Seeking affordable assisted living senior housing within an hour drive
My elderly parents want to relocate to northern California sometime this year. They are living off of a small social security income so they need an affordable 1-2 bdrm. Although they are living independently now, neither of them is in such good health so we're looking for an assisted living environment where there are options for meals and community. They belong to the Chabad so if they can find a Jewish community that would be ideal. I'm hoping to find something that's within an hour drive from Berkeley. Any ideas?
Jan 1, 2017
Parent Replies
Check out Baywood Court in Castro Valley. It is a nonprofit, multi-level retirement community. It is very well-run - my son works there on the dining room staff and we've had relatives stay in their skilled nursing facility. The Castro Valley Chabad is 1 mile away. And, the executive director is a true mench.
I think somewhere around Concord would probably be your best bet. The Chabad in Walnut Creek is great and there's also the Conservative and Reform communities there, in addition to the Reform in Lafayette. Not as much of a Jewish community as on the other side of the tunnel though, and it often shows.
My partner moved his parents from the east coast to here. Prices in Oakland/surrounding were prohibitive, but he found places in Napa that were very nice and more affordable. They are now relatively close by, and we can visit fairly easily.
Have you looked at the Jewish Home for the Aged in SF (http://jhsf.org/)?
I don't know anything about the SF one, but both my grandparents were at the Jewish Home in LA. They started off in their own room, mostly living independently, but nurses on site and meals in a dining hall. Then, when needed, they moved to skilled nursing on the same campus. My grandmother was able to visit my grandfather in the skilled nursing because it was so close by. They also had a dementia unit and PT and OT on site. My grandmother was very involved socially until her death (taught a yoga breathing class, active in the arts room, attended classes and lectures). The one in LA had beautiful grounds to walk around.
As a geriatric social worker I use placement professional who act as broker; they'll save you lots of time and energy. You pay nothing and person gets fee from home. Highly respected are the following who have helped my clients; Dave McGinnis 510.540.7045, www.aloveforseniors.com- Janet Ruehle, Senior Visionary Services.
Hi mom2boyz, I am a Chabad member so you have asked a question I can help you with. This coming Sunday, at Neviot Shalom in Berkeley, a conservative synagogue, a meeting will take place to discuss an opening for a Moshav, where people will be living in community. If your parents are, as you say, in need of an Independent Living Facility, Look up the one in Danville, which is near Berkeley. The Reutingler: Home at www.rcjl.org is a jewish based living facility and probably the best one in the Bay Area,
If that doesn't fit, there is a nice one in Oakland, I used to work there as an art instructor. The Point at Rockridge, 4500 Gilbert St, Oakland, CA 94611 510 658 9266
Another one I worked at was Byron Park, in Walnut Creek, as well as The Kensington in Walnut Creek.