CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER RESOURCE GUIDE

California CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER RESOURCE GUIDE

Caregiving may be one of the most important roles you will ever take on in your life. You may have become a caregiver suddenly or perhaps your role has evolved over time. No matter where you are in the continuum of caregiving—starting to plan, helping to coordinate a big move, or taking care of a family member in your home—having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.

With many organizations offering different types of help and services, it can be a challenge to sort out the specific type of help or services best suited for your needs. AARP developed this resource guide with you— the caregiver— in mind as a starting point to help you find the services and supports you need throughout your caregiving journey. We hope this resource guide can assist you in the following ways:

>> Help you get the type of assistance you need. This directory lists many government and nonprofit resources, which you can access both in-person and online.

>> Help you connect with others. You’ll discov- er, if you have not already, that you’re a part of a community of caregivers and caregiver supporters. You are truly not alone.

>> Help take care of yourself. This is vitally important but something that many caregiv- ers often overlook. The act of caregiving can take a physical and mental toll on the care- giver. So, it’s important that you make self- care a top priority.

2 AARP CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE Tips to Find Services and Supports Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you begin to look for resources and support.

Ask for help. Keep track of your conversations. Friends and family will often ask you if there Keep a notebook of who you talked to. Write is anything that they can do to help. Use your down names, phone numbers, and notes from network and ask others to help you look for each call. You never know when you will need resources and information in your area. the information down the road.

If possible, use the Internet. No one person or organization The Internet is an easy and quick way to get has all the answers. information. Because information can vary, it The person you get on the phone or the is important not to rely on one site alone. Also, website you visit may have expertise in certain make sure the sponsoring organization is a areas, but not in others. It is always smart reputable and reliable source of information. to be prepared with other resources and organizations that can help. Talk to a real person. Many phone numbers will lead to voicemail. Use your creativity. It’s important to leave a message, but don’t wait Create your own personal resource network. for someone to call you back. Keep in mind This could include contacting community- that some services have backlogs of calls to based agencies to find out what kinds of return. Keep calling back until you connect with support services are available in your area. someone who can help you. Usually a second Consider asking friends or other caregivers request receives prompt attention. what resources they found to be useful.

Write down your Many services are local. questions in advance. Services can vary widely from state to state Before you call, write down specific questions and region to region. Make sure you look for and try to be as concrete and detailed as resources that provide services where you live. possible.

“I am my parents’ caregiver 100% of the time. I am their medicine dispenser, cook, driver, entertainment and constant companion. It is a financial hardship.” —L. of Cerritos

3 AARP CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE USC Los Angeles Family Caregiver Support Center Provides support and services to LOS ANGELES individuals with brain-impairing COUNTY RESOURCES chronic conditions and their families. Includes caregiver Adult Protective Services — supports, respite care. Los Angeles County Community & Senior Services 3715 McClintock Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191 Provides education about and 213-821-7777 or 1-800-540-4442 investigates allegations of elder abuse and neglect. Forms of abuse include physical, sexual In-Home Supportive Services abuse, financial exploitation and (IHSS; Los Angeles Department emotional and verbal abuse. of Public Social Services) 3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400 Home Care Services for low- Los Angeles, CA 90010 income individuals who are 24-Hour Hotline: 1-877-477-3646 disabled, blind or elderly. Services may include house cleaning, meal http://css.lacounty.gov/ preparation, laundry, grocery programs/adult-protective- shopping, personal care services, services-aps/ and accompaniment to medical appointments. Area Agency on Aging for Los Offices are located throughout Los Angeles County Community Angeles County. Please ask for the and Senior Services office nearest you. Designs and manages resources ARTESIA AND 1-888-944-IHSS (4477) or for older adults and persons with 213-744-4477 disabilities and caregivers. This CERRITOS RESOURCES http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/ county agency can provide an Following are local resources that ihss/default.cfm overview of aging and caregiver can help to make caregiving easier. services in the county. Some provide helpful information 3175 West 6th Street and others offer direct services Transportation Services: Los Angeles, CA 90020 such as help in the home, adult day Access Los Angeles care, social services and support 1-800-510-2020 (Call from within Reasonably priced van & taxi groups. Los Angeles County) services for the disabled for most of L.A. County. 1-888-202-4248 General reference line: 211 Cerritos Senior Center To apply, contact 1-800-827-0829 http://css.lacounty.gov at Pat Nixon Park or (Hearing Impaired) TDD 1-800- • Recreation 827-1359 • Information and Referrals Covered California • Home Delivered Meals General Transportation hotline: 511 The health insurance marketplace • Congregate Meals http://accessla.org/home helps guide Californians as they 12340 South Street shop and compare health plans Cerritos, CA 90703 available in California. 562-916-8550 www.cerritos.us/RESIDENTS/ 1-800-300-1506 seniors/cerritos_senior_center.php http://www.coveredca.com

