Seniors and their families have several options for full-time caregiving support, both at home or in a facility. Seniors who don’t require full-time care or don’t want to move to a facility also have options. Part-time care can give seniors the flexibility they need to get some assistance while remaining independent. There are solutions for people who don’t need a full-time caregiver, who don’t need to live in a facility, or who can’t afford full-time private pay in-home care. Public agencies and private organizations offer different support programs for seniors in San Diego who need flexible home care solutions.
Alternatives to Full-Time Care
These are some of the alternatives to full-time care for seniors and their families in San Diego:
- In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
- The California Department of Social Services’ website states that “The IHSS Program will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. To be eligible, you must be 65 year of age and over, or disabled, or blind. Disabled children are also potentially eligible for IHSS. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities. The types of services which can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired.”
- Adult Day Services Programs
- The California Department of Aging’s website says that “Adult Day Services programs offer an alternative to nursing home care for those who do not need 24-hour skilled nursing. … These programs are designed to help people stay mentally and physically active, while reducing their isolation, improving their health, and preventing decline of their abilities. Individuals typically attend a center in their community two to five times a week, based on their individual need. All programs either provide or can assist with transportation arrangements. Program hours typically range from four to eight hours a day. However, some centers offer extended hours to accommodate working caregivers. Many centers also provide caregiver support groups and training. Services vary from center to center but may include therapeutic activities such as art, singing, age-appropriate games, health monitoring, social work, meals, dietary counseling, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Adult day services are provided in two types of licensed settings, Adult Day Program (ADP) and Adult Day Health Care (ADHC).
- Adult Day Programs are “Community-based programs providing assistance with personal care, activities of daily living, and/or supervision for the participant’s protection on less than a 24-hour basis. Serves adults age 18 and over.”
- Adult Day Health Care programs are “[c]ommunity-based programs providing an organized day program of health, therapeutic, and social services. Programs serve frail older adults and younger adults with chronic disabling medical, cognitive, or mental health conditions who are at risk of institutional placement. Serves adults age 18 and over.”
- Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
- According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, “PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to certain frail, elderly people (participants) still living in the community. Most of the participants who are in PACE are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.”
- Specifically, “PACE benefits include, but are not limited to, all Medicaid and Medicare covered services:
- Adult day care
- Dentistry
- Emergency services
- Home care
- Hospital care
- Laboratory/x-ray services
- Meals
- Medical specialty services
- Nursing home care
- Nutritional counseling
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Prescription drugs
- Primary care (including doctor & nursing services)
- Recreational therapy
- Social services
- Social work counseling
- Transportation”
- The California Department of Aging’s website says that “Adult Day Services programs offer an alternative to nursing home care for those who do not need 24-hour skilled nursing. … These programs are designed to help people stay mentally and physically active, while reducing their isolation, improving their health, and preventing decline of their abilities. Individuals typically attend a center in their community two to five times a week, based on their individual need. All programs either provide or can assist with transportation arrangements. Program hours typically range from four to eight hours a day. However, some centers offer extended hours to accommodate working caregivers. Many centers also provide caregiver support groups and training. Services vary from center to center but may include therapeutic activities such as art, singing, age-appropriate games, health monitoring, social work, meals, dietary counseling, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Adult day services are provided in two types of licensed settings, Adult Day Program (ADP) and Adult Day Health Care (ADHC).
- Non-profits based in San Diego and California
- There are several agencies and non-profits in San Diego County that form a network of support for older adults. These agencies and organizations offer caregiving assistance in the home that helps seniors stay independent as long as possible.
- There are other local agencies who serve seniors, but not exclusively, and the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation website lists them along with their contact information.
Seniors and their families who are looking for viable alternatives to full-time care in the home or in a facility have both public and private options. There are solutions for those who need help with daily tasks but can’t afford to pay for in home care, or who only need a little support to continue to live independently.