LOS ANGELES CAREGIVER RESOURCE GUIDE LOS ANGELES 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 LOS ANGELES 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.

“Was it worth it, letting mom stay at home? Absolutely. This was our gift to her and she greatly appreciated it, more than she could ever say.” —Jill from

3 AARP LOS ANGELES CAREGIVER GUIDE 1-800-510-2020 | 1-888-202-4248 may include housecleaning, meal General reference line: 211 preparations, laundry, grocery http://css.lacounty.gov shopping, personal care services, and accompaniment to medical appointments. Los Angeles City 2707 S. Grand Avenue Department of Aging Los Angeles, CA 90007 Designs and manages resources 1-888-944-IHSS (4477) for older adults and persons with or 213-744-3300 disabilities and caregivers. This http://dpss.lacounty.gov/ county agency can provide an dpss/ihss/default.cfm overview of aging and caregiver services in the City of Los Angeles. Temporary Address: Transportation Services: 350 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 4502 Access Services Los Angeles, CA 90071 Reasonably priced van & taxi 213-482-7252 | 1-800-510-2020 services for the disabled for most General Reference Line: 211 of LA County. 1-800-827-0829 The Alzheimer’s Association TDD 1-800-827-1359 General Transportation hotline: 511 Enhances care and support for all http://accessla.org/home those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Support groups, resources, information and more. Kinship Care Services LOS ANGELES 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1100 For families raising relative COUNTY RESOURCES Los Angeles 90036 children, such as grandparents 1-800-272-3900 raising grandchildren. Following are local resources that www.alz.org/socal can help to make caregiving easier. 1-888-MY-GRAND (694-7263) Some provide helpful information http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/ and others offer direct services Los Angeles Caregiver kinshippublic/default.html such as help in the home, adult day Support Center care, social services and support Provides support and services to groups. individuals with brain-impairing chronic conditions and their OTHER CITY & Area Agency on Aging families. Includes caregiver COUNTY RESOURCES supports, respite care. for Los Angeles County Many of the organizations in Community and Senior Services 3715 McClintock Avenue your area can help provide you Designs and manages resources Los Angeles, CA 90089-019 with the big picture of what is for older adults and persons with 213-821-7777 or 1-800-540-4442 going on in the community. These disabilities and caregivers. This http://fcscgero.org organizations can refer you to county agency can provide an local organizations that provide In-Home Supportive Services overview of aging and caregiver resources and services in your (IHSS) services in the county. local community. Home Care Services for low- 3175 West 6th Street income individuals who are Los Angeles, CA 90020 disabled, blind or elderly. Services

4 AARP LOS ANGELES CAREGIVER GUIDE Adult Protective Services— www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/ Long-Term Care Ombudsman— Los Angeles County Community Low+Income/care.htm WISE Senior Services & Senior Services Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing Provides education about and Los Angeles County Legal investigates allegations of elder homes, board and care homes Services: Bet Tzedek abuse and neglect. Forms of and assisted living facilities. (House of Justice) abuse include physical, sexual Ombudsmen provide information abuse, financial exploitation and Provides free, comprehensive about how to find a facility and emotional and verbal abuse. legal services for low-income what to do to get quality care. individuals and families in Los They are trained to resolve 3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400 Angeles. problems and can assist you with Los Angeles, CA 90010 complaints. 24-hour Hotline: 1-877-477-3646 3250 Wilshire Blvd., 13th Floor http://css.lacounty.gov/ Los Angeles CA 90010 http://wiseandhealthyaging.org/ programs/adult-protective- 323-939-0506 city-and-county-of-los-angeles-long- services-aps www.bettzedek.org term-care-ombudsman

Area Agency on Aging for Los Legal Advice: California Senior Housing Assistance Advocates for Nursing Angeles County Community There are many types of housing Home Reform (CANHR) and Senior Services for seniors; some are quite costly Designs and manages resources Offers free or low-cost legal and others are based on the for older adults and persons services for older adults. Provides senior’s income. Senior home with disabilities and caregivers. legal advice, information and modification and repair programs This state agency can provide an assistance with non-criminal also are available. overview of aging and caregiver problems. services in the state. 650 Harrison St, 2nd Floor Los Angeles County 3175 West 6th Street San Francisco, CA 94107 Housing Resource Center 415-974-5171 Los Angeles, CA 90020 Created to help people list and www.canhr.org 1-800-510-2020 or 1-888-202-4248 find affordable, special-needs, http://css.lacounty.gov/ accessible, and emergency housing programs/area-agency-on-aging

Covered CA The health marketplace helps guide Americans as they shop and compare health plans available in the state. 1-800-300-1506 http://www.coveredca.com

California Alternative Rates for Energy (C.A.R.E.) Provides financial assistance for residents who are unable to pay utility bills. Weatherization resources also may be available.

