Assisted Living Facilities Near in San Rafael, CA
San Rafael lies in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, just across the Golden Gate Bridge and less than 20 miles from Downtown San Francisco. It’s the seat of Marin County and home to more than 58,400 residents, including over 11,270 seniors aged 65 or older. Seniors flock to San Rafael for its ambiance, welcoming communities, pleasant year-round weather and many activities and amenities. The beautiful suburb also boasts spectacular mountain landscapes opposite the captivating views of the Bay.
Assisted living facilities offer active seniors the independence they desire combined with the personalized supportive care they need in a comfortable residential setting. Because San Rafael is one of the more expensive areas to live in California, seniors can expect to pay an average of $6,100 per month for assisted living care. While this is higher than both the state and national averages, the location comes with numerous perks.
This guide covers various aspects of assisted living in San Rafael, including the average cost of assisted living compared to other senior care options and other California cities. It also lists some benefits and drawbacks of retiring in San Rafael and several free resources for seniors.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in San Rafael, CA
Drake Terrace
275 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA, 94903
The facility is pretty and clean and the staff is kind. My mother, with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, has lived there for 4 1/2 years, first in assisted-living and now a few months in the memory-care unit
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The facility is pretty and clean and the staff is kind. My mother, with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, has lived there for 4 1/2 years, first in assisted-living and now a few months in the memory-care unit. We have now been told, against medical advice, that she must move because her condition has deteriorated to the point where she cannot get out of bed without assistance. We had assumed she would be allowed to stay until end of life. What people are considering this facility need to know is that they do not allow Hoyer or Sara lifts, simple and not expensive lifting devices that staff could use to safely move her from her bed to a chair, bathe her, etc. This is a corporate decision (from Kisco Senior Living) not Drake Terrace itself so I do not fault local staff but I honestly would not recommend any Kisco community if you have any expectations of your loved one being able to stay for the rest of their lives. I am giving the facilities a "poor" rating because of Kisco’s Hoyer lift policy.
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The facility is pretty and clean and the staff is kind. My mother, with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, has lived there for 4 1/2 years, first in assisted-living and now a few months in the memory-care unit
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The facility is pretty and clean and the staff is kind. My mother, with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, has lived there for 4 1/2 years, first in assisted-living and now a few months in the memory-care unit. We have now been told, against medical advice, that she must move because her condition has deteriorated to the point where she cannot get out of bed without assistance. We had assumed she would be allowed to stay until end of life. What people are considering this facility need to know is that they do not allow Hoyer or Sara lifts, simple and not expensive lifting devices that staff could use to safely move her from her bed to a chair, bathe her, etc. This is a corporate decision (from Kisco Senior Living) not Drake Terrace itself so I do not fault local staff but I honestly would not recommend any Kisco community if you have any expectations of your loved one being able to stay for the rest of their lives. I am giving the facilities a "poor" rating because of Kisco’s Hoyer lift policy.
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Greenwood Assisted Living
233 West End Avenue, San Rafael, CA, 94901
My brother is in Greenwood Assisted Living. It’s very nice. It’s perfect. I like the people a lot. They’ve been very proactive and I like them a lot. The staff is great. He has a sizable room. He’s go
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My brother is in Greenwood Assisted Living. It’s very nice. It’s perfect. I like the people a lot. They’ve been very proactive and I like them a lot. The staff is great. He has a sizable room. He’s got his own bathroom. In the present situation, it’s good. The only reason it’d be an issue is that ultimately it’s gonna cost too much, but maybe that’s just the way it is. They could do more on their facilities. They have a TV area and common eating. That’s kind of it. There could be more stuff going on. They have an internal quad area, that’s quite nice. There’s outside seating and things. It’s a small facility.
The rooms are good and the building is good, but the amenities need some more stuff going on. It’s not terrible. It needs improvement in having other things happen there. The people are quite wonderful. I like them a lot. Occasionally, somebody comes in and does stuff and that’s fine, but there’s not a whole lot. It’s a small memory care facility and because of that, there’s not much you can do.
