Illustration — no photo of this home on file yet
- Care approvals on fileWheelchair · Dementia · Hospice · BedriddenState licensing record · September 13, 2026
- Typical starting rate$4,000 a monthTypical in Merced County · likely $3,000–$5,000
- 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 28, 2026CDSS inspection record
Luares Home Care is a small care home in Merced — 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.
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 Luares Home Care
Is Luares Home Care licensed?
The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
How many residents is Luares Home Care licensed for?
6 residents — a small home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
Has Luares Home Care been cited?
0 Type A and 0 Type B citations, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
Is Luares Home Care still open?
This license was on the CDSS roster as of September 28, 2026.
What does Luares Home Care cost?
$4,000 a month to start is typical in Merced County, likely $3,000–$5,000. This home’s own rate is not on file. Ask: “What is the all-in monthly rate, and what would push it higher?”
Too few homes publish a rate here, so this is the middle of Covelight’s researched range for small care homes in Merced County (compiled June 2026). This home’s own rate is not on file.
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 Luares Home 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 Luares Home Care LLC, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
Can Luares Home Care keep a resident on hospice?
Hospice care is approved on this license, covering up to 3 residents, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
Luares Home Care license and inspection record
- Name on the license: “LUARES HOME CARE LLC”, per the CDSS roster as of August 30, 2026.
- License #247209659. 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 Luares Home Care LLC, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
- First licensed: the year is not on file — the roster carries no first-license date for it. Ask: “When did this license start?”
- 2 state inspection visits on file, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
- 0 Type A and 0 Type B citations on file, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
- 0 complaints and 0 substantiated allegations on file, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
- The most recent state visit on file is July 28, 2026, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
California writes these definitions for every licensed home, not for this one. CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗
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 careApproved by the state
- Hospice careApproved · covers up to 3 residents
- BedriddenApproved · covers up to 1 resident
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. APPROVED FOR 6 NON-AMBULATORY OF WHICH 1 MAY BEBEDRIDDEN IN ROOM #2. HOSPICE WAIVER FOR 3.
983 - RCFE / DEMENTIA
CDSS record, verbatim · September 13, 2026
As needs change
- Staying through hospice
Hospice waiver on file · covers up to 3 — 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
- If memory loss develops
Dementia-care designation on file
Ask: “Can we read the dementia care disclosure and discuss how daily support works?”
State licensing record · September 13, 2026
3 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?”
What it costs here
Typical starting rate
$4,000a month to start
Likely $3,000–$5,000
Covelight’s researched range for Merced County · this home’s rate is not on file
Likely monthly total
$4,000a month
Likely $3,000–$5,200
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
Starting monthly rate$4,000likely $3,000–$5,000
Too few homes publish a rate here, so this is the middle of Covelight’s researched range for small care homes in Merced County (compiled June 2026). 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 $3,000–$5,200
- $4,000
- First monthWith a one-time move-in fee · likely $3,750–$8,350
- $6,000
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.
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 worksWhy this is a county figure
Too few homes publish a rate here, so this is the middle of Covelight’s researched range for small care homes in Merced County (compiled June 2026). This home’s own rate is not on file.
- 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.
Where it is
- 3554 El Redondo Drive, Merced, CA 95348Address from the public record · September 13, 2026. Confirm the entrance with the home before visiting.
A map position is not on file for this address.
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 2026, the state has filed 2 documents for this home, and its records count 2 visits. The most recent is a facility evaluation report, dated July 28, 2026.
- On file since
- 2026
- State visits
- 2
- Most recent visit
- July 28, 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.
The last 36 months — 2 of 2 documents
Jul 28, 2026Facility evaluation reportReport on file
Type of visit: Prelicensing
On 07/28/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) V Gorban conducted an announced Pre-licensing /Component III Inspection. LPA introduced self, stated the purpose of the visit and was allowed entry. LPA met with Administrator Bernardino Luares, certification number 7024273740, expiration date 05/20/2027. The facility is a two story building. Main level includes 4 bedrooms with the office, and 2 bathrooms. Upper level contains staff room and offices, residents do not have access to upper level. Home and fire clearance were granted for 5 non ambulatory and one bedridden of a total capacity of 6 residents. Facility was free from ground obstructions and odor. Common areas were observed to have adequate seating and lighting available. Medications locked in med cart. First aid kit was observed and contained all required items. A fire extinguisher was observed with service date of 06/01/2026. Last disaster drills conducted in March. Chemicals observed locked in cabinet. Kitchen was toured and observed to have dishes, plates, and utensils. Knives were locked in box. Refrigerator temperature was maintained at 34 degrees F and freezer maintained at 0 degree F. Adequate non-perishable food supplies observed. Perishable food observed with substantial amount to serve facility residents. LPA observed an extra supply of bed linens, towels, and personal hygiene products. Bedrooms were observed to have the required furnishing and are ready for occupancy. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide were observed to be operational during this inspection. Outside of facility toured. Exits were open and free of obstruction. LPA observed the side gate to be self-latching and free debris. Adequate outdoor seating observed available for residents. Facility phone number 209-349-8457. Exit interview was conducted, COMP111 reviewed. No deficiencies observed, report signed and provided for facility records.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jul 28, 2026
May 22, 2026Facility evaluation reportReport on file
Type of visit: Office
COMP II by CAB successfully completed Method: Phone Call at CAB Applicant/administrator participated in COMP II at CAB telephone call with analyst at CAB. Identification of the applicant and administrator was verified by presenting photo ID via phone. During COMP II, applicant and administrator confirmed the understanding of Title 22. Component II was successfully completed. Applicant and administrator were advised to email/fax signed LIC 809 with copy of photo ID to CAB. During COMP II, CAB analyst confirmed Applicant/Administrator’s understanding of following areas: 1. Facility operation: License type, client/resident populations, and program 2. Staff qualifications and responsibilities 3. Applicant and Administrator qualifications 4. Program policy: Abuse, admission agreement, medication management, reporting incidents to CCL, restricted & prohibited conditions 5. Grievances, Complaints, Community resources 6. Physical plant, food service 7. Application document review and technical assistance: Criminal record clearance, Health screening, Fire clearance, First Aid/CPR certificate, Administrator certificate, Financial verification, Pre-licensing inspection, Compliance history, Control of propertythe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, May 22, 2026
What the state’s words mean
CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗ · CDSS complaint outcomes ↗
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.
- What is included in the monthly rate, and what costs extra?
- Who is awake overnight, and how do residents ask for help?
- Which rooms does the non-ambulatory approval cover, and what transfer support is provided?
- What could change whether someone can stay here?
- Can we see a bedroom and share a meal during a visit?
Other homes nearby
Licensed homes in Merced County. This home has no map location on the state record, so these are not ordered by distance. Every listed home appears on the same terms.
A Golden Care
Merced · Small home
$4,550 a month to start · Covelight estimate
Anaya Elder Care
Los Banos · Small home
$3,900 a month to start · Listed by the home
At Haven Home
Merced · Small home
$4,550 a month to start · Covelight estimate
At Haven Home II
Merced · Mid-size home
$4,350 a month to start · Covelight estimate
Atwater Residential Care Facility
Atwater · Small home
$4,450 a month to start · Covelight estimate
Christina's Home Care
Hilmar · Small home
$4,300 a month to start · Covelight estimate