14 Assisted Living Communities in San Rafael, California

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,500 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 14 Assisted Living Communities in San Rafael and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $5,500
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $9,148
• In-home care: $5,625
• Adult day health services: $1,733

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, San Rafael’s monthly assisted living costs are among the highest in the state at $5,500. In California, only Santa Cruz ($5,595) is more expensive.

Statewide, the average monthly cost for assisted living care is $4,500 per month, while the national average is even lower at $4,000. While California has a high cost of living, there are some relatively affordable cities for assisted living care, including Bakersfield ($3,150) and Fresno ($3,500).

Note: Senior care cost data was not available for San Rafael. Data for the closest major metropolitan area, San Francisco, has been used.

Before choosing a type of care, seniors should carefully consider their budgets. San Rafael senior care costs are influenced by many factors, including the location and type of care required. Those with intensive care needs can expect to pay a monthly average of $9,148 for nursing home care, approximately $3,600 over the cost of assisted living. In-home services, at $5,625 per month, are slightly more expensive than assisted living. Seniors who opt for these services should remember that this price only includes the care itself, not living expenses such as rent or food, which is usually included in the price of assisted living and nursing home facilities.  Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,500

• Homemaker services: $5,625

• Home health aide: $5,625

• Adult day health: $1,733

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $9,148

 

Medicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health benefits to eligible low-income people. California’s Medicaid program, which is called Medi-Cal, covers a variety of comprehensive services. These include emergency services, hospitalization, physical therapy, preventative services and mental health services. Medi-Cal may also provide coverage for long-term care, including personal care and community-based services.

To be eligible for Medi-Cal coverage, seniors must:

• Be a resident of California
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, permanent resident or legal alien
• Be 65 years of age, blind or disabled
• Earn less than $16,146 per year ($21,892 for couples)
• Have less than $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for couples)

Countable assets refer to certain types of liquid assets, such as your bank balances or stock portfolios. The primary residence, one car, clothing, household items and recreation items are excluded. Real estate and personal property that’s used for business is also excluded.

To apply for Medi-Cal coverage, California residents can fill out an application on the Covered California website or call (800) 300-1506 to speak with a representative. Seniors who prefer to apply in person can visit their local Department of Health and Human Services office.

Assisted Living Waiver Program

This home- and community-based services waiver provides services to seniors who live in assisted living facilities and the community. The Assisted Living Waiver program does not cover room-and-board costs. Covered services may include:

• Personal care services
• Assistance with daily activities, such as bathing or feeding
• Help with laundry and housekeeping
• Medication assistance
• Transportation assistance

In addition, participants may have access to two other waiver benefits: Care Coordination and Nursing Facility Transition Care Coordination. The former develops individualized service plans for seniors and arranges for them to receive necessary services. The service delivery is monitored monthly. The latter waiver benefit helps seniors who live in nursing facilities transition back into the community. This may include a transition to an assisted living facility.

To participate in this waiver program, seniors must be eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage. They must have a verified need for the level of care that’s provided in nursing homes but be willing and able to live in an assisted living facility. Seniors must also receive assisted living care in a county that supports the waiver. While Marin County doesn’t offer the waiver at this time, San Rafael seniors can receive services in nearby counties, including Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Mateo and Sonoma.

To apply for this program, Medi-Cal members can contact the Care Coordination Agency (CCA) that serves the county where they would like to receive services. The CCA conducts an assessment and determines a senior’s care needs.

Multipurpose Senior Service Program

The Multipurpose Senior Service Program (MSSP) helps prevent or delay individuals from moving into a nursing facility. The waiver program provides community services to help seniors remain in their own homes or in an assisted living facility. Some of the services provided through this program include personal care assistance, care management and meal services.

To be eligible for this program, seniors must:

• Be 65 years of age or older
• Be eligible for Medi-Cal
• Need a nursing home level of care
• Live within the service area of a MSSP site

Marin County’s MSSP site is operated by Jewish Family and Children’s Services. To receive an assessment, seniors can call this agency at (415) 491-7960. A maximum of 11,789 seniors can be served through MSSP each month, so there may be a waiting list to receive services.

Optional State Supplementation

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly cash assistance to seniors who have a low income. Seniors who live in assisted living facilities are able to receive a higher monthly payment than seniors who live independently. This additional funding is known as Optional State Supplementation (OSS). 

Seniors who live in an assisted living facility can receive up to $1,194.37. For couples, the maximum OSS payment is $824.60 for a total SSI benefit of $2,388.74. Seniors who have other sources of income may receive lower payment amounts.

Seniors can qualify for SSI payments if they are 65 years of age or older and have limited income and resources. To learn more about this program, apply online or call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Some seniors have a long-term source of funding for assisted living care, but don’t have access to the funds yet. This may be the case for seniors who are planning to sell their homes and use the proceeds to pay for care. These seniors may want to look into assisted living bridge loans.

These loans, which are offered by Elderlife Financial, provide short-term funding for assisted living care. It’s a structured line of credit, so seniors only withdraw the amount they need.

Be prepared to explain your plans to repay the loan. Since up to six cosigners are permitted, individual creditworthiness may not be a deciding factor.

To apply, fill out an online application with Elderlife Financial, or call (888) 228-4500. 

While there are no Veterans Affairs resources located within San Rafael itself, there are many VA locations in nearby San Francisco. Eligible seniors can travel to the city’s VA hospital or VA clinics to receive medical treatment.

San Francisco VA Health Care System 
4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 221-4810

San Francisco VA Downtown Clinic 
401 3rd St., San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 281-5100

San Francisco Vet Center 
505 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 441-5051

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.