Once you or your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can be difficult to know where to turn. There are so many different types of help you may need, including community programs, education, support groups, caregiver support, and transportation. It can be overwhelming to know what to do.
The need for Alzheimer’s care in Monterey is especially prevalent since the California Department of Aging states that 12% of Monterey residents 65 or older have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. That is a lot of people who need additional support.
There are additional support needs for people receiving care since 8% of seniors 60 or older in Monterey have a language barrier and speak no English. This requires assistance that is bilingual and culturally sensitive.
Another barrier is that, in Monterey, 19% of seniors (60+) live alone. If these seniors want to continue to age in place, they may require in-home care.
Fortunately, there is a lot of dementia support in Monterey County. Here is a list of Alzheimer’s support resources in Monterey.
County of Monterey Aging and Disability Resource Connection
The MCADRC is a collaboration of different local agencies that provide free information about all their services, referrals, counseling, and coordination.
They offer information in Spanish and English and have a No Wrong Door policy, so people can get assistance and information regardless of which agency they reach out to originally. This can be a great first resource to utilize.
Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Association offers information, care consultations, classes, and support groups. They even have a 24/7 helpline, which is accessible in over 200 languages.
The Monterey Bay Region Office offers in-person and virtual support groups for both people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and caregivers.
Joining a support group can be a great way to get tips on navigating this difficult situation and can help you feel less alone. It is a great resource that both people with Alzheimer’s and caregivers should utilize.
Age Wise Program
The Age Wise Program is for people 60 and older who receive or qualify for Medi-Cal. They offer counseling and personalized wellness plans. They also help find resources for food and transportation and fill out the necessary forms for these essential programs.
Alliance on Aging
The Alliance on Aging offers:
- Benefits Check-up: Specialists can help you determine what kinds of federal and state programs you qualify for.
- Peer counseling: Individual peer counseling and support groups.
- Medicare counseling: No-cost information about Medicare.
- Ombudsman: State-certified people who advocate for the elderly in care facilities and offer conflict resolution for people who are victims of neglect or abuse.
- Tax counseling: Free assistance with tax returns from IRS-certified volunteers.
- The HUB Memory Cafe: A place for people with mild memory loss and their caregivers to gather and connect. They offer refreshments and activities.
2-1-1 Monterey County
211 Monterey County is a referral service for Monterey residents. You can either call 2-1-1 or go to their website to find other agencies or services that can help with housing, health care, food, utilities, mental health, legal, crisis services, and transportation.
They offer support 24/7 in over 220 languages.
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST)
For transportation in Monterey, you have the MST. In addition to the typical bus routes, there are several programs specifically for seniors or people with disabilities:
- Monterey-Salinas Paratransit—a ride-share program for people with a disability who cannot use the regular bus. It is available during the same hours as the bus route and within a three-quarters-of-a-mile radius from the bus route.
- Taxi Vouchers: MST also offers taxi vouchers to help pay for taxi rides for seniors or people with disabilities.
- MST TRIPs: Another MST program that offers reimbursement for family or friends driving seniors or people with disabilities.
ITN Monterey County
Another transportation option is ITN Monterey County, which is a membership service that offers seniors door-through-door transportation.
Memory care facilities
Memory care is specialized long-term care for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of cognitive impairment. Some residential facilities (assisted living facilities or nursing homes) offer memory care in specific buildings or wings. These facilities offer:
- secure environments (there is extra security and controlled entrances)
- 24/7 supervision
- a structured routine
- staff trained in dementia or Alzheimer’s care
- cognitively stimulating activities (such as music, art, or cognitive exercises)
- monitoring of meals, hydration, and medication
- assistance with activities of daily living
- on-site nurses for medical care
- socialization with other residents
Several residential facilities provide memory care in Monterey:
Residential memory care can be a great option for seniors with advanced dementia who need constant supervision and medical care.
Pacific Angels: For home care and respite care
One of the biggest Alzheimer’s support resources in Monterey is home care.
Home care helps seniors who want to age in place be able to stay in their homes. This is especially important for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia because being in a familiar environment and maintaining their typical structured routine is comforting and can help them not become as confused or agitated.
Home care can also help seniors to stay as independent as possible and maintain control over their life.
Home care services offered here at Pacific Angels include:
- one-on-one supervision and assistance
- personal care: help with ADLs, including help eating, moving around, going to the bathroom, bathing, grooming, and dressing
- housekeeping
- safe transportation (including getting in and out of the car and accompanying them inside)
- meal prep: planning, grocery shopping, and cooking
- hydration monitoring
- cognitively stimulating activities (such as music, art, reading, puzzles, or games)
- fall prevention and home safety modifications
- medication compliance
- companionship care (including being emotional support during this hard time)
- accompanying them to appointments, outings, errands, or events
Another service offered by Pacific Angels is respite care (when someone temporarily takes over caregiving responsibilities so the primary caregiver can get a break to practice self-care or attend to their other responsibilities). Respite care is a great resource to ensure caregivers are taking care of themselves too and to prevent caregiver burnout.
Pacific Angels caregivers have been a part of the Monterey community for over 20 years. We are a local partner you can trust.
We also have several bilingual caregivers, and all our caregivers are trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. They know the best ways to communicate with them and manage behavioral concerns. We offer accessible care available when needed (from occasional respite care to 24/7) and tailored to each senior’s needs.
For those in Monterey County, give us a call today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to request a free consultation to learn more about how we can be a resource for you or your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