4 AARP CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE California Alternative 650 Harrison Street, 2nd Floor supported by a toll-free call Rates for Energy (C.A.R.E.) San Francisco, CA 94107 center, provides information for — Utilities Assistance 415-974-5171 the general public as well as for housing professionals seeking vital Provides financial assistance www.canhr.org resources for their clients. for residents who are unable to pay utility bills. Weatherization 1-877-428-8844 Long-Term Care Ombudsman resources also may be available. http://housing.lacounty.gov/ – WISE Senior Services To request an application form index.html Long-term care ombudsmen are and more information, please advocates for residents of nursing contact your utility company or homes, board and care homes Mercy Housing California check out their websites for more and assisted living facilities. 1500 South Grand Ave., Suite 100 information. Ombudsmen provide information Los Angeles, California 90015 about how to find a facility http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/ 213-743-5820 energy/Low+Income/care.htm and what to do to get quality care. They are trained to resolve https://www.mercyhousing.org/ problems and can assist you with california Los Angeles County Legal complaints. Services: Bet Tzedek 1527 Fourth Street (House of Justice) Health Insurance Counseling Santa Monica, CA 90401 and Advocacy Program (HICAP) Offers free or low-cost legal 1-800-334-WISE (9473) services for older adults. Provides Provides one-on-one counseling http://www.wiseandhealthyaging. legal advice, information and and assistance to people with assistance with non-criminal org/city-and-county-of-los-angeles- Medicare and their families. The problems. long-term-care-ombudsman agency can help with obtaining benefits, filing claims and 3250 Wilshire Blvd., 13th Floor understanding health care options. Los Angeles, CA 90010 Los Angeles County Center for Healthcare Rights 323-939-0506 Housing Resource Center 520 S. Lafayette Park Place www.bettzedek.org Housing.LACounty.gov, the Los Suite 214 Angeles County Housing Resource Los Angeles, CA 90057 Center, was created to help people California Advocates for Nursing list and find affordable, special- 213-383-4519 Home Reform (CANHR) needs, accessible, and emergency www.cahealthadvocates.org/ CANHR provides advice, housing within the County of Los HICAP/index.html counseling, technical assistance, Angeles. This web-based service, publications, and training in the areas of public benefits, and long-term care, including nursing homes, residential care, continuing care retirement communities, Medi–Cal, Medicare, elder abuse, fiduciary abuse, and other legal issues affecting low- income, disabled, and elderly California consumers. CANHR has established a statewide hotline for legal services staff and consumers: 1-800-474–1116 and websites with information on every nursing home and residential care/assisted living facility in California.

5 AARP CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE Local Medi-Cal Office Supplemental Nutrition ARCH Respite Network Norwalk Social Services Office Assistance Program (SNAP) The ARCH National Respite Medicaid is a joint federal and (apply through the local Network includes the National state health care program for Social Services Office) Respite Locator, a service to help people with low income and SNAP, formerly known as Food caregivers and professionals limited resources insufficient to Stamps, provides monthly locate respite services in their pay for health care. Through the nutritional assistance to people community. Medicaid Waiver program, older who have low income and limited www.archrespite.org adults who are eligible for nursing assets to pay for food. SNAP also home payments can receive provides nutritional education. medical and support services that 2727 Norwalk Blvd. Caregiver Action Network enable them to continue living at Norwalk, CA 90650 Information, educational home. Waiver services prevent or materials, and support for family delay nursing home admission. (must call from within caregivers. Los Angeles County) 2727 Norwalk Blvd. Participant Help Line www.caregiveraction.org Norwalk, CA 90650 626-569-1399 | 310-258-7400 (must call from within http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/ Los Angeles County) Eldercare Locator offices/default.cfm?orgid=452 Participant Help Line A public service of the U.S. 626-569-1399 | 310-258-7400 Administration on Aging that connects caregivers to local http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/ services and resources for offices/default.cfm?orgid=452 NATIONAL RESOURCES older adults. The national resources below www.eldercare.gov provide valuable information and 1-800-677-1116 can connect you to programs and services in your state and local community. Family Caregiver Alliance Tools and resources for family caregivers, including the Family Alzheimer’s Association Care Navigator, a state-by-state list Information and support for of services and assistance. people with Alzheimer’s disease www.caregiver.org and their caregivers. Operates a 1-800-445-8106 24/7 helpline and care navigator tools. www.alz.org | 1-800-272-3900 Medicare Provides information about the Medicare program and how to Alzheimers.gov find Medicare plans and providers. A free federal information resource Caregivers will also find a tool about Alzheimer’s disease and on the website to compare home related dementias. health care agencies and nursing www.alzheimers.gov homes. www.medicare.gov 1-800-633-4227

6 AARP CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys A professional association of AARP RESOURCES AARP Rx App attorneys who specialize in legal FOR CAREGIVERS Helps you manage your loved services for older adults and people one’s medications. You can also with special needs. Find a database AARP Caregiving Resource Center use it to help manage your own of elder law attorneys by state. medications. One-stop shop for tips, tools and www.naela.org resources to use while caring for a You can download it at loved one. www.aarp.org/rxapp The National Clearinghouse for www.aarp.org/caregiving Long-Term Care Information For Spanish visit I Heart Caregivers www.aarp.org/cuidar Information and tools to help plan An initiative to recognize family for future long-term care needs. caregivers by providing them a www.aging.gov AARP Caregiving Support Line place to share their stories and learn how they can help improve Connects you directly with an caregiver support in their state. information specialist who can Social Security Administration talk with you about services www.aarp.org/iheartcaregivers Information on retirement and and support available in your disability benefits, including how community. to sign up for Social Security. Living Longer, Living Smarter 1-877-333-5885 www.ssa.gov | 1-800-772-1213 An educational series that helps For Spanish call 1-888-971-2013 caregivers and older adults create a Monday-Friday, plan for their future. 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., EST Veterans Administration www.aarp.org/decide Provides supports and services for families caring for veterans. Connects Advance Directive Forms caregivers with local caregiver AARP Benefits Quick Link Free, downloadable state-specific supports programs for veterans. advance directive forms and Find public benefits that can www.caregiver.va.gov instructions. help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by 855-260-3274 www.aarp.org/advancedirectives using AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK tools. AARP Caregiving App www.aarp.org/quicklink Helps you manage your to-do list, calendar of appointments and support scheduling. You can download it at www.aarp.org/caregivingapp

7 AARP CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE 200 S. Los Robles Avenue, Suite 400 Pasadena, CA 91101-2422 1-866-448-3616 aarp.org/ca facebook.com/aarpcalifornia twitter.com/aarpca