San Rafael is a Marin County community situated at the head of the San Francisco Bay. The city council recently adopted the Age-Friendly Strategic Plan, making it the largest Age-Friendly community in Marin County. The region experiences a pleasant Northern California climate: warm summers, mild winters, more sun and slightly more rain than the national average. Approximately 20.7% of San Rafael’s overall population of slightly under 61,000 residents are aged 65 and over. Along with the world-class medical facilities in nearby San Francisco, residents of San Rafael have access to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and Marin Community Clinic.
San Rafael offers a variety of senior care options, including nursing homes. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home in San Rafael is $11,566 per month. Because nursing home care in the San Francisco Bay Area is higher than in other California communities, San Rafael residents and their families may want to consider other types of senior care options.
This guide explores senior care in San Rafael and provides cost comparisons with other California communities and other types of care, along with a list of relevant resources.
Directory of Nursing Homes in San Rafael, CA
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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326 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA, 94901
I would highly recommend living at Aldersly. The staff are all wonderfully dedicated & caring, they provide transportation & fun activities, the food is delicious, and the grounds are just gor
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I would highly recommend living at Aldersly. The staff are all wonderfully dedicated & caring, they provide transportation & fun activities, the food is delicious, and the grounds are just gorgeous. If you are looking for a kind-hearted and professionally run complex, Aldersly is the one to choose!
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I would highly recommend living at Aldersly. The staff are all wonderfully dedicated & caring, they provide transportation & fun activities, the food is delicious, and the grounds are just gor
… (read more)
I would highly recommend living at Aldersly. The staff are all wonderfully dedicated & caring, they provide transportation & fun activities, the food is delicious, and the grounds are just gorgeous. If you are looking for a kind-hearted and professionally run complex, Aldersly is the one to choose!
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81 PROFESSIONAL CENTER PARKWAY, San Rafael, CA, 94903
Do not send a loved one here unless you want them drugged into a soporific state for the benefit of Country Villa management. We found my brother in a wheel chair slumped and drooling. His regular
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Do not send a loved one here unless you want them drugged into a soporific state for the benefit of Country Villa management. We found my brother in a wheel chair slumped and drooling. His regular medications supplemented with sedatives, antihistamines and extra antipsychotics with contraindications. They denied changing his regime, while refusing the advice of his regular medical providers. He was in a wheel chair because he was dizzy and had fallen several times most likely from over medication. Within days of removal he could walk and converse at his normal level. The daily care staff are fine. The management, administration and doctors are managing for their own needs, unethical at best and I believe criminally negligent
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Do not send a loved one here unless you want them drugged into a soporific state for the benefit of Country Villa management. We found my brother in a wheel chair slumped and drooling. His regular
… (read more)
Do not send a loved one here unless you want them drugged into a soporific state for the benefit of Country Villa management. We found my brother in a wheel chair slumped and drooling. His regular medications supplemented with sedatives, antihistamines and extra antipsychotics with contraindications. They denied changing his regime, while refusing the advice of his regular medical providers. He was in a wheel chair because he was dizzy and had fallen several times most likely from over medication. Within days of removal he could walk and converse at his normal level. The daily care staff are fine. The management, administration and doctors are managing for their own needs, unethical at best and I believe criminally negligent
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45 Professional Center Pkwy, San Rafael, CA, 94903
Pine Ridge Care Center is a nice place, but my client didn’t do good there. The people at the front desk were helpful. They have physical therapy that she went to several times a week. Almost everyone
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Pine Ridge Care Center is a nice place, but my client didn’t do good there. The people at the front desk were helpful. They have physical therapy that she went to several times a week. Almost everyone there was on MediCare and that was very great because the cost was taken care of. They’re very professional in many ways, and for a nursing home, it was quite good.
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Pine Ridge Care Center is a nice place, but my client didn’t do good there. The people at the front desk were helpful. They have physical therapy that she went to several times a week. Almost everyone
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Pine Ridge Care Center is a nice place, but my client didn’t do good there. The people at the front desk were helpful. They have physical therapy that she went to several times a week. Almost everyone there was on MediCare and that was very great because the cost was taken care of. They’re very professional in many ways, and for a nursing home, it was quite good.
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1550 Silveira Parkway, San Rafael, CA, 94903
hubby was a rehab resident for several months. long after, i needed specific copies of records. Charles is a super human being who not only obtained what I required but hand- delivered same. I am soo
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hubby was a rehab resident for several months. long after, i needed specific copies of records. Charles is a super human being who not only obtained what I required but hand- delivered same. I am soo impressed with his professionalism and caring attitude toward our needs.
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hubby was a rehab resident for several months. long after, i needed specific copies of records. Charles is a super human being who not only obtained what I required but hand- delivered same. I am soo
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hubby was a rehab resident for several months. long after, i needed specific copies of records. Charles is a super human being who not only obtained what I required but hand- delivered same. I am soo impressed with his professionalism and caring attitude toward our needs.
