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Hayward is situated in the San Francisco Bay Area and has nearly 160,000 residents, making it the sixth-most populous city in the region. It has more than 3,000 acres of open space and parks and is home to the state’s first Japanese garden, which offers free admission and features paved walking paths. The city’s cost of living is among the lowest in the Bay Area, and its pleasant year-round climate supports comfortable retirement living.
Assisted living facilities in Hayward provide personal care services, meals and recreational programs, supporting a low-maintenance lifestyle for residents. There are approximately three dozen assisted living facilities in Hayward. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, local services cost $6,100 per month, which is high compared to state and national medians.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
Assisted living in Hayward costs approximately $6,100 per month, making it among the more expensive cities in the Pacific Region. Local rates exceed California’s median of $5,000 by over 20% and the national average of $4,300 by 40%. Rates are also considerably higher than the typical cost of care in Nevada ($3,595), Utah ($3,400), Arizona ($3,900) and Oregon ($4,659).
While Hayward is one of the more expensive cities in California for assisted living, the city is an affordable alternative to the Santa Cruz area, where seniors pay $6,800, and Salinas, where monthly fees average $7,100. Those seeking more affordable care may consider Chico, where fees are equal to the state median at $5,000. Modesto and Bakersfield are also affordable, with fees averaging $4,000 and $3,613, respectively.
Note: Data for Hayward was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco Area, was used instead.
Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver covers assisted living services for Hayward seniors who meet income and asset guidelines and functional requirements. This waiver can be applied to services in Medicaid-approved facilities such as personal care, meals and transportation, reducing the resident’s monthly care expenses. Enrollment is capped, so eligible seniors may be placed on a waitlist if no slots are available.
To learn more about this waiver and other options for paying for residential care in Hayward, see our Assisted Living in California page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Area Agency on Aging | (510) 577-1900 | The region’s AAA is housed within Alameda County’s Social Services Agency. It offers a broad range of programs to promote seniors’ independence and quality of life, including food and nutrition programs, legal assistance, friendly visits and phone calls and advocacy services. The agency has information and assistance specialists to help older adults obtain services in the community, such as durable medical equipment rentals and money management. |
| Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda | (510) 638-6878 | The local ombudsman advocates on behalf of seniors in or seeking long-term care, helping them make informed decisions regarding their care and payment options. The ombudsman helps families compare services, amenities and pricing at assisted living facilities in Hayward and identify public programs that can help cover monthly care expenses. They educate residents of their rights and mediate interpersonal conflicts and family disagreements. They can also investigate and help resolve problems with the quality of care and cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation. |
| Legal Assistance for Seniors | (510) 839-0393 | Legal Assistance for Seniors is a local nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, advice and representation in civil legal matters for older adults in Hayward and the surrounding region. It administers the statewide HICAP, which provides unbiased health insurance options counseling at no cost. Through this program, seniors meet one-on-one with trained volunteers who can answer questions about Medicare benefits, available Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, Medicaid and long-term care insurance. HICAP counselors can also provide advice on how to protect against health insurance fraud or waste and help seniors review their medical bills and resolve billing errors. |
| Hayward Area Senior Center | (510) 881-6766 | Hayward Area Senior Center is open to area residents aged 50 and over. This center, which is operated by the city’s Recreation & Park District, hosts various classes and activities, including the Spectrum Fall Prevention Program, puzzle and book exchanges, bingo, yoga and creative writing. It hosts daily congregate meals and special events throughout the year, as well as travel opportunities. The center also provides an array of social services, including massages, health screenings, health insurance options counseling and income tax assistance. |
| Veterans Connect @ the Library | (510) 881-7980 | Veterans Connect @ the Library is a statewide program that partners with the Veterans Administration to provide easy access to veterans’ services and benefits. At the Hayward Library, veterans can meet with specialists who help them determine what benefits they’re eligible for by accessing VetNow, gather the necessary documentation and apply for benefits that may help cover assisted living expenses. The Veterans Resource Center is located in the Hayward Public Library’s Downtown Library in the lobby. |
The Department of Social Services, Senior Care Licensing Program, licenses and monitors assisted living facilities in Hayward, as well as the rest of the state. This department enforces extensive guidelines for staffing, care planning, building requirements, activities programming and residents’ rights.
To learn about the regulations that assisted living facilities in Hayward follow, visit our Assisted Living in California page.
