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Balance Residential Care

Small home·Licensed for 6·Bakersfield, California

Licensed since 2011Licence #157202507
(661) 665-0535From the state roster · September 13, 2026Plan a visit
  • Care approvals on fileWheelchair · HospiceState licensing record · September 13, 2026
  • Estimated starting rate$3,750 a monthCovelight estimate · likely $3,050–$4,600
  • Home sizeLicensed for 6Small care home · a licensed care home (RCFE)
  • Ways to payAsk the homeMedi-Cal ALW participation not on file
  • Last state visitJuly 17, 2026CDSS inspection record

Balance Residential Care is a small care home in Bakersfield — a licensed residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE), the licence category behind “assisted living” and “board and care.” It is licensed for 6 residents since 2011. Dementia care and bedridden care are not on file.

Built from CDSS public records · September 13, 2026. Every fact below names its source and date.

Quick answers and the state record

A citation does not make a home unsafe, and an empty file does not make a home good.

Quick answers about Balance Residential Care

Is Balance Residential Care licensed?

The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

How many residents is Balance Residential Care licensed for?

6 residents — a small home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Has Balance Residential Care been cited?

0 Type A and 0 Type B citations since 2011, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. Those records count 6 state visits over the same years.

Is Balance Residential Care still open?

This license was on the CDSS roster as of September 28, 2026.

What does Balance Residential Care cost?

$3,750 a month to start is a Covelight estimate, likely $3,050–$4,600. This home’s own rate is not on file. Ask: “What is the all-in monthly rate, and what would push it higher?”

Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 11 small homes and similar homes within 5 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

Among 17 other homes of a similar licensed size in Bakersfield that publish a starting rate, the middle half runs $3,000 to $4,050 a month, and the middle figure is $3,500 (n = 17 other homes publishing a starting rate).

Each of those is a home’s own published figure, gathered on its own date in September 2026 — not an average of ours, and not a survey. Similar size means small and mid-size homes counted together, and large communities counted on their own, because they are different markets.

A home outside the band is not overcharging or underpricing: a starting rate covers different things in different homes, which is the first thing to ask about.

The price is made in the phone call. Nothing here is a quote, an offer or a discount.

A starting rate is the room and the base care. California homes commonly bill care levels, medication management, supplies, transport and a second person in the room as extras. Many also charge a one-time fee at move-in. Ask for that list in writing before anything is signed.

Only prices a home put out itself count here: its own website, a listing it supplied, or a price a listing site says the home confirmed. Prices a site shows without saying where they came from are left out.

Does Balance Residential Care take Medi-Cal?

On Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver: this home is not on the DHCS participation list dated September 23, 2026. Ask the program about current options. The waiver pays for care services, not room and board.

Who holds the license?

The license is held by Balance Residential Care Corporation, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Is there a hospital nearby?

Mercy Southwest Hospital is 3.1 miles away in a straight line, per the CDPH licensed-hospital list dated September 16, 2026. See licensed care homes near it.

Can Balance Residential Care keep a resident on hospice?

Hospice care is approved on this license, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Balance Residential Care license and inspection record

  • Name on the license: “BALANCE RESIDENTIAL CARE CORPORATION”, per the CDSS roster as of May 25, 2025.
  • License #157202507. The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • Licensed for 6 residents — a small home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • Licensed to Balance Residential Care Corporation, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • First licensed in 2011, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • 6 state inspection visits since 2011, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • 0 Type A and 0 Type B citations on file since 2011, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. The same records count 6 state visits in that period.
  • 0 complaints and 0 substantiated allegations on file since 2011, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • The most recent state visit on file is July 17, 2026, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
Type A citationa violation that poses an immediate risk to health, safety or personal rights if it is not correctedType B citationa violation that could become a risk if not corrected, or one involving records, resources or required services

California writes these definitions for every licensed home, not for this one. CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗

See the state’s own record

Can they support the care needed?

California licenses a home for specific kinds of care. The state’s record lists what this home is approved for; the home’s own answers fill in what changes as needs change.

  • Wheelchair / non-ambulatoryApproved · covers up to 6 residents
  • Dementia / memory careNot on file · ask the home
  • Hospice careApproved by the state
  • BedriddenNot on file · ask the home

State licensing record · September 13, 2026. An approval may cover specific rooms or residents; it does not establish an opening.

