I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Mountain View, CA
Mountain View is best known as a technology hub, but it also offers a high standard of living and a pleasant suburban feeling that’s ideal for retirement. About 11.2% of the city’s 81,516 residents are 65 or older. The city tends to attract highly educated people — 71% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Add in the below-average crime rate and a well-developed infrastructure, and you have a city that’s comfortable for retirees of all ages.
If you need home care in Mountain View, you’ll find plenty of choices. The city is also home to a variety of hospitals, including Sutter Health and El Camino Health Foundation. A few miles to the northwest, the Palo Alto VA Hospital provides services to veterans. Rideshare services are readily available if you prefer not to drive, and the Caltrain system runs right through the center of town to help you access facilities in San Jose or San Francisco. The train also stops at the San Francisco International Airport.
Mountain View offers well-kept parks, a developed waterfront and a range of international restaurants. The city’s Mountain View Senior Center is a hub for local retirees, offering classes, workshops and holiday events. The center also provides a variety of free services, including tax assistance, insurance counseling and legal help.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Mountain View, CA
Home care and home health care services can enable Mountain View seniors to age in place safely. Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey found that home care agencies charge about $6,864 each month. With an average of 44 hours of service per week, this works out to be $36 per hour. If you require home health care, the Genworth survey predicts a monthly cost of $7,150, or $37.50 per hour. It’s important to note that these are averages; the actual price can vary significantly based on the agency and the number of hours you require.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Compared to their neighbors in San Jose, seniors in Mountain View pay less for home care each month. However, they pay about $48 more per month for home health care. Some nearby cities, including Modesto, tend to be less expensive. While Mountain View residents pay $6,864 for home care and $7,150 for home health care, both services cost $5,768 per month for Modesto residents. Monthly costs in Santa Cruz are on par with Mountain View when it comes to home care, but locals pay about $143 less per month for home health services.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
The most affordable senior living option in Mountain View is adult day care, which costs about $1,950 each month. By contrast, the most expensive is nursing home care as one month in a semiprivate room averages $11,566. Home care falls somewhere in the middle in terms of price. It costs $286 less per month than home health care, but it’s more expensive than the $6,319 monthly fee for assisted living facilities.
Note: Data for Mountain View was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Mountain View, 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 Mountain View, CA.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Mountain View, CA
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley
What You Should Know
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley offers a variety of free home-repair initiatives to residents of Santa Clara County. The Critical Repair Program fixes issues that make your home uninhabitable. Safe at Home provides repairs and maintenance to improve the safety of your house, covering things such as accessibility, mobility, weatherization, fall prevention and other systems that help you age in place.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley’s programs, you must own a primary residence in Santa Clara County or one of the organization’s other service areas. In addition, your income must fall below 80% of the area median income (AMI). This number depends on how many people live in your home; for one person, your income must be $92,250 or less.
How to Get Started
To find out more about home repair, call Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley at (408) 578-9519. You can also apply online.
Mountain View Whisman School District Parcel Tax Exemption
What You Should Know
The Mountain View Whisman School District grants parcel tax exemptions to local senior homeowners. This exemption, which is only available through an application process, reduces your annual tax liability. Once you’re approved, you do not need to reapply each year.
Who Is Eligible?
You are eligible to apply for the parcel tax exemption if you’re at least 65 years old or if you’re receiving Social Security benefits. You must turn 65 by July 1st of your application year. In addition, you must own and live in a single-family home in the school district.
How to Get Started
If you have questions, or if you want to learn more about the program, call (650) 526-3547.
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
What You Should Know
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program helps you pay less for electricity and natural gas. The program is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission and operated by individual energy providers.
If you’re approved for CARE, you can save 20% on natural gas. Discounts for electricity are based on the size of the utility company; you will receive either 30% or 35% off your bill. These discounts are applied automatically. Once you’re accepted, you must renew your registration every 2 years. Be prepared to show proof of income for every adult resident of your household.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for reduced energy rates through the CARE program if your income is no more than $36,620 for a one- or two-person household. You can also qualify if you’re receiving Medicaid, Medi-Cal, food stamps or Supplemental Security Income. Participants in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may also be eligible for CARE.
How to Get Started
To apply for CARE rates, contact your energy company. You can find the phone numbers and websites for each participating company on the California Public Utilities Commission website.
Meals on Wheels Santa Clara County
What You Should Know
The Meals on Wheels program delivers 14 meals per week to homebound seniors in Santa Clara County. This program, which is administered by Sourcewise, is designed to help seniors meet their nutritional needs when they are unable to prepare food. Menus change throughout the year, with special meals on certain holidays.
Meals on Wheels accepts contributions, but only if you are able; they suggest a donation of $54 per month. However, the program will not turn away anyone who qualifies, regardless of their ability to pay.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Meals on Wheels program, you must be at least 60 years old and a Santa Clara County resident. In addition, you must be homebound due to a disability or illness. In some cases, you may be eligible if you’re unable to procure food on your own. Sourcewise also requires that you be unable to complete at least two activities of daily living.
How to Get Started
If you’re interested in Meals on Wheels, call Sourcewise at (408) 350-3200 and select option 1 to talk to a Community Resource Specialist.
Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program
What You Should Know
The Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP), which is run by Santa Clara County’s Sourcewise, helps seniors navigate the confusing world of health insurance in retirement. Trained counselors provide free one-on-one sessions to answer questions and help you understand the Medicare network. Counselors are unbiased volunteers, so you can count on them to provide objective information.
In addition to individual counseling sessions, HICAP holds a variety of workshops throughout the year. HICAP volunteers can also help advocate for seniors in Santa Clara County to ensure that they are receiving the Medicare benefits to which they’re entitled.
Who Is Eligible?
To participate in HICAP counseling, you must be a current Medicare recipient or getting close to the enrollment period. The program is open to residents of Santa Clara County.
How to Get Started
To get started with the HICAP program, talk to a Community Resource Specialist by calling (408) 350-3200. Alternatively, you can fill out an interest form online.