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The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in San Diego, CA for 2024

San Diego has long been a popular retirement destination for its fantastic year-round weather, lower than average health care costs and relatively low crime rate. Out of 482 municipalities, it ranked 36th on Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report for providing a great senior environment. It’s home to the extensive UC San Diego Health system and nationally ranked Sharp Memorial Hospital, making it an excellent location for seniors aging in place at home. According to Genworth’s 2022 Cost of Care Survey, San Diego’s average home care cost is $6,387, which is significantly higher than the national average but typical of California. Home care differs from home health care because it doesn’t include skilled nursing services.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the San Diego area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

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Home Care Agencies in San Diego, CA

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Paying for Home Care in San Diego, CA

The Cost of Home Care in San Diego, CA

San Diego’s average home care cost is over $1,400 more per month than the national average, but it’s less than $300 higher than California’s $6,101 average. Its average is also much higher than El Centro’s $3,432, but it’s nearly $300 less per month than Santa Maria’s average cost. Further north in San Luis Obispo, averages rise to $7,150, more than $750 higher than San Diego’s.

San Diego

$6,387

California

$6,101

United States

$4,481

El Centro

$3,432

Los Angeles

$5,911

Santa Maria

$6,673

San Luis Obispo

$7,150

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in San Diego, CA

Adult day health care is the lowest-cost senior care option in San Diego at $2,058, about a third the cost of home care. However, it provides limited services in nonresidential settings. Assisted living is also lower at $5,475 but requires seniors to move to residential communities. Nursing home care is the highest-cost option at $9,384, but also requires a move and better suits seniors with extensive health-related needs. Home care covers personal caregiving but doesn’t include medical services provided by registered nurses or therapists like home health care. Home care costs slightly more at $6,473 compared to $6,387.

Home Care

$6,387

Home Health Care

$6,473

Adult Day Health

$2,058

Assisted Living

$5,475

Nursing Home Care (semi-private room)

$9,384

Financial Assistance for Home Care in San Diego, CA

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

  • Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
  • Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
  • Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
  • Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in San Diego, CA

San Diego seniors wishing to age in place at home often need additional services and supports to do so safely. Several nonprofit and governmental programs help aging adults by assisting with rising utility costs, making homes safer or more energy efficient and delivering nutritious food at no or low cost to those who qualify.

ResourceContactService
Meals on Wheel San Diego(619) 260-6110Meals on Wheels San Diego delivers meals to seniors aged 60 or older, veterans of any age and caregivers of current clients. Participants may choose one or two meals seven days a week, with Sunday meals delivered on Saturdays. It also delivers on holidays and provides free pet food.
Rebuilding Together San Diego(619) 231-7873RTSD provides home repair and maintenance at no cost to low-income seniors and disabled persons through its year-round “Safe at Home” program. It primarily performs minor repairs and safety and energy efficiency modifications. Applicants must own and live in their own single-family home and fall beneath income limits.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program(866) 675-6623LIHEAP helps low-income households pay their heating or cooling bills, including those that heat with wood, oil or propane. Eligibility is based on place of residence, income, household size and other factors. Preference is given to residents aged 60 or older, disabled persons and households with children.
Low-Income Weatherization Program(916) 576-7109California’s LIWP provides low-income households with free solar photovoltaic systems and energy efficiency upgrades. The program reduces greenhouse gases while saving seniors and other residents on their household energy costs. It also provides energy-efficient air conditioning and improved insulation to protect seniors from health impacts caused by high temperatures.
Property Tax Postponement(800) 952-5661The PTP program allows seniors who are disabled, blind or aged 62 or older to postpone their property taxes until they sell their home or pass away. To qualify, seniors must own and occupy the home, meet income limits, not have a reverse mortgage and have at least 40% equity. They must reapply each year.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

Download
Checklist for determining the need for home care
Checklist for determining the need for home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

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Talking with Family and Others about a loved one's needs
Talking with Family and Others about a loved one's needs

Frequently Asked Questions

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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