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The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Santa Barbara County, CA for 2024

Santa Barbara County is home to nearly 450,000 people. Of its residents, 16% are aged 65 and over, which is a little lower than the national average but high compared to other California communities. The county’s cost of living is consistent with the state average, and while housing costs trend higher, affordable housing programs may help seniors live independently. The county promotes access to health care through outstanding facilities such as Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, which Newsweek ranked as one of the best hospitals in the world. Local home care rates average $5,506. This includes non-medical personal care services. For seniors who need skilled nursing services at home, home health care may be more appropriate.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Santa Barbara County 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 Santa Barbara County, CA

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Paying for Home Care in Santa Barbara County, CA

The Cost of Home Care in Santa Barbara County, CA

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Santa Barbara County pay approximately $5,506 monthly for in-home care. While this is about 10% higher than the national average, it’s 10% lower than the average Californian pays. Rates are modest compared to most surrounding cities, including San Luis Obispo, where fees are among the highest in the state at $7,150. In Santa Maria, the mean care cost is $6,673, and in Oxnard, rates average $5,815. In Visalia, in-home care costs are a couple hundred dollars lower than in Santa Barbara County at $5,339. 

Santa Barbara County

$5,506

California

$6,101

The United States

$4,957

Visalia

$5,339

San Luis Obispo

$7,150

Santa Maria

$6,673

Oxnard

$5,815

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Santa Barbara County, CA

Home care, which includes basic personal care and housekeeping services, costs $5,506. Home health care has the same monthly rate despite including specialized skilled nursing services such as medical monitoring and medication administration. Assisted living, which provides these services in a residential community setting, costs considerably less at $3,750, while nursing home care is pricier at $9,155.

Home Care

$5,506

Home Health Care

$5,506

Assisted Living Facility

$3,750

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$9,155

Note: Data for Santa Barbara County was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Bakersfield, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Santa Barbara County, 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 Santa Barbara County, CA

Along with arranging private-pay home care services, seniors in Santa Barbara County may obtain some services through local agencies and programs. The following table highlights top resources for seniors in the county, including the local veterans’ service office, the Community Action Partnership and Meals on Wheels, which may help qualified individuals obtain the affordable care they need to remain in their homes.

ResourceContactService
Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens(805) 925-9554This agency publishes information on the Family Caregiver Information Program along with the Santa Barbara County Senior Resource Directory, helping older adults find the assistance and services they need to live independently. It also distributes copies of the Hiring In Home Help Guide, which contains information on paid home care.
Partners in Care Foundation(818) 837-3799The Partners in Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that optimizes access to social services and health care. It offers the Care Coordination Toolbox, which can help seniors who want to transfer back home from a hospital or nursing facility. It also has several wellness programs, including fall prevention classes.
Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels(805) 683-1565Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that delivers freshly prepared meals to older adults in Santa Barbara County. Meal costs are subsidized, leaving participants with a small fee per meal, but consideration is given to those unable to pay for services.
Veterans' Services(805) 681-4500The county’s Veterans’ Services office helps older veterans determine eligibility and apply for the veterans’ home care program, as well as financial programs such as Aid and Attendance and the veterans’ and survivors’ pension. It can also provide referrals for community-based services such as meal deliveries, financial assistance and transportation.
CommUnify(800) 655-0617CommUnify is the designated Community Action program for the Santa Barbara County region. This nonprofit organization provides a broad range of services for older adults with limited incomes, including weatherizing services and a home energy assistance program, helping seniors maintain a safe and comfortable environment.

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 – often times 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 in-home care
Checklist for determining the need for in-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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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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