The 10 Best Nursing Homes in Palo Alto, CA for 2023
Palo Alto, California, has 68,572 residents, and about 13,300 of them are aged 65 or older. These seniors can find quality health services at Stanford Health Care, a leading comprehensive academic medical center. The Palo Alto VA Medical Center is here to serve the area’s older veterans as well.
Nursing homes provide a high level of long-term care for individuals who need full-time supervision and assistance with daily living activities. These facilities focus on skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapies and other medical services. This elevated support makes nursing home care quite costly compared to other senior living arrangements. It is especially expensive in Palo Alto where average costs exceed the national average by thousands of dollars. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, a semiprivate room carries an average cost of $12,471, while the national median cost is $7,756. Home health care or assisted living may be more suitable and feasible for seniors who do not require such extensive care.
This guide discusses nursing home costs in Palo Alto and nearby cities. It also shares cost estimates for other senior care arrangements. Additionally, the guide lists some local resources available for seniors and their caregivers in this city.
Directory of Nursing Homes in Palo Alto, CA
Vi At Palo Alto
600 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304
The Vi is a continuing care community, but I can speak only to the Skilled Nursing portion. I was there for a month for rehab after surgery at Stanford. It was excellent!
My mom was in a good one
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The Vi is a continuing care community, but I can speak only to the Skilled Nursing portion. I was there for a month for rehab after surgery at Stanford. It was excellent!
My mom was in a good one on the East Coast, and I was her caregiver and there A LOT so have familiarity with them. The ratio of CNAs to patients at the Vi was much more favorable than what I was used to with Mom’s.
When I pressed the call button, someone usually answered within a minute, and a CNA or nurse would be in momentarily. They were uniformly caring and competent.
The Vi contracts for the OTs and PTs – and I had excellent ones! There was only one substitute PT I didn’t care for, but didn’t have to see him again.
The facility is very attractive, with many outdoor areas (my room looked out at a small courtyard). The Skilled Nursing rooms are smaller than Mom’s was, that’s my only nit-picky complaint. The food was above average for institutional food.
Overall, can highly recommend their Skilled Nursing.
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The Vi is a continuing care community, but I can speak only to the Skilled Nursing portion. I was there for a month for rehab after surgery at Stanford. It was excellent!
My mom was in a good one
… (read more)
The Vi is a continuing care community, but I can speak only to the Skilled Nursing portion. I was there for a month for rehab after surgery at Stanford. It was excellent!
My mom was in a good one on the East Coast, and I was her caregiver and there A LOT so have familiarity with them. The ratio of CNAs to patients at the Vi was much more favorable than what I was used to with Mom’s.
When I pressed the call button, someone usually answered within a minute, and a CNA or nurse would be in momentarily. They were uniformly caring and competent.
The Vi contracts for the OTs and PTs – and I had excellent ones! There was only one substitute PT I didn’t care for, but didn’t have to see him again.
The facility is very attractive, with many outdoor areas (my room looked out at a small courtyard). The Skilled Nursing rooms are smaller than Mom’s was, that’s my only nit-picky complaint. The food was above average for institutional food.
Overall, can highly recommend their Skilled Nursing.
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Lytton Gardens
649 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94301
Situated between Stanford University and the Bayshore Freeway, Lytton Gardens offers multi-level assisted living services on a tree-lined street in the heart of Palo Alto, California. Residents and vi
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Situated between Stanford University and the Bayshore Freeway, Lytton Gardens offers multi-level assisted living services on a tree-lined street in the heart of Palo Alto, California. Residents and visitors appreciate the engaged, dedicated staff, immaculate environment, shaded patio areas and the several flower gardens that are in bloom nearly year-round in the region’s moderate climate. Amenities include a beauty salon, physical therapy rooms and an on-site podiatrist. High praise is also given to the walkability of the immediate neighborhood, with many restaurants and shops within easy distance. Also mentioned are the small gym and the well-stocked library.
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Situated between Stanford University and the Bayshore Freeway, Lytton Gardens offers multi-level assisted living services on a tree-lined street in the heart of Palo Alto, California. Residents and vi
… (read more)
Situated between Stanford University and the Bayshore Freeway, Lytton Gardens offers multi-level assisted living services on a tree-lined street in the heart of Palo Alto, California. Residents and visitors appreciate the engaged, dedicated staff, immaculate environment, shaded patio areas and the several flower gardens that are in bloom nearly year-round in the region’s moderate climate. Amenities include a beauty salon, physical therapy rooms and an on-site podiatrist. High praise is also given to the walkability of the immediate neighborhood, with many restaurants and shops within easy distance. Also mentioned are the small gym and the well-stocked library.
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Palo Alto Subacute and Rehabilitation Center
911 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301
I spent one night here until my primary told me to leave due to lack of procedure knowledge.
The food is incredibly horrible.
Was brought there from the hospital by ambulance who put me in my room.
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I spent one night here until my primary told me to leave due to lack of procedure knowledge.
The food is incredibly horrible.
Was brought there from the hospital by ambulance who put me in my room. Waited 3 hours before anyone came to see me. The staff claims to be short handed but its hard to believe when i press my call light and i can hear the staff outside my door talking and laughing and slowly walking in my direction, and after 20 to 30 minutes they show up. Pressed my call button at 5am for my roommate, took 45 minutes till someone showed up.
Finally saw my assigned doctor the next day at 6:00am where he didn’t want to answer any questions and told me that we’ll talk on Monday, this was Friday. Total time spent with me, 3 minutes.
This was something out of a bad horror movie and I wouldn’t send my worse enemy there.
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I spent one night here until my primary told me to leave due to lack of procedure knowledge.
The food is incredibly horrible.
Was brought there from the hospital by ambulance who put me in my room.
… (read more)
I spent one night here until my primary told me to leave due to lack of procedure knowledge.
The food is incredibly horrible.
Was brought there from the hospital by ambulance who put me in my room. Waited 3 hours before anyone came to see me. The staff claims to be short handed but its hard to believe when i press my call light and i can hear the staff outside my door talking and laughing and slowly walking in my direction, and after 20 to 30 minutes they show up. Pressed my call button at 5am for my roommate, took 45 minutes till someone showed up.
Finally saw my assigned doctor the next day at 6:00am where he didn’t want to answer any questions and told me that we’ll talk on Monday, this was Friday. Total time spent with me, 3 minutes.
This was something out of a bad horror movie and I wouldn’t send my worse enemy there.
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The Terraces at Los Altos
373 Pine Lane, Los Altos, CA, 94022
The Terraces at Los Altos is located in Los Altos, California, close to Interstate 280, El Camino Hospital Mountain View, Walmart and The Village at San Antonio Center. Visitors describe the facility
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The Terraces at Los Altos is located in Los Altos, California, close to Interstate 280, El Camino Hospital Mountain View, Walmart and The Village at San Antonio Center. Visitors describe the facility as neat and well-maintained, and they’re impressed by the caring, dedicated staff. Relatives say the food is very good. The community’s on-site amenities include a swimming pool, library and fitness center. Visitors note the many activities that residents can enjoy, including art classes, a poker club and group trips to museums and other destinations.
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The Terraces at Los Altos is located in Los Altos, California, close to Interstate 280, El Camino Hospital Mountain View, Walmart and The Village at San Antonio Center. Visitors describe the facility
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The Terraces at Los Altos is located in Los Altos, California, close to Interstate 280, El Camino Hospital Mountain View, Walmart and The Village at San Antonio Center. Visitors describe the facility as neat and well-maintained, and they’re impressed by the caring, dedicated staff. Relatives say the food is very good. The community’s on-site amenities include a swimming pool, library and fitness center. Visitors note the many activities that residents can enjoy, including art classes, a poker club and group trips to museums and other destinations.
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Villa Siena
1855 Miramonte Avenue, Mountain View, CA, 94040
Located in scenic Mountain View, California, the Villa Sienna retirement community offers a resort-style atmosphere close to several urban conveniences, such as the nearby El Camino Hospital and YMCA,
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Located in scenic Mountain View, California, the Villa Sienna retirement community offers a resort-style atmosphere close to several urban conveniences, such as the nearby El Camino Hospital and YMCA, as well as Cuesta Park. Reviewers praise the facility’s modern architecture, and they appreciate the tranquil effect of the gardens and surrounding redwood trees. Family members note the variety of activities available to the residents, which includes bingo, puzzles and social events that include visiting musicians and parties. Many residents also enjoy the access to religious services provided on-site and the opportunity to socialize frequently with other guests.
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Located in scenic Mountain View, California, the Villa Sienna retirement community offers a resort-style atmosphere close to several urban conveniences, such as the nearby El Camino Hospital and YMCA,
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Located in scenic Mountain View, California, the Villa Sienna retirement community offers a resort-style atmosphere close to several urban conveniences, such as the nearby El Camino Hospital and YMCA, as well as Cuesta Park. Reviewers praise the facility’s modern architecture, and they appreciate the tranquil effect of the gardens and surrounding redwood trees. Family members note the variety of activities available to the residents, which includes bingo, puzzles and social events that include visiting musicians and parties. Many residents also enjoy the access to religious services provided on-site and the opportunity to socialize frequently with other guests.
