The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Palo Alto, CA for 2024
Palo Alto is a vibrant city full of world-class museums and art galleries. Out of its 66,010 residents, seniors comprise about 18.5%. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto offers an array of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking, and low violent crime rates, helping seniors stay safe while out exploring. It's also home to Stanford Hospital, a leading general hospital offering primary and specialty care services. For home care, which offers nonmedical assistance with personal care tasks, seniors pay about $6,864 per month, which is higher than California's statewide average of $6,101. Older adults requiring skilled nursing care, such as rehabilitative therapies and medical equipment maintenance, may find home health care more beneficial.Â
Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Palo Alto 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.
Home Care Agencies in Palo Alto, CA
100 Results
Alegre Home Care – Marin
4380 Redwood Highway, Suite A6 , San Rafael, CA, 94903
" Personal Care Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Live in Care Respite Care Hospice Care General safety monitoring and supervision Bat..."
READ MOREAlegre Home Care – San Mateo
777 Mariners Island Blvd., Ste. 115, San Mateo, CA, 94404
" Personal Care Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Live in Care Respite Care Hospice Care General safety monitoring and supervision Bat..."
READ MOREAlegre Home Care – Stockton
4661 Quail Lakes Drive, Ste. B-2 , Stockton, CA, 95207
" Personal Care Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Live in Care Respite Care Hospice Care General safety monitoring and supervision Bat..."
READ MOREAunt Ann's In House Staffing
2722 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA, 94123
"Aunt Ann's Home Care is a tradition of caring since 1958. We provide senior care and elderly care services in the San Francisco Bay are...."
READ MORECompanions For Seniors At Home
2130 Fillmore St. , #262, San Francisco, CA, 94115
"Companions For Seniors At Home is one of the Bay Areas most respected home health care providers. We provide outstanding care for all peopl..."
READ MOREElderCare Services
1808 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA, 94595
"Working with families to ensure their aging family member lives safely in their home. From companionship to legal advocacy and medical over..."
READ MOREInstitute on Aging Senior Campus (IOA)
3575 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA, 94118
"Institute on Aging's Older Adults Care Management (OACM) is a licensed home health agency providing the highest quality of home care, person..."
READ MORELivHOME San Jose - Mountain View, CA
167 S. San Antonio Rd, Suite 17, Mountain View, CA, 94040
"LivHOME is a professionally led private senior home care provider servicing San Jose California "Since 1999". All of our clients are oversee..."
READ MOREMagis Care
1670 S. Amphlett Blvd, Suite 225, San Mateo, CA, 94402
"Professional Home Care Services Magis Care is committed in delivering the highest level of care for you or your loved one. Our goal is to..."
READ MORESenior Companions At Home - Redwood City
1305 Whipple, Redwood City, CA, 94062
"OUR MISSION SENIOR COMPANIONS AT HOME is committed to providing high quality health care essential to the improvement of physical, mental..."
READ MORETender Rose Dementia Care Specialists
120 Green Street Suite 200 , San Francisco, CA, 94111
"Tender Rose Dementia Care Specialists is the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier one-on-one care agency for seniors living with dementia. The m..."
READ MORETown + Country Resources
425 Sherman Avenue, Suite 130, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
Homewatch CareGivers Serving Santa Clara County, San Jose and Silicon Valley (CLOSED)
4300 Stevens Creek Blvd Suite 187, San Jose, CA, 95129
"Providing premier in home care services with our professionally trained caregivers backed by over 30 years of in-field experience, Homewatch..."
READ MORESYNERGY HomeCare of Campbell-Los Gatos - Campbell, CA
2006 Winchester Blvd Suite # D, Campbell, CA, 95008
CareMinders Home Care
100 Produce Avenue, Suite D, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
"At Care Minders Home Care we are committed to providing expedient, best in class, safe, affordable and reliable home care services for our c..."
READ MOREFamiliar Surroundings Home Care
3875 Bohannon Dr #2606, Suite 119, Menlo Park, CA, 94026
"Family owned and operated, Familiar Surroundings Home Care was built on a philosophy that quality care begins with a trusted relationship be..."
READ MOREWhat you can do with Caring
Paying for Home Care in Palo Alto, CA
The Cost of Home Care in Palo Alto, CA
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Palo Alto pay about $6,864 for home care, which is higher than California's statewide average of $6,101 and the national median of $4,957. However, it's a cheaper option than nearby San Jose, where home care costs 3.5% more. Prices drop in Sacramento, which offers care for about 9.1% less than Palo Alto. Los Angeles and Fresno are also more affordable home care options at $5,911 and $5,529, respectively.Â
Palo Alto
$6,864
California
$6,101
The United States
$4,957
San Jose
$7,102
Sacrametno
$6,292
Los Angeles
$5,911
Fresno
$5,529
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Palo Alto, CA
In Palo Alto, seniors can access nonmedical services with home care at $6,864 per month or skilled nursing services through home health care for a 4.2% price increase. For a more economical senior care option, adult day health care offers services for $1,950 per month. Seniors who are mostly independent but can't live alone safely can access assisted living, a residential care option providing daily living support, for about 8.7% less than home care. Meanwhile, nursing homes offer 24-hour skilled medical services for a higher rate of $11,566.Â
Home Care
$6,864
Home Health Care
$7,150
Adult Day Health Care
$1,950
Assisted Living
$6,319
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
$11,566
Note: Data for Palo Alto was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.Â
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Palo Alto, 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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.
Palo Alto Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Palo Alto:
Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Palo Alto Utility Rate Assistance Program | (650) 329-2333 | 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Senior citizens who earn no more than 50% of the area median income or who have a medical condition that requires increased energy use for climate controls or medical equipment may qualify for a 25% discount on their gas and electric bills and a 20% discount on wastewater fees. For a one-person household, applicants must earn no more than $36,300 per year. Seniors who are claiming a medical need must provide a certification from a physician. Individuals who need one-time emergency assistance can apply for help from the city through ProjectPLEDGE. |
Santa Clara County Senior Nutrition Program | (408) 975-4860 | 353 W. Julian, San Jose, CA 95110 | Adults who are unable to shop for groceries or prepare their own meals due to a physical limitation or isolation may sign up for Meals on Wheels or congregate meals offered by the Senior Nutrition Program. In 2019, the State Clara Department of Social Services served 1.2 million hot meals to local seniors. Individuals who are unable to visit congregate dining sites may qualify for home-delivered Meals on Wheels provided by Sourcewise or The Health Trust. A nominal contribution is expected although financial assistance is available to low-income residents. |
Parcel Tax Exemptions | (650) 329-3980 | 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306 | Seniors who live in Santa Clara County may qualify for an exemption that eliminates parcel taxes that are used to support the school system. The Palo Alto Unified School District is one of 23 school systems in the county that offers this exemption. Homeowners who are 65 or older, have a disability or receive SSI may qualify. Since the exemption began in 2001, it has saved local taxpayers more than $15 million. Homeowners must apply for an exemption or refund annually. |
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 – often times 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.