Renowned for its numerous eucalyptus groves and high quality of life, Burlingame sits on the San Francisco Peninsula with a significant San Francisco Bay Shoreline. Living on the edge of the San Francisco Bay in San Mateo County is slightly cooler than other California locales. However, it also offers mild year-round weather for older adults who dislike temperature extremes. Burlingame’s 65 and over community makes up about 15% of its population of around 30,000 residents.
Burlingame’s proximity to San Francisco provides access to every amenity imaginable without giving up the safety and comfort you often get within a smaller community. The city’s violent crime rate is nearly half the national average, making you feel safer when enjoying the scenic bayside views from its numerous parks and natural spaces.
The city also boasts 302 doctors per capita, nearly 50% more than the national average. Plus, California doesn’t tax Social Security income and exempts groceries and prescriptions from sales tax, helping seniors stretch their retirement dollars. These are just some of the many reasons seniors may enjoy retiring in Burlingame and aging in place through its plentiful home care services.
Home care provides non-medical in-home care services, while home health care offers personalized supportive care and limited medical care. Both benefit seniors who need some assistance to remain in their homes. Burlingame’s average home care cost is $6,864, while home health care is slightly higher at $7,150 per Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
Genworth calculated the average monthly cost of home care based on 44 hours of care weekly. Therefore, your price drops if you require fewer hours of care and increases if you need more. The average hourly rate for home care is $36, and home health care is $37.50. To figure your cost, multiply these amounts by the number of hours you expect to need services.
Burlingame’s average home care and home health care costs are higher than the state and national averages and many nearby cities. Its costs exceed Santa Rosa’s $6,292 for home care and $6,912 for home health care. While Santa Cruz’s home care cost mirrors Burlingame’s, its home health care cost is lower at $7,007. San Jose averages $7,102 for both types of home care, making its home care cost higher than Burlingame’s, but its home health care costs are lower.
In Burlingame, both types of in-home care cost more than all other senior living options except nursing home care. Adult day care is the least expensive at only $1,950 per month, but it provides the least amount of care. Assisted living requires seniors to move to a congregate residential setting at an average cost of $6,319 in Burlingame. Nursing care is quite a bit pricier at $11,566 per month.
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Burlingame, CA.
What You Should Know
Central Coast Energy Services (CCES) administers utility assistance and weatherization programs for low-income homeowners in San Mateo County. Its Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers utility payment assistance for home energy bills. If you qualify for HEAP, you’re also eligible for its free weatherization program. CCES may repair or replace existing heating and gas appliances and install energy conservation measures, such as energy-efficient windows and doors, weatherstripping, programmable thermostats and insulation.
Who Is Eligible?
Homeowners of any age may qualify based on gross income over the past 30 days. However, the program may prioritize households with vulnerable populations, such as seniors, disabled individuals or young children.
How to Get Started
Obtain assistance by calling its toll-free number at (888) 728-3637. Leave your full name and mailing address, plus your home and daytime phone numbers. CCES mails you an application within two to three business days.
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals to the elderly and disabled throughout San Mateo County. The program helps seniors who can’t cook or shop for themselves to live independently while eliminating food insecurity. Delivery drivers also perform daily wellness checks. Meals on Wheels staff requires an initial in-home assessment, with reassessments every six months, to participate. Its registered dietitian provides nutrition counseling upon request. Clients also receive referrals to additional services if needed.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for partially or completely subsidized Meals on Wheels services, you must be aged 60 or older, live in San Mateo County and meet income requirements. Program directors try to fit everyone into a subsidized meal program. You also must be homebound or need assistance to leave your home, be unable to prepare meals for yourself and primarily live alone.
How to Get Started
To apply for the home-delivered meals program, call Meals on Wheels at (650) 272-5041 or fill out the online form.
What You Should Know
Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its Ride PVI program provides transportation to medical and dental appointments from Palo Alto to San Mateo. Rides to pharmacies aren’t currently available. You can also request rides to and from Little House, Veterans Memorial Senior Center and San Carlos Adult Activity Center.
Lyft drivers provide transportation services, but you must contact PVI to schedule your ride at the reduced rate. It offers on-demand rides for immediate pickup. You can’t pre-book a ride. A subsidy is available through Little House, funded by Sequoia Healthcare District, the County of San Mateo Measure-K and Bank of America.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for subsidized services, you must be aged 60 or older and live in San Mateo County. You must also be able to get in and out of the vehicle on your own. However, the driver can assist with loading mobility devices, such as a walker or wheelchair.
How to Get Started
You must preregister to use Ride PVI. Each time you need a ride, call its transportation hotline at (650) 272-5040. Staff members arrange for a Lyft Driver to pick you up from your home. Call back when you’re ready for a ride back home.
What You Should Know
San Mateo County participates in the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement for Senior Citizens, Blind or Disabled Persons program. It allows senior homeowners to postpone their current year’s property taxes. The homeowner can repay the deferred taxes at any time, but they must repay them when they move from or sell the residence, refinance or obtain a reverse mortgage, die and don’t have a spouse or other qualified individual residing in the home or allow future property taxes or liens to become delinquent.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, you must be aged 62 or older, blind or disabled. You must own and occupy the property as a primary residence, have at least 40% equity in a home free of any reverse mortgage and have a total household income of $35,500 or less.
How to Get Started
You must file a claim form with the California State Controller’s Office to apply. Funding is limited, with applications processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call (800) 952-5661 or email [email protected].
What You Should Know
Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP) is a nonprofit organization that helps restore safe conditions to homes through free repairs to those who qualify. Income-qualified homeowners, including seniors and disabled persons, may request home renovations and repairs performed by skilled and general volunteers. RTP completes minor repairs year-round but typically only does major repairs and renovations twice a year. Repairs and renovations include yard work, painting, weatherstripping, flooring, window replacements and installations of ramps and rails.
Who Is Eligible?
RTP prioritizes seniors and disabled persons who can’t complete their own repairs and households that have never received services. To qualify, you must meet income eligibility and live in and own a home in San Mateo County. You can’t own any other real estate and must intend to stay in the home being repaired for at least two years.
How to Get Started
Fill out a homeowner’s application and email it to [email protected] or mail it to Rebuilding Together Peninsula, 841 Kaynyne Street, Redwood City, CA 94063. You may call (650) 366-6597 with any questions.