In-Home Services

In-Home Services are services that are designed to keep seniors safe in their home.  Tasks may include basic domestic chores such as vacuuming, dusting, laundry, meal preparation and clean up; personal care which may include tasks such as assistance with bathing, dressing, ambulation, medications; and paramedical tasks such as wound care.  

There are a variety of public and private agencies that offer different levels of In-Home and/or Home Health services.  In-home assistance can be costly when you pay privately.  Insurance may cover short-term Home Health.  Elderly or disabled individuals with limited assets and income may be eligible for ‘no cost’ Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services.  Veterans may be eligible for a special pension to help pay for in-home assistance and there are also a few programs that offer some limited in-home assistance for the elderly.

The options for In-Home Assistance are described below.

  1. Private pay: Can range from $16 - $30/hour, often with 3-4 hours minimum per visit.

    Note: Medicare often covers short-term home health for skilled nursing or therapy. Some insurances cover in-home assistance as caregiver respite for a live-in family caregiver. Check with your health insurance to see if it will cover some or all of the costs.

  2. In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

    For older frail or disabled persons who are Medi-Cal eligible, are limited in their ability to care for themselves and cannot live safely at home without help. In-Home Supportive Services provides a wide range of assistance to meet your individual needs and assure that you can live safely at home. Services may include housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, laundry and personal care. Who provides the services? You may hire a relative or a friend, or find someone new to you. Adult Services can also assist you in finding a provider through Link2Care, the Public Authority

    To apply for In-Home Supportive Services call (209) 558-2637

    If you appear to be eligible, they will schedule a social worker to go out to your home to discuss what help you may need and determine what costs, if any, you may have to pay for the services. The social worker usually conducts a needs assessment on the initial home visit.

  3. Homemaker Program (Catholic Charities) Offers 2 hours of assistance with light housekeeping once every 2 weeks, to frail elderly aged 60 or older who live alone.

    There is no fee for the service but donations are encouraged. Limited availability;

    there is often a waiting list for services. For more information call: (209) 529-3784

    Note: Catholic Charities also offer a fee based service “Senior Options” with 2 hour minimum.

  4. Respite time (Family Caregiver Support Program)

    The Respite program is for non-paid family caregivers of a senior 60 or older, or Alzheimer's patient of any age. Care receiver must require assistance with some daily activities to qualify. The Respite program provides a maximum of 30 hours annually of paid in-home assistance from contracted private in-home health agency, so the caregiver can have a break from their caregiving responsibilities. For more information call the Senior Information Line and ask about the Family Caregiver Support Program (209) 558-8698

  5. Veterans Benefits

    Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the “aid and attendance” of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment for their care.

    How to Apply: Call or go to your local Veterans Service Office (VSO) for free assistance in filing your claim. You may also apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the VA regional office where you filed a claim for pension benefits. If the regional office of jurisdiction is not known, you may file the request with any VA regional office.

    Stanislaus County Veterans Service Office (209) 558-7380