We haven’t been able to get in much for the last year because of the lockdown. It’s a caring facility. The people are there. I can talk to people who work there and they’re trying hard in difficult situations. It’s middle-sized. It’s not like a house that has four or five residents and it’s not like the big assisted living things that have their own apartments where people have a lot of freedom. There’s a memory care subsection off that. For a memory care facility (I’ve seen a number of those), this is the best that I have seen in memory care in this area, that’s why we chose to be there. I was just hoping that there would be something that would be a little less expensive, not because they are overpriced (they’re not), but because he just doesn’t have money.
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My brother is in Greenwood Assisted Living. It’s very nice. It’s perfect. I like the people a lot. They’ve been very proactive and I like them a lot. The staff is great. He has a sizable room. He’s go
… (read more)
My brother is in Greenwood Assisted Living. It’s very nice. It’s perfect. I like the people a lot. They’ve been very proactive and I like them a lot. The staff is great. He has a sizable room. He’s got his own bathroom. In the present situation, it’s good. The only reason it’d be an issue is that ultimately it’s gonna cost too much, but maybe that’s just the way it is. They could do more on their facilities. They have a TV area and common eating. That’s kind of it. There could be more stuff going on. They have an internal quad area, that’s quite nice. There’s outside seating and things. It’s a small facility.
The rooms are good and the building is good, but the amenities need some more stuff going on. It’s not terrible. It needs improvement in having other things happen there. The people are quite wonderful. I like them a lot. Occasionally, somebody comes in and does stuff and that’s fine, but there’s not a whole lot. It’s a small memory care facility and because of that, there’s not much you can do.
We haven’t been able to get in much for the last year because of the lockdown. It’s a caring facility. The people are there. I can talk to people who work there and they’re trying hard in difficult situations. It’s middle-sized. It’s not like a house that has four or five residents and it’s not like the big assisted living things that have their own apartments where people have a lot of freedom. There’s a memory care subsection off that. For a memory care facility (I’ve seen a number of those), this is the best that I have seen in memory care in this area, that’s why we chose to be there. I was just hoping that there would be something that would be a little less expensive, not because they are overpriced (they’re not), but because he just doesn’t have money.
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Oakmont of San Rafael – Now Open!
1 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael, CA, 94903
<p>Oakmont of San Rafael is a premier senior community situated on a beautifully landscaped campus. Developed by Oakmont Senior Living, Oakmont of San Rafael provides exceptional quality, comfort and
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<p>Oakmont of San Rafael is a premier senior community situated on a beautifully landscaped campus. Developed by Oakmont Senior Living, Oakmont of San Rafael provides exceptional quality, comfort and care with five star services and amenities. Residents enjoy a rewarding lifestyle with individualized comprehensive support that promotes continuing independence.</p>
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<p>Oakmont of San Rafael is a premier senior community situated on a beautifully landscaped campus. Developed by Oakmont Senior Living, Oakmont of San Rafael provides exceptional quality, comfort and
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<p>Oakmont of San Rafael is a premier senior community situated on a beautifully landscaped campus. Developed by Oakmont Senior Living, Oakmont of San Rafael provides exceptional quality, comfort and care with five star services and amenities. Residents enjoy a rewarding lifestyle with individualized comprehensive support that promotes continuing independence.</p>
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Villa Marin
100 THORNDALE DRIVE, San Rafael, CA, 94903
Villa Marin is located near the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway in San Rafael, California, near the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and the Century Northgate theater. The community offers studio apart
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Villa Marin is located near the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway in San Rafael, California, near the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and the Century Northgate theater. The community offers studio apartments and one-, two- and three-bedroom condos. Residents praise the cleanliness of the facility and its friendly staff. Visitors comment on the variety of menu selections in the dining area and give the food high marks. Villa Marin has a swimming pool, tennis courts, garden and a library, and activities include off-site excursions, movie nights, lectures and games.
