Personal Care & Homemaker Services
Everyday help from someone you know
and trust
Personal Care and Homemaker Services cover 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.
How your caregiver can help
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 Services work with medical care
Personal Care & Homemaker Services are non-medical support designed to work alongside—not replace—any medical care.
These services do not include:
- Administering medications, including inhalers, insulin, or EpiPens
- Performing wound care or applying dressings
- Operating medical equipment such as IV lines, ventilators, oxygen, or catheters
- Monitoring clinical vitals such as blood pressure or temperature
- Providing physical, respiratory, or other therapeutic services
- Performing heavy housekeeping, yard work, or deep cleaning
- Lifting or transfering over 50 lbs.
- Caring for members with Grand Mal seizures
FAQs
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
Are these services the same as IHSS?
IHSS and Community Supports (which these services fall under) 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 for which the member is also authorized.
Can caregivers provide transportion?
No. Caregivers with 24 Hour Home Care cannot provide transportation or use their vehicle to run errands. The service is strictly for in-home care.
Can caregivers assist with administering medication?
No. Caregivers can remind members to take their medication, but they cannot distribute it.
Resources
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.
