Caring for an older parent in San Diego County comes down to knowing the one right number for what's happening. Here it is, most urgent first, each from the program's own official page, with our plain-English guide behind it.
Jump to: Emergency · Abuse or neglect · Power shutoff · A scam · Nursing home problem · Where to start · Rides · Medicare · Veterans
Right now
- A medical emergency: a bad fall, trouble breathing, signs of heat stroke (confusion, slurred speech, hot skin)
Emergency services: 911 · guide - Someone may be hurting, neglecting or taking money from a parent
San Diego County Adult Protective Services, 24/7: 800-339-4661 · guide - The power is off (or about to be) and a parent relies on oxygen, a CPAP or a power chair
211 San Diego, 24/7 (SDG&E routes shutoff help through 211): 858-300-1211 · guide - A parent shared their Medicare Number or bank details with a caller, or got a bill for something they never received
Medicare, then the California Senior Medicare Patrol (855-613-7080): 1-800-633-4227 · guide - A problem inside a nursing home or assisted living
Long-Term Care Ombudsman (County); State CRISISline 1-800-231-4024, 24/7: 800-640-4661 · guide
This week
- Not sure where to start: help at home, meals, a care manager, caregiver support
County Aging & Independence Services (or 2-1-1, 24/7): 800-339-4661 · guide - A parent on Medi-Cal can't stay home safely without help
IHSS, through County Aging & Independence Services: 800-339-4661 · guide - The family member doing the caregiving needs a break
Southern Caregiver Resource Center (no income test): 800-827-1008 · guide - Memory loss: what to expect, support groups, care options
Alzheimer's San Diego helpline: 858-492-4400 · guide - A ride to the doctor or the store
JFS On the Go (60+, coastal ZIPs); RideFACT countywide, 888-924-3228: 858-637-3210 · guide - Meals delivered, or help paying for groceries
Meals on Wheels San Diego County: 1-800-573-6467 · guide - Medicare plan questions, Open Enrollment (Oct 15 to Dec 7), a denied claim
HICAP, free and unbiased: 1-800-434-0222 · guide
Planning ahead
- Needs nursing-home-level care but wants to stay home
A PACE program (four serve North County; West PACE in San Marcos): 760-280-2230 · guide - A veteran or surviving spouse needs help paying for care
County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (free): 1-866-726-8831 · guide - Applying for Medi-Cal, or asking about the $130,000 asset limit
County Medi-Cal: 1-866-262-9881 · guide - Getting on the assisted living or home care waitlists
San Ysidro Health (home care waiver); an ALW care coordination agency: 1-833-503-5910 · guide - Hiring someone for a heat pump, ramp or repair
Contractors State License Board: check the license first: 800-321-2752 · guide - A parent winters here on out-of-state Medicare
Their state's SHIP (Illinois: 1-800-252-8966) or HICAP here: 1-800-434-0222 · guide
And for everything in between
The forms, the logins, the hold music, the errands: PJ is the local go-between in Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff and Del Mar. He makes the calls with you, keeps the paperwork moving, and follows up so nothing lapses. He doesn't give medical, legal or benefits advice; the numbers above do. Plans start as low as $25.
Every program, by town and need: the senior help directory · every option cheaper than a nursing home: the care ladder. Numbers checked October 6, 2026, on each program's official page (linked from each guide).
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25.
Questions people ask
Who do I call to report elder abuse in San Diego County?
San Diego County Adult Protective Services, 800-339-4661, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who do I call for free Medicare help in San Diego?
HICAP, free and unbiased Medicare counseling: 1-800-434-0222.
Who do I call if my parent's Medicare number was stolen?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). To report a scam, the California Senior Medicare Patrol is 855-613-7080.
Who do I call for help with an aging parent in San Diego?
Start with the County's Aging & Independence Services at 800-339-4661 (or 2-1-1, 24/7) for help at home, meals, care management and caregiver support.
Who do I call about a problem in a nursing home in San Diego?
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 800-640-4661, or the State's 24/7 CRISISline, 1-800-231-4024.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.