Grandcare Home Health Services is a senior in-home care company located in Pasadena, CA at 2555 E Colorado Blvd, Ste 400a. They offer in-home personal care services and in-home medical care for senior clients. For nearly 14 years, they ...
Home Care in California
- Home Care Directory for California
- Home Care Costs in California
- Financial Assistance for Home Care in California
- California Home Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Home Care Resources in California
With its world-class hospitals, pleasant climate and beautiful parks, California supports comfortable living for retirees. Fifty of the state’s cities and counties are listed on the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, meaning that the communities’ local elected leadership actively works toward creating a great place for people of all ages to live. With the amenities that it provides, it’s not surprising that about 15% of Californians are aged 65 and over.
The SeniorScore is calculated based on 100 data points from four categories and shows how comfortable a community is for older adults. The SeniorScore for California is 70, which is slightly lower than the national average of 72. The category in which the state scored the highest was General Quality of Life, where it earns a score of 72 for its comfortable climate and average population density. It scores the lowest in Finances with a score of 51, primarily because of its high cost of living.
This guide provides an overview of home care costs in California, as well as available financial assistance options and free home care resources.
Top Home Care Agencies in California
Located at 2490 Honolulu Ave, Ste 120 in Montrose, CA, Advance Healthlink, Inc is a home healthcare service provider that offers home health care and also personal care services. They have been serving customers in Montrose for 9 years. They ...
Located at 144 South 1st St, Ste 200a in Burbank, California, Faith and Hope Home Health, Inc is a senior in-home care provider that offers personal care and in-home nursing. For nearly 7 years, they have been serving clients in ...
Located in Los Angeles, CA at 6399 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 810, 1010, Miracle Home Health Care, Inc is a senior home healthcare company offering in-home medical care and also personal care. For nearly 10 years, they have been providing care ...
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association is a home healthcare company located in Ventura, CA at 1996 Eastman Ave Ste 101. They provide in-home health care along with in-home care for seniors. They have been serving seniors in the area ...
Located in Irvine, California at 17175 Gillette Ave, Oso Home Care, Inc is a home care service provider that offers in-home personal care services in addition to in-home nursing services. Since 2005, they have been helping customers in the Irvine ...
Located in Novato, California at 350 Ignacio Blvd Ste 101, Home Instead Senior Care is a home healthcare service provider that offers personal home care services as well as in-home health services. They can provide different medical services such as ...
Located at 3731 Wilshire Blvd Ste 516 in Los Angeles, CA, Assisted Home Care is a in-home care service provider offering in-home care and home health care. Since 2001, they have been helping customers in the Los Angeles area. ...
Assisted Home Care is a home care provider based in Ventura, California at 4450 Westinghouse Street, Suite #101. They offer in-home medical care as well as in-home care to senior clientele. They have been in operation in California for ...
Located in Oakland, California at 303 Hegenberger Road, Suite 388, Healthflex Home Health Services is a home health care service provider offering home health services in addition to home care services. They have been serving customers in the area for ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home healthcare provider based in Livermore, CA at 179 Contractors Ave. They offer in-home medical care and also personal home care services to senior clients. They provide multiple personal services like ...
Located at 4370 Auburn Blvd in Sacramento, California, Advanced Home Health, Inc is a home health care service provider that offers in-home health care and personal care. For almost 10 years, they have been serving customers throughout the Sacramento area. ...
Located in Santa Barbara, California at 302 N Milpas Street, Suite #101, Assisted Healthcare Services is a senior home healthcare provider that offers home care services in addition to home health services. Since 2006, they have been providing care to ...
Located at 700 River Dr in Fort Bragg, California, Mendocino Coast Home Health is an in-home care provider that offers personal home care services along with in-home nursing services. Since 1986, they have been providing care to seniors in the ...
Health Link Home Health Agency is a in-home care service provider located in San Francisco, California at 1000 Brannan Street, Suite 205. They offer in-home nursing services in addition to personal home care to senior clients. Since 2009, they ...
Located in San Mateo, California at 1670 South Amphlett Blvd, Suite 300, Mission Hospice and Home Care is a senior in-home care service provider offering in-home medical services as well as personal care. They have been in operation in California ...
