How Much Does In Home Care Cost?
August 08, 2023 / Home Care
As you or your loved ones begin to age, keeping up with the activities of daily life as well as taking care of your home can get more difficult. Some seniors wish to stay in their homes while they age, which can put pressure on family and friends to ensure they are taken care of and stay safe, even as some of their abilities begin to diminish. One option to ensure your loved one is safe and cared for without putting undue strain on yourself, your family, and friends is home care. Home care is a type of non-medical help where a caregiver will operate out of a senior’s home, assisting them with the activities of daily life as well as tending to the home. If this sounds like something that might work for your loved one, you may be wondering about the costs associated with this level of care. The Senior Care AZ, an Arizona senior placement agency, team is breaking down these costs, how you can pay for home care, and how these costs compare to other long-term care options.
What Is Home Care?
Home care is an in-home support option for seniors who need an increased level of care and do not want to transition to living in a facility or community. Some seniors have difficulty dealing with change or transition, and moving to a facility such as an assisted living or skilled nursing facility may result in health issues or memory setbacks. Home care provides them with the safety and care of a facility without losing the comfort and familiarity of their home. Home care focuses less on medical care and more on companionship, transportation, and daily assistance with tasks for seniors living at home. The level of care can be customized depending on the individual’s needs and can include things such as housekeeping, grooming, cooking, personal care, and other services to meet an individual’s needs.
Types of In-Home Care
There are different types of home care that are available, ranging from a live-in aid to an individual who may visit the home a few times a week. Some of the common types of home care include:
- Companion care: Companion care services are ideal for seniors who live alone and independently and do not need much assistance with their daily activities and tasks. A companion care provider will visit the home of a senior and provide much-needed social stimulation and companionship to a senior who spends large portions of time alone. Companion care is an excellent option for seniors who live far from family and friends and are not leaving the house or socializing frequently, or for individuals in the early stages of memory impairment who need extra supervision while they independently take care of their daily tasks.
- Personal care: Personal care assistance provides seniors with assistance with their activities of daily life, such as cooking, cleaning, and personal grooming. A personal care aide may provide a senior with assistance with using the restroom, showering, making their meals, or mobility to prevent falls. An aide can provide medication management assistance, but they are not able to provide health care assistance beyond this.
- Home Health Care: Home health care generally provides all of the services of a personal care aide but will also have the certification necessary to offer medical services to individuals with specialized needs. Seniors who require frequent medical services, like injections or infusions, may require a home health aide to properly administer these medical services and ensure their health and safety.
Home Care Costs by State
Home care costs vary not only by state but also by the services provided. The median monthly costs for 22 days of home care in each state are included below:
| State | Median Monthly Cost (22 days) |
| Alabama | $3,168 |
| Alaska | $4,928 |
| Arizona | $4,576 |
| Arkansas | $3,520 |
| California | $5,104 |
| Colorado | $4,928 |
| Connecticut | $4,312 |
| Delaware | $4,400 |
| District of Columbia | $4,576 |
| Florida | $3,960 |
| Georgia | $3,784 |
| Hawaii | $5,104 |
| Idaho | $4,224 |
| Illinois | $4,488 |
| Indiana | $4,136 |
| Iowa | $4,488 |
| Kansas | $3,872 |
| Kentucky | $3,784 |
| Louisiana | $2,992 |
| Maine | $5,016 |
| Maryland | $4,312 |
| Massachusetts | $5,192 |
| Michigan | $4,312 |
| Minnesota | $5,632 |
| Mississippi | $3,256 |
| Missouri | $4,048 |
| Montana | $4,752 |
| Nebraska | $4,576 |
| Nevada | $4,312 |
| New Hampshire | $5,104 |
| New Jersey | $4,576 |
| New Mexico | $4,048 |
| New York | $4,488 |
| North Carolina | $3,608 |
| North Dakota | $5,016 |
| Ohio | $4,224 |
| Oklahoma | $4,136 |
| Oregon | $5,104 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,224 |
| Rhode Island | $5,280 |
| South Carolina | $3,784 |
| South Dakota | $5,016 |
| Tennessee | $3,696 |
| Texas | $3,872 |
| Utah | $4,488 |
| Vermont | $5,104 |
| Virginia | $3,960 |
| Washington | $5,544 |
| West Virginia | $3,344 |
| Wisconsin | $4,576 |
| Wyoming | $5,016 |
How to Pay for Home Care
If home care seems to be the best option for your loved one, there are a number of ways to cover these costs, including paying through private means or governmental or local assistance options that may be available. Some seniors may be eligible for other covered costs through different programs.
Does the VA Pay for Home Care?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides certain coverage for long-term care costs. In some cases, the VA may pay the entire cost of home care. In other cases, the VA may work with veterans and their families to recompense them in order to reduce their expenditures on home care. Benefits will vary depending on the VA program a senior is enrolled in.
Does Medicare Pay for Home Care?
Medicare will not cover the costs of non-medical care, such as companion care and personal care aides. Medicare will cover the medical costs related to a certified home health aide, provided a senior has been declared housebound by a medical professional.
Does Medicaid Pay for Home Care?
Medicaid will cover non-medical in-home care in addition to health care provided to seniors in the home. Home care is referred to as home and community-based services, and seniors must apply for certain waivers to receive maximum coverage from Medicaid.
Is Home Care Tax-Deductible?
Non-medical expenses for home care aides are generally not tax deductible, but individuals seeking home health aides and home nursing visits may be able to deduct some of the medical-related costs from their taxes.
Cost of Home Care vs. Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities provide skilled medical care to seniors needing specialized attention as they age, and the average monthly cost for a skilled nursing facility is $8,190 per month, which is higher than the average monthly cost for 44 hours per week of home care, at $5,148. Skilled nursing facilities offer round-the-clock care, but a home care aide will generally provide more one-on-one time when compared to the rotating staff of a skilled nursing facility.
Cost of Home Care vs. Assisted Living
The average cost of in-home care for 44 hours a week is $5,148 per month, compared to the average monthly cost of assisted living at $4,640 per month. Assisted living costs less on average, and it is worth noting the differences in some of the services provided. Assisted living generally provides three meals a day, and home care aides generally make food but do not cover the costs of groceries. Assisted living facilities have staff on-call throughout the night in case of emergencies, and a home care aide will not be there throughout the night when operating on a 44-hour per week schedule. Assisted living includes the costs of room and board, and home care requires a senior to continue covering the costs of their home and any upkeep associated with it.