair and placed in a spot that’s commonly accessed by residents.^[07]

Inspection reports

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) inspects residential care facilities for the elderly (RFCE) annually and within 10 days of receiving a complaint.^[05] Even though the inspections don’t apply to the independent living wing of the RCFE, they apply to the assisted living wings.

Assisted living communities with a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly license have public inspection reports in the CDSS Care Facility Search. To use this search, scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” select “Elderly Assisted Living,” select the “Facility Type” and “Sacramento County,” and then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.

California Department of Health contact information

California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784

COVID-19 regulations for Sacramento independent living communities

Sacramento County has guidelines for isolation and quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but does not currently have a mask mandate. Check for updated guidelines on Sacramento County’s website.

Some of Sacramento’s standalone independent living communities have their own COVID-19 guidelines, so reach out to a community you’re interested in if you want to learn more. For information on COVID-19 guidelines for assisted living wings in shared independent living communities, read the Regulations section of the Sacramento assisted living page.

Begin your retirement in style by choosing a Sacramento independent living community. The Sacramento communities in A Place for Mom’s network are designed to guide you through a maintenance-free beginning of your senior care journey. You’ll find luxurious amenities and captivating activities, communities that provide high-quality dining experiences, and options that are either stand-alone or connected to other types of senior care.

Apartment living as a luxurious introduction to senior care

Sacramento independent living communities provide a range of senior living accommodations, from studio apartments to two-bed, two-bath floor plans. Many of A Place for Mom’s in-network communities are multilevel, enabling seniors to choose apartments with private patios or balconies and enjoy scenic overlooks of parks or the capitol building. Your new maintenance-free lifestyle may also come with weekly housekeeping services, walk-in or wheelchair-accessible showers, and either a kitchen or kitchenette, depending on your preferences.

Once you’re settled in your new independent living apartment, explore each of the community’s high-end amenities that await. Inside, you’ll often find full-service salons and day spas, fitness centers, and movie theaters. Many also have business centers and libraries to help you stay connected to your unique interests.

When you step outside your door, you may find details like koi ponds, water features, resident vegetable and flower gardens, and swimming pools. What’s more, all of our in-network Sacramento independent living communities are pet-friendly, so you can rest assured that your beloved furry companion can accompany you when you move. Together, you can take advantage of enclosed courtyards, vast walking paths, and on-site dog parks.

Enriching activities for an active retirement

Sacramento independent living communities offer just about any on- and off-site activity you can imagine. And don’t worry; they go above and beyond the basics, like exercise classes, art projects, and holiday celebrations. In addition to what you might expect, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in musical and culinary programs, lectures and seminars for lifelong learning, and creative writing classes. Many communities also offer religious services that represent a variety of faiths in addition to practices like yoga and meditation.

You and your new neighbors can use your community’s transportation services to access off-site activities. Catch the latest horse races, get tickets to local theatrical productions, and visit Sacramento’s art galleries. You’ll also find museum outings and plenty of volunteering opportunities. Your community’s on-site activities may include options like family dinner nights, live music with cocktails, and meaningful intergenerational programs.

An emphasis on restaurant-style dining

Foodies are sure to be pleased by what our in-network Sacramento independent living communities bring to the table. You can expect full-service restaurants that provide seasonal menus of fresh, local ingredients. Choose between indoor and outdoor dining spaces, or use the private dining room when family members come to visit. But before you order from the menu, don’t hesitate to ask the professional culinary team if they can offer a customized meal to fit your taste and dietary needs.

Aside from mealtimes spent in the restaurants, Sacramento independent living communities have you covered. Stop by the bistro for snacks and drinks throughout the day, or visit the café to sip on a warm beverage. In the evenings, unwind with your peers or your visitors over cocktails at the bar and lounge.

Stand-alone versus senior care communities

About 82% of Sacramento independent living communities in A Place for Mom’s network also have an assisted living and/or memory care wing. These combined senior care communities allow seniors to find their favorite independent living space without having to move when their care needs change. Many of these senior care communities are in close proximity to Sacramento’s top-rated hospitals and senior health providers, so you can move into a community without having to change doctors.

The other 18% of communities in our network only offer independent living services. These communities are designed exclusively for seniors over the age of 55 who are generally healthy and don’t require daily assistance. Some of these stand-alone independent living options are located in Carmichael and cost about the same as what seniors typically pay for independent living in Sacramento. However, Carmichael offers the additional benefit of quiet, suburban living.

Health care for seniors in Sacramento

Here, you’ll find the top three hospitals in Sacramento, many of which are located near independent living communities. These hospitals are nationally and locally ranked for geriatric care and other adult procedures.

Transportation for seniors in Sacramento

Downtown Sacramento and a few other areas are partially walkable, but the majority of residents and visitors navigate the city by car or a rideshare service. In fact, 100% of Sacramento independent living communities in A Place for Mom’s network provide either complimentary or at-cost transportation services, giving you a secure and reliable way to explore the city. Biking is another popular mode of transportation due to Sacramento’s level terrain, dedicated bike paths, and helpful bike parking map.

You and your visiting loved ones may also find that the Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) is a helpful option. SacRT’s bus routes and light rail lines are accessible to out-of-towners, seniors, and people with disabilities. The light rail stations use Braille signage, warning tiles, door indicators, and either lifts or ramps to help people with impaired eyesight and physical limitations.

SacRT Go Paratransit Services is another accessible transportation option. Travel can be scheduled up to two days in advance, and the service gives priority seating to seniors and people with disabilities. All of SacRT’s buses have ramps, lowering features, and room to accommodate mobility devices.

Sacramento’s transit scores are below, represented in ranks from zero to 100 based on how accessible and easy it is to use each mode of transportation. Higher scores indicate the best transportation options in Sacramento.^[11]