Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Kensington, CA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Kensington for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Kensington, CA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Kensington are Shields Nursing Center in El Cerrito (0.9 mi), Chaparral House in Berkeley (2.7 mi), Kyakameena Care Center in Berkeley (3.1 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in California earn a median $16.50 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). That May 2025 figure is below today's $16.90 California minimum wage, so current pay starts at least there. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Kensington has about 154 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Kensington compared with Alameda County and California
| Census figure | Kensington | Alameda County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.0% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 19% | 31% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 23% | 15% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 23% | 23% | 23% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 6.0% | 11% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.6% | 10% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $122,639 | $80,351 | — |
Older residents in towns around Kensington
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Cerrito, CA | 1.4 mi | 5,363 | 718 |
| Albany, CA | 2.1 mi | 3,063 | 324 |
| Berkeley, CA | 2.8 mi | 20,100 | 2,093 |
| East Richmond Heights, CA | 3.2 mi | 782 | 88 |
| Emeryville, CA | 4.7 mi | 1,440 | 231 |
| El Sobrante, CA | 4.8 mi | 2,983 | 279 |
Nursing homes near Kensington
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shields Nursing Center | El Cerrito, CA | 0.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 45 | (510) 525-3212 |
| Chaparral House | Berkeley, CA | 2.7 mi | 4 of 5 | 49 | (510) 848-8774 |
| Kyakameena Care Center | Berkeley, CA | 3.1 mi | 3 of 5 | 60 | (510) 843-2131 |
| Elmwood Care Center | Berkeley, CA | 3.4 mi | 3 of 5 | 74 | (510) 665-2800 |
| Ashby Care Center | Berkeley, CA | 3.5 mi | 4 of 5 | 31 | (510) 841-9494 |
| Berkeley Pines Skilled Nursing Center | Berkeley, CA | 3.6 mi | 2 of 5 | 36 | (510) 649-6670 |
Home health agencies serving Kensington
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Home Health Care, LLC | Dublin, CA | 24 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (510) 574-0390 |
| Neogen Care | Pleasanton, CA | 26 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (510) 440-1383 |
| American Hospice And Home Health Care Services Inc | Pleasanton, CA | 28 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (925) 240-6300 |
| Care In Touch Home Health Agency | Fremont, CA | 31 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (510) 651-8500 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Kensington. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Kensington
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 14% of the $10,220 monthly median income of Kensington 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Kensington: common questions
What nursing homes are near Kensington?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Shields Nursing Center in El Cerrito (0.9 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Chaparral House in Berkeley (2.7 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Kyakameena Care Center in Berkeley (3.1 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Kensington?
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 14% of the $10,220 monthly median income of Kensington 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).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Kensington
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in El Cerrito, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Albany, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Berkeley, CA
- Nursing Assistants in East Richmond Heights, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Emeryville, CA
- Nursing Assistants in El Sobrante, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Rollingwood, CA
- Nursing Assistants in San Pablo, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Richmond, CA
- Nursing Assistants in North Richmond, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Tara Hills, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Piedmont, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Orinda, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Pinole, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Hercules, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Lafayette, CA
Other care in Kensington
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.
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