San Leandro is a beautiful city along the eastern shores of San Francisco Bay. It’s home to more than 88,000 people, and 16.4% are aged 65 and older, which is nearly identical to the national average. San Leandro is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, indicating the city does all it can to create and maintain programs and services that are friendly to residents of all ages.
One of San Leandro’s most appealing qualities to seniors living at home is the mild climate. The city gets 258 sunny days and only 21 inches of precipitation per year. The average high temperature in July is 72 degrees, and there is almost never snow in the winter. Alameda County gets a passing grade for particle pollution from the American Lung Association, but there may be days when ozone pollution is high.
San Leandro has 226 physicians per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 210. Many quality hospitals are also in and near the city, including Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center and Alameda Hospital.
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey lists the cost of senior care options in cities across the United States. In San Leandro, the average cost for in-home care is $6,864 per month. The median cost of home health care is $7,150 per month. The survey uses 44 hours of caregiving per week to get this monthly average. The hourly rates for care are $36.00 for in-home care and $37.50 for home health care. Home care in San Leandro is about $1,900 more per month than the national average.
San Leandro’s average home care and home health care are higher than California’s average, with home health care $1,000 higher, making it one of the state’s most expensive places for this type of care. San Jose, which is just south of the city, is also costly, with monthly averages of $7,102 for both types of home care. As you go inland, prices decrease. In-home care and home health care both cost $5,958 per month in Vallejo and $5,482 per month in Stockton.
Home health care costs slightly more than in-home care in San Leandro because it provides some medical services. Nursing homes offer much higher levels of medical care and supervision, which have an average cost of $11,566 per month for a semiprivate room. Assisted living facilities, which have a median rate of $6,319, are a common alternative to home care. Adult day health care is the most affordable senior care option in San Leandro, with an average price of $1,950.
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 San Leandro, CA.
What You Should Know
FLEX RIDES Paratransit Service has two transportation options for seniors in San Leandro who can’t get around town on their own. The Shuttle Service operates two fixed routes, one that runs north and the other that runs south. The routes cover much of the city, but some areas don’t receive service. This is when seniors may want to use the on-demand service, which subsidizes rides through the Uber app. The government will pay up to $20 for each one-way trip. Rides are available within San Leandro and to cities throughout the East Bay.
Who Is Eligible?
Any San Leandro resident over the age of 50 or those with disabilities is welcome to use the FLEX RIDES paratransit service. The on-demand service is only available to FLEX RIDES members who are aged 70 and older.
How To Get Started
You can apply for FLEX RIDES by filling out the online application or calling (510) 577-7985.
What You Should Know
SOS Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization that helps seniors stay in their own homes by delivering nutritious meals daily. Monday through Friday, background-checked volunteers deliver food while checking in on the wellness of program recipients. All meals are low in sodium, fat and cholesterol and are approved by a registered dietician. A donation of $3.50 is suggested for each delivery, but no senior is turned away from this service if they are unable to pay. The program delivers more than 10,000 meals per week with the help of dedicated volunteers.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors in Alameda who are aged 60 and older and are unable to obtain their own fresh meals may be eligible for this service. You must also not have a caregiver who can get meals for you.
How To Get Started
To sign up for deliveries in San Leandro, call (510) 582-1263.
What You Should Know
Spectrum Community Services provides several energy assistance programs that can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills in San Leandro. These programs include LIHEAP, LIHWAP and weatherization. YOu may use the funds to make modifications to your home that improve your efficiency in the long term, such as insulation installation, water heater replacement, weather stripping, faucet aerators and more. Spectrum Community Services also provides seniors meals, fall prevention and meal deliveries.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for any of the energy assistance programs, you must live in Alameda County, provide a utility bill and have approval from the owner of the property if you rent. You must also meet income guidelines that can change year to year in order to benefit from this program. The program gives priority to low-income seniors aged 60 and older.
How To Get Started
Get started with any of Spectrum Community Services programs by calling (510) 881-0300. You can also pick up applications from sites in Hayward and Oakland.
What You Should Know
The California State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program for seniors gives homeowners in San Leandro the opportunity to delay part of their property taxes so they can use that money for home care or other needs. The money owed to the state through this deferment program must eventually be paid back. Funding for this deferment is limited, so not every senior that applies will be approved. Applications are typically processed in six to eight weeks.
Who Is Eligible?
For each year you want to postpone your property taxes, you must be at least 62 years old or disabled, have an income of $49,017 or less, not have a reverse mortgage, live in the property getting the postponement and have at least 40% equity in said property.
How To Get Started
Call (800) 952-5661 to learn more about the program and find out the easiest way to apply.
What You Should Know
Rebuilding Together is a program that makes it possible for low-income seniors to remain in their own homes even if their properties need minor repairs. Safe at Home services provide modifications and repairs that make occupants safer, such as the installation of handrails and grab bars. Rebuilding Days are annual events where thousands of volunteers gather to make larger repairs for property owners with significant needs. Rebuilding Together uses the San Leandro Rehab Grant, which is available for up to $5,000, to help pay for work and supplies. The program also helps rehabilitate nonprofit facilities that serve seniors in the community.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be the owner/occupant of a single-family dwelling in San Leandro to qualify for this program.
How To Get Started
You can call (510) 625-0316 to learn more about Rebuilding Together or fill out a City of San Leandro Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program application.