Caregiver
Resources
Here on our resources page we seek to provide information that may be pertinent to making your caregiving journey a little less stressful by providing links to resources that will provide an economic or productive support for you or your family member. This site will be constantly updated as respite care, hospice, home health, and family caregiver resource information becomes available.
In-Home Supportive Services (CA)
The IHSS Program will help pay for services so that low-income elderly citizens can remain safely in their own home. To be eligible, you must be over 65 years of age, or disabled, or blind. Disabled children are also potentially eligible for IHSS. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.
The types of services which can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired.
Most states have their own version of IHSS. You should be able to contact your local department of social services to find out if the program is offered and what the state's individual requirements would be to qualify.
IHSS in Los Angeles County is administered by the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). DPSS is responsible for determining the eligibility of potential IHSS consumers and takes applications for IHSS through the “IHSS Application Hotline,” which can be reached at 888-944-4477 or TTY: 800-735-2922. After the initial call, a county social worker will schedule an in-home interview with the potential IHSS recipient. Using information gathered during the in-home interview, DPSS will complete an assessment of the person’s needs and determine whether or not he/she qualifies to receive IHSS.
Official Website: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/In-Home-Supportive-Services
Medi-Cal (CA)
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. Medi-Cal is financed equally by the State and federal government.
Official Website: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx
LACRC - Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center
(CA)
The USC Family Caregiver Support Center (FCSC) at USC Davis School is the home of the LA Caregiver Resource Center. Since 1989, it has been in place to provide support across the continuum of caregiving. This includes diagnosis, prognosis, and services that help maintain the care recipient’s independence and abilities, as well as, helping caregivers care for themselves as they manage their own well-being.
Supportive services include information, assessment, individual consultations, education, and some training. Care navigators working through this organization are also able to pass along information for respite support based on the outreach they receive from various outside charities.
Official Website: https://www.fcscgero.org
Elder Abuse Resource and Guide Presented by LEVIN & PERCONTI
The Administration on Aging, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, defines elder abuse as "any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult."
If you would like a quick guide to information on elder abuse here is a link to a great guide on everything to know about nursing home abuse, including signs of it, how to prevent it, statistics, and a ton more. It is comprehensive and beneficial for caregivers and family members who support the elderly and disabled.