Located at 27171 Calaroga Avenue, Suites 100, 4 & 5 in Hayward, CA, Amity Home Health Care Inc is a senior home healthcare company that offers in-home nursing and personal care. They have been in operation in the area for ...
Destiny Home Health Agency, Inc is a senior home healthcare company located in Moreno Valley, CA at 12370 Perris Blvd. They offer in-home personal care as well as in-home medical care for seniors. For nearly 14 years, they have ...
Located at 73726 Alessandro Dr Ste 203 in Palm Desert, California, Home Instead Senior Care is a home healthcare company that offers personal care services and home health care. They can provide multiple personal services such as help getting dressed, ...
Located at 10 Constitution Dr in Chico, California, Butte Home Health and Hospice is an in-home care provider that offers home health services along with personal care services. For almost 33 years, they have been helping seniors in the Chico ...
The Cost of Home Care in California
According to Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, California is among the nation’s costlier states for home care. Here, in-home care costs $5,335 per month on average, compared to the national average of $4,290. This type of care includes nonmedical personal services, such as companionship and assistance with daily living activities. Home health care also includes skilled nursing services and is slightly more expensive at $5,339 per month, versus the national average of $4,385.
The Cost of Home Care in California Compared to Nearby States
Compared to the United States as a whole and to its neighboring states, California is an expensive state for home-based care, with in-home care costing $5,335 per month and home health care costing $5,339. In Oregon, seniors pay the same for home health care as in California but about $190 less for in-home care. In Arizona, both types of home care cost $4,767 monthly, and in Utah, both types cost $4,576. In Nevada, in-home care and skilled home health care both cost $4,290 per month.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
California | $5,335 | $5,339 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Oregon | $5,148 | $5,339 |
Nevada | $4,290 | $4,290 |
Arizona | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Utah | $4,576 | $4,576 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in California
In addition to home care, seniors in California have other care options, including adult day care, assisted living and nursing home care. The most economical option is adult day care, which costs $1,668 per month on average. With this type of care, seniors reside in their own home but receive daily services at a community-based center instead of at home. Assisted living, which provides room and board, meals and personal care, costs about $800 less per month than home care at $4,500. The costliest option is nursing home care, with semi-private accommodations costing $8,760 monthly.
- In-Home Care: $5,335
- Home Health Care: $5,339
- Adult Day Care: $1,668
- Assisted Living Facility: $4,500
- Nursing Home Care: $8,760
The Cost of Home Care in California's Top Cities
Across California, home care costs vary widely, ranging between $4,362 and $6,292, depending on location and scope of care. Santa Rosa and San Francisco are the costliest cities in the state, with the cost of in-home care and home health care surpassing the national average by several hundred dollars per month. In Redding, Yuba City and Sacramento, care costs are comparable to California's average. The cheapest cities in the state for home care are Fresno and Bakersfield.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
California | $5,335 | $5,339 |
Redding | $5,148 | $5,148 |
Yuba City | $5,196 | $5,243 |
Santa Rosa | $6,006 | $6,006 |
San Francisco Area | $6,292 | $6,292 |
Sacramento Area | $5,434 | $5,434 |
Fresno | $4,862 | $4,862 |
Bakersfield | $4,362 | $4,385 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in California
Home & Community-Based Alternatives Waiver
California’s Medicaid HCBA waiver provides care management services for seniors who qualify for nursing home placement but want to receive care in their own home. Services are arranged by the care management team assigned to the program participant. They may include skilled home health care, respite care, assistance with daily living activities, home modifications and case management, depending on the senior’s needs. To be eligible for this program, applicants must be at least 65 years old, meet Medi-Cal's residency, income and asset guidelines and be eligible for nursing home placement.
Contact Information
To begin the application process, seniors can email questions to [email protected] or call the Department of Health Care Services at (833)388-4551.
In-Home Supportive Services Program
IHSS is a Medi-Cal based program that pays for care provider services for low-income seniors who are at risk for out-of-home placement but wish to remain at home. This program is an alternative to nursing home or assisted living placement and covers services such as house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, accompaniment to medical appointments and assistance with daily living activities. To be eligible, applicants must meet Medi-Cal's residency, income and asset qualifications and live at home or in the home of a caregiver. They must submit a completed Health Care Certification form to their county IHSS office.
