Home Care in Torrance, CA

Torrance is a coastal community in southern California that stretches from RAT Beach in the south to the 405 freeway in the north. The city has a population of 147,000, and 17% of these people are aged 65 and older, which is 2.2% higher than the average senior density in California. Torrance seniors benefit from Los Angeles County’s membership in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

Warm weather, beaches and an abundance of sunshine make Torrance an appealing location for active older adults. The city’s park system includes sports facilities, walking trails, nature preserves, community gardens and bicycle paths. The area also features numerous indoor recreation, such as museums, theaters, cinemas, fine dining and historic landmarks.

Torrance seniors have access to high-quality medical facilities, including Torrance Memorial Medical Center, which is considered high performing in geriatrics. In addition, the city has numerous home care options, giving you peace of mind if you’re a senior or a loved one of an older adult in Torrance.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2020, the average cost of in-home care in Torrance is $5,434 per month. This average is based on 44 hours of caregiving per week, so you may need to pay more or less depending on the amount of service you or a family member requires. To help calculate this expense, Genworth’s survey also includes an hourly figure, which is $28.50 for Torrance. This hourly rate may be affected by the type of duties carried out by the agency.

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

The average cost of home health care in Torrance is $5,529 per month, which matches the averages for both in-home care and home health care in California as a whole. Overall, California is more expensive to live in than most other parts of the country, which explains why home care costs in Torrance are about $1,000 more per month than the United States medians. In San Diego, the average price for both home care and home health care is $5,716 per month. Costs are slightly lower inland in Riverside, where the monthly average for both types of home care is $5,053. The Oxnard area has similar costs as the Los Angeles area at $5,339 for home care and home health care.

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.

Bartlett Senior Center

What You Should Know?
The Bartlett Senior Center is an extensive facility on Cravens Avenue that includes a full cafe with a diverse menu, billiards room and many community spaces. The center is a popular spot for bingo, educational classes, computer training, movie screenings and crafting workshops. There is a small fee for some programs, but many activities are free. The center also hosts a variety of online activities for seniors who don’t want or are unable to leave their homes. The Commission of Aging for the City of Torrance meets at the Bartlett Senior Center regularly.

Who Is Eligible?
All older adults aged 50 and older are welcome to visit the Bartlett Senior Center for activities as long as they fill out a participant waiver for City of Torrance services.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs at the Bartlett Senior Center, or to make reservations at the Bartlett Cafe, seniors can call (310)320-5918.

Torrance – Lomita Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know?
Housebound seniors in Torrance who are unable to obtain their own meals, or have meals brought to them by family or caregivers, can sign up for deliveries with Torrance – Lomita Meals on Wheels. Volunteers make deliveries of hot and nutritious lunches and cold dinners, which are designed to be reheated, to homes Monday through Friday. Since drivers are already visiting homes, they are able to provide general wellness checkups as well. The charge for these deliveries is $7 a day, and two meals are provided each day. Torrance – Lomita Meals on Wheels delivers about 50,000 meals every year.

Who Is Eligible?
The only eligibility requirement for Torrance – Lomita Meals on Wheels is to be housebound, within the geographic area served, and unable to otherwise obtain meals or cook. There are no age requirements.

How to Get Started
To sign up for deliveries, anyone can call (310) 542-3434. There may be a waitlist in certain delivery areas.

Utility User’s Tax Exemption

What You Should Know
Seniors responsible for paying utility bills for their Torrance home can get a complete exemption from city utility taxes by signing up for this program. The current tax rate is 6.0% for water and 6.5% for all other utilities, so this provides significant savings. The Utility User’s Tax Exemption lasts for 2 years but can be extended an additional two years by resubmitting an application.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for this program, the applicant must reside in the residence where the exemption will apply, and the resident must be aged 62 years or older. The resident’s household must also not have a yearly income of more than $30,150. Proof of age and income is required.

How to Get Started
Seniors and families who have questions about this program can contact the city by calling the City of Torrance Revenue Division at (310) 618-5830. Applications for the program are available online.

Home Improvement Program

What You Should Know
The city of Torrance runs the Home Improvement Program (HIP) to help seniors age in place gracefully within their own homes. HIP workers offer light plumbing, painting and other minor repairs, such as broken window replacement and trash removal. For seniors with mobility challenges, HIP can help install wheelchair ramps, staircase handrails and grab bars. This program can not help with major roof repairs, hazardous waste removal, interior painting and concrete work.

Who Is Eligible?
Unless disabled, applicants must be aged 50 or older to qualify for HIP. They must also have an income limit of $41,400 per year for a household of one. This is based on guidelines provided by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD). Priority is given to emergency situations, safety issues and homes with disabled residents.

How to Get Started
To get work done on a property, homeowners need to fill out and submit the HIP application. Seniors and families can call (310) 618-2930 for more information about the Home Improvement Program.

Bet Tzedek Legal Services

What You Should Know
Bet Tzedek provides free legal services for low-income seniors in Torrance and throughout Los Angeles County. Either in person or remotely, pro bono attorneys can help seniors with estate planning, guardianship, public benefits, housing protection, conservatorships and elder abuse prevention. Legal professionals are available to provide information, advocate for rights and even offer representation in court when necessary. They also host clinics at locations throughout Los Angeles County. Bet Tzedek assists more than 90,000 people per year, many of whom are seniors, with legal services that make lives better.

Who Is Eligible?
Any senior in Hawthorne who is unable to afford legal services can contact Bet Tzedek to request legal assistance or visit one of its clinics.

How to Get Started
Seniors in Torrance who are seeking legal assistance can call (323) 939-0506 to reach Bet Tzedek’s legal professionals.