The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in San Rafael, CA for 2024

 

San Rafael's population is almost 60,000, with 20.4% being 65 or older, which is higher than the national average of 17.3%. That larger senior population is at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, considering about 6.7 million Americans 65 and older have the condition, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Based on CDC data, Alzheimer's-related deaths in San Rafael decreased by 3.88%, while overall deaths increased by 11.45% between 2016 and 2020. Quality dementia care in San Rafael could keep those numbers trending in the same direction by providing necessary support.

Specialized memory care programs with secure environments and 24/7 supervision provide care that can slow cognitive decline. Many communities use research-based therapies and programming to create meaningful experiences for people with dementia while supporting their health. Staff members are specially trained to work with individuals who have memory loss.

In this guide, seniors and their families can explore the pros and cons of living in San Rafael. It includes data on memory care costs, alternative care types, financial assistance and local resources that can help navigate long-term care options. 

The Community Care Licensing Division of California's Department of Social Services oversees memory care communities in San Rafael and throughout the state. It licenses facilities and ensures they follow the state's established regulations to ensure quality care for residents.

 

• San Rafael is an expensive place to live, with a cost of living that's 117.4% higher than the national average. Its cost of living is also significantly more expensive than California's, which is already 49.9% costlier than the nation's as a whole. However, living in a memory care community can help control costs with standard monthly rates that residents can budget for. 
• Seniors might choose San Rafael for its relatively safe environment. Violent crime in the city rates 17.1 on a 100-point scale compared to 22.7 nationally. Property crime is a little higher than average at 42.8 compared to 35.4 on a national level. Fortunately, a dementia care community can ease worries about property crime with high levels of security, often including locked entrances, surveillance cameras and 24/7 staffing.
• Beautiful weather appeals to many San Rafael residents. The city averages 256 sunny days a year, higher than the U.S. average of 205 days. Seniors can enjoy summer highs of 78 degrees Fahrenheit and winter lows of 42 degrees Fahrenheit with no snow for year-round comfort. 
• Older adults can access a variety of health care options in the city, which has 466 physicians per 100,000 residents. That's much higher than the national average of 210. 
• Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center delivers a wide range of care for seniors in the city. It includes an emergency room and a neurology department with care for memory disorders.
• San Rafael is part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, which means leaders in the community work to make it a community that's welcoming and suitable for all ages. 
• The city has a Memory Cafe location, allowing residents with dementia and their care partners to meet with other people. The San Rafael location features bocce ball and snacks on designated days. It's a way for seniors and their caregivers to socialize.

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The average cost of memory care in San Rafael is $7,899 per month. This may fluctuate depending on the location and amenities offered.

San Rafael seniors pay about $1,336 more than the California average and $2,274 above national rates, making it one of the most expensive places for seniors to live. It's also costlier than other cities in the area. Stockton and Modesto are significantly less expensive at $4,561 and $5,000, respectively. Vallejo is a little closer in cost to San Rafael, at $6,188, while Napa is the closest, averaging $7,875 a month.

Comparing memory care costs to the costs of other options can help seniors choose the ideal setting for them. Adult day health care is usually the most cost-effective option at $1,950 per month. Assisted living is cheaper than memory care at $6,319 and offers individualized personal care support in a residential setting. In-home care typically costs $6,864 per month, while home health care is $7,150. Memory care costs a little more at $7,899 per month. Seniors who need round-the-clock care, including medical services, might choose nursing home care, which runs more at $11,566 for a semi private room.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in California page.