I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Sunnyvale, CA
Nestled in Santa Clara Valley, Sunnyvale is an ideal retirement location with a senior-friendly climate and numerous green spaces. It affords its residents excellent views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Hamilton Range, as well as easy access to excellent restaurants and coffee shops. The city’s population is around 155,800. The 2020 Census found adults aged 65+ comprise 11.9% of its residents, revealing a steady growth in the number of seniors from the 10.6% recorded in the 2000 Census.
Violent crime in Sunnyvale is exceptionally low, with the chances of being a victim at one in 663 (the state average is one in 227). As of 2022, Sunnyvale’s property tax rate is 0.55%, which is below Santa Clara County’s 0.73% average. Seniors who meet the qualifying criteria may also qualify for a property tax postponement in addition to the exemption of $7,000 on the property’s assessed value offered to all homeowners. Consequently, Sunnyvale’s low crime rates and property taxes, excellent climate and wealth of amenities make it worth considering for seniors looking for a retirement place with great home care services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Sunnyvale, CA
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median fee for home care in Sunnyvale is $6,864 per month. Home health care’s median fee is $7,150, which reflects its medical services, as opposed to home care’s non-medical support. However, cost differences aren’t guaranteed, as it’s common to find home care and home health care agencies charging very similar fees.
Genworth bases its figures on an assumption the senior receives 44 hours of care per week. Therefore, depending on how many hours of care they require, some seniors may pay less, and some will pay more. To help you calculate likely costs, the median hourly rate for home care in Sunnyvale is $36, while home health care is $37.50.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
California’s home care and home health care services share the same median fee of $6,101 per month. This is above the norm for the country, where home care is $4,957, and home health care is $5,148. Comparing Sunnyvale’s home care costs with nearby cities reveals it’s equal to Santa Cruz, less than San Jose ($7,102) and more than Modesto ($5,768). However, home health care fee comparisons show Sunnyvale to be costlier than San Jose ($7,102), Modesto ($5,768) and Santa Cruz ($7,007).
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Adult day care’s median fee of $1,950 is Sunnyvale’s most affordable senior care option. At $6,319, assisted living is the least costly option with accommodation, while at $11,566, nursing homes are the most expensive. Home care’s median fee of $6,864 covers similar services to assisted living, but with the advantage of the senior living in their own home — not in a facility. Home health care’s median fee of $7,150 is higher, but this does cover care services from medical professionals.
Note: Data for Sunnyvale was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, CA.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Sunnyvale, CA
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
What You Should Know
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a medical and social care program that combines aspects of Medicaid and Medicare to provide more services than either program can deliver individually. It allows qualifying adults aged 55+ to remain at home by delivering care appropriate to their needs. Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) can pay for services such as personal care, housekeeping and meal preparation, while Medicare covers Part D prescription drugs and all other necessary medications. The program also pays for transportation and vision, hearing and dental services.
On Lok is the PACE provider for Santa Clara County. It serves Santa Clara County from six centers located in San Jose and San Francisco. Outreach representatives assess applicants while the intake team determines their eligibility. However, the California Department of Health Care Services ultimately decides who is approved for PACE.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for PACE, you must:
- Be aged 55 or older
- Live in an area covered by a PACE provider
- Require nursing home levels of care that can be delivered in the home
- Be eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare (although ineligible seniors can pay for PACE privately)
Medi-Cal eligible seniors who pay a portion of their care costs will still need to pay the equivalent amount, while Medicare recipients will only need to cover expenses Medi-Cal normally pays. Approved PACE recipients don’t pay deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance on their care services.
How to Get Started
To learn more about PACE, seniors should submit an online request. To start the application process, Sunnyvale seniors should contact On Lok at (855) 973-1110.
Home Improvement Program
What You Should Know
The City of Sunnyvale’s Home Improvement Program is available to low-income homeowners and renters. It provides loans to pay for various improvements related to accessibility and health and safety, such as installing ramps and removing hazards. Applicants can also apply for small grants to cover minor improvements, such as emergency repairs and home access features for residents with mobility issues.
Who Is Eligible?
Loans and grants are available to homeowners and renters whose low incomes fall within the limits at the time of their application. The maximum gross income of the household is considered if more than one person is in residence.
How to Get Started
To apply for a loan or grant, seniors should call (408) 730-7599 or email the Community Events and Neighborhood Grants program.
The Health Trust Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
The Health Trust is a nonprofit organization that provides an array of support services to Santa Clara residents in need. Its Meals on Wheels program delivers five freshly prepared and nutritionally balanced meals per week to homebound seniors, as well as frozen meals once per week when circumstances allow. There’s also the option for medically tailored meals for Medi-Cal recipients with chronic health conditions. Drivers conduct wellness checks on seniors during the delivery.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, the applicant must be a homebound Santa Clara resident who would otherwise struggle to receive fresh meals daily. Although The Health Trust doesn’t charge for its service, seniors who can afford it are encouraged to contribute $11 per day toward costs. The Health Trust helps with claims for grants or other types of funding from low-income seniors who cannot afford the daily contribution cost.
How to Get Started
To apply for Meals on Wheels, seniors can use the online option or contact The Health Trust at (408) 961-9870 or toll-free at (800) 505-3367.
Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA)
What You Should Know
SALA is a nonprofit law firm established in 1973 specifically to assist seniors living independently at home. Its attorneys specialize in many areas of civil law, including public benefits, housing, elder abuse, incapacity planning, wills and alternatives to probate. SALA’s attorneys conduct home visits for homebound seniors, which is unusual for nonprofit law firms. There is a typical response time of 48 hours for emergency calls, such as seniors suffering elder abuse or at risk of eviction.
Who Is Eligible?
SALA supports adults aged 60 and older. It doesn’t have an income eligibility limit but often prioritizes seniors whose needs are immediate — regardless of their income.
How to Get Started
To request free legal assistance, seniors should call the San Jose central office at (408) 295-5991.
Weatherization Assistance Program
What You Should Know
The purpose of the Weatherization Assistance Program managed by the California Department of Community Services & Development (CSD) is to make homes more energy efficient, saving beneficiaries money and helping the planet. Central Coast Energy Services, Inc. is CSD’s approved supplier for Sunnyvale. It conducts on-site inspections to determine the type of work required, which may include insulating walls and attics, sealing sources of air loss, and replacing or repairing broken gas and heating appliances.
Who Is Eligible?
The program is available to homeowners and renters of all ages on low incomes who satisfy the eligibility criteria. This considers the total household income, size and energy usage. Elderly applicants are generally prioritized over younger members of the community.
How to Get Started
To request weatherization support, seniors should call Central Coast Energy Services, Inc. at (408) 675-1910.