We’re all growing older and wiser. There are 45 million people aged 65 or older in the U.S. alone. By 2030, it will be 73 million. Our neighbors to the north are seeing similar growth, with an expected 9.5 million Canadian seniors by 2030. Bottom line: many people will have to face senior care decisions for their aging loved ones sooner than later.
The first choice for many families would be to help their loved ones stay in their homes for as long as possible. There is a wide range of in-home care, in-home health care, and other care services available. Costs associated with different types of care can vary. (For more information on the differences between in-home and in-home health care, visit our blog post here).
While we can’t tell you precisely what the cost of care for your loved one would be because that would depend on their care needs. However, we will walk you through the different types of care services and what they entail and guide you on average home healthcare costs.
This article covers the following:
- Types of home care
- Costs of in-home care
- Personal care costs
- Home Health Care Aide costs
- In-Home Skilled Nursing Care costs
- Assisted Living Facilities costs
- Nursing Home costs
- How to pay for home healthcare
- How to find home care near you
- Frequently asked questions
Types of Home Care
Home care services are any professional support service that allows individuals to continue living independently in their homes as they age. These services are for those with chronic health conditions, who are recovering from illnesses, and who are living with cognitive disorders or physical disabilities. Home care services can range wildly, depending on the level of care an individual requires.
There are many types of caregivers that provide in-home health services, including licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, home health aides, health care assistants, and more.
For a detailed guide on the types of caregivers, visit our recent blog post.
Home care agencies and different home care providers offer varying home care services. Services are typically customized to each individual and their care needs. Types of in-home services could include one or more of the types below:
Types of in-home care services:
- Non-medical care and personal care
- Post-operative care
- Around-the-clock care
- Nursing care
- Alzheimer’s and dementia care
- Specialty care (depending on the caregiver’s level of training)
- End-of-life care
- Transportation
- Grocery shopping
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping, including cleaning and laundry
- Pet care
- Wound care
- Personal care assistance (including bathing, toileting, dressing, etc.)
- Companion care services
While all home care services serve different purposes, they share a common goal. In-home care helps individuals live independently at home, improve their quality of life, ensure safety and well-being, and ease the minds of families.
What are the costs of in-home care?
Costs will depend on the type of senior care services your loved one requires. We’ve broken down the most common home care options available and average costs associated with each type.
1) Personal Care Costs: $600–$3,000 a month.
Taking on a personal care role for elderly family members or loved ones is an enormous act of generosity and love. On the surface, being a personal care aide for a loved one is free—or at least inexpensive. In reality, though, there are hidden out-of-pocket costs you need to consider before deciding to go down this route.
According to a study from the AARP, 75% of personal care aides say they’re spending up to $7,242 on out-of-pocket in-home care each year. This is due to several daily living factors, including:
- Housing CostsAccommodation and housing expenses make up half of all personal caregiving costs. Whether contributing to a loved one’s rent or mortgage, home renovation expenses, or paying utilities like heat and electricity—personal care assistance costs add up.
- Medical CostsIn the U.S., caring for a loved one can mean you’re in charge of their medical care. Payments for doctor’s appointments, hospital bills, accessibility devices, therapy sessions, medical equipment, or adult day health facilities can amount to over $1,200 each year.
- Transportation CostsTraveling to a loved one’s home, bringing them to their favorite neighborhood activities, and running errands can eat up gas money and may require car maintenance costs.
- Personal Financial CostsMany family caregivers sacrifice their earning potential by reducing work hours, leaving their job entirely, getting into debt, or spending their savings.
- It’s worth noting that some personal caregiving costs go beyond monetary expenses. Bathing your loved one and lifting heavy objects around the home can cause physical stress and burnout, leaving you vulnerable to health issues. Plus, personal caregiving is emotionally difficult. Caring for your loved one can often lead to fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
As Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer for AARP, stated, “Family caregivers are the backbone of America’s long-term care system, and that backbone is breaking.”
So what are the alternatives to personal care aides? Depending on your loved one’s physical and mental health needs, hiring a home health aide to support your loved one’s lifestyle can ease the burden of personal caregiving. Even splitting care services between you and an agency can go a long way to support your mental health and ensure your loved one is being cared for.
2) Home Health Care Aides Costs: $100–$1,500 per month
Not every senior needs round-the-clock, full-time in-home care services, and the costs of home health aide services vary, depending on your loved one’s needs. Hiring a home health aide to visit your loved one a few times a week can be a more affordable care solution. At Nurse Next Door, most senior care only requires a few hours of care a few times a week. Even paying less than $100 each week is typical.
