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Riverside County Recognizes In-Home Caregivers at November Appreciation Events

November 17, 2022

Over 500 in-home workers attend drive-thru resource fairs this week

NEWS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif.—On Wednesday morning, Jennifer Gautschi attended a drive-thru appreciation event for caregivers outside the Riverside County Workforce Development Center in Indio.

As the she drove along, she picked up a bag of groceries, personal protective equipment, and won a raffle prize. Gautshci, who has been her son’s caregiver for the past eight years, was grateful to receive the gifts from the different vendors.

“Today we are celebrating the month of caregiving,” Gautschi said. “I am so excited. This will really help. I really appreciate everything the community does for us because it is tough putting yourself aside to care for someone else.”

Gautschi is one of over 34,000 caregivers in Riverside County who tend to more than 40,000 older adults and individuals with disabilities in the In-Home Supportive Services program or IHSS. IHSS is a statewide program that provides services to eligible residents so they may live safely and independently in their own homes.

During the contactless events in Indio and Moreno Valley, over 500 caregivers received fresh groceries, gift cards, and other tokens of appreciation.

Hosted by the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Office on Aging, Foundation on Aging, and the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee, the drive-thru resource fairs took place this week during National Family Caregivers Month which is celebrated each November. 

“Caregiving is a nearly universal experience, and it is a heroic act of love,” said Tiffany Nelson, Supervising Program Specialist for the Public Authority at DPSS. “We are grateful to our caregiver heroes that work around the clock to ensure that our most vulnerable residents live healthily and with dignity in their homes.”

The Public Authority manages a registry that matches Riverside County residents enrolled in the IHSS program with a trusted in-home caregiver.

Nelson added that more of these everyday heroes are needed for the registry, especially in Anza, Blythe, Idyllwild, and the Coachella Valley.  

Interested persons at least 18 years of age can apply for caregiving positions at https://bit.ly/APPLY4RIVPAREGISTRY or by calling 1-888-960-4477. Hourly pay is currently $15.50 and will increase to $16.50 on Jan. 1, 2023. No experience is required.

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Caregiver Appreciation Event

Cutline: Caregiver Jennifer Gautschi attends Riverside County’s caregiver appreciation event in Indio on November 16, 2022.