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The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in San Mateo, CA for 2024

San Mateo, California, is listed on Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report and recognized for benefits such as high access to health care, low crime and clean air. It accommodates retirees who rely on mobility aids through its numerous ADA-accessible public transportation amenities, and the high number of multi-family houses keeps housing prices affordable. The city also has many home care agencies. These agencies, which provide supportive services such as transportation and personal care, charge approximately $6,864 per month in San Mateo. For seniors seeking skilled nursing services in their homes, such as wound care and medication administration, home health care may be a more appropriate, though pricier, option.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the San Mateo area – 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.

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Home Care Agencies in San Mateo, CA

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Paying for Home Care in San Mateo, CA

The Cost of Home Care in San Mateo, CA

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey estimates monthly home care rates in San Mateo at $6,864, which is significantly higher than the respective state and national averages of $6,101 and $4,957. In San Jose, care costs are even higher, coming in at $7,102, but in Napa, rates are a little lower at $6,435. In Vallejo, home care agencies charge $5,958 for services, and in Modesto, fees are comparatively affordable at $5,768. 

San Mateo

$6,864

California

$6,101

The United States

$4,957

Vallejo

$5,958

San Jose

$7,102

Modesto

$5,768

Napa

$6,435

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in San Mateo, CA

Seniors in San Mateo pay $6,864 per month for basic home care and $7,150 for home health care. This may be an affordable alternative to nursing home placement, which costs $11,566 for shared rooms. Assisted living, which provides personal care in a residential community environment, is several hundred dollars cheaper than home care at $6,319. Seniors who live at home and attend adult day health care pay the lowest rates in San Mateo of $1,950. 

Home Care

$6,864

Home Health Care

$7,150

Adult Day Health Care

$1,950

Assisted Living Facility

$6,319

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$11,566

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

Financial Assistance for Home Care in San Mateo, CA

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.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in San Mateo, CA

While finding home care services can be challenging, seniors in San Mateo have access to a support network that helps them navigate the system. The following table outlines government programs, nonprofit agencies and locally operated programs that help older adults find affordable in-home care. These resources may also help qualified seniors reduce living costs, which may enable them to remain in their own homes.

ResourceContactService
Aging and Adult Services(800) 675-8437The Aging and Adult Services division of the San Mateo County Health Department is the Area Agency on Aging for the region, meaning it provides government-funded support services for those aged 60 and over. It operates the local In-Home Supportive Services program. It also provides referrals for community-based services.
Veterans Service Office(650) 802-6598The Veterans Service Office helps older veterans determine eligibility for programs such as Aid and Attendance, disability compensation and the VA’s Veterans Home Care, which can help pay for in-home care. The office can also provide referrals for community-based services such as transportation and financial assistance.
Senior Center(650) 522-7490The Senior Center hosts a range of activities for those aged 55 and over, including games, social programs and age-friendly fitness classes, helping those who live alone to avoid loneliness and isolation. It can also help seniors connect with programs such as S.A.S.H., which provides grocery shopping and delivery services.
Meals on Wheels(650) 272-5041Seniors unable to obtain meals themselves can arrange home-delivered meals through the Meals on Wheels program. Screened volunteers deliver meals daily and provide wellness checks, and they’re trained on how to report safety concerns. The program also conducts in-home assessments to evaluate clients’ needs and connect them with community-based services.
Property Tax Postponement Program(800) 952-5661The Property Tax Postponement Program enables qualified individuals to defer property taxes on their primary residences. This can reduce homeownership costs and help seniors afford to remain in their homes throughout retirement.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

Download
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

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Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs

Frequently Asked Questions

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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