I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Riverside, CA
Known as the City of Arts & Innovation, Riverside is an inland community in Southern California with diverse geography and a warm climate. Of the more than 330,000 people that live here, 10.7% are aged 65 and older. While this percentage is low compared to the state and national averages, Riverside County’s senior population is expected to grow by more than 248% in the next few decades.
Riverside is located close to a large metropolitan area and also features beautiful beaches, towering mountains and sprawling deserts, providing locals with access to an abundance of recreational activities. As of 2021, the area was home to 93 golf courses, nine public parks, 10 malls and 15 movie theaters. Affordable transportation to Los Angeles, San Diego and Long Beach broaden entertainment opportunities significantly.
In 2019, Riverside was ranked the #1 city to relocate to in California. In addition to great recreation, seniors are attracted to the area for its relative affordability. The overall cost of living in Riverside is 17.8% lower than the national average, and the city is significantly less expensive than many nearby communities, including Irvine, Yorba Linda, Chino Hills and San Dimas.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Riverside, CA
According to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey for 2020, the average monthly cost for both home care and home health care in Riverside is $5,053. This figure is based on a 44-hour caregiver workweek, so some seniors may need to pay more, and others will pay less. The final cost will also depend on the home’s location and the exact services required. Families in Riverside can calculate an estimate for their needs based on an hourly rate of $26.50.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
The average cost of home care in Riverside is in the middle of the pack compared to other cities in southern California. The coastal cities are quite a bit more expensive. San Diego has an average cost of $5,716 per month for both types of home care. In Los Angeles, the average price for home care is $5,434 per month, and the average cost of home health care is $5,529 per month. To the southeast beyond the Salton Sea, the city of El Centro has an average home care cost of $4,195 per month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care is a relatively expensive option for seniors in Riverside compared to other types of senior care. The average monthly cost for home care and home health care is $5,053. Some older adults who live at home thrive with adult day care services, which cost an average of $1,907 per month. Seniors who choose to leave their homes and move into an assisted living facility will pay an average of $3,900 per month, while those requiring a higher level of care can expect to pay $7,756 per month for nursing home care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Riverside, 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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA
Family Caregiver Support
What You Should Know
Offered by the Riverside County Office on Aging and local ADRC, the Family Caregiver Support program helps family caregivers to improve their caregiving skills and properly carry out their duties. It accomplishes this by coordinating community services, providing training and hosting support groups. Workshops are available to help family members balance their caregiving responsibilities with other activities in their life. Educational courses give families information about everything from dementia care to caregiver burnout. If requested, a social worker can perform an in-home assessment to determine what caregiving resources may be helpful to a family.
Who Is Eligible?
Any family with an elderly person aged 60 and over in need is eligible for this program. There is no income requirement.
How to Get Started
Families can sign up for the program or learn more by calling (877) 932-4100, or by using the contact form on the Riverside Aging website.
Riverside Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels provides food security for thousands of seniors in Riverside who are unable to obtain or prepare their own food. It delivers fresh, nutritious meals directly to seniors who live at home on their own. Menus are designed to meet the nutritional requirements of recipients, accounting for factors such as salt intake, sugar, lactose intolerance, allergies and other dietary requirements. During deliveries, volunteers check on the safety of residents and provide companionship for seniors who would otherwise be isolated. Deliveries of dog and cat food are also available. This local Meals on Wheels program has depended on the help of volunteers since 1972.
Who Is Eligible?
There are no income or age restrictions to participate in the Meals on Wheels program. Deliveries can begin immediately with no waitlist.
How to Get Started
Applications for Meals on Wheels in Riverside are available online. Seniors, or concerned parties, can also apply or get more information by calling (951) 683-7151.
Community Access Center
What You Should Know
Community Access Center is a non-profit independent living center that helps seniors and disabled residents of Riverside access the services and supports they need to continue living in their own homes. One of its primary initiatives is to connect seniors with assistive technology that makes living at home independently safer and easier. It helps clients obtain lifts, wheelchairs, grab bars, hearing devices, motion sensors, reachers and other medical devices. With the senior low vision program, adults at home can improve their communication and daily living skills as well as learn to advocate for their own interests.
Who Is Eligible?
Any senior with a disability, including vision loss, can ask for help from the Community Access Center. All services are free to Riverside County residents.
How to Get Started
Seniors and families can contact the Community Access Center by calling (800) 776-5746.
City of Riverside Special Transportation
What You Should Know
If you don’t have your own means of transportation in Riverside, you can use the city’s special transportation program to get to medical appointments and other destinations throughout the area. This service is provided by Riverside Connect, which provides more direct routes based on the needs of its passengers ADA Priority Service, which allows for a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) at no extra cost, is available for seniors who are certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Trips range in price from $2 to $3. Seniors who are able to ride fixed routes on RTA buses can get a discount of 50% or more on passes and fares.
Who Is Eligible?
Special transportation is available to Riverside residents who are disabled or aged 60 and older. Trips are only available within the city limits.
How to Get Started
Seniors can call (951) 687-8080 to schedule a ride two to seven days in advance. Confirm whether or not you will be traveling with companions or any mobility devices.
Riverside Housing Rehabilitation Program
What You Should Know
If you want to stay at home but there are safety or accessibility problems with your property, the Riverside Housing Rehabilitation Program may be able to provide funds for repairs. Rehabilitation loans provide up to $40,000 loans with zero interest and 30-year deferred payments. Single Family Grants of up to $5,000 are available to seniors who occupy their homes and require health and safety improvements as well as corrections to code violations. Seniors who live in mobile homes may qualify for a $10,000 grant.
Who Is Eligible?
Riverside Home Rehabilitation Program is available to those who earn less than 80% of the county’s median income. This income requirement rises when there are additional members of the household, such as a live-in family caregiver.
How to Get Started
Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, Inc. manages the housing rehabilitation program. Their contact number is (909) 988-5979.