https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast California Care Compass is the editorial podcast for California families navigating senior care for the first time. Each episode is a starter guide to one piece of the California system. What Medi-Cal is. What Medicare covers. What IHSS does. What CBAS, ALW, RCFE actually mean. Sourced from California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department of Aging (CDA), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public records. Companion cost dataset: californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026. en-us © 2026 California Care Compass Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:14:44 GMT Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT California Care Compass California Care Compass Editorial Team California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass daniel@californiacarecompass.com false episodic California Care Compass Editorial Team California Care Compass is the editorial podcast for California families navigating senior care for the first time. Each episode is a starter guide to one piece of the California system. What Medi-Cal is. What Medicare covers. What IHSS does. What CBAS, ALW, RCFE actually mean. Sourced from California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department of Aging (CDA), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public records. Companion cost dataset: californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026. no https://inkqzvqlndkpjayrxutu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/ccc-podcast/podcast-cover-3000-v3.jpg https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast no https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep10-when-parent-cant-live-alone
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep10-when-parent-cant-live-alone

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> When your parent can no longer live alone, the first step is to assess their needs, looking at their ability to perform Activities of Daily Living like bathing and dressing. California offers several paths for care. In-Home Supportive Services, or IHSS, can provide a paid caregiv California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 10 ccc-ep10-ep10-when-parent-cant-live-alone-2026-07-12 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep09-when-dementia-comes-home
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep09-when-dementia-comes-home

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> If your parent has been diagnosed with dementia in California, there are immediate steps to take. First, address legal planning by completing an Advance Health Care Directive for medical decisions and a Durable Power of Attorney for finances while your parent still has legal capa California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 9 ccc-ep09-ep09-when-dementia-comes-home-2026-07-05 Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep08-parent-leaving-hospital
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep08-parent-leaving-hospital

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> Navigating a parent's hospital discharge in California can feel overwhelming. The process is federally regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure patient safety. As a family member, you are a key part of the planning team and have the right to advocate California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 8 ccc-ep08-ep08-parent-leaving-hospital-2026-07-01 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep07-calaim-plain-language
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep07-calaim-plain-language

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> CalAIM is California's new approach to Medi-Cal, designed to help people with complex health needs. It adds two main types of support. First, Enhanced Care Management provides a dedicated care manager to coordinate doctor appointments, manage medications, and connect you to servi California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 7 ccc-ep07-ep07-calaim-plain-language-2026-06-29 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep06-assisted-living-waiver-california-families
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep06-assisted-living-waiver-california-families

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> The Assisted Living Waiver is a Medi-Cal program in California, administered by the California Department of Health Care Services and authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that pays for care in licensed assisted living settings for people who would otherwi California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 6 ccc-ep06-ep06-assisted-living-waiver-california-families-2026-06-17 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep05-cbas-medi-cal-day-program
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep05-cbas-medi-cal-day-program

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> Community Based Adult Services, known as CBAS, is a Medi-Cal benefit that pays for licensed adult day health care in California. It is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services and federally approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CBAS California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 5 ccc-ep05-ep05-cbas-medi-cal-day-program-2026-06-16 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep04-ihss-help-at-home
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep04-ihss-help-at-home

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> In Home Supportive Services, known as IHSS, is a California program that pays a caregiver to help an older adult or person with disabilities with daily tasks at home, including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and safe mobility. It is run by the California Department of Socia California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 4 ccc-ep04-ep04-ihss-help-at-home-2026-06-03 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep03-medicare-and-medi-cal-together
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep03-medicare-and-medi-cal-together

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> Medicare and Medi-Cal are two different programs that together cover most healthcare needs for low-income California seniors. Medicare is federal insurance for people 65 and older, run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 3 ccc-ep03-ep03-medicare-and-medi-cal-together-2026-05-31 Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep02-medicare-california-where-families-start
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep02-medicare-california-where-families-start

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> California Care Compass podcast Ep 2: Medicare in California: Where Families Start. Parts A, B, C, and D, Medigap versus Medicare Advantage, the California enrollment timeline, and the questions families wish they had asked before the first birthday-month deadline. California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:45:00 false full 2 ccc-ep02-ep02-medicare-california-where-families-start-2026-05-30 Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep01-what-is-medi-cal
Read the full episode page: https://californiacarecompass.com/podcast/ep01-what-is-medi-cal

Companion cost dataset: https://californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026]]> An editorial starter guide for California families who have never had to navigate Medi-Cal before. What Medi-Cal is, who it covers, what it pays for, how it is different from Medicare, the managed-care reality, and how to apply. Sourced from California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department of Aging (CDA), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Companion cost dataset: californiacarecompass.com/data/california-cost-of-care-2026. California 101 for families navigating Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, CBAS, ALW, and senior care California Care Compass Editorial Team 00:44:23 false full 1 ccc-ep01-what-is-medi-cal-2026-05-30 Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT