Signs of aging can be difficult for seniors and the people who love them to accept. Lending a helping hand is fairly easy in the beginning. As seniors increasingly need more help, it can be a lot for spouses or younger family members to manage, and a home care agency in San Diego may be just what you need to keep things manageable.
For family members who are already working full-time or caring for children, caregiving can seem like a second or third full-time job.
If this is all new to you, don’t be discouraged, we’ll review the types of in-home care services available in San Diego, outline options for how to pay for them, and give you an idea of what to expect regarding costs.
Services Offered by San Diego Home Care Providers
Whether you need 24-hour in-home care services in San Diego or a single service, a caregiver agency in San Diego will review your needs and develop a customized care plan. They’ll review your care plan often and adjust services as necessary.
These are some of the services you can request:
Light housekeeping : Most caregivers agree to do light cleaning such as dusting, vacuuming, laundry, dishes, and cleaning kitchens and baths.
Transportation and errands : Caregivers can provide transportation, help seniors get in and out of vehicles, and run errands for them.
Personal care : Caregivers help with many of the personal tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, fixing their hair, and brushing their teeth.
Preparing meals : Malnutrition is common with older individuals because of memory loss and the inability to get around the kitchen. Caregivers can help cook and prepare meals that seniors can easily heat up when their caregiver is off duty.
Medication reminders : In California, individuals, family members, and medical professionals are responsible for medication management. However, caregivers can remind seniors when it’s time to take their medications so they don’t miss a dose.
Communication support : Caregivers are happy to help set up appointments and arrange for social interactions with friends and family members.
Care for bedridden seniors : Seniors who cannot move from the bed need specialized care. Caregivers move them around and reposition them to protect against bedsores and improve their movement.
Dementia care : Loss of memory, cognition, and language are common issues with seniors. They often have trouble thinking and solving problems. Caregivers interpret their needs and respond.
Hospice care : Caregivers may provide hospice care in a senior’s home or a relative’s home. Hospice caregivers focus on making hospice patients feel comfortable and helping family members make the most of their time together, as it’s usually limited to six months or less.
How to Pay for San Diego Home Care
Currently, Medicare and medical insurance companies don’t provide funding for non-medical home care or assisted living care in California. Generally, California residents pay out of their pockets for in-home care.
Here are some of the common ways to pay for in-home care.
Veterans Association Aide and Attendance Program : This program is open to veterans. Depending on how many people live in their home, veterans may be able to receive over $2,000 per month in caregiver services. It can take several months to get through the process, but it’s worth the wait.
Long-term care insurance : Individuals who took out long-term care policies years back can claim on their policies to help with in-home caregiving services. The long-term care policy will outline what is and isn’t covered under the plan. If you need legal representation, you can get help with free legal resources for navigating LTCI insurance issues.
Private pay : This source is also called out-of-pocket pay. This means a senior or the family members will pitch in and cover the costs of in-home caregiving using their savings and other assets.
San Diego government programs: There are two government programs in San Diego to help seniors with caregiving costs:
- San Diego Ombudsman : Sponsored by the San Diego Department of Health & Human Services, representatives help seniors find services. They also provide guidance on the rights of residents in care facilities
- In-home Supportive Services : A government program that provides services for meal preparation, dressing, housekeeping, shopping, laundry, bathing, and grooming which is also under the San Diego Department of Health & Human Services.
Nonprofit organizations Churches, St. Paul’s PACE, and the Alzheimer’s Association are all helpful resources for caregiver resources.
Cost of San Diego Home Care
You can expect to pay from $24-$30 per hour for an in-home caregiver if you hire through an in-home care agency which is higher than you will pay a private caregiver. Bear in mind the agency incurs all the costs of hiring, training, managing, and staffing, as well as taking care of taxes and insurance for caregivers.
How to Pick the Best Home Care Agency in San Diego
The best in-home care services in San Diego are easy to get a hold of and keep you in the loop. They select their caregivers carefully and always perform background checks on them. They should be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and offer resources and guidance.
Here are some tips for finding come care agencies:
- Ask for referrals
- Check ou online reviews
- Shop around
- Verify their licensing
Process of Hiring the Right Home Care Agency in San Diego
That’s a lot to digest, so here’s a quick rundown on how to hire a caregiver agency in San Diego:
- Choose a few agencies and meet each of them in person.
- Assess what they offer including quality services, available staffing, specific areas of expertise, and level of ongoing support.
- Get an initial assessment.
- Ask how they handle substitutes.
- Understand costs and invoicing.
You have a lot to consider when deciding on the perfect caregiver for your loved one. It can be overwhelming at times, but getting the right care makes it worth it. You should now have a bit more insight into the process which will make things easier.
