San Carlos, California, is a Bay Area city in San Mateo County. A full 15% of its 30,722 residents are 65 years of age or older, slightly higher than the statewide average of 14.8%. San Carlos’s climate features long summers and short winters, appealing to seniors seeking a warm home. The city’s residents live close to Sequoia Hospital, a source of emergency and specialty services, as well as Kaiser Permanente’s Redwood City Medical Center. In San Carlos, the average senior pays $6,864 per month for home care and $7,150 for home health care. The former is ideal for seniors seeking help with personal tasks, while the latter additionally offers limited medical assistance.

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

Directory of Home Care Services in San Carlos, CA

2021, 2022, 2023

Right at Home San Mateo and Palo Alto

230 S California Avenue Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

I wasn’t able to stand or walk, and someone was able to help feed me. They came to my home and interviewed me and ask me what I needed.
I wasn’t able to stand or walk, and someone was able to help feed me. They came to my home and interviewed me and ask me what I needed.

2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Family Matters In-Home Care

2155 S. Bascom Ave. Suite 116, Campbell, CA, 95008

Family Matters located someone to stay with me at home after I had hip surgery. My caregiver was on time, helpful, kind and I would recommend her to anyone. Family Matters was helpful in finding help … (read more)
Family Matters located someone to stay with me at home after I had hip surgery. My caregiver was on time, helpful, kind and I would recommend her to anyone. Family Matters was helpful in finding help … (read more)

2021, 2023

StarLight CareGivers, Inc.

4600 El Camino Real STE 211, Los Altos, CA, 94022

For a year a member of our family was seriously ill with cancer. StarLight started helping us at nights and on the days when the family had to attend other errands. We ended up putting them on a regu … (read more)
For a year a member of our family was seriously ill with cancer. StarLight started helping us at nights and on the days when the family had to attend other errands. We ended up putting them on a regu … (read more)

2022

Gentiva – Campbell, CA

901 Campisi Way, Campbell, CA, 95008

We are current clients of Kindred for almost 2 yrs for my Mom & they have been beyond fantastic! She has 2 caregivers 7days/week as well as PT, OT & RN services. The team is absolutely incre … (read more)
We are current clients of Kindred for almost 2 yrs for my Mom & they have been beyond fantastic! She has 2 caregivers 7days/week as well as PT, OT & RN services. The team is absolutely incre … (read more)

Best Home Care, Inc

26236 Industrial Blvd, Hayward, CA, 94545

While I was out-of-state on a long planned vacation my mother experienced some life changing situation requiring around the clock home care. I contacted Best Home Care and I was very pleased with the … (read more)
While I was out-of-state on a long planned vacation my mother experienced some life changing situation requiring around the clock home care. I contacted Best Home Care and I was very pleased with the … (read more)

Home Instead – Mountain View, CA

1006 Stewart Dr, Suite A100, Mountain View, CA, 94085

Our family has been utilizing Home Instead for the care of our mother for many years now. We have found Home Instead to be consistently very responsive to our needs & always reliable. Their staff … (read more)
Our family has been utilizing Home Instead for the care of our mother for many years now. We have found Home Instead to be consistently very responsive to our needs & always reliable. Their staff … (read more)

Senior Helpers of San Francisco and the Peninsula

36 42nd Avenue, San Mateo, CA, 94403

I chose Senior Helpers of San Francisco and the Peninsula for my husband and they’re really good. I am very pleased. The communication is excellent and the caregivers are very good. The scheduling was … (read more)
I chose Senior Helpers of San Francisco and the Peninsula for my husband and they’re really good. I am very pleased. The communication is excellent and the caregivers are very good. The scheduling was … (read more)

Care Indeed

890 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA, 94025

Care Indeed was wonderful. They were quick, we got sent the right people, and it was a great experience. We used them for 2 weeks. They helped my friend in bathing, they came every day, and everything … (read more)
Care Indeed was wonderful. They were quick, we got sent the right people, and it was a great experience. We used them for 2 weeks. They helped my friend in bathing, they came every day, and everything … (read more)

Always Best Care of Peninsula

901 Sneath Ln Suite 109, San Bruno, CA, 94066

Five stars for Always Best Care of Peninsula? No! SIX STARS go to Angela, Ramon, and the gang in the field who make this agency top of the line. What makes it so special is their ability to place … (read more)
Five stars for Always Best Care of Peninsula? No! SIX STARS go to Angela, Ramon, and the gang in the field who make this agency top of the line. What makes it so special is their ability to place … (read more)

