Family Resources
Information first. Decisions second.
Most families researching assisted living aren’t ready to decide — they’re trying to understand the situation. These tools are here to help with that part, with real numbers, not sales copy. No form required to use any of them.
Self-Assessment
Is it time to consider assisted living?
Check anything that’s been true in the last few months. This isn’t a diagnosis — it’s just a starting point, based on the signs families and geriatric care experts commonly point to.
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Not a medical or diagnostic tool. Based on commonly cited indicators from A Place for Mom and Elder Care Alliance. If you’re seeing a sudden, severe change, talk to a doctor first.
Cost of Care
What assisted living actually costs.
Every family asks about price first, so here it is, compared honestly against 2026 industry data for California.
Source: CareScout (formerly Genworth) 2025 Cost of Care Survey, released March 2026. National and California figures reflect assisted living community medians and may vary by room type and care level. Penda Homes rates depend on room type and care needs — call for a current quote.
Understanding Memory Care
What families should know about Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Alzheimer’s risk rises sharply with age: about 5.2% of people 65–74 have Alzheimer’s dementia, compared with 13.8% at 75–84, and 35.8% at 85 and older. That climb is a big part of why memory-related support becomes more relevant the longer someone lives — it’s common, not unusual.
The most important thing we’ve seen with memory care isn’t medical equipment — it’s routine. Residents living with dementia do better with the same faces, the same schedule, and the same small group of people every day. That’s the entire reason our homes stay at six residents: it’s small enough for a routine to actually hold.
Source: Alzheimer’s Association, 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report.
Glossary
Terms families run into.
- RCFE
- Residential Care Facility for the Elderly — the state license category both Penda homes operate under, issued by the California Department of Social Services.
- ADLs
- Activities of Daily Living — the basic self-care tasks (bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility) that assisted living helps with.
- Board and Care Home
- Another common name for a small residential care home like ours — a licensed house, not an institutional facility.
- Respite Care
- A short-term stay, typically days to a few weeks, often used to give a family caregiver a planned break.
- Hospice-Friendly
- Means the home is willing and set up to coordinate with an outside hospice or palliative care provider, rather than requiring a move to a different facility.
- Caregiver Ratio
- How many residents each caregiver is responsible for at a given time. Smaller ratios generally mean faster, more personal attention.