I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek ranks highly for its urban-suburban feel and overall livability, which is enhanced by mild weather and abundant recreational opportunities. The town was named one of the nation’s 100 best places to live by Livability, and SmartAsset called it one of American’s top 10 retirement destinations in 2020.
Analysts noted the area’s above-average senior population. Of the town’s 70,000 residents, nearly 30% are aged 65 or older. Walnut Creek has an excellent track record for safety, which is important if you live alone. Another attractive feature is Walnut Creek’s convenient Easy Bay location that puts you just 20 minutes from art and culture in Berkeley and professional sports in Oakland and San Francisco.
The Bay Area has an excellent health care system. Dozens of licensed home care organizations are based in Contra Costa County, and more than 40 hospitals are located within 25 miles, including the John Muir Health-Walnut Creek Medical Center and the UCSF Medical Center. Local seniors are served by the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and a number of community groups that offer recreational activities, transportation, virtual wellness checks and related supports.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Walnut Creek, CA
According to research from Genworth Financial, home care organizations in Walnut Creek typically charge $6,101 per month for both homemaker services and home health aide services. Rates include help with household tasks, errands and light medical care provided by certified home health aides. Estimates assume that seniors require 44 hours of weekly care. This breaks down to an average hourly cost of $32, which is significantly higher than the national average of $23.50-$24 per hour. One advantage of home health care is that you can customize your service plan based on how much or how little assistance you need.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Home care costs in Walnut Creek are moderately higher than the California state median of $5,529, and they top the national average by roughly $1,572. Although residents pay 35% more than the U.S. median, rates are about average when compared to other cities in and around the Bay Area. Home care prices are $238 lower in Sacramento at $5,863, and residents in San Jose pay up to $191 more for home health care. Providers in Walnut Creek and Santa Rosa charge $6,101 for medical and nonmedical home care.
Note: Data for Walnut Creek was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Long-term care prices in Walnut Creek vary significantly depending on the level of support you need. Daytime care programs that offer meals, activities and personal care cost $1,950 per month. This is a significant savings compared to in-home care and assisted living, which cost approximately $6,100 per month. Nursing homes cost $12,471, or about twice as much as in-home care; however, they also offer skilled nursing, physical therapy and rehabilitative services.
III. How to Find Home Care in Walnut Creek, 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 Walnut Creek, CA.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek Recreation
What You Should Know
Senior-friendly Walnut Creek offers an array of social services and recreational programs for adults age 50+. As one of the city’s 2,500 Senior Club members, you can visit the Civic Park Community Center for fun, games or fitness classes. The Resource Center offers free tax preparation services, legal counseling workshops, insurance comparisons and peer counseling sessions with seniors who understand your situation and have personal experience dealing with similar challenges. Walnut Creek residents can turn to Neighbor Express for help picking up meals and groceries, and the city offers several transportation programs for older adults, including Lyft vouchers and $1 mini bus rides.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors must be age 50 or older and pay a $15 annual membership fee to join the Walnut Creek Seniors Club. Social services may have specific eligibility requirements based on age and need.
How to Get Started
For more information about programs sponsored by Walnut Creek Recreation, call (925) 943-5851. To see if you qualify for help with grocery shopping through Neighbor Express, dial (925) 943-5852. For the Walnut Creek Transportation Program, call (925) 256-3533.
Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging
What You Should Know
Supported by state and federal funding, this Area Agency on Aging is a one-stop-shop for Walnut Creek residents who want to learn more about in-home care and senior services that can help older adults age in place. The organization’s Information & Assistance Helpline directs seniors to free and low-cost transportation, nutrition programs and volunteer groups that can help with errands. The state’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program provides information about Medicare, billing issues and coverage terms, and its long-term care ombudsman assists individuals who need institutional care and want to learn more about their options.
Who Is Eligible?
Anyone can call the Area Agency on Aging to request more information about available services. However, most programs serve seniors aged 60 and older. Disabled adults and family caregivers also qualify for some benefits.
How to Get Started
To learn more, you can reach the AAA’s Information & Assistance Helpline by calling (925) 229-8434 or dialing (800) 510-2020 toll-free.
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
What You Should Know
Based in Walnut Creek, the Meals on Wheels program has served seniors in central and eastern Contra Costa County for more than 50 years. It delivers hot lunchtime meals to more than 750 homebound seniors on weekdays, and it operates six C.C. Cafes where seniors can enjoy a free or low-cost meal with peers. Meals on Wheels’ supportive services include case management, friendly visits, friendly calls and award-winning courses to prevent falls and promote healthy, artful aging.
Who Is Eligible?
Meals on Wheels is a needs-based program available to seniors aged 60 and older who are homebound and unable to cook or drive and don’t have access to a caregiver for assistance. Each meal costs $7.15 to prepare. Donations are welcome although there’s no income requirement or minimum contribution.
How to Get Started
To sign up for meals, call (925) 937-8311 or send an email to [email protected].
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services
What You Should Know
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services has served local seniors aged 60 and older since 1976. It hosts 20 pro bono legal clinics across the county, provides direct legal services and publishes educational resources to inform seniors about key issues such as estate planning, elder abuse, long-term care and identity theft. The organization’s programs focus on consumer rights, housing, debt collection, advance directives and eviction defense, including initiatives to help seniors protect their equity and homeownership rights.
Who Is Eligible?
CCSLS serves county residents aged 60 and older. You can also contact the organization for assistance if you want to refer someone who needs help.
How to Get Started
You can get started by calling CCSLC at (925) 609-7900. Bilingual assistance is available Monday through Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Mobility Matters Rides for Seniors
What You Should Know
Mobility Matters is a local nonprofit offering free transportation to seniors and veterans. Rides for Seniors fills a service gap by providing one-on-one, door-to-door transportation and escort services that go beyond standard curb-to-curb options. These services are ideal for individuals who can walk with elbow assistance or a cane, walker or other mobility aid. Qualifying seniors can request rides for medical appointments and personal errands. Mobility Matters also operates a transportation and referral helpline that serves older adults who need help accessing paratransit services and other forms of transportation.
Who Is Eligible?
This program is available to Contra Costa County residents age 60 or older who are mobile but are unable to access transportation through other providers.
How to Get Started
You can learn more about this program and its qualification requirements online or by calling (925) 284-6161. The organization also has an online application form.