The California Assisted Living Association (CALA) is the only association solely representing the state’s Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, which encompass Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

CALA represents over 660 providers and more than 150 associated businesses. Our provider members range from small, independently operated communities to large, multi-national organizations, and from providers that cater to an active lifestyle to ones that specialize in caring for residents with dementia.

Our Mission

CALA is dedicated to the betterment of Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities through:

  • Leadership to providers and other stakeholders in these residential settings
  • Advocacy to protect the interests of providers and the people they serve
  • Education to support high-quality programs and services
  • Workforce development to support and provide visibility to the attractiveness of careers in senior living

Our Priorities

We endeavor to strengthen and sustain the Assisted Living, Memory Care, and CCRC models of care as integral components of long-term care for California’s older adults. To that end, we advocate for laws and regulations  which will support our members’ provision of high-quality care, and we work to educate policymakers, stakeholders, and the public-at-large about the quality of life enjoyed by residents  and the attractive career paths available to job seekers.

Our History

CALA was formed in 1995 as the California Assisted Living Facility Association (CALFA). In partnership with other advocacy groups, policymakers, and community leaders, CALA and its members have accomplished much  to enhance care and services  for California’s older adults. In recognition of these efforts, Argentum awarded CALA the State Affiliate Award for Excellence in 2009 and the Horace D’Angelo Award in 2010 for our work on bedridden legislation , and gave CALA’s president the Champion of Seniors Award in 2022 for advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.