The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Oakland, CA for 2023
Oakland is a fast-growing city of over 440,000 people, about 13% of whom are retirement-aged. It’s a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating that its policies support the quality of life of residents of all ages. Local amenities such as several major hospitals and a robust public transportation system make Oakland a favorable option for those seeking long-term care.
Assisted living provides long-term residential care services to older adults who are largely independent but need varying levels of help with daily activities. These facilities provide meals and snacks, transportation for errands and medical appointments and social and recreational activities. The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that assisted living facilities in Oakland charge $6,319 per month for services, which is considerably higher than state and national averages.
This guide provides information on the benefits and drawbacks for seniors moving to Oakland for assisted living. It also features an in-depth look at local and state-wide assisted living rates and an overview of financial assistance options available to qualified individuals in the city. Finally, this guide highlights nonprofit agencies and programs that help older adults find the right facilities for their needs.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Oakland, CA
Pacifica Senior Living Oakland Heights
2361 E 29th St, Oakland, CA, 94606
Located near Central Recreation Area and William D. Wood Park and three blocks from Highland Hospital, Pacifica Senior Living Oakland Heights is an assisted and independent living and memory care faci
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Located near Central Recreation Area and William D. Wood Park and three blocks from Highland Hospital, Pacifica Senior Living Oakland Heights is an assisted and independent living and memory care facility in a residential community of Oakland, California. Residents and visitors praise the facility’s helpful, caring and informative staff, its lovely grounds, and the spacious, clean and appealing interior. This community is in close proximity of restaurants and museums, and resident transportation is provided for medical appointments, dining, movie nights and shopping expeditions. Studio and one-bedroom apartments and companion suites are offered with in-room cable and room service for meals.
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Located near Central Recreation Area and William D. Wood Park and three blocks from Highland Hospital, Pacifica Senior Living Oakland Heights is an assisted and independent living and memory care faci
… (read more)
Located near Central Recreation Area and William D. Wood Park and three blocks from Highland Hospital, Pacifica Senior Living Oakland Heights is an assisted and independent living and memory care facility in a residential community of Oakland, California. Residents and visitors praise the facility’s helpful, caring and informative staff, its lovely grounds, and the spacious, clean and appealing interior. This community is in close proximity of restaurants and museums, and resident transportation is provided for medical appointments, dining, movie nights and shopping expeditions. Studio and one-bedroom apartments and companion suites are offered with in-room cable and room service for meals.
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The Point at Rockridge
4500 Gilbert Street, Oakland, CA, 94611
The Point at Rockridge is located in Oakland, California, close to the beautiful Berkeley and Piedmont areas. Residents love the spacious and homey apartments, and the delicious and healthy food serve
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The Point at Rockridge is located in Oakland, California, close to the beautiful Berkeley and Piedmont areas. Residents love the spacious and homey apartments, and the delicious and healthy food served in the dining room receives much praise for both its quality and selection. Both visitors and residents find the staff to be warm and caring. Plenty of activities, both on and off-site, keep residents active and engaged in life, and they can enjoy a beautiful library and trips to concerts and music performances.
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The Point at Rockridge is located in Oakland, California, close to the beautiful Berkeley and Piedmont areas. Residents love the spacious and homey apartments, and the delicious and healthy food serve
… (read more)
The Point at Rockridge is located in Oakland, California, close to the beautiful Berkeley and Piedmont areas. Residents love the spacious and homey apartments, and the delicious and healthy food served in the dining room receives much praise for both its quality and selection. Both visitors and residents find the staff to be warm and caring. Plenty of activities, both on and off-site, keep residents active and engaged in life, and they can enjoy a beautiful library and trips to concerts and music performances.
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Ivy Park at Oakland Hills
11889 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA, 94619
Located in Berkeley, California, Ivy Park at Oakland Hills sits in a residential area east of Oakland, just off Skyline Boulevard. The location is easily accessible from MacArthur Freeway and is close
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Located in Berkeley, California, Ivy Park at Oakland Hills sits in a residential area east of Oakland, just off Skyline Boulevard. The location is easily accessible from MacArthur Freeway and is close to beautiful parks and trails. Visitors and residents both admire the gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay, and family members take comfort in the patient and kind staff members who know the residents by name. They appreciate the personalized attention and respect given to their loved ones. Residents enjoy participating in book clubs, group exercise, sing-alongs and outings. They also love that small pets are welcome.
