Costa Mesa is an established coastal city that’s culturally rich and has been thoughtfully developed to optimize the beautiful landscape. Interstate 405 passes its eastern border, making it easier for your loved ones to visit from anywhere in Greater Los Angeles; the John Wayne Airport, just to the south, cuts the journey time for those further afield. The 2020 Census found that 11.9% of Costa Mesa’s almost 112,000 residents are seniors, and the bureau’s Population Division projects that Orange County’s 60+ population will increase by 151.03% by 2060.
Located just a mile inland, Costa Mesa has a mild climate. The hotter days are tempered by coastal breezes, and temperatures only infrequently fall below 48 degrees in January. The city has plenty of beautiful parks in which to relax, picnic or simply watch the world go by with loved ones. Orange County operates two programs to help reduce property taxes for its older residents, while its Senior Mobility Program provides low-cost door-to-door transportation. Excellent health care adds to the city’s appeal for seniors. Its four hospitals are well-respected and supplemented by many world-class facilities in the surrounding area. These factors, and more, boost Costa Mesa’s reputation as a city that’s good for seniors.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average fee for home care and home health care in Costa Mesa is $5,911 per month. However, you shouldn’t assume that the costs for both services are always aligned. Many factors affect the fees charged by agencies, especially the medical services administered by home health care providers.
Genworth bases its figures on seniors getting 44 hours of care every week. Your fees may be higher or lower depending on the hours and type of care you require. Regardless of which of the two services you use, you should expect agencies in Costa Mesa to charge in the region of $31 per hour.
Costa Mesa’s fees of $5,911 for both services compare favorably with California’s median of $6,101. The national averages of $4,957 (home care) and $5,148 (home health care) are lower, but California’s high cost of living may affect local fees. Bakersfield’s costs of $5,506 for both services make it the most affordable nearby city, while San Diego is the costliest at $6,387 (home care) and $6,473 (home health care). Oxnard is more affordable than Costa Mesa for home care ($5,815) but costlier for home health care ($6,054).
The most affordable senior care option in Costa Mesa is adult day care, which averages $1,652 per month. Assisted living is costlier because it includes accommodation. These facilities typically charge $5,250. Home care and home health care agencies charge more at $5,911, but their services are one-on-one, and the latter option involves medical care, which assisted living doesn’t provide. Nursing home care is the most expensive choice with a standard semiprivate room costing around $9,125 per month.
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 Costa Mesa, CA.
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels Orange County delivers freshly prepared meals throughout Costa Mesa. The program’s volunteer drivers deliver three meals per day, five days a week. They also conduct wellness checks on seniors during the delivery and will contact the appropriate service if medical assistance is needed. A typical delivery includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, with combinations of meat, vegetables, sauces and a dessert. There are also drinks, which are usually milk and fruit juices. To help with costs, seniors are encouraged to donate $5.25 per delivery although no one is denied a meal due to their inability to pay.
Who Is Eligible?
The service is for homebound Orange County residents aged 60 and older who would otherwise struggle to get fresh meals daily. This is typically due to a short- or long-term illness, a disability or frailty caused by the aging process.
How to Get Started
To apply for home-delivered meals, you can either call the service at (714) 220-0224 or complete the online application form.
What You Should Know
The Department of Community Services and Development’s Weatherization Assistance Program pays to repair and rehabilitate homes that consume more energy than they need to. Its purpose is to make homes safer and more energy efficient to reduce the chances of accidents in the home while potentially reducing the occupants’ utility costs. The service is entirely free for qualifying homeowners and renters. The type of work carried out is varied and may include sealing sources of air leakage/intrusion, repairing or replacing windows and water heaters, venting attics and installing energy-saving LED lights. In some cases, the program can cover the cost of installing refrigerators and kitchen appliances.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance, you must reside in Orange County and have an income not exceeding the limit set for your household’s size. You will need to provide evidence that supports your eligibility claim, which must include a photo ID, Social Security card, utility bill (or rent statement) and proof of income.
How to Get Started
To apply for a free home assessment that will kick-start the application process, you should call the Community Action Partnership of Orange County at (714) 839-6199.
What You Should Know
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded support service for citizens whose energy costs consume a significant portion of their income. The program can provide a one-time financial payment directly to the applicant’s energy supplier to cover some of their current bill. The program’s beneficiaries will receive education regarding energy efficiency opportunities in the home, including the correct use of installed equipment.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for the program, the applicant must reside on the property and be a homeowner or renter. They must also have an income at or below the maximum income level for their household’s size.
How to Get Started
If you don’t already have an account with Central Coast Energy Services Inc., you’ll need to create one. Once registered, complete and submit the online application form to request assistance.
What You Should Know
The Emergency Crisis Intervention Program provides speedy assistance to vulnerable homeowners and renters whose HVAC systems have developed faults that prevent them from working effectively. It will cover the cost of repairing or replacing heating or cooling equipment, depending on the season, in emergency cases only. It won’t cover these costs for HVAC equipment that’s simply inefficient. The program can also help households who have received a 24- or 48-hour disconnection or termination notice from their utility provider.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include adults aged 60+ and people with disabilities, as well as household members of any age with medical conditions that are adversely affected by high or low temperatures. The applicant must reside on the property and provide evidence that their income precludes them from covering these costs without assistance.
How to Get Started
If you need emergency assistance, you can apply online or call the Community Action Partnership of Orange County at (714) 897-6670.
What You Should Know
The Caregiver Resource Center OC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting family caregivers in Orange County. Its family consultants can develop a personalized needs assessment for caregivers that typically includes self-care techniques to reduce stress and registers them with appropriate support groups in Costa Mesa or neighboring cities. It coordinates counseling sessions to address crucial concerns and provides advice from elder law attorneys on various subjects, including how Medi-Cal can support long-term care costs. The program also offers a temporary respite service to give caregivers some time away from their duties to recuperate and catch up on neglected personal needs. Services are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Who is Eligible?
The Caregiver Resource Center OC assists unpaid family caregivers who are caring for loved ones who reside in Orange County.
How to Get Started
To apply for support and information, caregivers should email the center or call (800) 543-8312.