Home Care in Santa Monica, CA

With an average of 281 sunny days each year, warm, comfortable temperatures and incredible outdoor spaces, it’s easy to see why many Santa Monica residents choose to remain here throughout their retirement years. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 17.8% of the city’s population of 90,401, and by 2060, the number of seniors in Los Angeles County is projected to rise by 171.30%.

Santa Monica’s iconic 3.5 mile sandy beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. There are a number of public transit stops at the beach, making it easy for seniors to visit the century-old Santa Monica Pier, home to multiple restaurants, outdoor concerts and the Heal the Bay Aquarium.

If you enjoy live entertainment, you’ll find plenty of unique shows at the Miles Playhouse and Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, while the annual Montana Avenue Holiday Walk offers a great way to enjoy festive sights and sounds. There are also four year-round farmers markets in the city where you can shop for fresh, local produce.

You can expect to pay about $5,434 per month for 44 hours of weekly home care in Santa Monica. Home health care, which adds some limited medical services, costs an average of $5,529 per month.

If you’re like many seniors, you may not need 44 hours of support each week in order to remain safe and independent. In that case, you can estimate your home care costs by multiplying the average hourly rate of $28.50 for home care, or $29 for home health care, by the number of hours of support you require each week or month.

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

At $5,434, the average monthly cost of home care in Santa Monica is below the state average of $5,529, while home health care rates in the city match the statewide average of $5,529. In San Diego, seniors pay about $5,716 for either type of in-home care, and in Oxnard, rates for both home care and home health care run about $5,339 per month. Santa Maria seniors pay the highest prices in the region at $6,101 for either service.

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.

WISE Diner Program

What You Should Know
The WISE Diner Program provides healthy, low-cost hot congregate lunches to seniors aged 60 and older at three sites throughout Santa Monica. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and meal sites open at 10:30 a.m. to encourage socialization among diners. Boxed cold lunches are also served every Saturday at the Ken Edwards Center.

Seniors who need extra nutritional support beyond the daily weekday meal served through the Diner Program can ask to be referred to a local food pantry.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a Santa Monica senior aged 60 or older, you’re welcome to join the WISE Diner Program. Those with the financial means to contribute toward their meal costs are encouraged to do so, but payment is voluntary. Seniors who reside outside Santa Monica are charged a $5 fee per meal.

How to Get Started
To reserve a hot lunch through the WISE Diner Program, call the WISE Adult Day Service Center at (310) 394-9871, ext. 220 to locate your nearest lunch site.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

What You Should Know
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free legal information, advice and representation to low-income people who need help with noncriminal legal matters. LAFLA also operates five self-help legal access centers that are open to anyone, regardless of their income.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a low-income senior who needs legal support to deal with a noncriminal matter, such as estate planning and guardianship, family law, housing, immigration or government benefits, you may qualify for free legal services through LAFLA.

How to Get Started
The Santa Monica LAFLA community office, which includes a self-help legal access center and domestic violence clinic, is located in the Santa Monica Courthouse. To book an appointment with LAFLA, call (800) 399-4529.

Mobility On Demand Every Day Program

What You Should Know
Mobility On-Demand Every Day, better known as MODE, is the city-sponsored, shared-ride service for adults aged 65 and older and people living with qualifying disabilities. Riders can use MODE for curb-to-curb transportation for up to 30 one-way trips per month to destinations throughout Santa Monica, including medical centers, shopping areas and private homes. Low-income seniors pay a discounted fare of $0.75, while all other riders pay the full fare of $1.50, and attendants and companions travel for free.

MODE rides are available in a Lyft rideshare vehicle, which is typically a passenger car, SUV or van, as well as in wheelchair vans. Riders who use a mobility device, such as a wheelchair or power scooter, need to reserve their ride up to six days in advance, while Lyft rideshare service is available on an on-demand basis.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a Santa Monica senior aged 65 and older, you’re eligible to use the MODE service regardless of your income. You may also qualify as a MODE rider if you’re under the age of 65 and have a permanent disability that limits your ability to use the regular fixed-route public bus service.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the MODE program, call (310) 394-9871 to register for a MODE orientation session.

Voice For The Animals Foundation

What You Should Know
Voice For The Animals Foundation is a registered charitable foundation dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of companion animals. VFTA’s Helping Friends program helps elderly, disabled, terminally ill and low-income pet owners care for their animals by assisting with emergency and preventative vet care costs, pet food and other animal-related expenses.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re struggling to support your furry friend due to limited financial resources, you may be eligible for assistance through the Helping Friends program. You may also want to contact VFTA if you need temporary boarding or foster care for your pet because you’re ill, scheduled for surgery or otherwise unable to care for your animal.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the Helping Friends program, call (310) 392-5153.

WISE & Healthy Aging

What You Should Know
WISE & Healthy Aging is a Santa Monica-based nonprofit agency that offers a wide range of services and programs to help keep seniors active, healthy and independent. Programs include an adult day service center, case management, peer counseling, transportation and support for older caregivers. The agency also operates a number of escorted day and multiday tours geared toward seniors.

Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for each WISE program varies, but in general, most programs are open to anyone living in Santa Monica who’s aged 60 or older. Some programs, such as the trips, are funded through participant fees, while other programs are fully funded by city, state and federal government agencies as well as private and corporate donations.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the services offered through WISE & Healthy Aging, call (310) 394-9871.