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Located in Berkeley, California, Ivy Park at Oakland Hills sits in a residential area east of Oakland, just off Skyline Boulevard. The location is easily accessible from MacArthur Freeway and is close
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Located in Berkeley, California, Ivy Park at Oakland Hills sits in a residential area east of Oakland, just off Skyline Boulevard. The location is easily accessible from MacArthur Freeway and is close to beautiful parks and trails. Visitors and residents both admire the gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay, and family members take comfort in the patient and kind staff members who know the residents by name. They appreciate the personalized attention and respect given to their loved ones. Residents enjoy participating in book clubs, group exercise, sing-alongs and outings. They also love that small pets are welcome.
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Lake Park Senior Living
1850 ALICE, Oakland, CA, 95612
My experience at Lake Park Senior Living was great. Everything was great. However, I was looking for a facility that was based on my grandmother’s income. It’s a beautiful facility. I wish we could af
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My experience at Lake Park Senior Living was great. Everything was great. However, I was looking for a facility that was based on my grandmother’s income. It’s a beautiful facility. I wish we could afford it, but we can’t. The lady that gave me the tour was wonderful. She showed me all around. She was very informative. I appreciate it. I saw the menu, and it’s a wonderful menu. They have a library, a painting room, and an exercise room. It was a wonderful place.
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My experience at Lake Park Senior Living was great. Everything was great. However, I was looking for a facility that was based on my grandmother’s income. It’s a beautiful facility. I wish we could af
… (read more)
My experience at Lake Park Senior Living was great. Everything was great. However, I was looking for a facility that was based on my grandmother’s income. It’s a beautiful facility. I wish we could afford it, but we can’t. The lady that gave me the tour was wonderful. She showed me all around. She was very informative. I appreciate it. I saw the menu, and it’s a wonderful menu. They have a library, a painting room, and an exercise room. It was a wonderful place.
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Golden Living Guest Home, LLC
9450 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA, 94605
My mother is in Golden Living Guest Home, LLC. It’s a board and care for six people. It’s bright and cheerful, and they encourage the people to engage in activities. I haven’t had that much contact wi
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My mother is in Golden Living Guest Home, LLC. It’s a board and care for six people. It’s bright and cheerful, and they encourage the people to engage in activities. I haven’t had that much contact with the staff, but they seem very nice. I’m very pleased with them. There’s a lot of light, and there’s a backyard area with trees. They encourage people to walk and the first time I walked in before my mom moved in just to see the place, somebody was tossing a big ball around these people for physical activity. My mom crochets, but they also have her work on a matching game or a jigsaw puzzle. I’ve been very pleased with them. There are always people around. There are lots of people to socialize with and there are activities. We’re paying almost the same as the other place she was at and yet I feel like I get a lot more at this place. The residents do manicures, some of them like to cut hair and pedicures and things like that.
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My mother is in Golden Living Guest Home, LLC. It’s a board and care for six people. It’s bright and cheerful, and they encourage the people to engage in activities. I haven’t had that much contact wi
… (read more)
My mother is in Golden Living Guest Home, LLC. It’s a board and care for six people. It’s bright and cheerful, and they encourage the people to engage in activities. I haven’t had that much contact with the staff, but they seem very nice. I’m very pleased with them. There’s a lot of light, and there’s a backyard area with trees. They encourage people to walk and the first time I walked in before my mom moved in just to see the place, somebody was tossing a big ball around these people for physical activity. My mom crochets, but they also have her work on a matching game or a jigsaw puzzle. I’ve been very pleased with them. There are always people around. There are lots of people to socialize with and there are activities. We’re paying almost the same as the other place she was at and yet I feel like I get a lot more at this place. The residents do manicures, some of them like to cut hair and pedicures and things like that.