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Manorcare Health Services (SUNNYVALE)
1150 Tilton Drive, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087
My mother was send here for wound care when the pandemic started. She had bedsores and the home cares were short on nurses. They did not care for her. All they did was do covid tests on her. They to
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My mother was send here for wound care when the pandemic started. She had bedsores and the home cares were short on nurses. They did not care for her. All they did was do covid tests on her. They told me her wounds are healing but every time I went to visit she looked worse and worse. Finally I asked them to send her to the emergency room. That is when they told me that her wound was worse. My mother died in the hospital a few days later
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My mother was send here for wound care when the pandemic started. She had bedsores and the home cares were short on nurses. They did not care for her. All they did was do covid tests on her. They to
… (read more)
My mother was send here for wound care when the pandemic started. She had bedsores and the home cares were short on nurses. They did not care for her. All they did was do covid tests on her. They told me her wounds are healing but every time I went to visit she looked worse and worse. Finally I asked them to send her to the emergency room. That is when they told me that her wound was worse. My mother died in the hospital a few days later
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Los Altos Sub-acute and Rehabilitation Center
809 FREMONT AVENUE, Los Altos, CA, 94024
I really don’t have a positive thing to say about this place, they didn’t take good care of my fiance, he is a total dependent and because of their negligence he had bed sore, because of this Covid-19
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I really don’t have a positive thing to say about this place, they didn’t take good care of my fiance, he is a total dependent and because of their negligence he had bed sore, because of this Covid-19 time I have not been able to be there for him, no one thought of tell me what was going on until I had to hear it from a nurse when we were in a conference call because he needed to get a surgery, until then I heard about my boyfriend sore, I emailed the social worker and administration department to get a response why my fiance had a sore, it was obvious they were not repositioning him every 2 hours, until NOW no one has replied back to me, thanks to there negligence my fiance has an infection which has gone to the bone and there are no good options for him, PLEASE if you are thinking to bring your loved one to this place DON’T do it they always have an excuse for everything, now I’m just waiting for the sad moment. Think twice about this place please.
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I really don’t have a positive thing to say about this place, they didn’t take good care of my fiance, he is a total dependent and because of their negligence he had bed sore, because of this Covid-19
… (read more)
I really don’t have a positive thing to say about this place, they didn’t take good care of my fiance, he is a total dependent and because of their negligence he had bed sore, because of this Covid-19 time I have not been able to be there for him, no one thought of tell me what was going on until I had to hear it from a nurse when we were in a conference call because he needed to get a surgery, until then I heard about my boyfriend sore, I emailed the social worker and administration department to get a response why my fiance had a sore, it was obvious they were not repositioning him every 2 hours, until NOW no one has replied back to me, thanks to there negligence my fiance has an infection which has gone to the bone and there are no good options for him, PLEASE if you are thinking to bring your loved one to this place DON’T do it they always have an excuse for everything, now I’m just waiting for the sad moment. Think twice about this place please.
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Sunnyvale Post Acute Center
1291 S Bernardo Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087
My mom is at Sunnyvale Post Acute Center. The people were very kind, and my mom was welcomed very warmly. The facility is like a one-story multi-wing building, and there’s a big courtyard in the cente
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My mom is at Sunnyvale Post Acute Center. The people were very kind, and my mom was welcomed very warmly. The facility is like a one-story multi-wing building, and there’s a big courtyard in the center where people can go and get some sunshine. There’s a fountain in it. The rooms are nice, but there are no showers in the bathrooms. The social worker is very kind. The room is more like a hospital. They have a workout area and a little library. I wish the residents had a little bit more outdoor space.
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My mom is at Sunnyvale Post Acute Center. The people were very kind, and my mom was welcomed very warmly. The facility is like a one-story multi-wing building, and there’s a big courtyard in the cente
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My mom is at Sunnyvale Post Acute Center. The people were very kind, and my mom was welcomed very warmly. The facility is like a one-story multi-wing building, and there’s a big courtyard in the center where people can go and get some sunshine. There’s a fountain in it. The rooms are nice, but there are no showers in the bathrooms. The social worker is very kind. The room is more like a hospital. They have a workout area and a little library. I wish the residents had a little bit more outdoor space.
