Personal Care & Homemaker Services
Everyday help from someone you know and trust.
Personal Care and Homemaker covers the everyday tasks that become harder with age or after a medical event — getting dressed, preparing meals, keeping a clean home, remembering medications.
With the right support in place, members can stay safely at home and out of a facility. And that support can come from someone you already know and trust; a family member, friend, or neighbor who becomes their caregiver.
What your caregiver can help with
Personal Care & Hygiene
Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and oral hygiene.
Meal Preparation
Cooking, grocery shopping, meal planning, and cleanup.
Light Housekeeping
Dishes, laundry, vacuuming, trash removal, and dusting.
Medication Reminders
On-time reminders, schedule tracking, and family alerts.
Supervision & Safety
Standby assistance, fall prevention, and daily monitoring.
Companionship & Socialization
Conversation, activities, and communication support.
How Personal Care & Homemaker works alongside medical care
Personal Care & Homemaker is non-medical support designed to work alongside, not replace, any medical care.
Here is what we can not assist with:
- Administer medications, including inhalers, insulin, or EpiPens
- Perform wound care or apply dressings
- Operate medical equipment such as IV lines, ventilators, oxygen, or catheters
- Monitor clinical vitals such as blood pressure or temperature
- Provide physical, respiratory, or other therapeutic services
- Perform heavy housekeeping, yard work, or deep cleaning
- Lifts or transfers over 50 lbs.
- Members with Grand Mal seizures
Frequently asked questions
Does my loved one qualify for Personal Care & Homemaker services?
Eligibility is based on your Medi-Cal managed plan. Your loved one may qualify if they are:
- Waiting on an IHSS decision
- Enrolled in IHSS but need additional hours
- Experiencing a change in medical condition during a reassessment period
- Not IHSS eligible but have a documented clinical need for short-term support
See Full Eligibility Requirements →
Is this the same as IHSS?
IHSS and Community Supports are separate programs, but they’re designed to work alongside each other. IHSS is administered by the county and funds a caregiver directly through the state. Community Supports is funded through the member’s Medi-Cal managed care plan and care is provided by 24 Hour Home Care. If your loved one already has IHSS, Community Supports can fill the gaps — additional care hours, support during a reassessment period, or caregiver respite.
Can I choose a family member as a caregiver?
Yes! Families can select someone they already know and trust, including a family member, close friend, or community member. The one exception is that the primary caregiver themselves cannot serve as the respite caregiver for their own relief hours.
Can we use Personal Care hours alongside Respite hours?
Yes. Personal Care and Homemaker hours and Respite Care hours are separate authorizations. They work together, not against each other. Eligible members can receive up to 336 hours of respite care per year in addition to their Personal Care hours. The only limit is that combined care from all services cannot exceed 24 hours in a single day.
How many hours are available?
Hours are authorized based on the member’s assessed needs and determined in coordination with their Medi-Cal managed care plan. These hours work alongside any Caregiver respite hours the member is also authorized for.
Can caregivers provide transportion?
Hours are authorized based on the member’s assessed needs and determined in coordination with their Medi-Cal managed care plan. These hours work alongside any Caregiver respite hours the member is also authorized for.
Can caregivers assist with administering medication?
Hours are authorized based on the member’s assessed needs and determined in coordination with their Medi-Cal managed care plan. These hours work alongside any Caregiver respite hours the member is also authorized for.
Recursos
Let’s Get the Right Support in Place
Getting started is simple. Whether you’re referring a member, checking eligibility, or looking for care for a loved one, we’re here to help