At home
Your parent is still at home, but the day-to-day is no longer working.
Most families pass through this phase before any placement decision. The right moves here can defer the facility decision by years and protect the savings that pay for it later if it ever becomes necessary.
Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-30 · Reviewed by the CCC Editorial Team
If any of these sound familiar, this guide is for you.
- ·Your parent is forgetting medications, missing meals, or not following up on doctor visits.
- ·You have been driving over more often and it is not sustainable.
- ·A caregiver has been coming a few hours a week and it is no longer enough.
- ·Something happened (a fall, a hospital visit, a near-miss) and the conversation changed.
The realistic options.
Option 01
IHSS, if Medi-Cal-eligible.
IHSS pays for personal care, household help, and (with Protective Supervision) cognitive supervision at home. Family members can be paid. The 2024 asset-limit elimination means many more families qualify than realize it. This is almost always the first call.
Option 02
Home modifications through CalAIM Environmental Accessibility Adaptations.
If your parent has Medi-Cal Managed Care, the plan may pay for grab bars, ramps, stair lifts, bathroom modifications, and other adaptations under the CalAIM Community Supports benefit. Availability varies by county and plan.
Option 03
Private home care, if the budget supports it.
Licensed Home Care Organizations in California must register with CDSS and meet defined standards. Use only licensed agencies. Verify the license at CDSS. Ask about caregiver turnover, backup coverage, and supervision. We can match LA County families to vetted partners.
Option 04
A geriatric care manager (Aging Life Care Manager) for the family that lives out of state.
If you live out of state and are managing remotely, a credentialed geriatric care manager can do regular in-home visits, attend medical appointments, and coordinate the system. Hourly rates vary. Worth it for many out-of-state families.
What to check this week.
- Apply for Medi-Cal if not already enrolled.
- If Medi-Cal-enrolled, call the plan and ask about IHSS application + Environmental Accessibility Adaptations.
- Schedule a geriatrician evaluation if one has not happened recently. A documented assessment matters for everything else.
- Verify any home-care agency's CDSS Home Care Organization license before hiring.
- Set up the household for safety: stove auto-shutoff, locked medication storage, fall alarms, door alarms if cognitive risk is present.
Sources
- 01California Health Advocates · In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) · accessed 2026-05-30
- 02California Department of Aging · Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) · accessed 2026-05-30
- 03California Department of Aging · Caregiver Resource Centers · accessed 2026-05-30