Resources for San Diego families

Free guide from the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization covering in-home care, assisted living, hospice, and advance care planning.

San Diego County's primary entry point for local services, care assessments, in-home support, and referrals for older adults and their families.

National nonprofit offering practical caregiving skills, training programs, and peer support for family caregivers.

San Diego-based center offering respite care, counseling, support groups, and a free Caregiver Help Desk for families caring for adults with chronic conditions.

Outpatient physical therapy clinic in Santee offering one-on-one care, with every session led by a Doctor of Physical Therapy rather than handed off to aides. Also offers mobile PT for clients who have difficulty getting to the clinic. Specializes in Parkinson's disease and the issues that come with aging, including chronic pain, balance problems, and recovery after a fall. Accepts Medicare Part B and most PPO plans. A good option for East County families who want focused, individualized rehab closer to home than the major San Diego systems.

HICAP offers free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Advantage, Part D drug coverage, and long-term care insurance. Counselors are trained volunteers, not insurance agents, they have no financial interest in what you choose. Available statewide; San Diego County residents can reach the local office through the state program.

Kaiser's Medicare Advantage plan for San Diego County members, rated 5 stars by CMS. Members can access geriatric care, continuing care coordination, and senior-specific services through Kaiser's San Diego facilities. If your parent is a Kaiser member, start here.

A well-regarded independent primary care group with multiple San Diego locations. Accepts Medicare and many Medicare Advantage plans. Offers geriatric medicine, extended hours, and video visits, which is useful for older adults who have difficulty getting to appointments.

All four Scripps hospital emergency departments hold geriatric emergency department accreditation. Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups also maintains a senior resource directory with local provider listings.

Sharp is San Diego's largest health system and offers a dedicated senior care program including geriatric specialists, a Community Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont, daily telephone check-in calls for isolated seniors, and skilled nursing referrals. The Community Resource Center is a useful first call for families trying to navigate the system.

The primary hospital serving Oceanside, Vista, and Carlsbad. Full-service acute care with physicians experienced in geriatrics, hospice, and palliative care. A good option for families in North County who need a hospital closer to home than the major San Diego systems.

Ranked 18th in the nation for geriatric care by U.S. News and World Report, UCSD Health is the region's only academic health system with a dedicated geriatrics program. Their La Jolla emergency department is home to California's first Level 1 Gold-accredited geriatric ER. A good option for complex or medically challenging cases.

The only program in San Diego staffed entirely by geriatric psychiatric specialists. Serves adults 65 and older with depression, anxiety, cognitive changes, and other mental health concerns that often go unrecognized in older adults.

Local coalition with workshops, the SD Caregiver Handbook, and guides on family communication and navigating care decisions together.

San Diego County fall prevention task force, home safety resources, and the Feeling Fit Club adaptive fitness program for older adults.

San Diego nonprofit serving adults 60+ since 1978. Free legal counsel on elder abuse, housing, benefits, advance directives, and powers of attorney.

National resource for advance directives, hospice planning guides, and California-specific legal forms for end-of-life decision making.

Printable checklists for doctor visits, medications, legal documents, and care transitions, practical tools for organized caregiving.

County-run adaptive fitness, fall prevention, and chronic condition management programs for older adults at all ability levels across San Diego.

Group circuit training studio in Santee built specifically for adults 55 and older. Classes use a three-track format so people at every ability level can train, from active older adults to those who need seated, supported workouts. Focus is on strength, balance, and fall prevention rather than competition. Also home to a Rock Steady Boxing program, the non-contact, boxing-based exercise class shown to help people with Parkinson's maintain mobility and independence. Co-located with Live Life Physiotherapy, so members can move between fitness and clinical care as their needs change.

Comprehensive directory of San Diego's aging nonprofit network, government agencies, community organizations, and advocacy groups serving older adults.

State-level programs including IHSS, Medi-Cal long-term care, and caregiver support services administered throughout California.

National research and advocacy organization providing practical resources, policy updates, and support tools for family caregivers across the country.

San Diego VA caregiver support coordinators available at 858-642-1215. Connects veteran family caregivers with VA benefits, respite care, and local resources.

San Diego County transportation guide for older adults covering MTS, volunteer ride programs, and Via San Diego ride share options.

Delivers nutritious meals to homebound older adults and people with disabilities throughout San Diego County. Services include home-delivered meals, congregate dining at senior centers, and a pet meals program. Sliding-scale fees; no one is turned away for inability to pay. Regular delivery also provides a daily check-in for people living alone.

Free legal counsel for San Diego adults 60+ on elder abuse, landlord issues, advance directives, and benefits. Family caregivers of seniors also eligible.

San Diego-based coaching and support program for families caring for veterans with PTSD or TBI. Licensed social workers, support groups, and respite care.

The VA Caregiver Support Program provides resources, training, peer mentorship, and, for eligible post-9/11 veterans' caregivers, a monthly stipend through the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The Caregiver Support Line (1-855-260-3274) can help you figure out what you qualify for.

San Diego County's all-in-one resource hotline and searchable directory. Call 2-1-1 anytime for referrals to health, housing, food, and caregiving services.