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Bellaken Garden and Skilled Nursing Center
2780 26th Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94601
We ended up placing my mom in Bellaken Garden in Oakland’s assisted living. We were able to visit and we went through her Medicare health plan with them and they did some sort of contract regarding th
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We ended up placing my mom in Bellaken Garden in Oakland’s assisted living. We were able to visit and we went through her Medicare health plan with them and they did some sort of contract regarding the health care service part. The other residential fee and stuff we would be paying out of pocket. It was a very good fit for her.
When we called, the staff was very responsive to asking initially what we were looking for, and then the application process was done with them. Plus, they worked with my mother’s Medicare health plan and that was very useful.
My mother was also looking for a place where the staff could speak the Cantonese language. She speaks Cantonese and a large number of the staff there are Cantonese-speaking. My mother also needed a certain level of care, she’s wheelchair-bound, she needed a place that was willing to accept and have staff that was qualified to help her at her level of care. There were a few places that we spoke to that basically could not accept her.
She’s in a shared room. It’s okay, it’s not great but it’s good for the price we’re paying. I know there are some nice ones, but they were so expensive.
We spoke to the administrative staff about the meals and actually, the place has a lot of residents who are Chinese and a lot of staff that is Chinese. They cater to Cantonese and Chinese food and my mother likes it. So, it was a good fit.
Right now, during the pandemic, there are no group amenities. The residents are pretty much still confined to their own rooms and stuff. I believe they have an exercise program and there is a community area, like a communal area.
The building itself, the facility itself is in the center of the inner city but when you go there, it’s actually very secluded and it’s kind of in a cul-de-sac and it’s very quiet. So, we were very surprised. It almost feels like it’s not in the city so that’s why we liked it.
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We ended up placing my mom in Bellaken Garden in Oakland’s assisted living. We were able to visit and we went through her Medicare health plan with them and they did some sort of contract regarding th
… (read more)
We ended up placing my mom in Bellaken Garden in Oakland’s assisted living. We were able to visit and we went through her Medicare health plan with them and they did some sort of contract regarding the health care service part. The other residential fee and stuff we would be paying out of pocket. It was a very good fit for her.
When we called, the staff was very responsive to asking initially what we were looking for, and then the application process was done with them. Plus, they worked with my mother’s Medicare health plan and that was very useful.
My mother was also looking for a place where the staff could speak the Cantonese language. She speaks Cantonese and a large number of the staff there are Cantonese-speaking. My mother also needed a certain level of care, she’s wheelchair-bound, she needed a place that was willing to accept and have staff that was qualified to help her at her level of care. There were a few places that we spoke to that basically could not accept her.
She’s in a shared room. It’s okay, it’s not great but it’s good for the price we’re paying. I know there are some nice ones, but they were so expensive.
We spoke to the administrative staff about the meals and actually, the place has a lot of residents who are Chinese and a lot of staff that is Chinese. They cater to Cantonese and Chinese food and my mother likes it. So, it was a good fit.
Right now, during the pandemic, there are no group amenities. The residents are pretty much still confined to their own rooms and stuff. I believe they have an exercise program and there is a community area, like a communal area.
The building itself, the facility itself is in the center of the inner city but when you go there, it’s actually very secluded and it’s kind of in a cul-de-sac and it’s very quiet. So, we were very surprised. It almost feels like it’s not in the city so that’s why we liked it.
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St. Paul’s Towers
100 BAY PLACE, Oakland, CA, 94610
St. Paul’s Towers is a large community with 14 floors. I like the people that I’ve met, and it’s easily accessible. I like that the inside is filled with wood, and I like the big wood panels.
St. Paul’s Towers is a large community with 14 floors. I like the people that I’ve met, and it’s easily accessible. I like that the inside is filled with wood, and I like the big wood panels.
