I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Petaluma, CA
Sporting scenic farmland and coastal views, Petaluma is a great retirement locale if you want a thriving restaurant scene complemented by wineries, distilleries and breweries. Petaluma has approximately 60,520 residents, of whom 17.6% are seniors 65 years of age or above. That percentage is expected to grow in the future. As part of its commitment to the needs of its older population, Petaluma is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
Petaluma has a variety of recreational offerings, including options for birding, fishing and hiking; dog-friendly parks are available, too. The Petaluma River sports miles of land and water to explore. You can visit spots such as the Achadinha Cheese Company for informative tours, and Petaluma’s historic and cultural attractions include the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum and the Petaluma Arts Center. Additionally, the city has multiple dedicated historic districts.
Numerous stores meet the needs of shoppers at the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets. The city’s Theatre District hosts seasonal concerts and farmers’ markets on top of many shopping options of its own. If you’re a golfer, you may enjoy the nine holes of the Petaluma Golf & Country Club; surrounding Sonoma County has lots of courses as well.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Petaluma, CA
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, the average senior pays a rate of $6,292 per month for either home care or home health care in Petaluma. In some areas, the additional medical aid provided by home health care results in a higher price.
The rate of $6,292 is based on an assumption of 44 hours of care per week, which breaks down to $33 an hour. If you need more or less time with a professional caregiver, you can expect to pay higher or lower rates accordingly.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Petaluma’s average home care and home health care costs are quite a bit higher than the corresponding statewide and nationwide figures. Petaluma’s rates are also slightly costlier than those of Santa Rosa and San Francisco, where you can expect to pay rates of around $6,101 for either home care or home health care. The pattern is different in the case of Vallejo, however. There, home care likewise costs $6,101, but home health care costs $6,673, meaning you would pay more for that service in Vallejo than in Petaluma.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Petaluma, the most affordable senior care type is adult day care, which has a typical rate of $2,546. Your next most affordable option is assisted living. At $6,250, it is slightly less expensive than home care and home health care, which costs $42 more per month. Nursing homes represent the costliest option, with an average rate of $10,646 for a semiprivate room.
Note: Data for Petaluma was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Napa, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Petaluma, 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 Petaluma, 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 Petaluma, CA
Area Agency on Aging
What You Should Know
The AAA is a point of contact between local service providers and the seniors they work with. You can use the AAA’s information line to speak with a social worker and gain referrals to organizations that offer public benefits as well as transportation- and meals-focused programs. The social workers can also set up daily check-in calls for older adults and dispense information on in-home support. Services are available in multiple languages.
Another offering from the AAA is the Senior Resource Guide. It contains a list of hundreds of local resources, broken down by service type.
Who Is Eligible?
Adults 60 years of age and older and their family members and caregivers may call the AAA’s information line. The line is also open to individuals with disabilities.
How to Get Started
The number for the information line is (707) 565-4636. You can also reach out for information by sending a message to [email protected]. Paper copies of the Senior Resource Guide are available in English and Spanish.
Council on Aging
What You Should Know
The COA is a nonprofit organization. Its Meals on Wheels program offers home-delivered food to clients who can’t shop or prepare meals on their own. Program drivers perform daily check-ins with their clients to ensure they’re well. Low-fat, heart-healthy meals with no added salt are the standard; options for vegetarian clients and seniors with diabetes are also available, and the program offers access to dietitian counseling for at-risk clients.
The COA’s other offerings include care coordination, through which professionals assess you or your loved one’s needs and provide recommendations. Respite and information and referral services are available as well. The organization also runs a peer support program that matches older adults with supervised senior volunteers. Additionally, the COA has a legal elder advocate, and the organization can provide financial services for certain clients.
Who Is Eligible?
The COA generally focuses its services on seniors 60 years of age and older, while its legal advocate serves elders 65 years of age and up. Additionally, the COA works with families and caregivers.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the COA’s offerings, you can call (707) 525-0143. You can also contact the organization at [email protected].
Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County
What You Should Know
Habitat for Humanity runs a program designed to keep the homes of seniors in good shape, allowing them to comfortably remain in familiar surroundings. Its volunteers and skilled construction workers tackle critical safety and energy-efficiency issues, rebuilding decks and stairs, repairing gutters and replacing window trim. Floor repairs are available as well; Habitat for Humanity’s workers can also install grab bars and hand railings for you.
Who Is Eligible?
Habitat for Humanity focuses its home repair program on older, low-income adults facing urgent home safety issues.
How to Get Started
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s capabilities, potential costs and eligibility requirements, you can email [email protected] or call (707) 578-7707. You can also complete the program’s interest form online.
In-Home Supportive Services
What You Should Know
Through IHSS, you may be able to receive help with tasks such as housecleaning, meal preparation, grocery shopping and laundry. IHSS workers can also go with seniors to doctors’ appointments and assist with personal care duties, including bathing, dressing and ambulation. Paramedical services are available in some situations, as is protective supervision.
IHSS can cover the fees of a care provider. You must select the provider on your own, but the IHSS Public Authority can offer assistance in that regard.
Who Is Eligible?
To enroll in IHSS, you must rent or own your home and require help from another person to live there in safety; Medi-Cal enrollment is also required, and Medi-Cal has its own requirements. As part of the IHSS enrollment process, you must complete a Health Care Certification form as well. A home assessment occurs before services begin. Eligibility for specific types of help is based on a client’s ability status and medical conditions.
How to Get Started
To learn more about IHSS, call (707) 565-5900. If you need help finding a care provider, you can reach the IHSS Public Authority by calling (707) 565-2852. IHSS applications are also available online.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
What You Should Know
HICAP is a one-on-one counseling initiative designed to make Medicare and related matters easier to understand. HICAP’s counselors provide information on long-term care insurance, prescription drug coverage, the Medicare signup process and Medicare’s various components. They can also help you with appeals and denials, and they make legal referrals when the situation calls for it. HICAP’s counselors are knowledgeable regarding Medi-Cal as well.
Who Is Eligible?
Medicare beneficiaries, people about to become eligible for Medicare, and their families may all make use of HICAP’s services.
How to Get Started
To reach HICAP’s general line, you call (1-800) 434-0222. Sonoma County’s local HICAP provider is Senior Advocacy Services, reachable at (707) 526-4108 or through [email protected].