The Marin Center for Independent Living

As we’ve been hearing, by 2020, the population of older adults in Marin will almost double. This statistic is based on findings in the Marin Community Foundation Publications: “Report on Services of Older Adults in Marin” and “A Portrait of Marin.”

Older adults in our county vary greatly in their economic levels, education, physical abilities, health situations and access to family support. One thing is certain, though, and that is that almost everybody faces or will face a time when they are looking for help.

The Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is an amazing local nonprofit agency dedicated to empowering our Older and/or Disabled Adults to live rich, independent lives in their own homes. MCIL provides a wealth of information, peer support and an in-depth Personal Care Attendant Registry.

MCIL was founded in 1979, organized by a group of dedicated volunteers, following the world changing movement for disability rights begun next door in Berkeley in the 1960’s. It does not charge for its services.

MCIL runs an elegant and simple to use online matching service to help people find carefully screened, competent and compassionate local caregivers – it’s called QuickMatch.org. There are customizable search preferences so consumers can hone in on caregivers’ specific skills, availability, trainings/certifications, and work experience.

MCIL’s Personal Care Attendent Registry is important to know about because: using a for-profit home care agency, a consumer’s current cost for private home care in Marin can average about $60,000/year* (for 44 hours of care/week). The for-profit agency manages all the details for you and charges you for that service.

However, using MCIL as your guide, support and screening agency to directly employ your own caregivers can save you a significant amount of money. For the same 44 hours/week, using MCIL registry caregivers, your cost would average about $40,000/year. This is a wise choice to know about and to consider when you are weighing your options.

In addition, MCIL provides information and support on a full range of topics including:

• assistive technologies
• benefits planning
• personal care and coping skills
• financial management
• household management
• home modification
• housing assistance
• individual advocacy

For more information, go to www.marincil.org or www.quickmatch.org or call them at (415) 459-4265.

*National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Planning for LTC. Date accessed, January 18, 2012.
*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information, 10/22/08.