Located on the western side of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, Foster City’s friendly waterfront community has plenty to offer seniors. It’s a quiet, safe place for retirees, with crime rates below the national and California averages. If you’re considering aging in place in Foster City, you’re not alone: 16.7% of residents are 65 years or older. Local agencies offer both home care and home health care services, ensuring you can access support as you age.
Foster City is one of the loveliest cities in the San Francisco area; it was named the runner-up for the best place to live in San Mateo County. It’s known for its canals, marinas, parks and tree-lined residential streets. Residents have easy access to public transportation and major highways, as well as a selection of stores and eateries. The climate is relatively mild, with warm summers and cool winters.
The San Mateo Medical Center sits about 3 miles from Foster City, providing accessible care. The Mills Health Center lies 4.5 miles north, and the high-ranking Sequoia Hospital is a short drive to the south. If you need help getting to appointments, the Foster City Senior Express Shuttle offers affordable, on-demand service.
As you consider retirement in Foster City, it’s important to plan for the costs of home care. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Foster City pay $6,864 per month for full-time home care services. The study uses 44 hours as the baseline for full-time weekly care. For home health arrangements, the average monthly price comes out to $7,150. Your total costs could be different.
While you’re planning finances for continuing personal and health care, you can estimate costs by anticipating possible in-home care needs. For reference, the Genworth study found that the average hourly rate is $36 for home care and $37.50 for home health care.
As with many Bay Area cities, Foster City’s home care costs are higher than the state average. Compared to Napa, where both care types average $6,435 monthly, Foster City costs $429 more for home care and $715 more for home health care. In Vallejo, both types of care are $5,958 monthly. The price difference is particularly marked for home health care, which is $1,192 higher in Foster City. Santa Rosa offers moderate savings; monthly home care fees are $6,292 and $6,912 for home health care.
When you want to remain in your home, Foster City offers three primary senior care solutions. Home care is the mid-priced option, while home health care is more expensive. Adult day care is $1,950 a month, or the lowest price. For extra support and care, an assisted living facility typically charges $6,319 monthly. If you’re not able to live on your own, a nursing home is an option; in Foster City, they charge about $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 Foster City, CA.
What You Should Know
The Meals on Wheels program delivers freshly prepared meals to seniors across San Mateo County every weekday and on certain holidays. In addition to providing nutritional foods, the organization performs in-home assessments twice per year. Each time a delivery person drops off food, they also do a quick wellness check, so you can rest assured that someone is keeping an eye out for you even if you don’t have connections in the area.
Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. offers fully subsidized meals to many people; you can also opt into the service if you simply want the convenience of a hot meal and a personal interaction.
Who Is Eligible?
Before you can qualify for free or partially subsidized meals, you must be at least 60 years old and a resident of San Mateo County. Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. also requires you to have factors that limit your ability to shop or prepare food. If you want to use the service and pay full price, you don’t need to meet eligibility criteria.
How to Get Started
To get started with Meals on Wheels, call Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. at (650) 272-5041 or fill out the online contact form.
What You Should Know
Safe At Home is an initiative from Rebuilding Together Peninsula. The purpose of the program is to help you address and fix small issues quickly to reduce the risk of dangerous situations or expensive problems down the line. This might include conducting basic repairs, making accessibility modifications, improving energy efficiency and fixing the electric or plumbing system. Seniors are one of the key groups the Safe At Home program is designed to help; volunteers also serve people with disabilities and families with children.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility requirements for Safe At Home are fairly simple. The program is designed for homeowners who are residents of San Mateo County, Palo Alto and Los Altos. Your home must be your only property, and you must make less than the program’s current income limits. By participating, you’re agreeing to live in your home for at least the next 2 years.
How to Get Started
To learn more or start the process, call Rebuilding Together Peninsula at (650) 366-6597 or download the application.
What You Should Know
The goal of the Housing Accessibility Modification (HAM) Program is to help seniors and other people with disabilities maintain their independence while living at home. If you meet the income requirements, the HAM Program can provide and install the equipment you need to move around the house free of charge. Depending on your individual needs, this might include everything from entry ramps at your front entrance to stability bars in the bathroom.
Who Is Eligible?
The HAM Program is open to people who live in San Mateo County and a few other areas. The Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities, which operates the program, does not publish its current income limits; call for details.
How to Get Started
To find out if you qualify for the HAM Program, call (650) 645-1780.
What You Should Know
Falls can be a serious risk for seniors who are aging in place. The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program helps Foster City residents make changes to their homes that enable them to live independently and safely. This free program sends occupational therapists to participants’ homes to assess the layout and provide safety recommendations. You can also opt for a virtual consultation over Zoom.
In some cases, the Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program can cover the cost of small accessories to help reduce the risk of injury. The program is managed by the Fall Prevention Coalition of San Mateo County.
Who Is Eligible?
The minimum eligibility age is 60; the program also requires you to be a San Mateo County resident. There are no income limits, but you should have an increased risk of falling or a history of falls. The screening process includes a phone interview.
How to Get Started
If you want to participate in the Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program, call 1-844-NO FALLS or send your inquiry by email to [email protected].
What You Should Know
California state law allows school districts to provide exemptions from parcel taxes. The San Mateo-Foster City School District offers this option to seniors who own homes in the area. The exemption applies to both Measures B and V, giving you the opportunity to save a total of $451.23 every year.
Once you’re granted an exemption, you don’t need to worry about reapplying. It stays active for as long as you own the home.
Who Is Eligible?
The exemption is available to people aged 65 or older. You’re required to own a home in Foster City and it must be your primary residence. To prove that you qualify, be prepared to present a driver’s license or Medicare card and a photocopy of your latest property tax invoice.
How to Get Started
To find out more about the tax exemption, call (800) 969-4382 or email [email protected]. The application form is also available online through the San Mateo-Foster City School District and applications are accepted by email.