Senior In-Home Care Costs
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If you are looking into senior home care for yourself or a loved one, the cost is typically a primary consideration. While home care can be more affordable than assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other types of care options, the exact costs will depend on various factors, including the health needs of the individual receiving care. Another primary factor is the individual (or individuals) hired to provide this formal in-home care, with two primary types of professional in-home care — housekeeping and health.
Types of In-Home Care for Seniors
The broad area of home care refers to two specific types of services — home care and home healthcare.
Home care aides provide help with certain daily living tasks, such as housekeeping, shopping, cleaning, and preparing meals. They also can provide companionship for seniors, which is a vital aspect of ensuring older adults can remain in their homes and that they can remain emotionally well while they age.
On the other hand, home health aides typically handle more personal duties, such as bathing and grooming, and they may provide certain health-related services like assisting with medications, wound care, and vital sign monitoring.
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Average Cost of Home Health Care Nationally
Most home healthcare workers charge hourly rates, usually through a home health agency, though they may also be hired on a private, family-by-family basis. Agencies typically charge 20 percent to 30 percent more than individual caregivers, but reputable agencies conduct background checks of caregivers and may be better equipped to provide all types of care an individual requires.
Both types of in-home care have gotten more expensive over the years, with each of them averaging just under $1,000 for eight hours of work each week, or about $27 to $28 per hour. As with any other type of senior care, costs vary not only by the services being provided but also by the needs of the person receiving care.
For example, it would be more affordable to hire someone to help with minor household chores three to five hours a week than to hire a caregiver to provide extensive medical services eight for several hours each day.
| Caregiver Role | National Hourly Average | National Daily Average / 8 hours | National Monthly Average / 22 days | National Annual Average / 250 days per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care Aide | $28.41 | $227.28 | $5,000.16 | $56,820 |
| Home Health Aide | $29.50 | $236 | $5,192 | $59,000 |
Home Care Costs By State
In-home care costs depend not only on the care being provided but on where the person lives. Because these costs are based on the wages of caregivers, they vary quite a bit from state to state. Costs are highest in Minnesota at around $6,732 per month and lowest in Mississippi at $3,845.60 per month.
| State | Home Care Median Hourly Rate | Home Care Daily Rate / 8 hours | Home Care Monthly Rate / 22 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $28.41 | $227,28 | $5,000.16 |
| Alabama | $21.85 | $174.80 | $3,845.60 |
| Alaska | $32.78 | $62.24 | $5,769.28 |
| Arizona | $30.60 | $244.80 | $5,385.6 |
| Arkansas | $23.99 | $191.92 | $4,222.24 |
| California | $34.97 | $279.76 | $6,154.72 |
| Colorado | $36.61 | $292.88 | $6,443.36 |
| Connecticut | $30.05 | $240.40 | $5,288.80 |
| Delaware | $30.60 | $244.80 | $5,385.60 |
| District of Columbia | $30.60 | $244.80 | $5,385.60 |
| Florida | $27.32 | $218.56 | $4,808.32 |
| Georgia | $24.59 | $196.72 | $4,327.84 |
| Hawaii | $32.78 | $262.24 | $5,769.28 |
| Idaho | $31.14 | $249.12 | $5,480.64 |
| Illinois | $30.60 | $244.80 | $5,385.60 |
| Indiana | $27.32 | $218.56 | $4,808.32 |
| Iowa | $31.69 | $253.52 | $5,577.44 |
| Kansas | $26.33 | $210.64 | $4,634.08 |
| Kentucky | $27.32 | $218.56 | $4,808.32 |
| Louisiana | $20.76 | $166.08 | $6,653.76 |
| Maine | $32.78 | $262.24 | $5,769.28 |
| Maryland | $29.50 | $236 | $5,192 |
| Massachusetts | $33.87 | $270.96 | $5,961.12 |