Read the state’s own wording
AGE RANGE 60 AND OVER. ALL MAY BE NON-AMBULATORY. HOSPICE WAIVER APPROVED FOR FOUR (4) RESIDENTS.

935 - ELDERLY

CDSS record, verbatim · September 13, 2026

As needs change

  • Staying through hospice

    Hospice waiver on file — care may continue at the end of life

    Ask: “If hospice is needed, can care continue here until the end?”

    State licensing record · September 13, 2026

4 more questions to ask the home
  • Two-person transfers or a lift

    Not on file

    Ask: “If two people or a lift are needed to transfer, can the person stay?”

  • Someone awake overnight

    Not on file

    Ask: “Who is awake overnight, and how do residents ask for help?”

  • Medicines

    Not on file

    Ask: “Who manages the medicines, and what happens when a dose is missed?”

  • If memory loss develops

    Dementia-care designation not on file

    Ask: “If memory loss develops, what would change — and when would a move be needed?”

What it costs here

Covelight estimate

$3,750a month to start

Likely $3,050–$4,600

From 11 nearby homes that publish rates · this home’s rate is not on file

Likely monthly total

$3,750a month

Likely $3,050–$4,800

With a shared room and basic help.

An estimate for planning, not a quote. The price is made in the phone call.

See the full cost breakdownRoom, care and fees · how people pay · how this estimate works
Room
Daily care
Sharing the room

Memory care is not priced here: a dementia-care designation is not on file for this home. Ask the home.

  • Starting monthly rate$3,750likely $3,050–$4,600

    Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 11 small homes and similar homes within 5 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

  • Basic help with daily careUsually includedup to $600

    Basic help is usually part of the starting rate. Homes that price care by level start around $600 a month (45 California homes publish a care-level range, seen in September 2026).

  • One-time move-in fee$2,000one time · likely $0–$4,000

    Homes that list a one-time entry or community fee charge a median of $2,000 (134 California listings; middle half $1,000–$4,000). Many homes list none — ask.

Likely monthly totalLikely $3,050–$4,800
$3,750
First monthWith a one-time move-in fee · likely $3,600–$8,050
$5,750
How people payPrivate pay, Medi-Cal waiver, SSI/SSP, veterans, insurance
  • Private payMost residents pay from savings, a home sale or family help. Ask for the rate and what it includes in writing.
  • Medi-Cal Assisted Living WaiverThis home is not on the DHCS participation list dated September 23, 2026. Ask the program about current options. The waiver pays for care services, not room and board.
  • SSI/SSPCalifornia’s 2026 standard is $1,626.07 a month; $1,444.07 of it goes to the home and $182 stays with the resident. Whether this home accepts it is not on file — ask.
  • VeteransVA Aid & Attendance can add to a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s pension. Ask whether residents here have used it.
  • Long-term care insuranceMost policies pay for licensed care homes. Ask what paperwork the home provides for claims.
  • MedicareDoes not pay for room and board in a care home. It can still cover hospice or home-health visits inside one.
If the money runs out, what Medi-Cal covers
Avoid surprises on the billWhat changes the price, and what to ask
  • The care level

    Some homes charge one all-inclusive rate. Others add levels or points as needs grow. Ask how the level is set, who decides, and what the next level costs.

  • What is billed separately

    Medication management, incontinence supplies, transportation and a second person in the room are often extra. Ask for the list in writing.

  • Move-in costs

    A one-time community fee or deposit is common. Ask what it covers and whether any of it comes back if the stay is short.

  • Increases

    California requires at least 90 days’ written notice, with reasons, before a rate rises (Health & Safety Code §1569.655). A change in the resident’s care level is the section’s own exception and can be billed sooner.

  • What is the full monthly cost for the room and care we need, and what does it include?
  • What would the next care level cost, and who decides when it changes?
  • What is billed separately, and is there a one-time fee or deposit at move-in?
  • Is any private-pay period required before another payment program can begin?
How this estimate worksWithin 25% for 7 in 10 homes in testing

Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 11 small homes and similar homes within 5 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

11 homes like this within 5 miles publish starting rates mostly between $3,000–$4,050.