Love At Home Senior Care Referral Agency

3723 Haven Ave Suite 122, Menlo Park, CA, 94025

Love At Home Senior Care is a warm and compassionate Company. The team is thoughtful, thorough, proactive, detail oriented, communicative and honest. They handle all aspects of Care with a Heart and … (read more)
Love At Home Senior Care is a warm and compassionate Company. The team is thoughtful, thorough, proactive, detail oriented, communicative and honest. They handle all aspects of Care with a Heart and … (read more)

Homecare Professionals -Daly City, CA

295 89th Street Suite 107, Daly City, CA, 94105

We have been using their home care services for over 2 years in the care of my wife. Two shifts of 3 hours in the morning to get her cleaned up, dressed , and fed along with some exercises . Then th … (read more)
We have been using their home care services for over 2 years in the care of my wife. Two shifts of 3 hours in the morning to get her cleaned up, dressed , and fed along with some exercises . Then th … (read more)

Companion Care Services, LLC

1455 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA, 94002

We ended up hiring Companion Care Services, and we had a positive experience with them. The owner was very compassionate, caring, and asked really good questions because we were new to this and didn’t … (read more)
We ended up hiring Companion Care Services, and we had a positive experience with them. The owner was very compassionate, caring, and asked really good questions because we were new to this and didn’t … (read more)

Certified Care Solutions, LLC

37600 Central Ct. | Suite# 201, Newark, CA, 94560

Certified Care Solutions, LLC is an in-home care provider serving Newark, California and the surrounding area. Certified Care Solutions, LLC offers non-medical services in the home, such as meal prepa … (read more)
Certified Care Solutions, LLC is an in-home care provider serving Newark, California and the surrounding area. Certified Care Solutions, LLC offers non-medical services in the home, such as meal prepa … (read more)

Polaris Home Care

830 Stewart Dr # 214, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085

We were in a tough situation and needed caregivers for my dad on very short notice. He needed pretty involved care since he had later stage Parkinsons. Their team was able to work with all of our requ … (read more)
We were in a tough situation and needed caregivers for my dad on very short notice. He needed pretty involved care since he had later stage Parkinsons. Their team was able to work with all of our requ … (read more)

Supple Senior Care LLC

808 Burlway Road, Suite 3, Burlingame, CA, 94010


Medical Care Professionals

363 El Camino Real # 215, South San Francisco, CA, 94080

Specialized care for clients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and diabetes Hospice care, pain control and management care Transportation for doctor’s appointments, and traveling escort Daily activities … (read more)
Specialized care for clients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and diabetes Hospice care, pain control and management care Transportation for doctor’s appointments, and traveling escort Daily activities … (read more)

FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE OF THE PENINSULA

1622 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA, 94070


TheKey – The Peninsula

480 S. California Ave., Ste. 100, Palo Alto, CA, 94306


2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Home Helpers of San Mateo County

1900 South Norfolk St., Half Moon Bay, CA, 94019

The caregivers that I have had have watched over me and taken care of me. I do not think that I would be here today if it was not for my first caregiver. The caregivers have been really good and the … (read more)
The caregivers that I have had have watched over me and taken care of me. I do not think that I would be here today if it was not for my first caregiver. The caregivers have been really good and the … (read more)

2018, 2019

Thera Care

1431 Oakland Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA, 94596

They help me by doing everything that I want them to do. I like that they are dependable. I never have any problems of any kind.
They help me by doing everything that I want them to do. I like that they are dependable. I never have any problems of any kind.

Paying for Home Care in San Carlos, CA

The Cost of Home Care in San Carlos, CA

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey indicates that San Carlos’s average monthly home care rate is $6,864. That is $763 higher than the statewide median cost and $1,907 higher than the corresponding national rate. However, the difference is smaller between San Carlos and Santa Rosa, which has a median rate of $6,292. Santa Cruz’s average cost matches San Carlos’s, and San Jose’s is slightly more expensive, coming in at $7,102.

$6864

San Carlos

$6101

California

$4957

The United States

$6292

Santa Rosa

$6864

Santa Cruz

$7102

San Jose

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

San Carlos’s seniors have several options for living arrangements. Nursing homes are the most expensive. Semiprivate rooms cost an average of $11,566 monthly. Assisted living and home care are more affordable, at $6,319 and $6,864, respectively. For a higher average charge of $7,150 per month, home health care providers offer services such as physical therapy and skilled nursing. Adult day health care is the most cost-effective setup, with an average monthly rate of $1,950.

