What will home care cost for your parent?

Hospitals must arrange post-hospital care before discharge — not after

California Health & Safety Code §1262.5 requires every hospital to make appropriate arrangements for posthospital care — including care at home — before discharging any patient likely to suffer adverse health consequences without adequate planning. If a safe plan isn't in place, ask to speak with the discharge planner and say exactly that.

You have the right to be part of the discharge plan

Under California's Hospital & Family Caregiver Law (SB 675, effective 2016), every admitted patient can designate a family caregiver. The hospital must notify that caregiver when a discharge order is issued, include them in discharge planning, and provide instruction on medications and aftercare — in a language the family understands.

Medicare patients can appeal a discharge that feels too soon

If a parent on Medicare is being discharged before the family believes they're ready, they have the right to request an immediate review from California's Quality Improvement Organization — and Medicare continues covering the hospital stay while the appeal is decided.

Every legitimate California caregiver is background-checked by law

Under the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, California home care organizations must be state-licensed, and every caregiver must pass a DOJ/FBI background check and be listed on the state's Home Care Aide Registry before working in your parent's home. Golden Years is licensed and every caregiver is registered — you can verify any aide on the state registry yourself.