Trusting a caregiver to come into your home can be one of the biggest barriers to getting the support you need. That was the position Bernardo found himself in. Living with a terminal illness, he needed help with everyday activities, but the idea of relying on someone he didn’t know didn’t feel comfortable.
His wife, Josafina, had been his primary caregiver for years. But as her own mobility challenges increased, caring for Bernardo became more difficult and put them both at greater risk of falls and hospitalization. The family knew they needed help.
When they learned that Bernardo could choose a caregiver he already knew and trusted through 24 Hour Home Care’s Community Supports program, they found a solution that felt right for everyone.
When Everyday Life Became More Difficult
Bernardo’s illness makes it difficult for him to breathe. He relies on oxygen and tires easily throughout the day. Even simple tasks that many people take for granted can be exhausting.
“I can’t do anything anymore,” Bernardo says.
At the same time, Josafina was experiencing mobility challenges of her own. As both of their needs increased, helping one another became more difficult and sometimes unsafe.
“It got to the point where they couldn’t help each other out. It was both a safety issue and a health issue.” —Martha, Bernardo’s Daughter
Martha and her brother Marco knew their parents needed additional support at home. They wanted someone who could help with personal care, household tasks, and day-to-day needs while allowing their parents to remain together in the home they loved.
The challenge was convincing Bernardo to accept help. “When we talked about having to have someone here for him, he was totally against it,” says Marco. Then the family learned about Community Supports and the opportunity to choose a caregiver he already knew.
“When we were able to tell him that it was going to be somebody that he knew, had a relationship with, he really perked up and got really happy about the opportunity.” — Marco, Bernardo’s son
Choosing a Caregiver He Already Trusted
Martha and Marco first learned about Community Supports when their mother’s social worker introduced them to 24 Hour Home Care. Through the program, Bernardo could choose a caregiver he already knew and trusted rather than receiving care from someone unfamiliar.
That caregiver was Maria. “I met Josafina and Don Bernardo years ago when I worked for them,” Maria says. “Life went on, and I thank God for putting me in the right place at the right time.” When the opportunity came to support the family again, she didn’t hesitate.
“I truly see them as family. They’re like the mother and father I never had.” — Maria, caregiver
For Bernardo, having someone familiar in the home made all the difference. Care didn’t start with introductions or building trust. It started with a relationship that already existed.
Care, Culture, and Connection
Today, Maria helps Bernardo with many of the daily activities that have become more difficult because of his illness. She provides support with personal care, meal preparation, medication reminders, and other household tasks that help him remain comfortable and safe at home.
Just as importantly, she provides companionship. Because Bernardo and Maria both grew up in Mexico, they share a language, culture, and experiences that bring comfort to everyday life. They speak Spanish together, share stories, and enjoy familiar foods that remind Bernardo of home. She prepares favorite dishes like chilaquiles and quelites, foods that bring back memories and create moments of joy. “Bringing back childhood memories for my parents and having that same culture through food—it’s a win-win,” says Martha.
“My dad gets worried and stressed when he feels like he can’t breathe. Maria’s tone is very soothing and calming.” — Martha, Bernardo’s daughter
For Bernardo, the support Maria provides goes beyond caregiving. It’s the comfort of being understood by someone he trusts.
About Community Supports
One of the unique features of 24 Hour Home Care’s Community Supports program is the Agency With Choice model. Rather than being assigned an unfamiliar caregiver, eligible Medi-Cal members can choose someone they already know and trust, such as a family member, friend, neighbor, or other trusted person in their community.
For Bernardo, that meant receiving care from Maria, someone who already knew him, understood his culture, and felt like family long before care began.
Community Supports provides Personal Care & Homemaker and Respite services to eligible Medi-Cal members at no cost. These services help members remain safe and independent at home while providing additional support for families.
Services may include:
- Personal care (bathing, grooming, and dressing)
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Supervision and companionship
- Light housekeeping
Community Supports can help bridge gaps in care for individuals awaiting IHSS approval or those who need additional support beyond their existing services.
Learn more about Bernardo and his family’s experience with Community Supports by watching their story.