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Villa Marin is located near the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway in San Rafael, California, near the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and the Century Northgate theater. The community offers studio apart
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Villa Marin is located near the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway in San Rafael, California, near the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and the Century Northgate theater. The community offers studio apartments and one-, two- and three-bedroom condos. Residents praise the cleanliness of the facility and its friendly staff. Visitors comment on the variety of menu selections in the dining area and give the food high marks. Villa Marin has a swimming pool, tennis courts, garden and a library, and activities include off-site excursions, movie nights, lectures and games.
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AlmaVia of San Rafael
515 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA, 94903
AlmaVia of San Rafael was very nice. There were lots of residents about, so it seemed very social. The facilities were very well kept and up-to-date. The residents were very happy. The staff was very
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AlmaVia of San Rafael was very nice. There were lots of residents about, so it seemed very social. The facilities were very well kept and up-to-date. The residents were very happy. The staff was very competent and nice. The grounds were very well kept, and it’s convenient in its proximity to a lot of things. They have the typical activities like movie nights. They have transportation. It was very clean and looked well maintained. There were no stains anywhere.
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AlmaVia of San Rafael was very nice. There were lots of residents about, so it seemed very social. The facilities were very well kept and up-to-date. The residents were very happy. The staff was very
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AlmaVia of San Rafael was very nice. There were lots of residents about, so it seemed very social. The facilities were very well kept and up-to-date. The residents were very happy. The staff was very competent and nice. The grounds were very well kept, and it’s convenient in its proximity to a lot of things. They have the typical activities like movie nights. They have transportation. It was very clean and looked well maintained. There were no stains anywhere.
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Comforting Hands Forever,Llc
73 Golden Hinde Blvd, San Rafael, CA, 94903
My husband’s aunt has moved into Comforting Hands Forever, Llc. That’s a six-person board and care. They provide a lot of care. It’s very loving and very kind. They’re very nice to all the clients. It
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My husband’s aunt has moved into Comforting Hands Forever, Llc. That’s a six-person board and care. They provide a lot of care. It’s very loving and very kind. They’re very nice to all the clients. It’s very, very clean. The food is amazing. They’re very well attentive to everyone. So far, we’re very pleased. It’s a small board and care. The clients have varying abilities. They have a piano there. They’ve got a beautiful outdoor patio. They encourage meals outside and getting up and around. They’re really good about keeping everybody as active as possible. It’s a beautiful patio. They have bird feeders with hummingbirds flying around. There’s a garden area. They have been wonderful.
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My husband’s aunt has moved into Comforting Hands Forever, Llc. That’s a six-person board and care. They provide a lot of care. It’s very loving and very kind. They’re very nice to all the clients. It
… (read more)
My husband’s aunt has moved into Comforting Hands Forever, Llc. That’s a six-person board and care. They provide a lot of care. It’s very loving and very kind. They’re very nice to all the clients. It’s very, very clean. The food is amazing. They’re very well attentive to everyone. So far, we’re very pleased. It’s a small board and care. The clients have varying abilities. They have a piano there. They’ve got a beautiful outdoor patio. They encourage meals outside and getting up and around. They’re really good about keeping everybody as active as possible. It’s a beautiful patio. They have bird feeders with hummingbirds flying around. There’s a garden area. They have been wonderful.
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Nazareth House
245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA, 94903
Nazareth House is an assisted living facility in San Rafael, California. It’s located on Nova Albion Way and is a few miles from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Freitas Park. Visitors prais
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Nazareth House is an assisted living facility in San Rafael, California. It’s located on Nova Albion Way and is a few miles from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Freitas Park. Visitors praise the friendliness of the staff and commend the quality of the food at this community, which accommodates 106 residents. Nazareth House offers enriching activities such as tai chi, a drumming circle and a gardening club. There’s a library where residents can sit and read. The community celebrates holidays with parties hosted by volunteers.
