Home Care in California

The average starting cost of home care in California is $37 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in California are Senior Helpers of North Central Orange County, CA, All Heart Home Care or Golden Years In Home Senior Care - Roseville, CA. Home care gives older adults the opportunity to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving personalized support with daily activities and routines.

Across California, from major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose to smaller communities throughout the state, home care agencies offer a range of nonmedical services designed to help seniors maintain their independence. These services may include companionship, personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation assistance. Many families prioritize providers that offer dependable caregivers, flexible scheduling, and care plans that can adjust as their loved one’s needs evolve over time.

It’s also important to understand the distinction between home care and home health care. Home care focuses on nonmedical assistance with everyday tasks, while home health care provides clinical services delivered by licensed medical professionals. Although some organizations offer both types of support, A Place for Mom’s network features nonmedical home care providers. Through partnerships with 966 home care agencies across California, A Place for Mom helps families compare local options and find care that meets their loved one’s unique needs.

Home care in California typically costs $37 per hour, which is more than 10% higher than the national average of $32.^[01] However, rates can vary depending on where your loved one lives and the availability of caregivers in the area.

• Higher costs are common in more densely populated areas, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose
• Lower costs may be found in smaller cities and towns

Your monthly costs will depend on the number of care hours your loved one receives each week. The estimates below are based on California’s average hourly home care rate.

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $3,167 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $6,966 per month

Several factors can affect home care costs in California, including:

• Level of care (companionship vs. personal care)
• Specialized services (such as dementia care)
• Overnight care, weekend care, holidays
• 24-hour and live-in care needs
• Caregiver experience and certifications
• Location within the state

Families in California often use a mix of private funds and public benefits to pay for nonmedical home care. Common options may include personal savings, long-term care insurance, Medicaid programs, and other payment sources.

Private pay options

Families commonly use a mix of income sources, assets, and insurance policies to pay for care, including:

• Social Security benefits
• Savings, investments, or pensions
• Long-term care insurance
• Life insurance conversion
• Reverse mortgage

VA benefits

Eligible veterans may be able to use benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help cover home care expenses. For example, the Aid and Attendance benefit provides additional financial assistance to qualifying veterans who need support with daily living activities.^[02] Veterans enrolled in VA health care may also qualify for a variety of in-home services, including:^{[03,04,05,06]}

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
• Home-Based Primary Care
• Hospice Care
• Home Respite Care

You can learn more at VA.gov or through CalVet, California’s Department of Veteran Affairs.

California Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint program of the federal and state governments and is designed to support residents who have low incomes. Medi-Cal is the name of California’s state Medicaid program and may cover some personal and home care services, including but not limited to:

• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Homemaker services
• Home-delivered meals
• Personal emergency response systems
• Adult day care and respite care
• Help finding physicians and scheduling medical appointments
• Medication management

Key Medi-Cal programs that can help offset the cost of home care for eligible residents include:^{[07,08,09,10]}

• The state’s regular Medicaid plan for aged, blind, and disabled residents
• Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports
• In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
• Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

Eligibility for Medi-Cal is based on income, assets, and medical need. The state’s regular Medicaid plan and the IHSS program are entitlement programs, meaning any eligible resident will receive services. The ECM and Community Supports program is also an entitlement, although it’s limited to Medicaid recipients who receive their benefits through a managed care plan. The MSSP program isn’t an entitlement, so your loved one may be placed on a waiting list.

Medicare

Medicare covers certain home health care services, including skilled nursing care and therapy, when they are medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. However, Medicare generally doesn’t cover ongoing nonmedical home care services, such as assistance with bathing, grooming, eating, or mobility, unless those services are provided as part of a qualifying home health care plan.^[11]

California regulates both home health agencies and nonmedical home care providers to help protect consumers. These regulations ensure agencies meet standards for safety, training, and quality of care.

Does California require home care agencies to have a license?

Yes. In California, agencies must be licensed by the Home Care Services Branch of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).^[12]

Does California conduct inspections of home care agencies?

Yes. The CDSS conducts inspections, which may be announced or unannounced.^[13] These inspections help ensure agencies comply with state regulations and maintain quality standards.

How to check licensing and inspection reports for home care agencies in California

Use the CDSS’s Find a Facility tool to verify an agency’s license and review inspection reports. Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:^[14]

• Staff qualifications
• Safety protocols
• Care standards

Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.^[15]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in California?

California requires agencies to follow hiring and training practices, including:^[12,16]

• Criminal background screenings for caregivers
• Verification of qualifications and certifications
• Initial training and ongoing education requirements

These standards help ensure caregivers are qualified to provide safe, effective support.

Choosing a home care agency can feel overwhelming, but asking the right questions can help you make a confident decision. Consider the following tips as you compare providers:

• Verify licensing. Confirm that the agency is licensed to operate in California. A Place for Mom verifies the licensing status of agencies in its network twice each year, giving families added peace of mind.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for patterns in feedback related to caregiver dependability, communication, and quality of care.
• Ask about caregiver training. Find out what type of onboarding, supervision, and continuing education caregivers receive.
• Request detailed pricing information. Be sure to ask about hourly rates, minimum service requirements, and any additional charges for overnight, weekend, or holiday care.
• Confirm available services. Make sure the agency can provide the specific level of support your loved one needs now and in the future.
• Meet potential caregivers. A strong personality fit can help your loved one feel more comfortable and build trust with their caregiver.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency