The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Marin County, CA for 2024

Marin County is known for its natural beauty such as the giant Redwood Trees in Muir Woods National Monument and the coastal views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands. According to the 2020 Census, seniors comprise a substantial portion of the population of Marin County’s 262,000-plus residents at 23.4% — well above the national rate of 16.8%. They benefit from lower crime rates, multiple festivals, and easy access to numerous farmer’s markets. There are also multiple respected medical facilities throughout the county, such as Marin General Hospital, which U.S. News and World Report rates as high-performing in five procedures.

Seniors who can receive their medical care in place have many home health care agencies to choose from, while those who require nonmedical assistance, such as help bathing, can contact one of the many home care agencies. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, they typically charge around $6,864 per month for their services, which is about 11.1% above the norm for California.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Marin County– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey estimates Marin County’s cost of home care averaging $6,864 per month. This is above the state average of $6,101 and significantly more than the country’s average of $4,957 — although comparisons with national averages should be treated with caution, as California is costlier overall. Comparisons between Marin County and nearby cities reveal it to be the costliest option, particularly when measured against Napa ($6,435), Vallejo ($5,958), Sacramento ($6,292) and Stockton ($5,482).

Home care agencies in Marin County typically charge $6,864 for their nonmedical services, while home health care agency fees are approximately $286 per month more for medical care from registered professionals. Adult day care is around $1,950 per month, but is unsuitable for homebound seniors, while assisted living is $6,319 and requires the senior to relocate. At $11,566, nursing homes charge the highest fees for their near-hospital medical care services.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.