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Nazareth House is an assisted living facility in San Rafael, California. It’s located on Nova Albion Way and is a few miles from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Freitas Park. Visitors prais
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Nazareth House is an assisted living facility in San Rafael, California. It’s located on Nova Albion Way and is a few miles from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Freitas Park. Visitors praise the friendliness of the staff and commend the quality of the food at this community, which accommodates 106 residents. Nazareth House offers enriching activities such as tai chi, a drumming circle and a gardening club. There’s a library where residents can sit and read. The community celebrates holidays with parties hosted by volunteers.
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St. Michael’s Extended Care
416 4th Street, San Rafael, CA, 94901
St. Michael’s Extended Care is an assisted living facility conveniently located near Redwood Highway in San Rafael, California, just a few blocks from San Rafael Creek and within walking distance of s
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St. Michael’s Extended Care is an assisted living facility conveniently located near Redwood Highway in San Rafael, California, just a few blocks from San Rafael Creek and within walking distance of several stores. Visitors give the facility high marks for its cleanliness, attentive staff and good food, and remark on the variety of activities available, which include art classes and knitting. Residents have access to an on-site computer room, garden and patio with sitting areas. Off-site transportation is also available, and residents are allowed to have small pets.
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St. Michael’s Extended Care is an assisted living facility conveniently located near Redwood Highway in San Rafael, California, just a few blocks from San Rafael Creek and within walking distance of s
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St. Michael’s Extended Care is an assisted living facility conveniently located near Redwood Highway in San Rafael, California, just a few blocks from San Rafael Creek and within walking distance of several stores. Visitors give the facility high marks for its cleanliness, attentive staff and good food, and remark on the variety of activities available, which include art classes and knitting. Residents have access to an on-site computer room, garden and patio with sitting areas. Off-site transportation is also available, and residents are allowed to have small pets.
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Rose’S Quality Care Home
One Roosevelt Avenue, San Rafael, CA, 94903
Rose’s Residential Care Facility was just a house and was very cheap behind the civic center. They were all Spanish, and I couldn’t understand anything anybody said. Most of them are Filipinos and g
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Rose’s Residential Care Facility was just a house and was very cheap behind the civic center. They were all Spanish, and I couldn’t understand anything anybody said. Most of them are Filipinos and good, caring people. However, I saw the most awful thing there; to this day, I have never forgotten it. They had birds, which was very nice, but they had them sitting on wire coat hangers eating out of baby jars. I was going to say something to the owner, but she didn’t understand me. I felt really sorry for those poor, little birds.
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Rose’s Residential Care Facility was just a house and was very cheap behind the civic center. They were all Spanish, and I couldn’t understand anything anybody said. Most of them are Filipinos and g
… (read more)
Rose’s Residential Care Facility was just a house and was very cheap behind the civic center. They were all Spanish, and I couldn’t understand anything anybody said. Most of them are Filipinos and good, caring people. However, I saw the most awful thing there; to this day, I have never forgotten it. They had birds, which was very nice, but they had them sitting on wire coat hangers eating out of baby jars. I was going to say something to the owner, but she didn’t understand me. I felt really sorry for those poor, little birds.
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Atria Tamalpais Creek
853 Tamalpais Avenue, Novato, CA, 94947
I’ve toured Atria Tamalpais Creek twice. The salesperson was wonderful. He was a good listener. He showed me what I was interested in and didn’t show me any extra kinds of things. The people there wer
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I’ve toured Atria Tamalpais Creek twice. The salesperson was wonderful. He was a good listener. He showed me what I was interested in and didn’t show me any extra kinds of things. The people there were very friendly. As I walked around, the care director chatted with me, and I got to meet some of the employees. The most impressive part for me was that their employees on their name badges have how many years they worked there, and most of them it was 6, 7, 16 years, so they keep their help around, which is important to me.
They had numerous different floorplans to look at, which was nice, and that’s why I went through twice because it takes a couple of times to get a feel for exactly what my mom might prefer. The rooms were very nice and clean. The facility is very nice. It has a lovely fitness room. The dining room was very nice. They have a hair salon. The staff kind of showed us around all the different rooms, and it was very nice. As far as the resident accommodations, the apartments are very nice, too. There are lots of choices and sizes.