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Cupertino Healthcare & Wellness Center
22590 Voss Avenue, Cupertino, CA, 95014
My mom was only here for several hours. The staff did not pass along the cellphone we left for her. She advocated for herself and called us from a landline. She was freaked out and wanted to go immedi
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My mom was only here for several hours. The staff did not pass along the cellphone we left for her. She advocated for herself and called us from a landline. She was freaked out and wanted to go immediately. She said it was super dirty, mildew smelling and the discharge person from Stanford hospital should no longer send anyone here. She said the food was stale cheap and not nutritious
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My mom was only here for several hours. The staff did not pass along the cellphone we left for her. She advocated for herself and called us from a landline. She was freaked out and wanted to go immedi
… (read more)
My mom was only here for several hours. The staff did not pass along the cellphone we left for her. She advocated for herself and called us from a landline. She was freaked out and wanted to go immediately. She said it was super dirty, mildew smelling and the discharge person from Stanford hospital should no longer send anyone here. She said the food was stale cheap and not nutritious
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Atherton Park Post-Acute
1275 Crane Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
The first floor looks new and remodeled but the upper floors are terrible, especially the second floor. Patients come and get sent back to the hospital for falls, Patients wait a long time for help a
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The first floor looks new and remodeled but the upper floors are terrible, especially the second floor. Patients come and get sent back to the hospital for falls, Patients wait a long time for help and often fall cause they’re tired of waiting, some rooms have moldy furniture, the water is either too hot or too cold, the overnight staff sleeps instead of attending to patients, and management covers up patient care issues. If you want great care, go somewhere else.
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The first floor looks new and remodeled but the upper floors are terrible, especially the second floor. Patients come and get sent back to the hospital for falls, Patients wait a long time for help a
… (read more)
The first floor looks new and remodeled but the upper floors are terrible, especially the second floor. Patients come and get sent back to the hospital for falls, Patients wait a long time for help and often fall cause they’re tired of waiting, some rooms have moldy furniture, the water is either too hot or too cold, the overnight staff sleeps instead of attending to patients, and management covers up patient care issues. If you want great care, go somewhere else.
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Grant Cuesta Sub-acute and Rehabilitation Center
1949 GRANT ROAD, Mountain View, CA, 94040
My mother went to Grant Cuesta Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center after the hospital. It’s literally a rehab facility. The staff is wonderful, they’re great people, and they seemed really interested
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My mother went to Grant Cuesta Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center after the hospital. It’s literally a rehab facility. The staff is wonderful, they’re great people, and they seemed really interested in caring for the patients.
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My mother went to Grant Cuesta Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center after the hospital. It’s literally a rehab facility. The staff is wonderful, they’re great people, and they seemed really interested
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My mother went to Grant Cuesta Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center after the hospital. It’s literally a rehab facility. The staff is wonderful, they’re great people, and they seemed really interested in caring for the patients.
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Mountain View Healthcare Ctr
2530 Solace Place, Mountain View, CA, 94040
I would rate Mountain View Health Care Center (MVHC) a ZERO for how they treated my husband, the patient, and me, the spouse and advocate from December 1 to December 11, 2020.
My husband went into
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I would rate Mountain View Health Care Center (MVHC) a ZERO for how they treated my husband, the patient, and me, the spouse and advocate from December 1 to December 11, 2020.
My husband went into this facility on December 1, 2020 from a hospital with a NEGATIVE covid test, since MVHC would *not* take covid positive patients. They were a covid-free facility! By December 5, I learned that they had covid-positive patients admitted. They NEVER told me or called me to tell me this news! I wanted him transferred to another covid-free facility STAT, but they stalled, and stalled, and stalled! The staff would NOT talk to me. They NEVER called me about anything, not one time: my husband’s health, his status, the covid in their facility. In fact, they would NOT return my calls and even hung up on me twice rather than talking to me.
The only reason he got out of there was to go back to hospital for a medical procedure. The hospital tested him immediately for covid, and YES, he was POSITIVE. Due to MVHC’s lack of proper covid protocols, my husband acquired the covid virus in their facility despite my pleas to extract him from there for OVER ONE WEEK! Their cooperation was NIL! Did they just want the money?
He definitely caught the covid virus there, since he was negative going in, went nowhere in between , and was positive coming out. MVHC is negligent and not deserving of any more patients!
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I would rate Mountain View Health Care Center (MVHC) a ZERO for how they treated my husband, the patient, and me, the spouse and advocate from December 1 to December 11, 2020.
