I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Redwood City, CA
Redwood City is a popular destination for weekend tourists from all over northern California. The region has a mild year-round climate and easy access to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. More than 81,000 people live in Redwood City, almost 13% of whom are seniors aged 65 and over. This senior population is expected to double by 2030, fueling a more vibrant local senior scene.
Redwood City is an inviting place for seniors who like to stay active in the community. In addition to the large number of local public parks and golf courses, the area is within a short hop on BART from the shopping and entertainment of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Large natural spaces ring the city, and residents can have a day trip to the Bay Area from the local marina.
Seniors in Redwood City can find a lot of mobility-friendly local hiking trails, such as Russian Ridge and the path up the Coastal Range into the redwood forest that runs along the coast. Every year in September, a huge flock of migrating monarch butterflies visits the region on their passage from Mexico to Canada.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Redwood City, CA
Home care in Redwood City costs $6,864 a month, according to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. The cost for home health care in the same area is $7,150. In-home care services may vary by price, depending on how much medical care each case needs.
Genworth bases its figures for the average cost of home care per month on 44 hours of care per week. This means that the monthly fee varies depending on the number of care hours you need each week. To further clarify the cost, you can expect to pay an average hourly rate of $36.00 for home care and $37.50 for home health care services in Redwood City.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Redwood City’s costs are high by national standards but close to California’s average home care cost. Nationally, seniors pay an average of $4,957 a month for home care and $5,148 for home health care. California’s average for both is $6,101. Riverside has the same average prices as California’s average, while Los Angeles is somewhat less expensive, at $5,911 a month for both types of care. San Diego’s average costs are $6,387 for home care and $6,473 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care can be an expensive senior care option in Redwood City. Depending on a senior’s supervision and assistance needs, adult day health care may be a more affordable option, at $1,950 a month. Residential assisted living costs are less than home care, at a monthly average of $6,319. Nursing home care can be the most expensive senior care option. Semiprivate rooms in Redwood City nursing homes run an average of $11,566 a month.
Note: Data for Redwood City was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Redwood City, 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 Redwood City, CA.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Redwood City, CA
Redwood Coast Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
What You Should Know
The PACE program in Redwood City offers seniors aged 55 and over comprehensive care through coordinated medical and social services to help them live independently at home. PACE case manager services help seniors find specialist and nursing care, prescriptions, home care and medical equipment such as orthopedic devices and mobility aids. PACE also assists with non-medical services such as occupational therapy programs, caregiver assistance with personal care and light housekeeping, nutrition counseling, home-delivered and congregate meals and non-emergency transportation.
To apply, seniors meet with an intake worker remotely or in their home. Workers also assess your eligibility for various support programs. The intake process includes a no-cost assessment from a team of trained professionals to help new applicants complete an application.
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify for Redwood Coast PACE if you’re 55 or older, live in Eureka, McKinleyville, Arcata, Bayside, Blue Lake, Carlotta, Ferndale, Fields Landing, Fortuna, Hydesville, Korbel, Loleta, Rio Dell, Samoa, Scotia or Trinidad and meet the financial guidelines. You also need a level of care required by the California Department of Health Care Services and must be able to live safely in the community with the assistance provided through the program.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the program or start the enrollment process, call (707) 443-9747 to speak with a PACE care expert.
California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
What You Should Know
The California Department of Aging offers free, unbiased advice and helpful referral services through its HICAP office. Resources available at no cost to seniors include a Medicare/Medicaid eligibility assessment, referrals to local Area Agencies on Aging and help in understanding the various private insurance plans available. Confidential one-on-one counseling sessions are available in person or remotely by Zoom.
Who Is Eligible?
California’s seniors qualify for help from the Department of Aging with finding and applying for insurance coverage. Service is open to seniors who are or soon will be 65 or older or have a disability that qualifies them for Medicare.
How to Get Started
To learn more about this program or to apply, call (800) 434-0222 and speak with a case manager or program specialist.
SMC Connect
What You Should Know
SMC Connect delivers one hot meal a day to seniors in South and San Mateo Counties, including Redwood City. Volunteers bring a healthy, nutritious meal to participating seniors’ homes, as well as some extras as needed. These extras can include pet food, personal items, toiletries and other non-food must-haves for housebound seniors. The program also acts as a daily check-in service that ensures seniors are safe at home and engaging with the community.
Who Is Eligible?
SMC Connect’s services are available to seniors aged 55 and over who live in the Redwood City coverage area, as well as to adults of all ages whose disabilities make it difficult for them to shop for groceries or to prepare meals for themselves.
How to Get Started
To register for the program, call (650) 323-2022.
Home-Based Senior Care Program
What You Should Know
Stanford University’s Home-Based Senior Care program assists seniors throughout the South Bay Area with home visits and volunteer assistance with activities of daily living. Specialist caregivers and medical professionals are available for same- and next-day home visits to help seniors with emergent medical conditions and to provide routine medical examinations and assistance with needs such as wound care.
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify to participate if you are aged 65 and older, live within the program’s service area and need assistance with at least two normal activities, such as bathing, dressing or preparing meals on your own.
How to Get Started
You can get an intake appointment for the program by applying online or calling (650) 724-4910. Established Stanford Medical Center patients can ask their primary care physician for a referral.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
What You Should Know
The IHSS program, operated by San Mateo County, provides biweekly payments so seniors can hire home care services to help them remain safely at home and avoid residential care. The program issues payments directly to caregivers, who may be the enrolled senior’s friends or family members, at the program participant’s discretion. This gives seniors control over the hours worked and how much assistance they get from a caregiver.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be aged 65 or older or blind or disabled and need assistance to live safely at home. You must also meet the income and asset eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal or receive SSI benefits to qualify.
How to Get Started
To apply for the IHSS program, call San Mateo County Health at (800) 675-8437 for an application and to schedule an in-person evaluation. The program conducts the evaluation in the applicant’s home to establish the level of assistance needed and how many hours the program can authorize.