I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Anaheim, CA
Sitting less than 30 miles outside of Los Angeles and home to Disneyland, Anaheim can be a great choice for retirement if you’re looking for lots of sunshine, warm weather and affordable health care. The city of Anaheim is home to just under 350,000 people, and around 12% of residents are over the age of 65.
Arguably the biggest draw to this area is the weather. Anaheim sees 280 sunny days per year, compared to the U.S. average of 205, and it gets less than half the national average of rain per year. Daily highs are in the 60s to 80s year-round, and winter lows don’t usually dip even close to the freezing point. All of this can be especially helpful if you struggle with health conditions that are exacerbated by the cold, such as arthritis, or want to maintain an active lifestyle.
While the overall cost of living in Anaheim can be high compared to the rest of the country on average, it actually has lower-than-average costs for health care. You can expect to pay about 4% less for medical care in Anaheim than you would elsewhere on average.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Anaheim, CA
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of homemaker services in Anaheim is $5,434 per month. The expected cost for a home health aide is $5,529 per month. It’s important to keep in mind that exact prices can vary depending on the level of care offered by a provider and exact location in the Anaheim area.
These numbers are based on 44 hours of care, so if your needs differ in either direction, you can expect some adjustments to cost. It can help to look at hourly costs and then multiply by how many hours of care you’re expecting per week to get a better estimate. In Anaheim, the average hourly rate for homemaker services is $28.50, and a home health aid costs around $29 on average.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
The cost of home care in Anaheim is about $100 less than the California state average for homemaker services and exactly the same for home health services. It’s also on par with the surrounding cities. Oxnard, at $5,339, is a bit cheaper than Anaheim when it comes to home care, while San Diego is about $200-$300 more expensive per month, at $5,716. Bakersfield is less expensive than Anaheim for both homemaker services, at $5,077, and home health care, at $5,125.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home came in Anaheim is considered one of the middle-of-the-road options when it comes to the cost of senior care. Adult day care is the cheapest, at just $1,647, but assisted living is also less expensive, at $5,000 per month. Nursing home care is the most expensive option on the survey list, and a semiprivate room in an Anaheim nursing home costs an average of $8,060.
Note: Data for Anaheim was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Los Angeles, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Anaheim, CA
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Anaheim, CA.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Anaheim, CA
HUD Residential Rehab Program
What You Should Know
Anaheim residents can take advantage of the city’s residential rehabilitation program to get needed repairs to their homes. The program funds are disbursed as a forgivable loan, and the repairs are performed by the local Habitat for Humanity office. The program focuses on major safety concerns such as structural issues and bringing properties back up to code.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for this program, you must be the legal homeowner, and the property needs to have a demonstrated need for repair. The home must also be within the city limits of Anaheim, and the applicant’s household income must be below the HUD income guidelines for the current year. These guidelines change every year based on the federal poverty level, so it’s important to verify the current numbers to determine your eligibility.
How to Get Started
To apply for this program, you can fill out an inquiry form or call the office directly at (714) 434-6200.
Weatherization and Home Efficiency Upgrade Program
What You Should Know
The Weatherization and Home Efficiency Upgrade Program provides a range of services for approved applicants. These can include home repairs to increase energy efficiency and replacement of old inefficient appliances, among other services. The aim of the program is to make homes more energy-efficient so that the owner’s utility bills are more manageable.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for this program is based on income, and the guidelines can change from year to year. It’s always important to verify the current income requirements before applying. As of 2021, the maximum household qualifying income is $75,300 for one person and $86,050 for two people.
How to Get Started
To get started, you can complete the online application available on the Southern California Gas Company website or call (714) 831-0025.
Meals on Wheels – Orange County
What You Should Know
The Meals on Wheels program in Orange County can provide Anaheim seniors with free or low-cost meals up to three times a day, five days a week. Recipients also get safety checks from volunteers during meal drop-offs as well as a quarterly wellness assessment from a case manager. All meals provided by the service are nutritious and designed around seniors’ daily intake needs. Lower-tier options are also available if you don’t need all three meals every day.
Who Is Eligible?
To participate in Meals on Wheels, you must be at least 60 years old and homebound due to disability, lack of mobility or illness.
How to Get Started
To enroll in the program, you can complete the online form or call (714) 220-0224.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
What You Should Know
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a way for some California households to get assistance with their energy bills. You can get a one-time payment toward your utility bill or get help through the Energy Crisis Intervention Program if you’re facing a utility shut-off notice. The program also includes energy-efficiency education and energy budget counseling.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors who are interested in participating in the LIHEAP program need to meet the eligibility criteria, which is largely income-based. How much your household income can be is determined by the number of people in the household. For example, as of 2021, the monthly maximum income for one person is $2,431.09 or $3,179.11 for two people.
How to Get Started
To apply for LIHEAP, you must contact your utility company directly. Let them know you want to apply for LIHEAP, and they can provide you with more information on the application and approval process.
Age Well Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
What You Should Know
Age Well is an organization that offers services for area seniors, including transportation to and from nonemergency medical appointments. This could include seeing your regular doctor for a yearly physical or going to physical therapy appointments. Transportation for medical tests, X-rays and vaccination appointments also qualify.
The cost is $2 per trip for seniors, but you can bring three people — such as a caregiver, companion or spouse — for free with you. The service provides up to eight round trips or 16 one-way trips per client per month.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for this program, you must live within the designated service area for South Orange County and be at least 60 years old. If you need to go outside of the designated service area, you can go up to 15 miles from your residence or to one of the following providers:
- St. Joseph’s Orange
- VA Long Beach Veterans Hospital
- Kraemer Medical Offices Anaheim
- Kaiser Lakeview
- UCI Orange
How to Get Started
Before you can take advantage of this program, you need to apply. You can do this by going to the organization’s website and downloading the application, or you can call to speak to a representative at (949) 855-8033.