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1601 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA, 94901
Kindred Healthcare – Hospice Care Center provide a team of healthcare professionals and volunteers for on-gong support to both patients and family members. This care is provided in the belief that by
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Kindred Healthcare – Hospice Care Center provide a team of healthcare professionals and volunteers for on-gong support to both patients and family members. This care is provided in the belief that by helping the patient and loved ones accept death as a natural part of life, a measure of peace can be restored to the process of dying. By alleviating the patient’s pain and fear, hospice care fosters the spiritual to live, as fully as possible, all the day’s of one’s life. As a former Director of Social Services at a Sub-acute Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) in the Marin County I rarely contacted Kindred Healthcare – Hospice Care Center to provide services at the hospital. I found that the staff was very superficial and pushy. Also, this is an agency that is very BIG in the medical profession and provide an array of diverse services. In most cases I would recommend this type of agency to individuals due to the array of diverse services – "A One Stop Shop". Unfortunately, in the case of hospice care I feel you need a very caring and compassionate agency that really specialize in comfort care and I just don’t feel this agency meets that criteria.
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Kindred Healthcare – Hospice Care Center provide a team of healthcare professionals and volunteers for on-gong support to both patients and family members. This care is provided in the belief that by
… (read more)
Kindred Healthcare – Hospice Care Center provide a team of healthcare professionals and volunteers for on-gong support to both patients and family members. This care is provided in the belief that by helping the patient and loved ones accept death as a natural part of life, a measure of peace can be restored to the process of dying. By alleviating the patient’s pain and fear, hospice care fosters the spiritual to live, as fully as possible, all the day’s of one’s life. As a former Director of Social Services at a Sub-acute Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) in the Marin County I rarely contacted Kindred Healthcare – Hospice Care Center to provide services at the hospital. I found that the staff was very superficial and pushy. Also, this is an agency that is very BIG in the medical profession and provide an array of diverse services. In most cases I would recommend this type of agency to individuals due to the array of diverse services – "A One Stop Shop". Unfortunately, in the case of hospice care I feel you need a very caring and compassionate agency that really specialize in comfort care and I just don’t feel this agency meets that criteria.
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40 Professional Center Parkway, San Rafael, CA, 94903
234 N. SAN PEDRO RD, San Rafael, CA, 94903
40 Professional Center Parkway, San Rafael, CA, 94903
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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30 Hacienda Drive, Tiburon, CA, 94920
This is a fine facility where all staff are diligent in addressing needs that residents and families express. The individual staff members are caring and friendly; many visit with the residents even
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This is a fine facility where all staff are diligent in addressing needs that residents and families express. The individual staff members are caring and friendly; many visit with the residents even when not assigned to them. Something so nice to see is how the staff work together and like one another. This is a morale boost that transfers to the residents and creates a pleasant atmosphere. Generally, people are happy and like being there. Staff turnover is low. The facility is in a lovely location, quiet, clean, odor-free, has interesting events, and family are often included and welcomed.
Because the residents are vulnerable related to functional and cognitive limitations, belongings that disappear and deprecating comments are difficult to account for. However, administration is small (director and owner) and always readily available at the front desk. All issues are easily discussed, as they are both warm and friendly and eager to provide high quality care. More specifically, we have been satisfied when we present inconsistencies in care or neglected requests or recommendations for improvements (e.g., smelly bathroom) or billing questions. The director and owner have not been defensive and rapidly provided solutions, often checking on our responses over time.
The professional staff have phoned regularly to apprise us of needs or changes including physical, cognitive, medications or behavioral issues. They are always calm, polite, caring, and patient. They are kind and patient with the residents.
At times we have been frustrated with the nursing director because he is excessively talkative and easily distracted, and it is difficult to determine whether he is listening or understands what is said. He is more concerned with regulatory issues than individualizing care; we have had to acquire higher authority to work with him to undo inappropriate interventions (based on a regulation he had recently read). We need to watch carefully for follow-through because he is easily distracted, particularly when discussing our resident’s care.
Overall, this is a nearly excellent facility and we feel fortunate to have our family member be a resident there.
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This is a fine facility where all staff are diligent in addressing needs that residents and families express. The individual staff members are caring and friendly; many visit with the residents even
… (read more)
This is a fine facility where all staff are diligent in addressing needs that residents and families express. The individual staff members are caring and friendly; many visit with the residents even when not assigned to them. Something so nice to see is how the staff work together and like one another. This is a morale boost that transfers to the residents and creates a pleasant atmosphere. Generally, people are happy and like being there. Staff turnover is low. The facility is in a lovely location, quiet, clean, odor-free, has interesting events, and family are often included and welcomed.
Because the residents are vulnerable related to functional and cognitive limitations, belongings that disappear and deprecating comments are difficult to account for. However, administration is small (director and owner) and always readily available at the front desk. All issues are easily discussed, as they are both warm and friendly and eager to provide high quality care. More specifically, we have been satisfied when we present inconsistencies in care or neglected requests or recommendations for improvements (e.g., smelly bathroom) or billing questions. The director and owner have not been defensive and rapidly provided solutions, often checking on our responses over time.
The professional staff have phoned regularly to apprise us of needs or changes including physical, cognitive, medications or behavioral issues. They are always calm, polite, caring, and patient. They are kind and patient with the residents.