Their activity schedule is amazing. They have a lot of mind and body kinds of activities available all the time for the residents. There are exercise classes, and they always have a person leading them. They probably have two or three different choices of exercise each day, which is very nice. They have a beautiful library. Their beauty salon is very large. I talked to the gal in there, who was cutting hair, she was very nice. The amenities were very nice.
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I’ve toured Atria Tamalpais Creek twice. The salesperson was wonderful. He was a good listener. He showed me what I was interested in and didn’t show me any extra kinds of things. The people there wer
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I’ve toured Atria Tamalpais Creek twice. The salesperson was wonderful. He was a good listener. He showed me what I was interested in and didn’t show me any extra kinds of things. The people there were very friendly. As I walked around, the care director chatted with me, and I got to meet some of the employees. The most impressive part for me was that their employees on their name badges have how many years they worked there, and most of them it was 6, 7, 16 years, so they keep their help around, which is important to me.
They had numerous different floorplans to look at, which was nice, and that’s why I went through twice because it takes a couple of times to get a feel for exactly what my mom might prefer. The rooms were very nice and clean. The facility is very nice. It has a lovely fitness room. The dining room was very nice. They have a hair salon. The staff kind of showed us around all the different rooms, and it was very nice. As far as the resident accommodations, the apartments are very nice, too. There are lots of choices and sizes.
Their activity schedule is amazing. They have a lot of mind and body kinds of activities available all the time for the residents. There are exercise classes, and they always have a person leading them. They probably have two or three different choices of exercise each day, which is very nice. They have a beautiful library. Their beauty salon is very large. I talked to the gal in there, who was cutting hair, she was very nice. The amenities were very nice.
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Oakmont of Novato
1465 S Novato Blvd, Novato, CA, 94947
I went to Oakmont of Novato. It was nice and clean. It’s brand new. It’s four-year-old, so the facility would be in a good position and the people were kind. The staff who showed me around did a great
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I went to Oakmont of Novato. It was nice and clean. It’s brand new. It’s four-year-old, so the facility would be in a good position and the people were kind. The staff who showed me around did a great job. She was very pleasant and very informative. They have a courtyard, but no swimming pool.
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I went to Oakmont of Novato. It was nice and clean. It’s brand new. It’s four-year-old, so the facility would be in a good position and the people were kind. The staff who showed me around did a great
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I went to Oakmont of Novato. It was nice and clean. It’s brand new. It’s four-year-old, so the facility would be in a good position and the people were kind. The staff who showed me around did a great job. She was very pleasant and very informative. They have a courtyard, but no swimming pool.
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Marin Terrace
297 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA, 94941
My mom hasn’t been at Marin Terrace that long. The atmosphere is pretty nice and it looks appealing. I like their executive director, who is very outgoing and personable. They have a nurse on staff; I
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My mom hasn’t been at Marin Terrace that long. The atmosphere is pretty nice and it looks appealing. I like their executive director, who is very outgoing and personable. They have a nurse on staff; I’m also pretty impressed with him. The other staff members that I met seem to be very nice. They like my mom a lot.
I like the rooms. My mom has a pretty big room. It has a sliding glass door and one whole wall is glass, which is beautiful to look outside. There are no activities going on now because of social distancing. They have a nice living room with a couple of big TVs, and they have a nice terrace in the back that overlooks a stream.
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My mom hasn’t been at Marin Terrace that long. The atmosphere is pretty nice and it looks appealing. I like their executive director, who is very outgoing and personable. They have a nurse on staff; I
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My mom hasn’t been at Marin Terrace that long. The atmosphere is pretty nice and it looks appealing. I like their executive director, who is very outgoing and personable. They have a nurse on staff; I’m also pretty impressed with him. The other staff members that I met seem to be very nice. They like my mom a lot.
I like the rooms. My mom has a pretty big room. It has a sliding glass door and one whole wall is glass, which is beautiful to look outside. There are no activities going on now because of social distancing. They have a nice living room with a couple of big TVs, and they have a nice terrace in the back that overlooks a stream.
