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Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.4 million adults aged 65 and older. The resources available to support them are extensive. However, navigating the landscape of senior services can be overwhelming — programs come from federal, state, county, and nonprofit sources, with varying eligibility criteria and application processes.
This guide compiles the most important senior resources in Los Angeles County in one place. From Medicare home health and IHSS to nutrition programs, transportation, and legal aid — everything is here. HarvardCare at Home serves older adults throughout LA County and connects patients to these resources as part of every home health episode. Visit our home health care page to learn more.
Medicare Home Health Care: Your Most Valuable Benefit
Medicare is the most valuable healthcare resource available to LA County seniors 65 and older. Specifically, Medicare’s home health benefit covers skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and wound care in your home at $0 cost. To qualify, you must be homebound and require skilled medical services. This benefit is dramatically underutilized — many eligible seniors never access it simply because they don’t know it exists.
HarvardCare at Home is a Medicare-certified home health agency serving all of Los Angeles County. For a complete overview of what Medicare covers, read our guides on how to get home health care through Medicare and Medicare home health: what’s covered and how to qualify. For wound care specifically, visit our Medicare wound care in Los Angeles page.
IHSS — In-Home Supportive Services
IHSS is California’s most important program for seniors who need personal care beyond what Medicare provides. It is administered through LA County’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). Specifically, IHSS pays for non-medical in-home care for adults who are 65+, blind, or disabled and qualify for Medi-Cal. Services include housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping, personal care, accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for those with dementia.
Importantly, eligible recipients choose their own IHSS providers — including family members, who can be paid to provide care. The LA County IHSS provider wage is $18.50/hour. Additionally, recipients can receive up to 283 hours per month depending on assessed need. Furthermore, California eliminated Medi-Cal asset limits on January 1, 2024 — making more seniors eligible than ever before. Apply at dpss.lacounty.gov or call (866) 613-3777. For a detailed comparison of IHSS and Medicare home health, read our guide on IHSS vs home health care: what’s the difference.
LA County Department of Aging
The LA County Department of Aging coordinates a comprehensive network of services for older adults through 27 Area Agency on Aging service districts. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), caregiver support and respite programs, legal assistance, Medicare counseling (HICAP), transportation coordination, and case management. Contact the department at (800) 510-2020 or visit lacounty.gov/residents/seniors.
Additionally, the department operates senior centers throughout the county offering socialization, fitness programs, and educational classes. These resources are especially important for homebound seniors whose social isolation can accelerate cognitive and functional decline. In other words, the Department of Aging addresses both the medical and social dimensions of healthy aging.
211 LA — Your One-Stop Resource Directory
211 LA is the most comprehensive social services directory in Los Angeles County. Call 211 or visit 211la.org to access information on thousands of programs covering food assistance, housing, healthcare, transportation, employment, and financial assistance. Specifically, 211 LA is available 24/7 and has multilingual services covering the many languages spoken throughout LA County. It is often the fastest way to identify available services for a specific need in a specific neighborhood.
PACE Programs in Los Angeles
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) serves adults 55 and older who need nursing home-level care but can safely live at home with comprehensive support. PACE provides medical care, social services, therapy, transportation, personal care, and prescription drugs — all coordinated through one interdisciplinary team. For Medi-Cal eligible participants, PACE costs nothing. Participants report 92% satisfaction rates, and PACE typically costs 30–40% less than skilled nursing facilities.
Los Angeles PACE providers include Brandman Centers for Senior Care (Reseda and West LA), AltaMed PACE (East Los Angeles), and InnovAge PACE (Crenshaw area). Contact each program directly for eligibility assessment. PACE is an excellent option for seniors with complex needs who want to remain at home but require more support than standard home health alone provides.
Medi-Cal and Long-Term Care Options
California Medi-Cal covers a range of home and community-based services beyond IHSS. Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) — medical day programs for adults with chronic conditions — are available throughout LA County. Additionally, various Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs support people with disabilities. As of January 1, 2024, California eliminated Medi-Cal asset limits — a major change extending eligibility to significantly more low- and moderate-income seniors. Apply through Covered California or LA County DPSS.
Veterans Benefits in Los Angeles
LA County has the largest veteran population of any county in the United States — over 300,000 veterans. As a result, VA benefits are especially significant here. VA Aid and Attendance is a monthly, tax-free pension supplement for veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. 2026 rates: single veteran up to $2,427/month, married veteran up to $2,878/month, surviving spouse up to $1,560/month. Furthermore, the VA provides home-based primary care, homemaker/home health aide services, and community residential care for eligible veterans. Contact the West LA VA Medical Center at (310) 478-3711.
HICAP — Free Medicare Counseling
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to California seniors. HICAP counselors help with understanding Medicare coverage options, comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, resolving billing problems, and navigating the Medicare appeals process. Call (800) 434-0222 or visit cahealthadvocates.org. Specifically, HICAP is invaluable when you’ve received a Medicare denial or are confused about what your plan covers. For more on the appeals process, read our guide on how to appeal a Medicare home health denial.