Unlike personal caregivers, home health aides are usually vetted and have some training and certification to provide professional and supportive home health care services for elderly clients. The cost of in-home care is an investment in your loved one’s quality of life. The right caregiver should not only help a senior live comfortably as they age—they should enrich their life and bring happiness to their days.
Home health aide services can include:
- Companion Care ServicesFeeling lonely is one of the leading causes of depression in seniors. If you worry your loved one is becoming isolated, a senior companion can help them stay engaged in their home and their community. From going on walks to chatting around the dinner table, companionship care gives your loved one a healthy balance of independence and social interaction.
- Safety and MonitoringYour loved one should feel safe and comfortable while aging in place. Fortunately, home health aides are trained to evaluate home safety on arrival. They look at all potential hazards around the home and focus on senior fall-prevention strategies.
- Meal Preparation, Personal Care Assistance, and Homemaker servicesThis is a good option if your loved one doesn’t require medical services or other health services. Home aides can provide household tasks like cooking, preparing your loved one’s meals, and other light chores. This situation is ideal for seniors who need support with daily activities but don’t require a high level of care or nursing services. Personal care assistance can also be included in this service.
- TransportationMost health aides will transport your loved one to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, extra-curricular classes, and other errands. This helps keep seniors independent and relieves family members who may have day jobs and other commitments.
Having the right home health care agency that manages all of your care and coordinates the details is the key to happier aging. If this interests you, we recommend speaking to the Nurse Next Door Care Team directly to discuss your loved one’s unique situation and needs.
3) In home skilled nursing care costs: $1000–$4,000 per month
Caring for your loved one can involve in-home medical care. Instead of disrupting your loved one’s routine with trips to their doctor or hospital, many relatives of seniors choose to bring nursing care to them. Having a skilled nurse available to your loved one means they’ll have the medical care they need without sacrificing their lifestyle.
The costs of this type of home care can be customized—depending on whether you require a few hours a day, a few times a week, or around-the-clock care.
Services covered can include:
- In-home nursing careUsually, your skilled nursing care team can connect with your loved one’s medical team. Your skilled nursing care team will have all the relevant information to send registered nurses or certified nursing assistants to provide medical assistance for your loved one in their home.
- Alzheimer’s and dementia careIf your loved one is experiencing memory loss, confusion, wandering, and difficulty completing familiar tasks, it may be time to consider Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Skilled nursing care can help your loved one continue their daily routine despite the cognitive decline.
- Medical administration and personal care servicesPersonal care assistance can be a sensitive issue for seniors. A good home care agency will ensure the safety and privacy of your loved one and preserve their dignity as they continue all of the personal care activities that make up daily living.
- Around-the-clock careAlthough the costs of around-the-clock care can be more expensive than intermittent hourly visits, it will allow your loved one to age in the comfort of their home for as long as possible.Sometimes, around-the-clock care can be a temporary solution. For example, if your loved one is recovering from surgery or you are a personal caregiver and need additional support when you have to go away for some time.
Nurse Next Door’s medical caregivers are rigorously vetted and licensed to provide direct care to you and your loved ones. Hourly rates for in-home care range from $18-50 for Instrumental Activities for Daily Living, $20-35 for Activities of Daily Living, and $50-130 for skilled nursing care.
4) Assisted Living facilities costs: $4,000–$7,000 per month
While there are many flexible home health care service options—including taking on the role of a caregiver personally—sometimes it makes sense to graduate to assisted living.
Assisted living facilities can suit seniors who require medical services, round-the-clock care, or long-term care that their loved ones can’t provide. For example, if the assisted living costs are lower than the costs of a home renovation, it may be more affordable and appealing.
The costs of assisted living or residential care facilities depend on which housing option your loved one prefers. Usually, your loved one can choose between an individual room, an apartment space, or a shared living arrangement.
All assisted living options are generally designed to give a ‘home’ experience that supports your loved one’s independence.
5) Nursing Home Care Costs: $4,000–$7,000 per month
Lastly, we want to mention the cost of care in nursing homes. While a nursing home won’t provide the in-home care experience, they’re still an option to consider when choosing a care plan for your loved one.
In the U.S., the national average cost of a private room in nursing homes can run you over $87,000 each year, or $7,500 per month.
Whatever the cost of the home care service you choose, it’s always a good idea to do your research before committing to anything. You’ll select the best care possible for your loved one.
How to Pay For Home Health Care
There are many factors when deciding how to pay for home health care. First, you will want to plan properly for in-home care by understanding the types of care and gathering estimated associated costs, as mentioned above.