My husband went into
… (read more)
I would rate Mountain View Health Care Center (MVHC) a ZERO for how they treated my husband, the patient, and me, the spouse and advocate from December 1 to December 11, 2020.
My husband went into this facility on December 1, 2020 from a hospital with a NEGATIVE covid test, since MVHC would *not* take covid positive patients. They were a covid-free facility! By December 5, I learned that they had covid-positive patients admitted. They NEVER told me or called me to tell me this news! I wanted him transferred to another covid-free facility STAT, but they stalled, and stalled, and stalled! The staff would NOT talk to me. They NEVER called me about anything, not one time: my husband’s health, his status, the covid in their facility. In fact, they would NOT return my calls and even hung up on me twice rather than talking to me.
The only reason he got out of there was to go back to hospital for a medical procedure. The hospital tested him immediately for covid, and YES, he was POSITIVE. Due to MVHC’s lack of proper covid protocols, my husband acquired the covid virus in their facility despite my pleas to extract him from there for OVER ONE WEEK! Their cooperation was NIL! Did they just want the money?
He definitely caught the covid virus there, since he was negative going in, went nowhere in between , and was positive coming out. MVHC is negligent and not deserving of any more patients!
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Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
797 E FREMONT AVENUE, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087
This place seems to be nice, but it is a disorganized, shabby run mess! It is depressing just stepping into this place. Outdated look and feel, with clueless staff that make false promises. Run, don’t
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This place seems to be nice, but it is a disorganized, shabby run mess! It is depressing just stepping into this place. Outdated look and feel, with clueless staff that make false promises. Run, don’t walk, away.
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This place seems to be nice, but it is a disorganized, shabby run mess! It is depressing just stepping into this place. Outdated look and feel, with clueless staff that make false promises. Run, don’t
… (read more)
This place seems to be nice, but it is a disorganized, shabby run mess! It is depressing just stepping into this place. Outdated look and feel, with clueless staff that make false promises. Run, don’t walk, away.
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Nursing Home Costs in Palo Alto, CA
In Palo Alto, the average monthly cost for a nursing home semiprivate room is $12,471. The average cost for a private room is $15,208 per month.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
Comparing the monthly average rates for semiprivate rooms in nursing homes, Palo Alto’s costs are $4,715 higher than the average American city. Prices here are also substantially higher than California’s statewide average of $9,247.
Palo Alto is quite expensive when compared to nearby cities. Its costs are $1,825 above costs in Napa and $3,270 higher than costs in the Santa Cruz area. Nursing homes here are $1,688 more expensive than facilities in Modesto. The San Jose area is an exception where costs exceed Palo Alto’s rates by just $76.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
When exploring care options for aging loved ones in Palo Alto, families often find it useful to compare the prices of different senior living accommodations. Adult day health care is the lowest-priced choice at an average of $1,950 per month. Assisted living carries a monthly average rate of $6,100, almost equal to the average costs for homemaker services and home health care. Nursing homes provide the most expensive type of care. In Palo Alto, a semiprivate room costs $12,471 per month, and a private room costs an average of $15,208 per month.
Note: Data for Palo Alto was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco Area, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Palo Alto, CA
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.
- Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
- Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
Free Resources for Seniors in Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto has a variety of aging-related resources for the city’s seniors and their families. Some programs help delay placement in a nursing home. Others can support the health and well-being of individuals who must transition away from their homes and into a long-term care situation.
Resource
Contact
Service
(415) 750-4111
The Institute on Aging provides and coordinates a continuum of culturally sensitive care for older adults over 65. IOA CONNECT links seniors with programs and community services, including the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), psychology and counseling services and caregiver training. The Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) provides skilled nurses and social workers to help chronically ill seniors remain in their homes. Clients can also find legal and financial assistance, including representative payee and trustee services. A Friendship Line is open 24/7 for nonemergency emotional support and crisis intervention.
(408) 295-5991
SALA offers free civil legal assistance and community education to Santa Clara County seniors aged 60 and older. Services include self-help packets, advice, referrals and legal representation regarding termination of public benefits, nursing home issues and long-term care insurance. Legal staff can also help with simple wills, incapacity planning and elder abuse concerns. There's no income threshold to qualify for SALA’s services.
(650) 968-0836
CSA can provide basic necessities for individuals aged 60 and older. The agency offers comprehensive case management for seniors at risk of entry into a nursing home. CSA also provides fresh food and financial assistance for rent, utilities and transportation. Hot lunches, social activities and health and nutrition classes are available on weekdays at the Mountain View Senior Center.