Southern California isn’t just a beautiful place to live, it’s also a practical place for seniors to spend their golden years. In today’s market, you can get just about anything delivered to your door, whether it’s vital medications or groceries for the week. Who wouldn’t rather focus on enjoying the gorgeous California sunshine than constantly running errands?
This guide to senior living in Southern California is designed to help retirees take full advantage of all of the home-delivered goods and services in the area. It will cover how to obtain medications and healthcare equipment, who to contact for home modifications and installations, and discuss programs that bring household helpers and buddies to your home. We’ll conclude by offering a list of local senior centers.
Medication, Healthcare Equipment and Nutrition
Whether it’s your daily medication or medical equipment, it can be a hassle to ensure you’re always properly stocked on healthcare necessities. The following programs and companies offer home delivery services that address your well-being needs.
Shield HealthCare offers free home delivery of products for nutrition, incontinence, urological and ostomy care, diabetes, and wound and skin care. All products come in discreet packaging. Check out their catalogue online or call 1-800-765-8775.
PillPack is a fantastic program that not only delivers medication, it also organizes it for you! Your prescriptions will arrive in a convenient, recyclable dispenser that includes dosing directions and an image of each medication. Individual pill packs are organized by date and time for each dose. PillPack pharmacists handle refills themselves, and replenishments automatically arrive on your doorstep every two weeks via free shipping. Most major insurance is accepted (including most forms of Medicare part D) and the company checks for compatibility before transferring any medications. Visit their website or call 1-855-745-5725 to find out if this program is a good fit for you.
Home-Delivered Nutrition Services, a program of the Older Americans Act, authorizes meals and related nutrition services for homebound or isolated seniors, usually with declining health, ages 60 and up. Services are targeted to those with the greatest social and financial need, with special attention given to seniors in rural communities, those with limited English proficiency, and those at risk of institutional care.
Imperial County offers a meal home delivery service to the Brawley, Heber, Ocotillo, West Shores, Calexico, Holtville, Salton Sea, Calipatria, Imperial, Seeley, El Centro, Niland, and Westmorland communities. Participants must meet the requirements of the Older Americans Act and certain state and local laws. The meals provided assure at least one-third of current dietary reference intake and comply with dietary guidelines for America.
Meals on Wheels America is a national program aimed toward supporting seniors to live healthier, more nourished lives in their own homes. Hot meals are home-delivered daily, along with a brief staff visit to keep up social needs. Find a program in your area here.
Home Modifications, Installations and Repairs
If you’ve had a recent change in health status or a diagnosis that requires specific home modifications and installations, or if you simply need basic repairs, these resources may provide you the assistance you need.
Neighborhood Home Care offers a wide variety of services:
- home cleaning, including carpet cleaning, floor care, exterior power washing, and window cleaning
- landscaping and lawn services, including mowing, edging, weeding, raking leaves, gardening, fertilizing, tree trimming, and sprinkler system repairs
- light housekeeping
- laundry
- meal preparation
- visits from a licensed registered nurse
- incontinence care
- transportation assistance for errands, appointments, and shopping
- assistance maintaining personal relationships, attending community events and senior center activities
- pet care including feeding, exercising, and litter box cleaning
- assistance with mail management and bill paying
- providing personal supplies like disposable gloves, walkers, incontinence pads, bed pans, peri-wipes, bath seats, soaker pads, and blood pressure devices
- companionship that includes daily conversation, games, and reading.
For more information about the Orange County branch of this program, visit the website or call 714-533-6442. For details about the Inland Empire branch, visit online or call 951-278-8881.
The National Association of Home Builders’ Aging-in-Place service helps seniors find certified professionals to make home adjustments including:
- installation of bathroom grab bars
- adjusting countertop height
- creating first-floor bedrooms
- installation of private elevators.
These specialists have been trained in techniques for designing and building aesthetically pleasing, barrier-free living environments as well as the unique needs of the older adult population and senior home modifications. They are held to a strict code of ethics, and certification is maintained by attending continuing education programs and participating in community service. Look over their directory of certified professionals here.
Rebuilding Together is a national, non-profit organization providing housing and rebuilding services to those in need, including low-income seniors, veterans and military families, and people living with disabilities. Projects may include:
- critical home repairs
- accessibility modifications like ramp-building
- energy-efficient upgrades.
The organization has twenty branches across California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Bakersfield. Locate your local affiliate here.
Senior Buddy Programs
Even if you aren’t homebound, it can be tricky to stay social when living alone. These programs provide SoCal seniors with companionship and genuine friendship.
The LivHOME Comfrere Program pairs mature adults with seniors who have common interests and life experiences to create meaningful social interactions. It enables seniors to stay engaged and connected to others and their community while creating valuable friendships. You can find a location near you, or call 1-800-660-2273.
Home Instead Senior Care offers a wide range of companionship services, including:
- social companionship
- discussing current and historical events
- crafts
- playing cards and other games
- reading
- recording family history
- watching movies
- scrapbooking
- assisting with entertaining guests
- planning visits and outings
- arranging appointments and providing reminders for them
- organizing and helping maintain mail and bills
- supervising home maintenance and repairs
- light housework including laundry, dusting, and changing linens
- meal preparation
- shopping for groceries
- pet care
- medication reminders
- running errands
These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. All CAREGivers are screened, bonded, and insured employees; they are never independently contracted. If you think this might fit your needs and lifestyle, visit their webpage or call 1-800-640-3914.
Around the Clock Home Services is based out of Los Angeles County and operates under the ideal, “We will treat every contact as a friend, every client as family, and perform every task with honor.” Services include:
- meal preparation
- transportation
- homemaking
- medication reminders
- incontinence care
- laundry
For more information, call 1-888-576-7169.
Branching Out: Senior Centers in Southern California
If you are willing and able to leave your home to socialize, there are a multitude of senior centers and programs in SoCal that could be just the ticket.
The Front Porch Art Gallery Carlsbad Program features work by senior artists at all levels of experience and ability in San Diego County. Read up on the gallery here, or call 760-795-6120 with inquiries.
The Senior Citizen Rap Hip-Hop LA program is a unique experience where participants take a rap class, then perform in front of a live audience upon completion.
Los Angeles County has several senior centers, all of which offer a variety of social activities to accommodate all kinds of hobbies and interests.
The Salvation Army also has numerous community centers in Los Angeles County and Orange County that offer seniors the opportunity to connect with other SoCal locals.
The Golden State is a great place to spend your golden years. These resources make some of the less exciting, day-to-day activities easier to manage, so your retirement can feel like a vacation. After all, the less you have to worry about tasks like addressing home repairs, the more time you’ll have to put “life’s a beach” into practice!
If you’re thinking about moving to Southern California or want to sell your home so you can downsize, a Redfin real estate agent can help you find a home that will meet your needs. You can find real estate agents in Southern California online or by calling 1-877-973-3346.
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