  • Only prices a home put out itself count: its own website, a listing it supplied, or a price Seniorly says the home confirmed. Prices a listing site shows without saying where they came from are left out.
  • Nearby homes are the nearest of the same size that publish a rate, widening from 3 to 40 miles until at least 8 do. The estimate starts from what they charge, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices.
  • Room, care-level, second-person and move-in lines come from what California homes publish on listing sites. Memory care uses Covelight’s researched premium over assisted living.
  • Totals add each line’s figure and combine the lines’ ranges as separate charges, because a home is rarely at the top, or the bottom, of every line at once.
  • We tested this estimate on 1,546 California homes that publish their own starting rate. It was within 10% of the real rate for 3 in 10 homes and within 25% for 7 in 10; the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 (September 12, 2026).
  • It cannot see this home’s specials, how it assesses care, or which rooms are open.
Show the 11 nearby homes behind this estimate

Where it is

  • 9802 Vertrice Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93311Address from the public record · September 13, 2026. Confirm the entrance with the home before visiting.

Opening the neighborhood map…

The state record

California inspects every licensed home and publishes what it found. Here are the dated documents and the state’s own words, beside what is typical for homes this size.

Since 2021, the state has filed 6 documents for this home, and its records count 6 visits since 2011. The most recent is a facility evaluation report, dated July 17, 2026.

On file since
2021
State visits
6
Most recent visit
July 17, 2026

Beside homes the same size

  • Type A citations0typical 0
  • Type B citations0typical 0
  • Substantiated allegations0typical 0
  • Total complaints0typical 0

“Typical” is the statewide median across the 6,808 licensed small board-and-care homes (6 or fewer beds) in the state record — larger, longer-licensed homes accumulate more visits and reports, so compare like with like. One complaint can contain several allegations. Counts cover this licence since 2011.

Year by year
YearVisitsDocumentsSubstantiated202611020251102024110202311020221102021110

The last 36 months — 3 of 6 documents

The full record on the state’s site →
20261 state visit · 1 document
Jul 17, 2026Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

On 07/17/26 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) M. Yang arrived unannounced to conduct an Annual Inspection. LPA introduced self, stated the purpose of the visit, and was greeted by staff/ designee (S) Linda Natividad. Licensee/ Administrator Victoria Bicera was called and stated unavailable to attend meeting. Licensee authorized designee to sign report. All three residents were present during inspection. LPA toured facility with S1. Residents were observed in the common area. The facility was observed to be at a comfortable temperature, clean, in good repair, and no passageway obstructions or fire hazards were observed inside. An adequate supply of perishable and non-perishable food was observed. Freezer temperature was maintained at 0 degrees F and refrigerator temperature was maintained at 32 degrees F. Cleaning chemicals were observed locked under kitchen sink and in garage cabinets. Fire extinguisher was observed with a purchased date of 03/25/26. Last fire drill was completed on 05/13/26. Knives observed locked under kitchen counter. Medications were observed locked in kitchen shelves. Residents’ MARS and medications were checked. Washer and dryer operating and functioning during visit. Extra linens and towels were observed in hall closet. Residents' bedrooms were toured and observed to be adequately furnished with bed, dresser, and adequate lighting. LPA observed 3 single occupants and 1 vacant bedroom. Bathroom was toured. Hot water temperature was tested range between 106.3 in bathroom. Outside of facility toured. Side exit gate was self-closing and self-latching. Outside was observed with adequate outdoor seating available for residents. Carbon monoxide and smoke detector operational during visit. All residents’ and sample of staff files were reviewed. A deficiency is being cited on the attached Lic 809D in accordance to California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6 see attached 809D. Exit Interview conducted. LPA received copies of Lic 308 and current liability insurance. A copy of this report and appeal rights provided to Licensee via email as requested.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jul 17, 2026
20251 state visit · 1 document
Aug 15, 2025Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

