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A Definitive Guide To The Cost of Home Care

Posted by Jennifer Otto May 5, 2022
Home Care blocks

90% of seniors want to age at home. And, for that reason, home care has become an important part of aging in place. The costs will vary greatly depending on things like geographic location, services needed, and frequency of the care. Once you’ve decided that you or a loved one will need to hire some extra help, it can be useful to know what to expect. So, here is everything you need to know about the cost of senior care at home in the US!

Table of Contents
  • What is home care?
  • How much does home care cost?
    • Top 5 Most Expensive States
    • Top 5 Least Expensive States
    • Home Care Versus Other Types of Senior Care
  • How does 24/7 care affect the cost?
  • How does hiring an independent caregiver affect the cost?
  • Does Medicare cover home care?
  • How can I pay for home care?
    • Long-Term Care Insurance
    • Medicaid
    • Reverse Mortgage
  • How can I find the best home care near me?

What is home care?

companion home care playing a puzzle

Home care can mean a lot of different things. Essentially, it’s any care or service that can be obtained and used in the comfort of your own home. It’s meant to help maintain your quality of life and ensure safe aging in place. Types of home care include:

  • Companionship
  • Personal care assistance
  • Skilled nursing
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Meal prep or meal services
  • Homemaker services
  • Transportation
  • Health monitoring
  • And many, many more…

How much does home care cost?

The national average cost of home care is just around $5,000 per month. Let’s take a look at monthly averages by state. These totals are based on a 44-hour week and include homemaker and skilled services:

LocationAverage Monthly Cost
Alabama$3,832
Alaska$5,720
Arizona$5,387
Arkansas$4,190
California$6,101
Colorado$6,387
Connecticut$5,291
Delaware$5,339
DC$5,567
Florida$4,767
Georgia$4,338
Hawaii$5,720
Idaho$5,434
Illinois$5,339
Indiana$4,767
Iowa$5,553
Kansas$4,624
Kentucky$4,767
Louisiana$3,671
Maine$5,720
Maryland$5,148
Massachusetts$5,911
Michigan$5,529
Minnesota$6,793
Mississippi$3,813
Missouri$4,767
Montana$5,339
Nebraska$5,444
Nevada$5,148
New Hampshire$6,102
New Jersey$5,620
New Mexico$4,629
New York$5,434
North Carolina$4,385
North Dakota$5,689
Ohio$5,005
Oklahoma$4,862
Oregon$6,054
Pennsylvania$4,957
Rhode Island$5,839
South Carolina$4,457
South Dakota$5,911
Tennessee$4,576
Texas$4,576
Utah$5,673
Vermont$5,720
Virginia$4,861
Washington$6,563
West Virginia$3,551
Wisconsin$5,625
Wyoming$5,529
Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey

Top 5 Most Expensive States

LocationAverage Monthly Cost
Minnesota$6,793
Washington$6,563
Colorado$6,387
New Hampshire$6,102
California$6,101

Top 5 Least Expensive States

LocationAverage Monthly Cost
West Virginia$3,551
Louisiana$3,671
Mississippi$3,813
Alabama$3,832
Arkansas$4,190

Home Care Versus Other Types of Senior Care

Type of CareNational Monthly Average
Home Care$5,053
Assisted Living$4,500
Adult Day Health Care$1,690
Nursing Home, Semi-Private Room$7,908
Nursing Home, Private Room$9,034

How does 24/7 care affect the cost?

24-hour home care

Sometimes, a senior may require care for more extended periods of time or even overnight. Though prices will vary by provider, you can usually expect the cost to go up dramatically under these circumstances. The national average for 24/7 care at home (168 hours) is $19,292.

How does hiring an independent caregiver affect the cost?

independent caregiver helping senior with computer

Independent caregivers are generally a bit cheaper than those from a home care agency. 20% cheaper, to be exact. On average, a caregiver from a larger company will charge around $26 per hour, whereas an independent caregiver’s services are about $20 per hour. However, keep in mind that when hiring independently, you may be responsible for conducting your own background checks, which will come with a fee.

Does Medicare cover home care?

does medicare pay for home care? block word medicare

Medicare is government-provided health insurance for seniors who are over 65. It will not pay for custodial care but will cover the cost of skilled care at home. Medicare Part A and Part B will pay for things like:

  • Part-time skilled nursing care
  • Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
  • Medical supplies for home use
  • Part-time home health aides

Medicare will pay if:

  • Services are part of a plan of care created and reviewed regularly by a doctor.
  • A doctor prescribed skilled nursing care or therapy for a specific medical condition.
  • You are certified homebound by a doctor.

Medicare will not pay for:

  • 24-hour care
  • Meal services
  • Homemaker services
  • Personal care assistance

For more information, visit Medicare.gov.

How can I pay for home care?

piggy bank with woman doing bills in background

Planning ahead for the possibility of long-term care is a great idea! Of course, sometimes we forget to plan until we are faced with major life or health changes. Regardless of the circumstances, you have several possibilities that can help pay if and when it’s time for home care!

Long-Term Care Insurance

Traditional health insurance rarely pays for costs associated with long-term care. Help with daily activities and mobility are a pretty big part of receiving long-term care. So, that’s where long-term care insurance can help. It can cover custodial care, meal services, and even housekeeping services.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps low-income individuals pay for care. It can help with the cost of both custodial and medical care. Every state has different qualification requirements. You can visit Medicaid.gov to learn about eligibility in your state.

Reverse Mortgage

Homeowners over the age of 62, who have considerable equity, can borrow against the value of their home. You don’t need immaculate credit to qualify. And, what’s best? The loan doesn’t have to be repaid until the house is sold!

Need more help? Then read this: Best Ways To Pay For Home Care Services

How can I find the best home care near me?

woman holding magnifying glass searching

Having an in-home care provider can be an essential part of aging in place. And, choosing the best provider is an important decision! Here are some important steps to take, when beginning your search:

  1. Know your loved one’s needs and determine the proper care.
  2. Get recommendations.
  3. Do your research.
  4. Contact your top choices.
  5. Meet with some in-home care providers.

To learn more, start here: How To Choose The Best In-Home Care In 5 Steps!


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Posted by Jennifer Otto May 5, 2022 Posted in Aging-In-Place

Published by Jennifer Otto

Jennifer is the Senior Resource Content Editor, Writer, and Webmaster. View more posts

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