Mercy Retirement & Care Center
3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland, CA, 94601
We went to Mercy Retirement & Care Center. When you’re admitted, I guess technically they call it assisted living, but as you age in place and your faculties start to deteriorate further, they don
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We went to Mercy Retirement & Care Center. When you’re admitted, I guess technically they call it assisted living, but as you age in place and your faculties start to deteriorate further, they don’t move you to a different unit. You stay right there in your place. It was pleasant, a little plainer than the other place. Everything that you would want was there. The cleanliness was absolutely fine. There was nothing that seemed untended, everything was attended to, taken care of. They had at least two large, lovely patios. They had these retaining walls with palm trees planted. It was a lovely outdoor space that blocked the traffic. You could not even tell there were cars running around the building on city streets. It was very well designed to give you a feeling of seclusion, but with the freedom of being outdoors. They were well-appointed. They had furniture out there to be comfortable in. I was impressed with their outdoor space compared to the other place we went to. The person who took us on the tour had asked about my aunt’s activities, what she would be interested in, and of the things she mentioned, the only one that particularly caught my aunt’s attention was singing. So the tour guide made our appointment at a time when we could go down and see the singing activity in progress, which I thought was very, very thoughtful of her. It wasn’t as posh as the place. They just had new floors. It’s made to look like wood.
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We went to Mercy Retirement & Care Center. When you’re admitted, I guess technically they call it assisted living, but as you age in place and your faculties start to deteriorate further, they don
… (read more)
We went to Mercy Retirement & Care Center. When you’re admitted, I guess technically they call it assisted living, but as you age in place and your faculties start to deteriorate further, they don’t move you to a different unit. You stay right there in your place. It was pleasant, a little plainer than the other place. Everything that you would want was there. The cleanliness was absolutely fine. There was nothing that seemed untended, everything was attended to, taken care of. They had at least two large, lovely patios. They had these retaining walls with palm trees planted. It was a lovely outdoor space that blocked the traffic. You could not even tell there were cars running around the building on city streets. It was very well designed to give you a feeling of seclusion, but with the freedom of being outdoors. They were well-appointed. They had furniture out there to be comfortable in. I was impressed with their outdoor space compared to the other place we went to. The person who took us on the tour had asked about my aunt’s activities, what she would be interested in, and of the things she mentioned, the only one that particularly caught my aunt’s attention was singing. So the tour guide made our appointment at a time when we could go down and see the singing activity in progress, which I thought was very, very thoughtful of her. It wasn’t as posh as the place. They just had new floors. It’s made to look like wood.
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Merrill Gardens at Rockridge
5238 Coronado Ave., Oakland, CA, 94618
The people at Merrill Gardens at Rockridge were very nice and very friendly. The place was clean and new, and it looked pretty good to us. The manager explained the place to us very well, including wh
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The people at Merrill Gardens at Rockridge were very nice and very friendly. The place was clean and new, and it looked pretty good to us. The manager explained the place to us very well, including what kind of care they provide.
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The people at Merrill Gardens at Rockridge were very nice and very friendly. The place was clean and new, and it looked pretty good to us. The manager explained the place to us very well, including wh
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The people at Merrill Gardens at Rockridge were very nice and very friendly. The place was clean and new, and it looked pretty good to us. The manager explained the place to us very well, including what kind of care they provide.
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Piedmont Gardens CCRC
110 41st Street, Oakland, CA, 94611
Piedmont Gardens CCRC was more in the heart of the city. It was more like an independent place where they didn’t have any locked gates. You could come and go with this kind of machine you have to go t
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Piedmont Gardens CCRC was more in the heart of the city. It was more like an independent place where they didn’t have any locked gates. You could come and go with this kind of machine you have to go through (although it made it difficult for visitors).
It was like apartment living, but it seemed like the assisted living were protected on their own floor. It was clean. The staff did a great tour; it was good. The dining area looked OK. It was fine. I went into the rooms. There weren’t many people congregating together, but maybe it was the time of day. I did see the dining room had people in it. They had a library, a beauty salon, and a little gym with machines.
It was well-organized and set up for the residents. It seemed like everything was perfect.
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Piedmont Gardens CCRC was more in the heart of the city. It was more like an independent place where they didn’t have any locked gates. You could come and go with this kind of machine you have to go t
… (read more)
Piedmont Gardens CCRC was more in the heart of the city. It was more like an independent place where they didn’t have any locked gates. You could come and go with this kind of machine you have to go through (although it made it difficult for visitors).
