Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Novato has about 53,000 residents with a large senior community that makes up nearly a quarter of its residents. The city promotes easy access to health care with more than double the number of doctors per capita than the typical U.S. city, making it a good option for seniors and those managing ongoing health conditions.
Seniors in Novato who aren’t able to live alone but want to maintain as much independence as possible may benefit from assisted living. Residential care facilities provide services and amenities, such as daily meals, transportation, housekeeping and laundry. They’re staffed by trained caregivers who administer personalized care services, and they have rotating schedules of recreational activities to help residents stay active. On average, seniors in Novato pay $6,300 per month for these services. While this is high compared to state and national averages, seniors may qualify for financial assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income, to help pay for their care.
Through this guide, seniors can learn more about assisted living in Novato, including more information on what assisted living costs and how seniors can pay for care. We’ve also highlighted top resources for seniors in the region.
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.
On average, seniors in Novato pay $6,300 per month for assisted living, making it a relatively expensive place to obtain residential care.
Local rates exceed the state median of $5,250 by over $1,000, and they’re $1,800 higher than the national average of $4,500.
Assisted living rates in Novato are high compared to other surveyed cities in California. Santa Rosa is among the few cities in the state with more expensive care, with rates coming in at $7,048. In San Jose, costs are slightly lower at $6,000, and in the Southern California city of San Diego, seniors pay $5,475 per month for services. Assisted living facilities in Sacramento charge $5,225, and in Modesto, rates are well below the state and national averages at $4,000. In Madera and Stockton, long-term residential care costs $3,828 and $3,649, respectively.
Note: Data for Novato was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Napa, 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 |
County of Marin Aging & Adult Services | (415) 473-4636 | County of Marin Aging & Adult Services is the Area Agency on Aging for Novato and the surrounding region. Seniors can contact this agency for help getting in touch with community-based resources, such as durable medical equipment loans, public benefits screenings, legal advice and financial assistance. |
Marin County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (415) 473-7446 | The ombudsman program helps older adults research assisted living facilities in Novato to find communities that fit their needs and budgets. Ombudsmen can also mediate family disagreements regarding a loved one’s care, educate residents on their rights and help resolve care-related issues that arise within residential facilities. |
Medicare Counseling | (707) 526-4108 | HICAP is a statewide Medicare counseling program that provides free health insurance advice and counseling to those aged 65 and over. Seniors can contact this program for help understanding their Medicare and long-term care insurance benefits and to determine whether they qualify for Medicaid or Medicare Savings Programs. |
Legal Aid of Marin | (415) 492-0230 | Legal Aid of Marin specializes in helping those aged 60 and over resolve age- and long-term care-related issues. Its licensed legal professionals help seniors understand California laws regarding guardianship and powers of attorney. They can also help qualified individuals apply for public benefits that may pay for care. |
Marin Center for Independent Living | (415) 459-6245 | The Marin Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization that operates as the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the Novato area. ADRCs serve as a single entry point for all state and federal public benefits and community-based programs. |
Marin County Veterans Services | (415) 473-6193 | The county’s Veterans Services office has advisers who help older veterans and their qualifying family members file claims for state and federal benefits, including those that cover long-term care costs. The office can also help older adults find community-based medical services and determine their eligibility for veterans’ home placement. |
Margaret Todd Senior Center | (415) 899-8290 | This local senior center is open to those aged 50 and over who reside within the Novato city limits. At this center, seniors can participate in table games, sewing groups and pedro. The center also provides volunteer opportunities for older adults. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Novato 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.