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San Rafael, a city in the north of the Bay Area, is located 18 miles north of San Francisco. It is home to 60,769 people, including 12,579 seniors aged 65 and older. With its abundance of premium health care facilities and mild year-round climate, San Rafael is a great retirement location for seniors who enjoy outdoor life and easy access to high-quality care amenities.
Assisted living facilities offer round-the-clock support with daily tasks such as grooming, bathing and laundry. It may be a good fit for seniors who no longer feel comfortable living independently at home but don’t require 24/7 medical care. In San Rafael, assisted living care costs an average of $6,319 per month, which is $1,069 higher than the state average.
This guide is an introduction to assisted living care in San Rafael. Continue reading to learn about the typical monthly costs of care, ways to pay for care and free resources available to seniors and their families.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in California. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Assisted living in San Rafael costs on average $6,319 per month. However, this can vary depending on the community’s location and the services and amenities offered.
The cost of care in San Rafael is around $1,069 more expensive than the California average and $1,819 more expensive than the national average
The cost of assisted living varies widely across the state of California. In the big cities, the cost is generally lower than in San Rafael. In Sacramento, seniors pay around $5,225 per month, while Los Angeles seniors typically pay $5,250 per month. Farther south in San Diego, seniors pay around $5,475. Close to San Rafael in San Jose and Santa Cruz, the costs are also high at $6,319 and $5,550 per month. However inland, prices are considerably lower. In Stockton, residents typically pay around $3,649 and in Madera the average cost is around $3,828 per month.
Note: Data for San Rafael was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in California.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (800) 231-4024 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program supports seniors in long-term care communities, such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The staff and volunteer ombudsmen regularly visit the communities to investigate complaints or abuse claims and address them as quickly as possible. They are an unbiased advocate for seniors and are available to help with problems such as poor quality of care, dietary issues, medical issues and verbal abuse. Ombudsmen also educate the community staff on how best to avoid such issues in the future and help to empower residents to know their rights. |
| San Rafael Goldenaires | (415) 485-3348 | The San Rafael Goldernaires is a club for seniors aged 62 and older. It is an opportunity for older adults to come together and make new friends through various enriching activities, such as classes, dances, bingo and trips. Some of the classes available include aerobics, watercolor painting and wood carving. Residents can also go on trips into the local community, including to theater productions, Indian casinos and even extended tours throughout the country. There is a membership fee of $30 per year. |
| Legal Aid Marin | (415) 492-0230 | Legal Aid Marin provides legal representation, advocacy and education. Their Elder Law program aims to empower older adults aged 60 and older through advice and education on their rights. They typically take on cases of trust and estate issues, elder financial abuse and advanced health care directives. |
| Marin County Aging and Adult Services (AAS) | (415) 473-4636 | The Marin County AAS is funded through the Older Americans and Older Californians Acts. It provides a wide variety of services to older adults in the community, including assisted transport, congregate meals and legal services. Seniors can also access senior centers to participate in activities and various senior and caregiver support programs. |
| San Francisco Vet Center | (415) 441-5051 | The San Francisco Vet Center serves veterans and their family members in the San Francisco Bay Area. It provides free-of-charge support services such as group and individual counseling. There is counseling for needs such as depression, PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma Care. There is also bereavement counseling and referral services for other needs such as substance abuse and suicide prevention. |
| CarePool Volunteer Driver Program | (415) 454-0927 | The CarePool Volunteer Driver provides transportation to Marin residents over the age of 65 who can no longer drive. The volunteer drivers take seniors to medical appointments and run errands like grocery shopping. Rides are all free of charge. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the San Rafael area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
