I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Concord, CA
As the most populous city in beautiful Contra Costa County, Concord is a vibrant urban center that’s located within the San Francisco Bay Area. About 15% of Concord’s 130,000 residents are seniors aged 65 and older, so there are plenty of services in the area that are geared toward helping retirees remain active and independent.
Concord is known for having an exceptionally comfortable year-round climate, and the city sees 263 sunny days and just 18 inches of rain each year. This makes Concord a great place for seniors who like to spend lots of time outside enjoying the city’s many parks, which include 14 pickleball courts, a large outdoor lap pool and plenty of level walking paths.
If you’re a nature-lover, then you’ll appreciate the huge variety of cacti and succulents at the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery in nearby Walnut Creek. The vibrant downtown district is filled with unique bistros and locally owned shops, and the area hosts a number of annual events, including the ever-popular Concord Comfort Food Week and the year-round farmers market.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Concord, CA
If you need full-time home care, which is 44 hours of care weekly, you can expect to pay around $6,101 per month. In Concord, the average rates for home health care and home care are the same, which work out to $32 per hour, even though the former also provides limited medical services.
To estimate your in-home care costs, simply multiply the average hourly rate by the number of hours of support you think you’ll need each week. For example, if you just need help with household chores and errands, you might find that you only require assistance every few days. On the other hand, if you require support with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, bathing and grooming, you may need daily assistance.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Home care and home health care costs in Concord are relatively high compared to the statewide average of $5,529 for either type of care. To the northeast in Sacramento, rates are somewhat lower at $5,863 per month for both types of in-home care, while to the south, seniors in Santa Cruz pay an average of $6,292 for home care or home health care. Just east of Concord in Stockton, rates are significantly lower at $5,243 per month for either homemaker or home health care services.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In-home care rates in Concord are comparable to the average assisted living rate of $6,100 per month. Adult day care, which includes nonmedical support in a communal setting during business hours, costs $1,950 per month, while nursing home care is the most expensive long-term care option at an average cost of $12,471 per month.
Note: Data for Concord was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Concord, CA
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 Concord, CA.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Concord, CA
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet isn’t always easy for seniors, and this is especially so if you have difficulty going out to the grocery store or preparing your own meals. Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa takes the worry out of meal prep for housebound seniors by delivering low-cost, nutritionally balanced hot meals to clients throughout Concord each weekday.
Frozen meals for use over the weekends and on holidays are also available upon request. When the volunteer drops off your daily meal, they’ll take a moment to ask you how you’re doing, and see if you need anything else.
Who Is Eligible?
Homebound seniors aged 60 and older who live in Contra Costa County who struggle to purchase groceries and prepare their own meals can sign up for Meals on Wheels service.
You’ll be asked to contribute toward the cost of your meals if you’re able to, and if not, some subsidized meals may be available. You can sign up for Meals on Wheels for a short period while you’re recovering from an illness or injury, or on a long-term basis.
How to Get Started
To learn more about Meals on Wheels, call (925) 937-8607 Monday through Friday.
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services
What You Should Know
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Concord that works to protect the legal rights of area seniors. CCSLS runs over 20 pro bono, or free, legal clinics where you can get legal advice, have a simple will drawn up, set up your advanced health care directive, and get a referral to a CCSLS attorney.
The organization also operates a free advocacy program that can help you deal with housing issues, consumer issues such as fraud and debt, and elder abuse. There’s also the Home Ownership Protection for Elders, or HOPE, program, that’s designed to help protect elderly homeowners from predatory lenders, prevent foreclosures and educate retirees on their property tax deferment options.
Who Is Eligible?
Any senior aged 60 or older who lives in Contra Costa County can access the seminars, legal clinics and programs operated by CCSLS. Priority is given to low- and moderate-income seniors who may otherwise be unable to access legal assistance.
How to Get Started
To contact CCSLS, call (925) 609-7900.
Concord Senior Center
What You Should Know
Owned and operated by Concord’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Concord Senior Center is a bustling, wheelchair-accessible community center for adults aged 50 and older.
The Center offers a wide range of free and low-cost recreational and social activities for seniors, including fitness classes, drop-in card games and holiday parties. You can also join the Concord Senior Club, a long-standing volunteer-run social club that’s based at the Senior’s Center.
Who Is Eligible?
As a senior living in Concord, you’re welcome to participate in any of the programs, activities and workshops offered at the Center. You can also sign up to volunteer at the Center, and help with the front desk, decorate for events, craft items for fundraisers, or assist with holiday celebrations.
How to Get Started
For up-to-date program information and operating hours, you can call the Center at (925) 671-3320.
Contra Costa Veterans Service Office
What You Should Know
The Contra Costa Veterans Service Office helps local veterans and their families access the wide variety of benefits and services available to those who have served.
If you’re a vet, survivor or dependent, you can contact the Office for free assistance with VA benefit applications and appeals, including applications for the Aid & Attendance or Housebound Allowance enhanced pension benefits. Staff with the Office can also help you secure your service records, arrange free transportation to and from VA health care centers, and learn about local property tax exemptions for vets.
Who Is Eligible?
Any resident of Contra Costa County who’s either a veteran or military family member can get free assistance through the CCVSO.
How to Get Started
To book an appointment with a Veterans Service Officer, call (925) 313-1481.
County Connection
What You Should Know
County Connection is the regional public transit provider for central Contra Costa County. The agency operates a number of fixed bus routes, as well as the regional paratransit service for riders who are unable to use the regular bus system due to temporary or permanent disability.
Seniors qualify for discounted fares on all County Connection routes, and some routes are fare-free.
Who Is Eligible?
Anyone can use County Connection services. If you have a mobility issue, you may also qualify to use the LINK Paratransit service, a reservation-based, shared-ride transit service that operates seven days a week.
How to Get Started
For route and fare information, you can call County Connection at (925) 676-7500. To learn more about the LINK Paratransit service, call (925) 938-7433.