Nutrition Programs for LA County Seniors
Food insecurity affects a significant proportion of LA County seniors on fixed incomes. Meals on Wheels provides hot or shelf-stable meals to homebound seniors who cannot prepare their own food — delivered through the LA County Department of Aging and multiple nonprofit partners. Additionally, CalFresh (SNAP) provides monthly grocery benefits for income-eligible seniors. Congregate meal programs at senior centers throughout the county provide low-cost meals and socialization. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank operates senior-specific programs. For context on how nutrition supports recovery, read our guide on the impact of nutrition on wound healing in older adults.
Transportation Resources for LA County Seniors
Transportation is one of the most significant barriers to healthcare access for older adults in Los Angeles. Access Services is LA County’s ADA paratransit program — providing door-to-door rides for people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit. Call (800) 827-0829 or visit accessla.org. Additionally, many Medicare Advantage plans in LA County include transportation benefits for medical appointments — check your plan’s supplemental benefits. LA Metro’s TAP card system offers senior discounts on all fixed-route transit.
Importantly, for homebound patients receiving Medicare home health care through HarvardCare at Home, all medical care comes to you — eliminating transportation barriers entirely for skilled nursing, wound care, and therapy services.
Legal Aid for LA County Seniors
Older adults face specific legal vulnerabilities including elder abuse, financial exploitation, and benefit denials. Bet Tzedek Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to low-income seniors throughout LA County — including Medicare appeals, housing disputes, and elder abuse protection. Call (323) 939-0506. Additionally, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County offers similar services in the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys. The California Department of Justice elder abuse hotline is (800) 854-7771.
Mental Health Resources for LA Seniors
Depression and anxiety affect approximately 20% of older adults — and are significantly underdiagnosed. The LA County Department of Mental Health provides services on a sliding-scale basis — call (800) 854-7771. Additionally, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services offers a senior-focused outpatient program. Furthermore, Medicare covers outpatient mental health visits and, in some cases, telehealth mental health care for homebound patients. HarvardCare at Home’s care coordinators connect patients and families to mental health resources as part of our holistic care approach.
BenefitsCheckUp: Find Every Benefit You Qualify For
Many seniors are unaware of all the benefits they qualify for. BenefitsCheckUp (benefitscheckup.org), run by the National Council on Aging, is a free online screening tool that identifies federal, state, and local benefit programs based on your specific situation — income, health conditions, and location. It covers over 2,000 programs nationwide. Specifically, it is an excellent starting point for seniors or caregivers who want a comprehensive picture of all available support. As a result, many families discover benefits they never knew existed.
How HarvardCare at Home Connects You to Resources
HarvardCare at Home goes beyond clinical care. Our care coordinators and medical social workers help patients and families identify and access community resources as part of every home health episode. Specifically, we connect patients to IHSS, PACE, transportation programs, meal services, legal aid, and mental health resources based on individual circumstances. Furthermore, we help families navigate the Medicare system — including the appeals process when denials occur.
We serve seniors throughout Los Angeles County — including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica, Torrance, Inglewood, Compton, and beyond. To learn how we can help, visit our home health care page, read our frequently asked questions, or contact our team.
Financial Assistance Programs for LA County Seniors
Many LA County seniors struggle with fixed incomes and rising costs. Several programs address financial hardship directly. The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay premiums, deductibles, and copays. Specifically, four MSP levels exist: QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI. Apply through LA County DPSS. Additionally, the Extra Help program subsidizes Medicare Part D prescription drug costs for low-income beneficiaries. Furthermore, the LIHEAP program helps seniors with utility bills. Contact the Community Action Agency of Los Angeles County to apply. In general, many seniors qualify for far more financial support than they realize. BenefitsCheckUp.org is the most efficient tool to find all qualifying programs. As a result, seniors often discover significant assistance they had no idea existed.
Caregiver Support Resources in Los Angeles
Family caregivers of seniors carry an enormous burden. However, substantial support is available in LA County. The LA County Department of Aging’s Caregiver Resource Center provides counseling, support groups, respite care, and information and referral services — call (800) 510-2020. Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Los Angeles Chapter provides caregiver education, support groups, and crisis intervention for dementia caregivers — call (800) 272-3900. Furthermore, the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP both offer online caregiver resources and tools. In fact, caregiver self-care is not a luxury — it directly affects the quality of care seniors receive. Specifically, burned-out caregivers are more likely to make medication errors and less likely to notice early warning signs. HarvardCare at Home’s social work team connects caregivers to respite and support resources as part of every care episode. Read our guide on 10 essential tips for family caregivers of seniors with chronic wounds and caring for elderly parents at home.
Choosing the Right Home Health Agency in Los Angeles
Not all home health agencies are equal. Choosing the right agency is one of the most important decisions a senior or family can make. First, verify that the agency is Medicare-certified — only Medicare-certified agencies can provide Medicare-covered home health services. Second, check the agency’s star ratings on Medicare’s Care Compare tool at medicare.gov. Third, ask specifically about the agency’s wound care expertise if wound management is needed. Additionally, ask about response time for new patient referrals, the agency’s documentation practices (which directly affect Medicare coverage), bilingual staff availability — especially important in diverse LA County communities — and how they coordinate with your physician. Furthermore, ask for references from current or former patients. In general, the right agency is transparent, responsive, and has demonstrable clinical expertise in your specific needs. Read our complete guide on how to choose the right home health agency before making your decision. HarvardCare at Home welcomes all of these questions and is happy to provide references from patients we have served throughout LA County.