Some of the things you’ll want to look at are:
- Your in-home care requirements
- Types of care services you require or would like to have
- Other costs you foresee coming up in your retirement (travel, grandkids, etc.)
- Your savings and IRA
- Your current insurance policies
- Financial assistance options
Many individuals pay for in-home care privately by combining a mixture of earnings, savings, IRA (in Canada: RSP), family assistance, financial aid, insurance, veterans benefits, reverse mortgage loans, life insurance benefits, etc. We’ve broken down the different ways to pay for home health care.
- Paying Out of PocketMany people pay for home health services out of pocket from savings, life insurance policies, annuities, investments, or borrow from a line of credit, banks, family, or friends. Usually, clients who opt to pay for in-home care have already reached their limit with publicly funded care and exhausted their options. Many individuals seeking home care go with private pay as there are some significant benefits, including:
- Access to high-quality care
- Flexibility of care
- Around-the-clock care and companionship
- Insurance CoverageInsurance is a great way to subsidize the cost of home healthcare services. Insurance varies based on the individual’s plan. Check your health insurance coverage to ensure you are eligible to cover the cost of home health care services.
- MedicareMedicare is another option to help support the financial burden of in home care services.”Medicare is a single-payer national health insurance program that began in 1966. Funding for this program comes from payroll taxes, premiums and surtaxes from beneficiaries, and general federal revenue. It primarily provides health insurance to Americans aged 65 and older who have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes.” [01]
Many older adults who need supportive care while recovering from surgery or those who were recently hospitalized, or had a change in health status, may be eligible for home health care through Medicare. Check your eligibility on the Medicare website.
- Medicaid“Medicaid, on the other hand, is a joint federal and state program that provides healthcare coverage for patients with limited income and resources. It is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for low-income people in the United States.It is jointly funded by the state and federal governments and managed by individual states, which determine eligibility. Recipients must be US citizens or legal permanent residents and may include low-income adults, their children, and people with specific disabilities. Poverty alone does not necessarily qualify a person for Medicaid.” [02]
Medicaid is the most common payment source for family members caring for their loved ones. A family member who is the primary care provider may be eligible for funding to help care for mom or dad. Family members caring for those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia may be especially eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid has stringent program eligibility requirements, but it is an excellent option for those who meet the criteria.
How to Find Home Health Care Near You
There are several ways to find home health care near you.
- Use a home health care registry.A home health care registry can list independent or private duty caregivers available for hire. Many private caregivers do a fantastic job, but their resources are limited to no fault of their own.When you or your loved ones hire home health care agencies like Nurse Next Door, processes, policies, and systems are already in place. We have an entire team dedicated to bringing the best care to clients and their families.
- Ask family and friends for referrals. There is no doubt that asking a family member or friend for a referral is a great way to go. However, only certain caregivers are suited for some individuals. And every person has varying levels of care needs.That is why Nurse Next Door created the Perfect Match system, where a matching engine successfully pairs a client and caregiver based on their requirements, compatibility, language and culture, and personal desires.
- Contact a home healthcare agency.There are many benefits to using a home care agency.Home health care agencies hire professional caregivers and nurses who undergo thorough background checks. These background checks will ensure you or your loved one receives the best possible home care.
Contact one of our Nurse Next Door home care specialists, and call toll-free at +1(877) 588-8609. For more information, visit the benefits of hiring an agency vs. a private caregiver.
- Consider Using an Assisted Living FacilityIf you’ve considered all your options, you might be willing to contact an assisted living facility or nursing home. They will be able to offer different types of living accommodations and varying levels of care suited to your or your loved ones’ needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is home health care tax deductible?
According to the IRS, “if an individual is in an assisted living facility or home primarily for non-medical reasons, then only the cost of the actual medical care is deductible as a medical expense, not the cost of the meals and lodging.”
Visit the IRS website for more information on home health care tax deductions.
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How much does a caregiver cost in California?
A home health aide’s average hourly rate is $28.00, $176 daily, $5,339 monthly, and $64,064 annually.
Visit Genworth to review the entire report.
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How much is home health care in Georgia?
A home health aide’s average hourly rate is $23.00, $144 daily, $4,385 monthly, and $52,624 annually.
Visit Genworth to review the entire report.
Nurse Next Door is a premium home care agency that provides exemplary care. Our philosophy of Happier Aging™ is to reconnect seniors with their interests, hobbies, and passions while delivering tailored and excellent in-home care services.
If these home care services sound like they could help your loved one live at home longer, we’d love to set up a FREE Caring Consult™ to build a senior home care plan catered to your needs and your budget.
Give us a call toll-free at +1(877) 588-8609 to get started!
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