For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a) The term “long-term care” refers to a wide range of supportive and health and social services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Long-term care differs from other types of care in that the goal of long-term care is not to cure illnesses, but to allow individuals to attain and maintain optimal levels of functioning in their homes or in their communities. The provision of long-term services involves a continuum of health and social services in a variety of home- and community-based settings.

(b) The term “care navigation” describes any of the following services, performed in multiple settings, including, but not limited to, area agencies on aging, hospitals, caregiver resource centers, independent living centers, and senior centers:

(1) Consumer information delivered over the Internet, by telephone, including a statewide information hotline, or in person.

(2) Referral to programs or services delivered over the Internet, by telephone, including a statewide information telephone hotline, or in person.

(3) Short-term assistance for the consumer or caregiver, provided by persons qualified to work with the consumer to define needs, to refer the consumer to services that are free of charge or that may be purchased by the consumer, and to develop a plan of coordinated care.

(4) Recognition of the need for ongoing assistance, with the ability to link consumers to ongoing assistance, care coordination, services coordination, or case management.

(c) (1) The term “care navigator” describes an individual who provides care navigation to older persons or persons with disabilities in need of long-term care services, or to caregivers. Care navigators consider an individual’s medical and functional needs, financial resources, and social support, in order to partner with the individual and, together, determine which services offered in the community are most appropriate for the consumer. The intervention with the consumer may be limited, depending on the consumer’s needs.

(2) Care navigation may be performed within existing programs and at multiple points of entry, including, but not limited to, area agencies on aging, independent living centers, county welfare departments, hospitals, caregiver resource centers, and senior centers.

(d) The term “CalCareNet” describes a self-directed statewide, Internet-based application using the State of California Internet portal to link local Internet information systems. The CalCareNet Web site is designed to help the consumer find state-licensed providers of health services, social services, mental health services, alcohol and other drug services, and disability services, and also to find state-licensed care facilities. The purpose of CalCareNet is to enable the consumer to better navigate the long-term care system.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 541, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2003.)