Elder Care Options in San Diego

Elder care becomes a necessity when an older individual grows mentally or physically incapable of caring for themselves. The level of care needed varies from one person to another. Many seniors are capable of living independently with some assistance; this assistance is most often related to day-to-day tasks including hygiene, housekeeping, and running errands. For others with medical needs or progressive memory loss, assisted living isn't enough. When looking at elder care options in San Diego, it is best to take into consideration both short-term and long-term needs.

When it comes to elder care, the term "short-term" means a couple of different things. First of all it can refer to providing care for immediate needs you know will worsen. An example of this would be individuals diagnosed with the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's. However, most often, short-term care refers to care provided for a small amount of time. This includes adult day care, respite care, and hiring professionals who come in for a predetermined amount of hours to free up family caregivers.

The fact is that 3 out of 5 people will need long-term care. This includes not only the care itself but resource planning to provide for that care. Those who don't have a plan can be financially devastated, draining personal savings and placing untold stress on family members.

With the growing senior population in southern California, elder care options in San Diego are numerous. Tools and resources are available to help find elder care options in San Diego, but first it helps to understand some of the terminology.

• Residential Care Home (RCFE): Usually licensed single family homes. Allowed to assist with medications, bathing and dressing.
• Assisted living: This can be assistance provided by a professional who comes into the home to provide supportive services or can be a combination of housing and assistance designed to meet specific needs of the resident.
• Skilled nursing facilities (Nursing Home): Licensed facilities that provide assisted living along with health care services.
• Home health care: Companies who provide professionals who come into the home to provide non-medical assistance. This includes help with day-to-day tasks including dressing, bathing, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation.
• Memory care: Provides specialized care for residents who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's, or other degenerative memory disorders. Memory care can be provided through residential care, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.

Since more than half of us will need long-term care, make a plan for your future. Talk with a financial planner to find out what you need to do to protect and preserve your assets. Investigate government care support programs, and look into various living arrangements so you are aware of choices and can make an informed decision as to which is the right choice for you. Also talk with family. Lack of communication can lead to family disputes and disagreements. Avoid the added stress by keeping the lines of communication open.

• California Department of Aging’s Alzheimer Day Care Resource Center Program

• California Department of Aging’s Linkages Program
• Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
• In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
• Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
• Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Since more than half of us will need long-term care, make a plan for your future. Talk with a financial planner to find out what you need to do to protect and preserve your assets. Investigate government care support programs, and look into various living arrangements so you can are aware of choices and can make an informed decision as to which is the right choice for you. Also talk with family. Lack of communication can lead to family disputes and disagreements. Avoid the added stress by keeping the lines of communication open.