On 08/15/25 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) M. Yang arrived unannounced to conduct an Annual Inspection. LPA introduced self, stated the purpose of the visit, and was greet by staff Linda Natividad. Licensee/ Administrator Victoria Bicera was called shortly during inspection. All three residents were present during inspection. LPA toured facility with Licensee. Residents were observed in the common area. The facility was observed to be at a comfortable temperature, clean, in good repair, and no passageway obstructions or fire hazards were observed inside. Residents’ MARS and medications were checked. An adequate supply of perishable and non-perishable food was observed. Freezer temperature was maintained at -2 degrees F and refrigerator temperature was maintained at 38 degrees F. Cleaning chemicals was observed stored and locked under kitchen sink. Fire extinguisher was observed with a purchased date of 04/11/25. Chemicals observed stored and locked in garage cabinet. Extra linens observed. Residents' bedrooms were toured and observed to be adequately furnished with bed, dresser, and adequate lighting. LPA observed 3 single occupants and 1 vacant bedroom.All bathrooms are toured. Hot water temperature was tested range between 105.1 in bathroom. Outside of facility toured. Side exit gate was self-closing and self-latching. Outside was observed with adequate outdoor seatings available for residents. Medications were checked and observed kept locked in kitchen shelves. All residents’ file and all staff files were reviewed. No deficiencies issued during this inspection. Exit Interview conducted. The following documents requested to be updated and submitted to Fresno CCL by 08/21/25: Lic 308, Lic 500, Lic 610E, current liability insurance, control of property, and current Administrator certificate. A copy of this report and appeal rights provided to Licensee, whose signature confirms receipt of this report.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 15, 2025
20241 state visit · 1 document
Aug 6, 2024Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

On 08/06/24 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) M. Yang arrived unannounced to conduct an Annual Inspection. LPA introduced self, stated the purpose of the visit, and was greet by staff Linda Natividad. Administrator Victoria Bicera was called and arrived later during inspection. Three residents were present during inspection. LPA toured facility with staff. Residents were observed in the common area. The facility was observed to be at a comfortable temperature, clean, in good repair, and no passageway obstructions or fire hazards were observed inside. An adequate supply of perishable and non-perishable food was observed. Freezer temperature was maintained at -2 degrees F and refrigerator temperature was maintained at 40 degrees F. Cleaning chemicals was observed stored and locked under kitchen sink. Fire extinguisher was observed with a purchased date of 4/29/24. Washer was observed operational during visit. Tools, toolbox, and chemical cabinet observed unlock in the garage. Extra linens observed. Residents' bedrooms were toured and observed to be adequately furnished with bed, dresser, and adequate lighting. All bathrooms are toured. Hot water temperature was tested range between 105.2 in bathroom. Outside of facility toured. Side gate was self-closing and self-latching. Outside was observed with adequate outdoor seatings available for residents. Medications were checked and observed kept locked in kitchen shelves. Residents’ MARS was reviewed, and medication were audit. All residents’ file and all staff files were reviewed. A deficiency is being cited on the attached 809D in accordance to California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6. Exit Interview conducted. The following documents requested to be updated and submitted to Fresno CCL by 08/12/24: Lic 308, Lic 500, Lic 610E, current liability insurance, and control of property. A copy of this report and appeal rights provided to Administrator, whose signature confirms receipt of this report.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 6, 2024
What the state’s words mean
Substantiatedthe state found the allegation more likely true than notUnsubstantiatedthere was not enough evidence to prove a violation occurred — not a finding of wrongdoingUnfoundedthe evidence showed the allegation was false, could not have happened, or had no reasonable basisType A citationa violation that poses an immediate risk to health, safety or personal rights if it is not correctedType B citationa violation that could become a risk if not corrected, or one involving records, resources or required services

CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗ · CDSS complaint outcomes ↗

An “unsubstantiated” complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing — it means the state investigated and could not confirm the allegation. Outcome words are the state’s own; we never grade, score, or color a record, and we publish no reviews — the state’s dated documents and the questions below stand in their place.
Open CDSS facility search ↗Report a record errorOperate this home? Respond or correct, free →

Life here

Rooms, meals, the rhythm of a day, faith and language, pets and house rules — as the home describes them. Tap any detail for its source and date; nothing here is graded.

The home has not described daily life anywhere we have reviewed yet — that is the case for most small homes, and it says nothing about the home. These questions fill in the picture; keep the ones that matter to you.

Before you call

Ask every home the same questions — the state’s record does not answer these. Keep the ones that matter and they travel with your saved homes.

  1. What is included in the monthly rate, and what costs extra?
  2. Who is awake overnight, and how do residents ask for help?
  3. Which rooms does the non-ambulatory approval cover, and what transfer support is provided?
  4. What could change whether someone can stay here?
  5. Can we see a bedroom and share a meal during a visit?
Print a visit sheetCompare saved homesOpen saved homes

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