The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Oakland, CA for 2024
Ranked as the second best place to retire in the state of California in Caring’s 2022 Senior Living report, Oakland is well suited to seniors seeking year-round pleasant weather, scenic views and easy access to big-city amenities. The city is home to high-quality medical facilities, including Kaiser Permanente Oakland and Richmond Medical Centers, which is rated as high performing in treating diabetes, lung cancer and strokes, among others. Nearby in San Francisco, seniors also have access to UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center, listed as the 12th best hospital in the nation.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Oakland pay on average $6,864 per month for home care, which provides non-medical assistance with daily activities. For seniors who need light medical services, home health care is a better option.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Oakland– 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.
Home Care Agencies in Oakland, CA
89 Results
Marlee Home Care Services,INC
3739 Balboa St #1170, San Francisco, CA, 94121
"Marlee Home Care Services,INC is a provider of care inside our clients homes, we’re an excellent alternative to assisted living and nursing ..."
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24/7 Nightingale Home Care - Alameda, CA
1101 Marina Village Pkwy Suite 201 , Alameda, CA, 94501
Agents of Care - Newark, CA
37060 Saint Edwards Street , Newark, CA, 94560
"We provide nonmedical personal service and assistance that maintains safety and quality of life of our clients. We have a team of qualified ..."
READ MOREHome Helpers Home Care Of South San Francisco, CA
439 Grand Avenue , San Francisco, CA, 94610
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Paying for Home Care in Oakland, CA
The Cost of Home Care in Oakland, CA
At a monthly average of $6,864, home care rates in and around Oakland are higher than California’s The monthly cost of home care in Oakland is around $6,864 per month, which is around $750 more than the state average and $1,900 higher than the U.S. average. At $7,102 per month, $238 higher than in Oakland, San Jose is one of the most expensive cities in the state for home care. Further inland in Sacramento, care is more affordable than in Oakland but still almost $200 higher than the state average. In the other major cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, the cost of home care is significantly cheaper than in Oakland.Â
Oakland
$6,864
California
$6,101
The United States
$4,957
San Jose
$7,102
Sacramento
$6,292
Los Angeles
$5,911
San Diego
$6,387
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Oakland, CA
Monthly home care costs in Oakland are on average $286 higher than home health care costs, which include light medical services such as medication administration and occupational therapy. For seniors seeking affordable weekday support, adult day care costs on average $4,914 less than home care. In Oakland, seniors typically pay $545 less for assisted living than for home care. For a semiprivate room in a nursing home, seniors pay around $4,700 more than for home care.Â
Home Care
$6,864
Home Health Care
$7,150
Adult Day Care
$1,950
Assisted Living Facility
$6,319
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
$11,566
Note: Data for Oakland was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA
Oakland seniors who want to remain at home can get support through a number of community-based and government programs and services, including barrier-free transportation, home meal delivery and support for LGBTQ+ elders.Â
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) | (510) 238-3762 | The Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) is a state-funded, city-operated program for Medi-Cal beneficiaries aged 65 and older who are at risk of institutionalization, and who want to continue living in their own home. This program provides eligible seniors with a host of in-home and community-based services that may include personal care, an emergency response system, respite care, ongoing case management and referrals to other senior services. |
Oakland Paratransit for the Elderly and Disabled (OPED)Â | (510) 238-3036 | Oakland Paratransit for the Elderly and Disabled provides seniors with low-cost, door-to-door rides within the city. Eligible seniors can use this program to book a taxi or wheelchair van to travel to and from non-urgent medical appointments, social engagements and shopping trips. |
Medical Baseline Energy Program | (800) 743-5000 | Seniors who use life-support equipment, as well as those with medical conditions that make seniors especially vulnerable to temperature-related medical issues, may qualify for the Medical Baseline program. This energy relief program gives eligible seniors discounts on their first 500 kilowatt hours of electricity, and/or their first 25 therms of gas each month. |
Habitat for Humanity of East Bay/Silicon Valley | (866) 450-4432 | Low-income seniors who need help completing safety-critical home repairs may be eligible for assistance through Habitat for Humanity's Home Repair program. Homeowners can request accessibility upgrades, help with electrical, plumbing and roofing repairs, exterior repairs and repairs to a mobile home. |
Lavender Seniors of the East Bay | (510) 736-5428 | Lavender Seniors is a senior services organization that offers a variety of programs for older adults who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Services include the Friendly Visitors program that matches trained and screened volunteer visitors with housebound or isolated seniors who need social support. The organization also hosts monthly lunches for seniors, and advocates for improvements in LGBTQ+ senior care. |
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.
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.