It was like apartment living, but it seemed like the assisted living were protected on their own floor. It was clean. The staff did a great tour; it was good. The dining area looked OK. It was fine. I went into the rooms. There weren’t many people congregating together, but maybe it was the time of day. I did see the dining room had people in it. They had a library, a beauty salon, and a little gym with machines.
It was well-organized and set up for the residents. It seemed like everything was perfect.
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Hilton House
6112 Hilton Street, Oakland, CA, 94605
My friend has lived in Hilton House for about 2 years now. It’s just an excellent facility for people who don’t have a huge amount of money. The food is great, the people that worked there are ver
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My friend has lived in Hilton House for about 2 years now. It’s just an excellent facility for people who don’t have a huge amount of money. The food is great, the people that worked there are very caring, and we just couldn’t be happier. It was perfect.
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My friend has lived in Hilton House for about 2 years now. It’s just an excellent facility for people who don’t have a huge amount of money. The food is great, the people that worked there are ver
… (read more)
My friend has lived in Hilton House for about 2 years now. It’s just an excellent facility for people who don’t have a huge amount of money. The food is great, the people that worked there are very caring, and we just couldn’t be happier. It was perfect.
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Dimond Care
3003 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, CA, 94602
Dimond Care seemed a little dark to me. It’s just one floor, so I saw everything. The staff I met was very friendly, showed me different things, and let me tour the kitchen (which is kind of different
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Dimond Care seemed a little dark to me. It’s just one floor, so I saw everything. The staff I met was very friendly, showed me different things, and let me tour the kitchen (which is kind of different). They’re very helpful and answered all my questions.
I also saw their common area, and it seemed clean and well-kept. It was just kind of dark to me. It’s also a smaller assisted living facility. I saw a TV room. I think it’s the common area, where I think they eat as well. They also had a few parking spaces. It’s just a very small place.
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Dimond Care seemed a little dark to me. It’s just one floor, so I saw everything. The staff I met was very friendly, showed me different things, and let me tour the kitchen (which is kind of different
… (read more)
Dimond Care seemed a little dark to me. It’s just one floor, so I saw everything. The staff I met was very friendly, showed me different things, and let me tour the kitchen (which is kind of different). They’re very helpful and answered all my questions.
I also saw their common area, and it seemed clean and well-kept. It was just kind of dark to me. It’s also a smaller assisted living facility. I saw a TV room. I think it’s the common area, where I think they eat as well. They also had a few parking spaces. It’s just a very small place.
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Bell’s Rest Home
865 VERMONT STREET, Oakland, CA, 94610
When we were searching for a facility, there were a few things that were absolute essentials; one was the manner with which the residents were treated. Other important factors were cleanliness, space,
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When we were searching for a facility, there were a few things that were absolute essentials; one was the manner with which the residents were treated. Other important factors were cleanliness, space, privacy, outdoor space (did they have gardens and space for the tenants to walk?), noise, location (how far to shops, doctors, etc.) and, of course, whether or not she would feel comfortable living there. We also wanted it to be fairly intimate; we did not wish to have her in a place with more than 8 or so residents. The food offerings were also a concern, as she has tendencies toward digestive maladies. We wanted her to be comfortable, cared for, well fed, able to get to the places she needs/wants to go, and still feel a sense of security with the others in the household. When we saw Bell’s we knew it was the right choice. They met all our needs and our aunt was delighted with the caregivers as well as the other residents. Also, it is quite small (only 5 others live there) so each person gets a great deal of attention if they so desire/need.
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When we were searching for a facility, there were a few things that were absolute essentials; one was the manner with which the residents were treated. Other important factors were cleanliness, space,
… (read more)
When we were searching for a facility, there were a few things that were absolute essentials; one was the manner with which the residents were treated. Other important factors were cleanliness, space, privacy, outdoor space (did they have gardens and space for the tenants to walk?), noise, location (how far to shops, doctors, etc.) and, of course, whether or not she would feel comfortable living there. We also wanted it to be fairly intimate; we did not wish to have her in a place with more than 8 or so residents. The food offerings were also a concern, as she has tendencies toward digestive maladies. We wanted her to be comfortable, cared for, well fed, able to get to the places she needs/wants to go, and still feel a sense of security with the others in the household. When we saw Bell’s we knew it was the right choice. They met all our needs and our aunt was delighted with the caregivers as well as the other residents. Also, it is quite small (only 5 others live there) so each person gets a great deal of attention if they so desire/need.
