Hospice Support in San Rafael, CA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in San Rafael, CA: the local picture

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve San Rafael ZIP codes

2,098

residents 85 or older (3.5% of all residents)

33%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (30% in Marin County)

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Marin County)

Medicare lists 17 hospices whose service area includes San Rafael ZIP codes, the nearest offices being By The Bay Health in Larkspur (3.5 mi) and Madrona Hospice Care Inc in San Rafael (5.6 mi).

3,824 San Rafael residents 65 or older live alone (33% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

San Rafael compared with Marin County and California

Census figure	San Rafael	Marin County	California
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.8%	1.9%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	30%	23%
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	24%	33%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.3%	5.4%	9.3%
Residents 65 or older	20%	24%	16%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	7.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$104,265	$107,563	—

Older residents in towns around San Rafael

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Santa Venetia, CA	1.7 mi	1,238	53%
Larkspur, CA	3.1 mi	3,268	45%
Ross, CA	3.2 mi	491	21%
Corte Madera, CA	3.4 mi	1,892	29%
San Anselmo, CA	3.4 mi	2,745	31%
Kentfield, CA	4.2 mi	1,766	22%

Hospices serving San Rafael

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
By The Bay Health	Larkspur, CA	3.5 mi	(415) 927-2273
Madrona Hospice Care Inc	San Rafael, CA	5.6 mi	(628) 243-0550
Sutter Care At Home	San Francisco, CA	14 mi	(415) 749-4201
Anchor Health	Petaluma, CA	20 mi	(415) 598-0944
Cherishaven Hospice	Alameda, CA	20 mi	(628) 224-5007
Holistic Palliative Care, Inc	Oakland, CA	22 mi	(510) 285-7800

Straight-line miles from the center of San Rafael. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in San Rafael

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 17% of the $8,689 monthly median income of San Rafael households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Hospice Support in San Rafael: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in San Rafael?

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 17% of the $8,689 monthly median income of San Rafael households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near San Rafael

More senior care near San Rafael

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in San Rafael

More for San Rafael families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Hospice Support in San Rafael, CA