Adult Day Care Communities in Novato, CA

"When I started to look at home care agencies for an elderly friend of mine I discovered a local organization called On Lok. Since they were founded in San Francisco in the late 1970's I became even more curious as to what they did and who they were. I discovered that they pioneered an approach to senior care that provided one stop shopping for their patients: health and dental care, social services, transportation, meal delivery and nutrition, day care activities and home care visits. The PACE program is a model for many other senior care facilities throughout the nation. I was impressed at how the program focuses on providing services to seniors that allow them to stay in their homes and communities. Knowing how independent my friend is, I thought this would be a great program for him. Ultimately my friend declined to sign up as he is fiercely independent and unwilling to have people care for him. Despite his reluctance, I know exactly who I am going to contact should he need some assistance. I would highly recommend this organization to anyone looking for assistance in caring for an aging family member or friend. "

"Kimochi Home is a senior living center that caters to the Japanese-American community as well. Most of the staff speaks Japanese and the food served is also Japanese. The people tend to be a bit older and requires more nursing care. They seemed to be caring staff. Average age at Kimochi was much higher than where my parents are at, which are in the 90s. They have activities for elders like chair exercises, but are not as vigorous. They did a really good job and most of the residents seemed very happy. "

"Rose Center is one of about ten adult day health centers in the San Francisco Bay Area run by On Lok, a non-profit group that's been around a long time--and they're all good. Rose Center is open seven days, 8 am to 4:30 pm, including holidays. Pros of Rose Center: This is a large facility that caters to its mostly Chinatown population. The staff is friendly, high energy, and dedicated. The staff includes two physicians and a social worker--and there's little turnover. They provide free prescription drug "medi-sets." They provide free transportation to and from both the facility. They bill Medicare for the participants and also take Medical, SSI, private insurance with co-payment, and private pay based on monthly income. They have great activities all day. They provide what they call a "small" breakfast and a full hot lunch each day. Cons: None. "

ASEB (Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay) is a nonprofit community organization in California that provides services for individuals with dementia, as well as for their families. Since 1989, ASEB has been providing Adult Day Care, Family Support, and Education & Community Outreach Services, primarily in Alameda & Contra Costa Counties. An economical alternative to full-time residential or in-home care, ASEB is committed to enabling individuals to remain at home for as long as possible, and to avoid premature or inappropriate institutionalization.

"Presentation Adult Day Health caters to the Asian community in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco. It's generally not the safest neighborhood, but Presentation ADH is just one street away from the police station, so it's pretty safe. It's also been around for about 30 years, so it's likely to survive the California budget crunch. Pros: The staff is long-term and welcoming. There's been very little turnover. The program director is well qualified and extremely embracing of the community; it's really heartwarming to see. The participants also tend to be long-term. They have a fantastic activities department. The nurse and dietitian have been there over 20 years--a real attribute. They accept Medical, private insurance with a co-pay, and private pay on a sliding fee scale. They can accommodate any senior and any medical issue They offer hot meals. Cons: It's not the best location. There tends to be a lot of substance abuse and homelessness in the neighborhood. It's a smaller facility, with narrow hallways. "

"A lot of adult day health centers are closing in California due to budget problems. But Golden Gate is one that will survive. It's been around for about 30 years and has good backing. It's open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 2 pm. Pros: They offer free transportation to and from the facility. The staff is very qualified (the PT and OT departments and nursing department are all fantastic), and there's very little turnover. The food is good. They're responsive to special diets. The activities are good and geared to older adults. It's a secure building. They take private insurance and Medical and offer sliding scale fees for private pay. Cons: The neighborhood is bad -- lots of low-income substance abuse going on here. "

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"Mabini Adult Day Health has been around for 30 years or so and has so far survived the California budget crunch. It's in a safe neighborhood and caters to the north and south of Market Asian community. Pros: The program director is a licensed clinical social worker (very good and experienced). They offer free transportation to and from the facility. They contract with the San Francisco Health Department for nursing staff (and the nursing staff they get is well qualified). There's little turnover among staff. The food is excellent. They serve hot food every day and accommodate special diets. They accept Medical (free), private insurance with a co-pay, and private pay on a sliding scale. Cons: It's a small facility, and the whole place feels congested. The exercise area for PT and OT is extremely small. It's an older building, and the hallways are narrow. "

"The Berkeley Adult Day Health Center was established in 1990 providing comprehensive program, offering health, rehabilitation, and social services to seniors and disabled adults. The center offer an adult day-time program for frail seniors and disabled adults in a comfortable group setting. They provide nursing care, nutritional services, rehabilitative and restorative therapies, and psychiatric/psychological services. All the activities are geared to promote stimulation and increase memory. Also, each participant is served a well balanced hot lunch and a morning snack every day. The center's staff members are highly trained and specialize in their professions. They are very caring, supportive, and encouraging. The facility is very nice with a large activity room and wide hallways. In addition, the center provides their own transportation for each participant. "

"Our mom has been attending BACS senior Alzheimer's program going on 4 years. In the beginning we were vey pleased with the staff and the directors. However, when new directors were appointed over the program things changed. We began to get complaints & negativity regarding our moms daily activities, mostly from directors. It's as if the new staff really don't want to deal with seniors who has Alzheimer's. We have been told that our mom is no longer suited for the program. Isn't that what BACS suppose to be about. I think there should be a board or group who makes decision on removal of participants from the program. Not the directors. "

"Mission Creek is a fairly new facility (probably been around for 5 years or so) and is connected to Senior Housing (it's on the second floor of a huge complex). I know it well and have only positive things to say: Pros: It's in a great location, right next to AT&T Park, with great views of Mission Creek. The food is good, and they cater to special diets. It's a modern building, with large hallways for wheelchair access. There's been little turnover among staff, and the staff is great. They have PT, OT, a licensed vocational nurse, an RN, and a social worker. They have a large state-of-the-art gymnasium--and lots of activities. They offer free transportation to and from the facility. They have a flower garden on the balcony. Participants have a real sense of privacy and security in the building. They accept Medical, private insurance with a co-pay, and a sliding scale fee if paying privately. Cons: None. "

"I had volunteered at Laguna Honda about 5 years ago before their renovations, and recently visited to see the new building. My impression of the new Laguna Honda is unreservedly positive. For one thing, the building is full of enthusiastic and kind volunteers, facilitated by a new and much more helpful volunteering system online that makes it easy to search for opportunities. The new facilities are state of the art, much nicer than any facility I have ever visited family members in, and everything is new and sparkling clean. The patients have a lot more privacy than I have seen in comparable facilities, and in addition to traditional patient care areas there is a lot of space for art therapy, activities, etc. "

"Our needs are being taken care of Norcal and I love them. The nurse my mom have is the greatest. She loves the nurse, the physical therapist, the social worker and she likes the home aide. It's an excellent match and it was pretty fast. I didn't have to wait. It didn't take them more than a week to find the right person. Mom is comfortable with her caregivers and so is the rest of the family. They have responded and they responded quickly. They responded with good people and the good people are doing everything to keep my mom comfortable and make her happy. I wouldn't mind using their service over and over again. "