At times we have been frustrated with the nursing director because he is excessively talkative and easily distracted, and it is difficult to determine whether he is listening or understands what is said. He is more concerned with regulatory issues than individualizing care; we have had to acquire higher authority to work with him to undo inappropriate interventions (based on a regulation he had recently read). We need to watch carefully for follow-through because he is easily distracted, particularly when discussing our resident’s care.
Overall, this is a nearly excellent facility and we feel fortunate to have our family member be a resident there.
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501 Via Casitas, Larkspur, CA, 94904
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1220 South Eliseo Drive, Larkspur, CA, 94904
I think South Marin Health & Wellness Center had some good people, but they’re somewhat understaffed, and COVID was a major factor. They’re a decent place and one of the better places around, but
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I think South Marin Health & Wellness Center had some good people, but they’re somewhat understaffed, and COVID was a major factor. They’re a decent place and one of the better places around, but none of these places are perfect. My friend wasn’t real pleased with her therapy there. She fell a couple of times because she needed something and they’re a little bit slow to come and help her. Then one of the times she had to go back to the hospital because of that, but I liked the setting. They had a nice outdoor area, but unfortunately, shortly after she went in, that went under construction. It would be nice to have outdoor places where you can go and meet with family, friends or whatever. They’re still a good place for me though. Her room was a shared one, so it was not spacious but it was clean.
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I think South Marin Health & Wellness Center had some good people, but they’re somewhat understaffed, and COVID was a major factor. They’re a decent place and one of the better places around, but
… (read more)
I think South Marin Health & Wellness Center had some good people, but they’re somewhat understaffed, and COVID was a major factor. They’re a decent place and one of the better places around, but none of these places are perfect. My friend wasn’t real pleased with her therapy there. She fell a couple of times because she needed something and they’re a little bit slow to come and help her. Then one of the times she had to go back to the hospital because of that, but I liked the setting. They had a nice outdoor area, but unfortunately, shortly after she went in, that went under construction. It would be nice to have outdoor places where you can go and meet with family, friends or whatever. They’re still a good place for me though. Her room was a shared one, so it was not spacious but it was clean.
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1565 HILL ROAD, Novato, CA, 94947
Novato Healthcare smelled like urine at times when you go in the door, but it’s clean. The staff was nice, but they should give us more calls and update us on our love ones. They don’t call us enough,
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Novato Healthcare smelled like urine at times when you go in the door, but it’s clean. The staff was nice, but they should give us more calls and update us on our love ones. They don’t call us enough, but they do call when they fall.
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Novato Healthcare smelled like urine at times when you go in the door, but it’s clean. The staff was nice, but they should give us more calls and update us on our love ones. They don’t call us enough,
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Novato Healthcare smelled like urine at times when you go in the door, but it’s clean. The staff was nice, but they should give us more calls and update us on our love ones. They don’t call us enough, but they do call when they fall.
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501 Vía Casitas, Larkspur, CA, 94904
Nursing Home Costs in San Rafael, CA
Semiprivate rooms in nursing homes in San Rafael come with an average monthly cost of $11,566. Private accommodations cost as much as $14,068.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
Residents of semiprivate nursing homes in San Rafael pay an average of $3,658 more than the national average of $7,908. Nursing home costs in San Rafael are also more expensive than the California state average of $9,794. Within California, nursing home residents in Madera pay a monthly average of $7,559, while their counterparts in San Diego pay $9,384. At the northern end of the state, residents of nursing homes in Redding pay an average of $10,768 for a semiprivate room.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Family members still exploring possibilities for senior care in San Rafael for a loved one might want to compare nursing home costs to the costs of other options. The least expensive alternative is adult day health care, which carries an average price tag of $1,950. Home care and home health care cost $6,864 and $7,150, respectively, while the average monthly cost of an assisted living facility in San Rafael is $6,319.
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home (private room)
Note: Data for San Rafael was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, CA
San Rafael seniors and their families often find the following resources helpful. They may provide case management assistance to help decide which type of care is best for individual seniors, connect isolated seniors with families and individuals for weekly visits and advocate for seniors who have experienced abuse or exploitation.
Seniors can access services and programs from Marin County Area Agency on Aging, including long-term care counseling and case management, caregiver support groups, balance workshops and group sessions as well as Medicare plan or application help. There is also an online community resource guide and a telephone helpline.
Marin County's Elder Abuse Prevention Program is designed to provide senior citizens who have been the victims of financial abuse with forensic investigations. The program is composed of local law enforcement agencies, public agencies and prosecutors.
This program provides advocacy and investigative services to those in long-term care facilities with the objective of safeguarding their legal rights. Seniors and those speaking on their behalf, such as family members or other loved ones, can contact the ombudsman's office for free, confidential assistance.
Seniors who love to read but are unable to access their local Marin County library because of temporary or permanent disabilities are eligible for library materials deliveries from Library Beyond Walls. Seniors can access applications online and return them to the closest Marin County Free Library branch.
LITA connects volunteers with Marin County seniors at risk of experiencing isolation and loneliness. The program arranges for weekly long-term care facility visits. Volunteers are matched with seniors depending on individual needs and preferences. Visits can be one-on-one or involve entire families — even their pets.
