Home Care in Orange, CA

Miles of beautiful beaches, sunny skies and pleasant weather year-round make Orange a prime option for your retirement years. This city has about 140,000 residents and a senior community that makes up over 12% of the population, which promotes access to community-based services and age-friendly social and recreational activities. Although it’s among the more expensive places to live in California, health care is very affordable, which may benefit those managing chronic conditions. Year-round high temperatures range from 69 to 87 degrees, and the air quality is very good, which encourages an outdoor lifestyle for residents.

Orange is a vibrant city with unique cultural amenities and a picturesque downtown district with a wide selection of shops, restaurants and places of interest that celebrate the region’s people and history. With access to so many amenities, it’s not surprising that seniors in Orange prefer to continue living in their homes and staying connected to their community.

Orange is a moderately expensive city for home-based care compared to the rest of the nation, with residents paying approximately $5,434 per month for services. Home health care also includes limited skilled nursing services and is a little pricier at $5,529 per month. By comparison, seniors in California pay $5,529 for both levels of care, whereas nationally, agencies charge $4,481 for home care and $4,576 for home health care.

The average costs for in-home services are based on 44 hours of care per week at a rate of $28.50 per hour for home care and $29 for home health care. Your monthly cost may be higher or lower depending on how much care you need and whether you obtain free or low-cost community-based services.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Home-based care in Orange is expensive compared to the nation as a whole, coming in at $5,434 for home care and $5,529 for home health care, but these rates are fairly economical compared to other cities in California. In the San Diego area, seniors pay $5,716 for both types of care, and in Sacramento, both levels of care cost $5,863. The San Jose area is among the most expensive in the state at $6,197 per month for home care and $6,292 for home health care. In Oxnard, rates are more affordable at $5,339 for either care option.

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.

OC Office on Aging

What You Should Know
The OC Office on Aging is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Orange and the surrounding region. This office administers a wide range of programs to promote older adults’ independence and quality of life. Through the agency, you can obtain home-delivered or congregate meals, transportation services, adult day health services, case management and in-home care. The agency also contracts with the Southern California Council on Aging, which offers health insurance options counseling. This program has trained volunteers who can help you understand your Medicare or Medicaid benefits and identify options for covering the cost of home care services.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services through the Office on Aging, you must be at least 60 years old and reside within Orange County. Individual programs may have additional qualification criteria such as Medicare or Medicaid eligibility or functional need requirements.

How to Get Started
You can learn more about the local AAA or talk to an information specialist to arrange services by calling the agency’s main line at (800) 510-2020.

Meals on Wheels of Orange County

What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels of Orange County provides fresh, home-delivered meals to qualifying individuals in Orange. It operates several programs, including Senior Cuisine Delivered, which delivers restaurant-quality meals from participating restaurants and caterers, and Lunch Café, which provides congregate meals at multiple sites throughout the Orange region. The agency operates several adult day health centers where you can enjoy noontime meals, participate in social and recreational activities and obtain health and wellness services. It also has a Friendly Visitor program that’s operated primarily by screened volunteers who provide welfare checks and companionship. This service is available at no cost, and all volunteers go through an application process that includes a background check to ensure safe, high-quality service.

Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels if you’re at least 60 years old and unable to cook for yourself. The Friendly Visitor program is available to those who are housebound, and adult day services are open to those with physical or mental impairments.

How to Get Started
You can get more information about Meals on Wheels of Orange County and its programs by calling the main office at (714) 220-0224.

OC Veterans Service Office

What You Should Know
The OC Veterans Service Office assists veterans in Orange with obtaining benefits earned through their military service. At this location, you can meet with an officer who can help you determine whether you qualify for programs that may help cover home-based care, such as Aid and Attendance or veterans’ or survivors’ pension benefits. The office can also help you connect with services and programs in the community, such as service-based clubs, transportation, home-delivered meals and emergency financial assistance.

Who Is Eligible?
If you served in the U.S. military, you may be eligible for services through the VSO. Some programs, such as pension benefits and Aid and Attendance, have additional eligibility requirements.

How to Get Started
For more information on available services and how to apply, you can contact the office by emailing questions to [email protected] or calling (833) 704-0959.

Caregiver Resource Center OC

What You Should Know
The Caregiver Resource Center is a nonprofit agency that provides individualized support and information for caregivers in Orange. This agency is the only one in the county that’s oriented around the needs of caregivers, offering family consultations, in-home assessments, counseling, care planning, education and referrals for services in the community. The agency facilitates weekly support groups in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, and it sends out newsletters to help you keep track of activities in the community. It also provides respite planning and referrals to help unpaid caregivers take breaks from their duties.

Who Is Eligible?
Services are available to unpaid caregivers in Orange and the surrounding region.

How to Get Started
To get assistance through this agency, you can call the office at (714) 446-5030.

Orange Senior Center

What You Should Know
The Orange Senior Center is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of programs and services to older adults in the local area. Among its offerings are educational workshops, health screenings, fitness and wellness programs, computer training and travel opportunities. It serves hot, nutritionally balanced congregate meals, and it provides homebound health services to older adults who are unable to visit the center in person. The center also provides case management services and can help you obtain free legal advice and assistance, home-delivered meals, in-home assessments and health insurance options counseling. The center is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Who Is Eligible?
Membership to the senior center is open to Orange residents aged 50 and over.

How to Get Started
You can find out more information about the senior center’s activities and services by calling (714) 538-9633.