$6864

Home Care

$7150

Home Health Care

$1950

Adult Day Health Care

$6319

Assisted Living

$11566

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

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

Financial Assistance for Home Care in San Carlos, 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 Carlos, CA

In San Carlos, several initiatives help older adults and their loved ones adjust to the changes brought on by the aging process. By contacting the programs and organizations described below, seniors can learn more about their offerings.

Resource

Contact

Service

(650) 323-2022

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. coordinates Meals on Wheels, among other senior-focused programs, in the San Carlos area. Through Meals on Wheels, seniors and adults with disabilities can receive daily meal deliveries, plus additional food for holidays and weekends. The program focuses on serving homebound individuals. Meals on Wheels also offers ancillary services such as safety checks, health monitoring and referrals.

(800) 675-8437

Through Aging and Adult Services' 24-hour hotline, callers can access information on resources helpful for seniors. Aging and Adult Services also oversees the In-Home Supportive Services program, which offers assistance with meal preparation, personal care and other needs so that enrolled seniors can continue living at home. An initiative with a similar goal, the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, is available to senior Medi-Cal enrollees.

(650) 366-6597

RTP's Safe at Home program facilitates home repairs for seniors and other vulnerable populations. Its goal is to make minor repairs before defects become bigger issues. Available services include debris removal, fence repairs and maintenance tasks. Income guidelines apply. Homeowners may also be interested in the organization's National Rebuilding Day initiative, which is another avenue for accessing repairs.

(888) 728-3637

CCES helps low-income residents of San Mateo County cover their energy costs through the Home Energy Assistance Program and the California Alternate Rates for Energy initiative. Along with utility bill assistance, clients may also be able to access weatherization services. CCES performs weatherization for both renters and homeowners.

(650) 780-7542

Peninsula Family Service operates a resource line for seniors 60 years of age and up. This line can provide information and referrals regarding local services, including transportation- and nutrition-focused offerings. Wellness calls with peer counselors are also available through the resource line.

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.

Checklist for determining the need for 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.

Talking with Family and Others about a loved one's needs

Frequently Asked Questions


What should I look for in a good home care agency near me in San Carlos?


To find an agency that fits your situation well, it’s helpful to go into your search with a thorough understanding of your needs. Care assessments from home care providers or nonprofit or government agencies may help you understand which services will be most useful. From there, it’s important to make sure a given agency can put together a care package that fits both your specific service needs and your budget and payment options. Other helpful steps include asking about caregiver training and background checks as well as the agency’s certification status. 


What’s the difference between in-home care and home health care?


Home care agencies support seniors at home in several ways. Aides from these agencies provide help with personal care as well as meal preparation and other daily tasks, and they keep an eye on seniors’ well-being. Home care aides may also run errands for their clients. Home health care, meanwhile, also eases the lives of seniors living at home, but it has a focus on medical services such as wound care and health monitoring. Home health care service packages may additionally include help with medical equipment and rehabilitation.


What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in San Carlos, CA?


According to Genworth Financial’s figures, a senior requiring 20 hours per week of assistance would pay $3,120 per month. Rates for home health care are slightly higher, averaging $3,250 a month, again assuming a senior needs 20 hours of aid per week. These rates are somewhat higher than California’s statewide averages for home care and home health care, and they are significantly higher than the national averages.


Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?


Assisted living appeals to seniors who would benefit from around-the-clock access to care. Additionally, because assisted living communities house seniors with their peers, they can help mitigate feelings of isolation, so older adults facing loneliness may desire a move to assisted living. On the other hand, home care may appeal more to seniors who need support to continue living at home but don’t need help on hand 24/7. Seniors who receive frequent visits from family and friends could also find that home care provides enough supplemental companionship to prevent isolation.


What is in-home respite care?


In-home respite care involves a visiting caregiver relieving a senior’s primary caregiver, who is often a family member. For instance, a paid respite care provider might come to a senior’s home and take over from the primary caregiver for a 6-hour period. That would give the primary caregiver an opportunity to recharge, run errands and handle other tasks. The duration of respite stays and the services the respite caregiver provides will depend on the specific agreement.