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The Redwoods – Retirement, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing
40 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA, 94941
The Redwoods, located in Mill Valley, California, is close to Bothin Marsh Preserve, Pickleweed Inlet and shopping centers. Visitors compliment the scenic surroundings of flowers, woods and the bay. G
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The Redwoods, located in Mill Valley, California, is close to Bothin Marsh Preserve, Pickleweed Inlet and shopping centers. Visitors compliment the scenic surroundings of flowers, woods and the bay. Guests mention the apartment-style rooms are well decorated, cozy and have a balcony. The facility serves three meals a day in its dining room, and visitors note that the food looks good. Family members say residents are kept busy with exercise classes, gardening and other stimulating activities. The Redwoods also receives praise for its staff, who are described by visitors as friendly and compassionate.
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The Redwoods, located in Mill Valley, California, is close to Bothin Marsh Preserve, Pickleweed Inlet and shopping centers. Visitors compliment the scenic surroundings of flowers, woods and the bay. G
… (read more)
The Redwoods, located in Mill Valley, California, is close to Bothin Marsh Preserve, Pickleweed Inlet and shopping centers. Visitors compliment the scenic surroundings of flowers, woods and the bay. Guests mention the apartment-style rooms are well decorated, cozy and have a balcony. The facility serves three meals a day in its dining room, and visitors note that the food looks good. Family members say residents are kept busy with exercise classes, gardening and other stimulating activities. The Redwoods also receives praise for its staff, who are described by visitors as friendly and compassionate.
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Aegis of Corte Madera
5555 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera, CA, 94925
Aegis of Corte Madera is nestled between Route 101 and San Clemente Park in Corte Madera, California. Residents and visitors appreciate the resort-like interior and lush, well-maintained exterior as w
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Aegis of Corte Madera is nestled between Route 101 and San Clemente Park in Corte Madera, California. Residents and visitors appreciate the resort-like interior and lush, well-maintained exterior as well as the friendly, attentive and accommodating staff. Residents enjoy spending time at the on-site bistro, library and movie theater. The facility receives high praise for its tasty, nutritious food, which is served in an elegant dining room with a chandelier. It also gets top marks for scheduling an array of activities, including exercise classes, music recitals, holiday parties and off-site outings.
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Aegis of Corte Madera is nestled between Route 101 and San Clemente Park in Corte Madera, California. Residents and visitors appreciate the resort-like interior and lush, well-maintained exterior as w
… (read more)
Aegis of Corte Madera is nestled between Route 101 and San Clemente Park in Corte Madera, California. Residents and visitors appreciate the resort-like interior and lush, well-maintained exterior as well as the friendly, attentive and accommodating staff. Residents enjoy spending time at the on-site bistro, library and movie theater. The facility receives high praise for its tasty, nutritious food, which is served in an elegant dining room with a chandelier. It also gets top marks for scheduling an array of activities, including exercise classes, music recitals, holiday parties and off-site outings.
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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.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in San Rafael
The California Department of Social Services, Senior Care Licensing Program monitors and licenses assisted living facilities in San Rafael and across the state. The Adult and Senior Care Program sends field staff to perform regulatory inspections at residential care facilities for the elderly throughout the state, including assisted living residences.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in San Rafael
- Residents in San Rafael are well-tended by the local hospital, Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center, a general medical and surgical facility. It was ranked high performing in the treatment of heart failure and pneumonia. Residents also have access to Marin General Hospital, less than three miles away in Greenbrae. It has an on-site emergency department and was ranked high performing in the treatment of heart failure and stroke.
- Retirees in San Rafael benefits from the state’s tax exemption on Social Security income, but most other retirement benefits are taxed. Like much of the state, San Rafael has a high sales tax rate, but groceries and prescription drugs are tax exempt.