Contact Information
For more information, seniors should contact their local county social services agency.
Multipurpose Senior Services Program
MSSP is administered by the California Department of Aging and serves older adults, adults with disabilities, informal caregivers and residents in residential communities. This program provides social and health care management services, including care management, adult day care, minor home maintenance and repairs, transportation, meal services and respite. The services an individual receives is based on their individual care plan as determined by a team of health and social services professionals following a comprehensive assessment.
Contact Information
To determine whether they live within an MSSP service area, seniors can reference this service area map. For more information or to apply for services, contact the local program provider listed on the map.
Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly
PACE coordinates the care of participants based on their needs, enabling them to continue living safely at home. California is home to 58 PACE centers in 20 counties. This program provides transportation services, prescription and over-the-counter medications, meals and medical care at a PACE day health center. To be eligible for this program, applicants must be at least 55 years old, require skilled nursing care but be able to live safely at home if they receive services and live with a service area served by a PACE program.
Contact Information
For more information about PACE or to apply, seniors should contact their local PACE program, which can be found by visiting the National PACE Association website and searching by zip code.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
California Home Care Rules and Regulations
In California, in-home care is provided by home care agencies and skilled care is provided by home health agencies. Both types of care are regulated by the Department of Social Services, Home Care Services Bureau. State law established the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, which requires that home care agencies are licensed and adhere to guidelines regarding hiring practices, scope of care and reporting abuse. To ensure compliance, the department reserves the right to conduct unannounced visits.
Scope of Care | Home care aides provide nonmedical services that enable the client to remain in their home, such as personal care, assistance with self-administered medication, meal planning and preparation, housekeeping and laundry, transportation, making telephone calls, shopping for personal items and companionship. Home health aides provide diet counseling, nursing services, therapy, medical social services and personal care services. |
Care Plan Requirements | Home health agencies create personal care plans for clients that include their diagnosis, types of services and equipment required, treatment goals, medication needs, functional limitations, nutritional requirements and permitted activities. The care plan must be signed by the attending physician or other licensed practitioners within 30 days. The department doesn’t outline care plan requirements for home care agencies. |
Medication Management Requirements | Caregivers that provide nonmedical in-home care can assist with helping the client self-administer medication, as long as the medication doesn’t require administration or oversight by a licensed healthcare professional. Home health agencies are permitted to administer medications as prescribed by the client’s doctor. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Home care agencies must perform background checks on prospective hires. Applicants who’ve been convicted of a crime or whose caregiver license had previously been revoked may be ineligible for hire. Background checks are completed by the Caregiver Background Check Bureau. Home health aides must submit evidence of satisfactory qualifications, and they must not have a criminal record. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home care aides must complete a five-hour training course that covers topics such as clients’ rights and safety, their role as caregivers, how to respond to clients’ daily needs and how to detect and report abuse. Home health aides must complete a basic training program that is at least 120 hours and includes topics such as the functions and responsibilities of home health aides, how to perform personal care services and how to interpret clients’ medical and social needs. |
Medicaid Coverage | California seniors who are Medicaid recipients may have medical and nonmedical home care services covered by the HCBA waiver. Home care services covered by the IHSS waiver aren’t subject to these regulations. |
Reporting Abuse | Reports of suspected or verified abuse, neglect or exploitation should be submitted to Adult Protective Services. Individuals can call APS at (833) 401-0832 and enter their five-digit zip code when prompted. Alternatively, they may call their local APS office or local law enforcement. |
Free Home Care Resources in California
Seniors in California have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
HICAP provides free, unbiased counseling, education and assistance on Medicare, long-term care insurance and other senior health insurance-related issues for those who are or will soon be eligible for Medicare. HICAP counselors are trained in Medi-Cal and Medicare and help clients understand their insurance options. They can provide guidance with signing up for Medicare, understanding the different parts to Medicare, answer questions on drug coverage and copays and file appeals or challenge denials.
Contact Information
Seniors should contact their local HICAP office by selecting their county on the department’s Find Services in My County page or by calling (800) 434-0222.