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Lakeshore Residential Care
1901 3rd Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94606
My mother stayed in Lakeshore Residential Care for 2 weeks. It was a great facility, but it was out of our price range. Her room was way expensive and was much nicer. She had her own private room and
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My mother stayed in Lakeshore Residential Care for 2 weeks. It was a great facility, but it was out of our price range. Her room was way expensive and was much nicer. She had her own private room and her own private bathroom. There is lots of staff and some of them have better work ethics than others.
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My mother stayed in Lakeshore Residential Care for 2 weeks. It was a great facility, but it was out of our price range. Her room was way expensive and was much nicer. She had her own private room and
… (read more)
My mother stayed in Lakeshore Residential Care for 2 weeks. It was a great facility, but it was out of our price range. Her room was way expensive and was much nicer. She had her own private room and her own private bathroom. There is lots of staff and some of them have better work ethics than others.
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House of Psalms Assisted Living
1525 7th Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94606
Located in Oakland, CA, House of Psalms Assisted Living boasts a highly experienced staff that is courteous and responsible. The community offers companion suites that are easily accessible, spacious
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Located in Oakland, CA, House of Psalms Assisted Living boasts a highly experienced staff that is courteous and responsible. The community offers companion suites that are easily accessible, spacious and impeccably clean. House of Psalms Assisted Living has a variety of regular activities including group games, movie nights, gardening and art. Medication monitoring, dental resources and legal resources are available for residents and their loved ones. Residents rave about the delicious and nutritious menu options offered at House of Psalms. The on-site chef also caters to specific dietary restrictions.
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Located in Oakland, CA, House of Psalms Assisted Living boasts a highly experienced staff that is courteous and responsible. The community offers companion suites that are easily accessible, spacious
… (read more)
Located in Oakland, CA, House of Psalms Assisted Living boasts a highly experienced staff that is courteous and responsible. The community offers companion suites that are easily accessible, spacious and impeccably clean. House of Psalms Assisted Living has a variety of regular activities including group games, movie nights, gardening and art. Medication monitoring, dental resources and legal resources are available for residents and their loved ones. Residents rave about the delicious and nutritious menu options offered at House of Psalms. The on-site chef also caters to specific dietary restrictions.
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Elder Ashram
3121 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94602
Honoring elders as wisdom keepers and social contributors sets the stage to look at elders in terms of all they offer to those younger in years and experience. We are passionate about learning from el
… (read more)
Honoring elders as wisdom keepers and social contributors sets the stage to look at elders in terms of all they offer to those younger in years and experience. We are passionate about learning from elders as elders continue to teach us about life and living. Elder Ashram’s aim is to address elders’ emotional and spiritual needs as well as attending to their comprehensive healthcare and nutrition.
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Honoring elders as wisdom keepers and social contributors sets the stage to look at elders in terms of all they offer to those younger in years and experience. We are passionate about learning from el
… (read more)
Honoring elders as wisdom keepers and social contributors sets the stage to look at elders in terms of all they offer to those younger in years and experience. We are passionate about learning from elders as elders continue to teach us about life and living. Elder Ashram’s aim is to address elders’ emotional and spiritual needs as well as attending to their comprehensive healthcare and nutrition.
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is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Oakland
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in California. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Oakland
Assisted living facilities in Oakland follow the rules and guidelines set by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. This agency ensures a high standard of care through routine inspections, and it has a complaint hotline seniors, visitors and facility staff members can call to report instances of abuse or noncompliance with state regulations.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Oakland
- Seniors in Oakland have several public transportation options available to supplement what they obtain through assisted living. AC Transit provides Transbay bus connections to San Francisco and has routes throughout Oakland and neighboring cities. City residents also have access to BART, the San Francisco Bay Ferry and free shuttle service.