5 AARP LOS ANGELES CAREGIVER GUIDE within the County of Los Angeles. agency can help with obtaining NATIONAL RESOURCES This web-based service, supported benefits, filing claims and by a toll-free call center, provides understanding health care options. The national resources below information for the general public provide valuable information and Center for Healthcare Rights as well as for housing professionals can connect you to programs and 520 S. Lafayette Park Pl., Suite 214 seeking vital resources for their services in your state and local Los Angeles, CA 90057 clients. community. 213-383-4519 1-877-428-8844 http://housing. www.cahealthadvocates.org/ Alzheimer’s Association lacounty.gov/index.html HICAP/losangeles.html Information and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease Mercy Housing California Local Medi-Cal Office and their caregivers. Operates a 1500 South Grand Ave., Suite 100 Medi-Cal is a joint federal and 24/7 helpline and care navigator Los Angeles, CA 90015 state health care program for tools. 213-743-5820 people with low income and www.alz.org | 1-800-272-3900 www.mercyhousing.org/california limited resources insufficient to @mercyhousing pay for health care. Through the www.facebook.com/mercyhousing Medicaid Waiver program, older Alzheimers.gov adults who are eligible for nursing A free federal information resource home payments can receive about Alzheimer’s disease and Health Insurance Counseling medical and support services that related dementias. and Advocacy Program (HICAP) enable them to continue living at www.alzheimers.gov Provides one-on-one counseling home. Waiver services prevent or and assistance to people with delay nursing home admission. and their families. The Call for the office nearest you: ARCH Respite Network 1-866-613-3777 (From within The ARCH National Respite Los Angeles County) Network includes the National http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/ Respite Locator, a service to help maps/maps.cfm?program=medical caregivers and professionals locate respite services in their community. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)— www.archrespite.org CalFresh in California SNAP, or CalFresh, formerly known Caregiver Action Network as Food Stamps, provides monthly Information, educational nutritional assistance to people materials, and support for family who have low income and limited caregivers. assets to pay for food. SNAP also provides nutritional education. www.caregiveraction.org Call for the office nearest you: 1-866-613-3777 (From within Eldercare Locator Los Angeles County) A public service of the U.S. http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/ Administration on Aging that maps/maps.cfm?program=medical connects caregivers to local

6 AARP LOS ANGELES CAREGIVER GUIDE services and resources for Social Security Administration Advance Directive Forms older adults. Information on retirement and Free, downloadable state-specific www.eldercare.gov disability benefits, including how advance directive forms and 1-800-677-1116 to sign up for Social Security. instructions. www.ssa.gov | 1-800-772-1213 www.aarp.org/advancedirectives Family Caregiver Alliance Tools and resources for family Veterans Administration AARP Caregiving App caregivers, including the Family Provides supports and services for Helps you manage your to-do list, Care Navigator, a state-by-state list families caring for veterans. Connects calendar of appointments and of services and assistance. caregivers with local caregiver support scheduling. supports programs for veterans. www.caregiver.org You can download it at 1-800-445-8106 www.caregiver.va.gov www.aarp.org/caregivingapp 855-260-3274

Medicare AARP Rx App Provides information about the Helps you manage your loved Medicare program and how to AARP RESOURCES one’s medications. You can also find Medicare plans and providers. use it to help manage your own Caregivers will also find a tool FOR CAREGIVERS medications. on the website to compare home health care agencies and nursing AARP Caregiving Resource Center You can download it at www.aarp.org/rxapp homes. One-stop shop for tips, tools and www.medicare.gov resources to use while caring for a 1-800-633-4227 loved one. I Heart Caregivers www.aarp.org/caregiving An initiative to recognize family National Academy of For Spanish visit caregivers by providing them a Elder Law Attorneys www.aarp.org/cuidar place to share their stories and learn how they can help improve A professional association of caregiver support in their state. attorneys who specialize in legal AARP Caregiving Support Line services for older adults and people www.aarp.org/iheartcaregivers Connects you directly with an with special needs. Find a database information specialist who can of elder law attorneys by state. talk with you about services Living Longer, Living Smarter www.naela.org and support available in your An educational series that helps community. caregivers and older adults create a The National Clearinghouse for 1-877-333-5885 plan for their future. Long-Term Care Information For Spanish call 1-888-971-2013 www.aarp.org/decide Monday-Friday, Information and tools to help plan 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., EST for future long-term care needs. AARP Benefits Quick Link www.longtermcare.gov Find public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK tools. www.aarp.org/quicklink

7 AARP LOS ANGELES CAREGIVER GUIDE AARP California 200 S. Los Robles Ave., Suite 400 Pasadena, CA 91101 1-866-448-3614 | aarp.org/losangeles facebook.com/aarpcalifornia twitter.com/AARPCA