I. What You Should Know About Home Care in San Rafael, CA

San Rafael is an affluent city in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Of its 61,000 residents, about one in five are aged 65 and over, promoting the availability of senior services and social opportunities. Local seniors have access to outstanding medical facilities, including Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center, and there are more than double the number of doctors per capita than in the average U.S. city. On average, health care costs such as doctor’s office visits and dental care are 8% below the national median. Overall, living expenses in San Rafael are very high compared to the national average, mainly because of local housing costs. Fortunately, there are several community-based programs to help seniors remain in their homes throughout their retirement years.

San Rafael is a great option for those who want to enjoy warm weather year-round. It has one of the most comfortable climates in the United States, with daytime temperatures ranging from 55 to 78 degrees throughout the year. The air quality is good compared to the rest of the nation, with a score of 67 compared to the national rating of 58, which may benefit those with respiratory conditions.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in San Rafael, CA

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in San Rafael pay $6,864 per month for home care, which includes nonmedical services such as transportation, companionship and housekeeping. Home health care is a little more expensive at $7,150 and may be a better option if you need specialized nursing services such as wound care, disease management or medication administration.

These home care and home health care costs assume 44 hours of weekly care at respective hourly rates of $36 and $37.50. Your costs may be higher if you need evening or weekend care. Alternatively, you may be able to reduce your costs by supplementing paid services with help from community-based meal deliveries, friendly phone calls and volunteer-based transportation assistance.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

In San Rafael, seniors pay an estimated $6,864 per month for home care and $7,150 for home health care, which is expensive compared to most other cities across the state. In Los Angeles, rates for in-home care services are well below the state median at $5,911, and in Sacramento, both care types cost $6,292 per month. Seniors in San Luis Obispo can expect to pay an average of $7,150 for either home care or home health care services.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

The cheapest long-term care option in San Rafael is adult day care, which costs an average of $1,950 per month. Seniors pay $6,319 for assisted living, which is about $500 less than the $6,864 average monthly rate for home care. Home health care is more expensive at $7,150, but it’s a cost-effective alternative to nursing home placement, which is the priciest option at $11,566 per month for semiprivate accommodations.

Note: Data for San Rafael was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.

III. How to Find Home Care in San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, CA.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in San Rafael, CA

Community Action  Marin 

What You Should Know

Community Action Marin is a local nonprofit organization that provides a range of services to help older adults remain in their own homes. It administers rent and utility assistance programs to help you avoid eviction or disruptions in services. Through its Food Security program, you can obtain emergency food boxes and enroll in CalFresh, which is the state’s Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program. The organization also provides free income tax assistance to help you benefit from all the exemptions and deductions you qualify for, which may help you afford home-based care and living expenses.

Who Is Eligible?

Services through Community Action Marin are open to everyone who meets the current income guidelines. Specific programs may have additional eligibility requirements related to age or physical and mental disability.

How To Get Started

To obtain services through this agency, seniors can complete and submit a service inquiry form that includes basic information, such as their name and what services they’re interested in. After submitting this form, the individual will receive a call within 7 days from a success coach who helps them through the application process. Those who need faster assistance can call the agency at (415) 526-7500 or email [email protected].

County of Marin Aging and Adult Services 

What You Should Know

The county’s Aging and Adult Services division is the Area Agency on Aging for San Rafael. It offers a full suite of services and programs to help seniors preserve their independence for as long as possible. The agency’s information and referral specialists can help you connect with the services you need to safely remain in your home, including transportation assistance, case management, home-delivered and congregate meals and family caregiver support. It also organizes social and recreational programs at senior centers throughout the region to help older adults avoid isolation and loneliness.

Who Is Eligible?

Seniors aged 60 and over in San Rafael and throughout Marin County are eligible for assistance through Aging and Adult Services. Depending on the services you require, you may also need to meet eligibility guidelines related to your income or physical impairments.

How To Get Started

To obtain services or learn more about eligibility guidelines, you can call the Marin Aging & Adult Information & Assistance Line at (415) 473-4636. This hotline is available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Alternatively, you can contact the office by submitting an online form.

Marin Center for Independent Living 

What You Should Know

The Marin Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost and free community-based services to seniors. It has information and assistance specialists who listen to your needs and help you find resources in the community to reduce your reliance on private-pay services. The center’s Housing Preservation program provides assistive technology and home modifications to help you age in place safely, and its Nursing Home Transition Assistance and Service Coordination program helps those in nursing facilities move back to their own homes. The center also has a Personal Assistant Registry, which can help you in your search for home care services.

Who Is Eligible?

Services through the Marin Center for Independent Living are available to those aged 60 and over. Along with age, you may have to meet additional eligibility criteria such as living environment, income and need.

How To Get Started

You can contact the organization by calling its main office at (415) 459-6245.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services 

What You Should Know

Jewish Family and Children’s Services is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides supportive services to those in San Rafael and surrounding cities. It offers Seniors At Home, an award-winning home care and case management service, along with the L’Chaim Adult Day Health Center to supplement what seniors pay for home-based care. It also provides financial services to help you manage your household expenses and medical bills.

Who Is Eligible?

Services through JFCS are available to all seniors aged 60 and over in the Bay Area, including residents of San Rafael. Some programs serve those experiencing specific circumstances or needs, such as transitioning back home after a nursing facility stay or managing a chronic condition.

How To Get Started

To learn more about these services or talk to an intake specialist, seniors in San Rafael can call the Marin County office at (415) 419-3600.

Vivalon 

What You Should Know

Vivalon is a nonprofit organization based in San Rafael that helps older adults build social connections and participate in educational and recreational classes. It has a comprehensive directory that can help you find resources in the community, such as home-based care, support groups, transportation, medical and wellness services, and home-delivered and congregate meals.

Who Is Eligible?

Vivalon’s programs and services are available to those aged 60 and over in the San Rafael area. You may have to meet additional eligibility requirements to obtain certain services, such as home-delivered meals and medical care.

How To Get Started

To get started with Vivalon, you can contact the Healthy Aging Center in San Rafael by calling (415) 456-9062. The office is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To obtain transportation services, you can call Vivalon Rides at (415) 454-1098. This office is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.