- Seniors in Oakland don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits, but they pay taxes on all other types of retirement income at some of the highest rates in the nation. Several nonprofit agencies in the region provide free tax preparation services to help older adults identify exemptions and deductions they qualify for, which may help them afford assisted living.
- The air quality in the Oakland region is poor and may be a concern for seniors with conditions such as asthma or heart disease. The American Lung Association gives the region failing grades in the Ozone and Particle Pollution 24-hour categories. However, the region has a passing score in the Particle Pollution Annual category, which indicates low levels of year-round exposure to particle pollution.
- Oakland is a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating that its officials have taken steps to make the city a safe and comfortable place for residents of all ages. The city has a livability score of 60 for factors such as high access to public transportation, health care amenities and diverse neighborhoods.
- Oakland has a high cost of living, even by California’s standards. On a 100-point cost-of-living index based on living costs nationwide, the city rates 174 compared to the state rate of 150. Local agencies have options for counselors who help seniors determine eligibility for public benefits that may help cover costs.
- Health care costs in Oakland come in slightly below the national average and there are more doctors per capita in this city than in the nation as a whole, promoting access to medical care for seniors. Three major medical facilities are located within the city proper, including Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and Highland Hospital.
Paying for Assisted Living in Oakland
Assisted living facilities in Oakland charge an estimated $6,319 per month for housing and care.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
In Oakland, older adults pay approximately $6,319 per month for assisted living. This is over $1,000 higher than the state median of $5,250, and it’s about $1,800 over the national average of $4,500, indicating that Oakland is one of the most expensive cities in the state and nation for care. In San Jose, care costs are a little lower at $6,000. In Modesto, seniors pay $4,000 per month, while Stockton rates are even lower at $3,649. Oakland’s monthly rates are economical compared to care costs in Santa Rosa, which come in at $7,048.
Costs of Other Types of Senior Care
Assisted living costs $6,319 per month in Oakland, which is affordable compared to rates for most other long-term care options. Those who seek personal care at home pay $6,864 per month for in-home care, and those who need skilled nursing pay $7,150 for home health care. Nursing home fees are even higher at $11,566 for shared rooms. Adult day health care is the cheapest option at $1,950 per month.
Note: Care cost data for Oakland was not available, so data for the closest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Oakland
The majority of assisted living facilities in Oakland are private pay only, and there aren’t many opportunities for financial assistance unless you’re living in a small selection of communities. Residents in these designated RCFEs can benefit from the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) if they have full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility and meet other requirements. The ALW only allows reimbursement for services and does not pay for room and board.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in California page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Oakland
Navigating the system and finding assisted living services in Oakland can be challenging. Fortunately, seniors can access several programs and services that provide free assistance. The following table highlights top resources for seniors in the region.
Resource
Contact
Description
(510) 577-1900
The AAA for Oakland administers a full range of free services to those aged 60 and over, helping them maintain their independence and make informed decisions regarding their care. Seniors can contact the AAA to help research assisted living facilities in the region and ways to pay for services.
(510) 238-3284
The Downtown Oakland Senior Center is a recreational center for those aged 55 and over. At this location, seniors can participate in age-friendly fitness programs, arts and crafts, games and congregate meals. The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and membership costs $12 annually.
(510) 638-6878
Empowered Aging is a regional nonprofit organization that provides supportive and informational services for seniors. It’s the long-term care ombudsman for the region, advocating for those in assisted living and ensuring they receive a high standard of care. It also administers the Resident Empowerment Program.
(510) 832-3040
Legal Assistance for Seniors is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services for those aged 60 and over. Seniors can contact the program for help with applying for public benefits and guidance on understanding assisted living contracts and residents’ rights.
(800) 698-2411
At the VA Oakland Regional Office, older veterans get one-on-one help applying for benefits that may help pay for assisted living expenses, including veterans’ and survivors’ pensions, Aid and Attendance and disability compensation. The office can also screen for eligibility for VA health care, community care and health insurance.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Oakland
Oakland Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in California are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.
