AssistByName() replacement?

I'm looking for a way to replace the functionality of AssistByName(), which was removed in 2.0.

Yes, I've seen the suggestion of using macros to set your assist using focus, but that is not an optimal solution.

Does anyone have any ideas simpler than creating a hidden secure player frame and setting it to the person I want to assist every time I join a group or a raid?

Note: that's not really optimal either, but its better than the macro solution.