I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Auburn, CA
Auburn is a small city of about 14,000 that’s home to a large percentage of seniors, at around 22%. It’s also the seat of Placer County and located about 30 minutes northeast of Sacramento, the capital of California. While the cost of living in Auburn is high, the cost of healthcare services is about 6% below the national average. Auburn also has a wonderful climate, which helps make it an attractive location to age in place and receive in-home care. While summers can be hot, the temperature seldom goes below freezing in winter. The city receives an average amount of rainfall, almost no snow and over 250 sunny days per year, and it scored an excellent 8.1 out of 10 on the Best Places Living Index.
Being so close to Sacramento, you also have opportunities to enjoy big-city amenities and attractions including the Sacramento Zoo, which features over 500 animals. Auburn once played an important role in California as one of the prime locations for the California Gold Rush. You can learn more about Auburn’s role in the gold rush, as well as other historical facts about Placer County, including a strong connection to its Native American heritage, by visiting the Placer Academy Courthouse Museum in Auburn.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Auburn, CA
The average cost of in-home care in Auburn, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, is $5,863 a month for both home care and home health care. That’s about $330 a month more expensive than the California statewide average of $5,529. These figures are based on 44 hours of assistance per week.
In many locations in California, you may pay more for home health care because of the medical care it offers in addition to homemaking services. In Auburn, the average hourly cost for either service is $30.75. Your personal costs may be higher or lower than the average depending on how many hours of assistance you need.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
At $5,863 per month, Auburn falls about midrange on the price spectrum for home care and home health care services compared to other northern California cities. In nearby Stockton, the average shared costs for these two services are notably lower at $5,243 a month. Both types of in-home care are more expensive in San Francisco, where the average is $6,101 a month. To the west in Napa, home care and home health care costs are also the same but are even higher at $6,292 a month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
When looking at the costs for other senior care options in Auburn, home care and home health care compare very favorably. Residing in an assisted-living facility averages $5,395 a month, but aging in place may be more affordable considering programs are available to help with the costs. Adult day care remains the least expensive option at $1,918 per month, but it provides weekday-only care in a group setting. Around-the-clock care in a nursing home is the most expensive option at $9,946 per month.
Note: Data for Auburn was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Sacramento, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Auburn, 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 Auburn, 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 Auburn, CA
Home Care Services Bureau (HCSB)
What You Should Know
The HCSB is the official licensing agent of the California government for individuals or organizations that wish to provide home care or home health care services. As a consumer, the HCBS can provide you with a listing of organizations and individuals who offer these services in the Auburn area, all of whom have received a background check. The goal of the HCSB is to provide you with protection when you hire private help to assist you with the activities of daily living (ADL) in your own home.
Who Is eligible?
Any elderly or disabled Californian wishing to hire an aide or an organization to provide in-home care can make use of HCSB services.
How to Get Started
You can call the HCSB at (877) 424-5778 to find out more about the services it provides. You can also visit the HCSB registry when you’re looking for home care or home health care providers.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
What You Should Know
This program is designed to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities of all ages remain in their homes rather than be placed in a nursing facility or group home setting. If you qualify, a caregiver can provide you with various services including housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, assistance with personal care and help getting to medical appointments.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be an American citizen residing in California and be eligible for Medi-Cal enrollment to qualify for the IHSS program. You must either live at home or in a place of your own choosing and submit a completed healthcare certification form. When you apply, a social worker will visit you to determine if you’re eligible and how many hours of assistance you require on a weekly basis.
How to Get Started
For more information about the program call (916) 651-8848. To apply, you must complete an application and submit it to the Placer County IHSS office.
Seniors First Nutrition Programs
What You Should Know
Seniors First operates nutrition programs for older adults in Placer County. There are eight Senior Cafés located throughout the county which serve hot daily meals. The meals cost $3, although you won’t be turned away because of financial need. The Meals on Wheels program delivers nutritious meals to seniors who are home alone during the day and can’t prepare simple meals. Meals can be delivered regularly or on a short-term basis if you’ve been recently hospitalized or are recovering from an illness.
Who Is Eligible?
The Senior Cafés program is aimed at seniors aged 60 and older, although you can purchase a meal if you’re younger at a cost of $6. The Meals on Wheels program will deliver meals to you if you’re at least age 60, as well as to your spouse of any age and any disabled person living with you.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the nutrition programs operated by Seniors First or to enroll in the Meals on Wheels program call (530) 878-5718.
Auburn Senior Center
What You Should Know
The Auburn Senior Center is a self-supported organization that has helped seniors enrich their quality of life and support their independence for the past 40 years. You can access a wide range of programs and services at the Center, including legal aid, an interfaith food pantry, tech support, transportation, activities designed to improve your wellness, free tax advice and free healthcare counseling. Membership costs $25 a year for an individual and $40 a year for a couple and it provides you with a discount for any classes that require a fee.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re at least 50 years old and reside in Placer, Nevada or El Dorado counties, you’re eligible to join the Auburn Senior Center.
How to Get Started
For more information about the Auburn Senior Center, and its activities and services, call (530) 823-8172. If you’d like to book a 20-minute session with the Senior Legal Clinic, call (530) 823-7560.
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) Waiver
What You Should Know
The MSSP waiver covers a variety of services that can help you age in place at home, including personal care assistance, transportation to medical appointments, minor home repairs, money management, translation services if needed, respite care for family members. It can also provide you with a personal emergency response system/communication device.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the program you must be eligible for Medi-Cal, at least 65 years old, at risk of placement in a nursing facility and require assistance with at least three ADLs, such as bathing, taking medication and eating.
How to Get Started
Any family member can refer you to the program by calling (916) 374-7739. After you’ve been referred, you’ll then be screened for eligibility and the assigned case manager will contact you to schedule an enrollment home visit.