- The cost of living in San Rafael is high. It’s more than double the national average and more than 50% higher than California’s statewide average. However, the significant difference is primarily due to the high cost of housing, which is less of a concern in assisted living. For important items like health care, costs are only 2% higher than the national average, and utilities are nearly 3% lower than the national average and 5% lower than the state average.
- Though San Rafael is one of the more expensive places to live in California, it’s also one of the safer areas. Violent crime in San Rafael is ranked at 17.1 on a scale of one to 100, with one being the best. This rank is lower than the national average of 22.7 and even lower than California’s statewide average of 25.2.
- Average rainfall in San Rafael is slightly higher than the national average at 41 inches per year compared to 38. Seniors who dislike winter weather particularly like that San Rafael doesn’t get any snow, and nighttime lows rarely dip below freezing with an average low of 42 in January, the coldest month. Residents enjoy six comfortable months with high temperatures ranging between 70-degrees and 85-degrees Fahrenheit.
Paying for Assisted Living in San Rafael
San Rafael’s average cost of assisted living is $6,100 monthly, per Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, making it one of the costliest locations in California. Compared to the state average, assisted living is $1,100 higher in San Rafael and $1,800 higher than the national average.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
While the average cost of assisted living in San Rafael is higher than the state average, there are other cities where costs are higher. San Rafael costs more than San Jose by $225 per month, but it’s only $100 higher than Santa Rosa. Alternately, it’s less expensive than Napa by $150 and Santa Cruz by $700.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors who aren’t sure of their care needs may explore other options to compare to assisted living. The lowest cost option is adult day health care, which is called community-based adult services in California. In San Rafael, the average cost per month is $1,950. For in-home care, homemaker services and home health aides both cost an average of $6,101 per month. For those needing extensive care, nursing homes run the highest at an average of $12,471 for semiprivate rooms or $15,208 for private rooms.
Note: Data for San Rafael was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in San Rafael
Low-income seniors residing in San Rafael may be eligible to apply for government funding to help pay for assisted living. There are currently two programs available: the 1915(c) Assisted Living Waiver program through Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income – Category G.
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 San Rafael
San Rafael provides several free senior resources through county agencies and nonprofit organizations. These resources provide various services to ensure seniors in assisted living and other living situations have the assistance they need to live as independently as possible.
Resource | Contact | Services |
|---|---|---|
Marin County Aging and Adult Services | (415) 473-4636 | Marin County AAS in San Rafael serves seniors and disabled persons through a multidisciplinary system of support and services. It strives to enhance the quality of life and promote independence by administering a range of programs, including adult protective services, information and assistance, in-home supportive care, the long-term care ombudsman and food assistance. |
Area Agency on Aging for Marin County | (415) 473-4636 | AAA is the primary funder and administrator of services for adults aged 60 or older throughout the county. It provides services either directly or through contracts with private and nonprofit agencies, including assisted transportation, home-delivered meals, legal services, long-term care ombudsman, disease prevention and health promotion and senior center activities, among others. |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (415) 473-7446 | The Marin County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program uses state-certified staff and volunteers to help resolve problems for residents of assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. The ombudsman provides free, confidential services, advocates for the rights of LTC residents and investigates allegations of suspected abuse. |
STAR and TRIP Volunteer Driver Program | (415) 454-0902 | The STAR and TRIP Volunteer Driver Program helps older adults remain independent by providing mileage reimbursement to individuals who drive them to medical appointments, family visits, shopping excursions, classes, social events or other desired trips. Marin County residents aged 65 or older who are enrolled in Marin Access qualify for the program. If a participant doesn’t have their own volunteer driver, Travel Navigators can help them consider their options. |
LITA (Love is the Answer) of Marin | (415) 472-5482 | LITA is a nonprofit organization that improves the quality of life for socially isolated residents of any long-term care facility in Marin County by scheduling regular visits with volunteers. There’s no fee for any of the five programs offered, including weekly one-on-one visits with two more members of a family or with pets, elementary class visits throughout the school year and regular visits by musicians for the entire facility. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in San Rafael
San Rafael-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in California are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.