| Michigan | $31.69 | $253.52 | $5,577.44 |
| Minnesota | $38.25 | $306 | $6,732 |
| Mississippi | $21.85 | $174.80 | $3,845.60 |
| Missouri | $27.32 | $218.56 | $4,808.32 |
| Montana | $30.60 | $244.80 | $5,385.60 |
| Nebraska | $29.50 | $236 | $5,192 |
| Nevada | $29.50 | $236 | $5,192 |
| New Hampshire | $34.42 | $275.36 | $6,057.92 |
| New Jersey | $31.69 | $253.52 | $5,577.44 |
| New Mexico | $26.39 | $211.12 | $4,644.64 |
| New York | $30.60 | $244.80 | $5,385.60 |
| North Carolina | $25.13 | $201.04 | $4,422.88 |
| North Dakota | $32.61 | $260.88 | $5,739.36 |
| Ohio | $28.41 | $227.28 | $5,000.16 |
| Oklahoma | $27.86 | $222.88 | $4,903.36 |
| Oregon | $34.42 | $275.36 | $6,057.92 |
| Pennsylvania | $28.41 | $227.28 | $5,000.16 |
| Rhode Island | $32.78 | $262.24 | $5,769.28 |
| South Carolina | $25.41 | $203.28 | $4,472.16 |
| South Dakota | $33.87 | $270.96 | $5,961.12 |
| Tennessee | $26.23 | $209.84 | $4.616.48 |
| Texas | $26.23 | $209.84 | $4,616.48 |
| Utah | $32.24 | $257.92 | $5,674.24 |
| Vermont | $32.78 | $262.24 | $5,769.28 |
| Virginia | $27.32 | $218.56 | $4,808.32 |
| Washington | $37.52 | $300.16 | $6,603.52 |
| West Virginia | $20.22 | $161.76 | $3,558.72 |
| Wisconsin | $31.69 | $253.52 | $5,577.44 |
| Wyoming | $31.69 | $253.52 | $5,577.44 |
*Based on estimates from Genworth:
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How to Pay for Home Care for Seniors
There are several ways to pay for home care for seniors including private payment and governmental and/or local assistance options. Here are some common questions concerning paying for senior home care.
Does Medicare Cover Home Care Costs?
Medicare does not cover any type of non-medical care that is not ordered by a physician or care practitioner. This means that there is no Medicare coverage for those receiving care for ADLs, but any care related to medical needs is covered. Home health aides, CNAs, nurses, and therapists are covered under Medicare. However, recipients must be declared homebound and have a doctor prescribe this type of care, which is typically limited compared to time spent by a home care aide.
Does Medicaid Cover Home Care Costs?
Medicaid is a state and government-sponsored program designed to serve low-income persons. Coverage differs drastically from Medicare, as Medicaid does cover non-medical in-home care in addition to medical services. When provided as in-home care, this Medicaid program is referred to as Home and Community Based Services, but there are often state-specific waivers that beneficiaries must apply for and receive for maximum coverage.
Do Veteran’s Benefits Cover Home Health Care?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does provide certain coverages for home health care. In certain cases, the entire cost may be covered, while in other situations this organization helps recompense veterans to reduce their expenditures for home health care. These benefits will vary depending on which type of policies are in force: Improved Pension, Aid and Attendance, and Homebound.
Self-Payment Options
Of course, self-payment is always an option for families in need of senior health care. Some options include:
- Life Insurance Policy Conversions
- Reverse Mortgages & HELOCs
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Home Care Loans
Is Home Heath Care Tax Deductible?
Expenses for home care aides and even home health aides are limited. Non-medical related expenses such as assistance with ADLs are not generally tax deductible. However, those seeking nursing and medical-related expenses might qualify for a tax deduction for declaring an additional independent (similar to declaring a child on taxes) or even dependency status. If the primary purpose of in-home health care is medically related, then there are tax claim options to accommodate those needs as well. Do note, that only medical expenses are deductible under the medical claim and are limited by law.
Pro Tip: Not sure if Home Care is right for you? Check out the cost breakdown of adult day care, custodial care, and respite care.