CalVet
CalVet serves the state’s 1.8 million veterans by providing access to a variety of programs and services related to medical and long-term care, housing, advocacy and assistance with signing up for benefits. It includes a network of benefits offices, vet centers, 1,400 community-based outpatient centers and over 150 medical centers. Veterans can gain access to state benefits such as fishing and hunting licenses, tax benefits, state parks and recreation passes and license plates, along with assistance with applying for federal benefits such as the VA pension, the VA Aid and Attendance benefits and the Housebound allowance.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact CalVet by calling (800) 952-5626 or by following this link to find their local service providers.
Area Agencies on Aging
The California Department of Aging oversees programs that organize or provide direct services to older adults aged 60 and over through Area Agencies on Aging. The state has 16 Planning and Service Areas, each with its own AAA. Services vary by region but typically include congregate or delivered meals, transportation for medical appointments, case management, health insurance counseling, information and assistance and legal services. AAAs often operate senior centers that provide social and educational activities for members.
Contact Information
Seniors can receive more information on AAA by calling the California Aging and Adult Information Line at (800) 510-2020 or by calling the phone number for their county.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief
California has several property tax relief programs for older adults, reducing the amount of money they pay in property taxes. The property tax assistance program provides cash reimbursements from the state for low-income adults aged 62 and over for part of the property taxes on their home. The property tax postponement program lets those who qualify have some or all of their property taxes covered by the state until they move, sell the house or pass away. The replacement housing program lets seniors sell their home and buy a new home that's equal in value or less than their old home and transfer the old residence's assessed value to the new home.
Contact Information
To learn more about these programs and determine eligibility, seniors can contact their local county tax assessor.
Low-Income Weatherization Program
California’s Low-Income Weatherization Program provides energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to those who qualify, letting households lower their utility bills to free up limited disposable income for other necessary expenses. This program covers expenses such as installing energy efficient air conditioning and improving insulation. To qualify, seniors must meet income guidelines.
Contact Information
To speak to a live operator who can provide assistance in obtaining information on where to apply for services, seniors should call (866) 675-6623.
California Home Modification and Repair Resources
The California Home Modification and Repair Resources page outlines featured programs, funding sources, home repair and modification providers by city and educational materials for seniors. Site visitors can research information on different types of home modifications through videos and fact sheets, learn about local funding sources that are used to pay for modifications and repairs and find local service providers. The site is searchable by location and keywords, and full contact information is listed for service providers.
Contact Information
To get answers to specific questions about home modification programs, seniors can fill out and submit this online form.
Other Cities in California
- Alhambra
- Altadena
- American Canyon
- Anaheim
- Arcadia
- Arcata
- Artesia
- Auburn
- Bakersfield
- Beverly Hills
- Brea
- Buena Park
- Camarillo
- Cambria
- Campbell
- Carson
- Chino
- City Of Industry
- Claremont
- Concord
- Corning
- Corona
- Costa Mesa
- Crestline
- Culver City
- Cypress
- Daly City
- Diamond Bar
- Downey
- El Dorado Hills
- Encino
- Eureka
- Fontana
- Fremont
- Fullerton
- Garden Grove
- Gardena
- Grass Valley
- Hanford
- Hawthorne
- Huntington Beach
- Inglewood
- Irvine
- Jackson
- Joshua Tree
- Kingsburg
- La Habra
- La Mesa
- Laguna Hills
- Lakewood
- Livermore
- Lodi
- Los Osos
- Lower Lake
- Merced
- Milpitas
- Modesto
- Monrovia
- Montebello
- Monterey
- Monterey Park
- Moreno Valley
- Napa
- Norwalk
- Oakland
- Orange
- Orinda
- Oroville
- Oxnard
- Palm Desert
- Palm Springs
- Palmdale
- Palo Alto
- Paradise
- Pismo Beach
- Pleasanton
- Pomona
- Rancho Cordova
- Redding
- Redlands
- Reseda
- Roseville
- San Dimas
- San Francisco
- San Gabriel
- San Luis Obispo
- San Marcos
- San Mateo
- Santa Ana
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Fe Springs
- Santa Monica
- Santee
- Stockton
- Studio City
- Sunnyvale
- Tarzana
- Union City
- Upland
- Vallejo
- Valley Village
- Ventura
- Walnut Creek
- West Covina
- West Hills
- Westlake Village
- Whittier
- Woodland
- Yuba City
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