For many families, the time comes when they need to find extra help to care for aging loved ones. Determining the best kind of help needed, how often you will need it, and balancing that with in home care cost, is a challenging process. As your loved one ages, they may need help with things that most of us take for granted. These are exactly the types of things that in home care is designed to help with.
Various factors play a role in figuring out your estimated cost of personal care. Thankfully, there are ways to offset your expenses. This post will explore the cost of in home care in detail.
What is In Home Care?
In home care, also known as personal care, involves providing non-medical support with various personal daily living tasks to help an individual, usually an elderly person or a person with disabilities, remain at home safely.
Often, these are tasks that the individual can no longer do for themselves, such as bathing, dressing, using the toilet, or transferring. A personal care aide can also help with preparing meals, doing laundry, light housekeeping, reminding the individual to take their medications, and offering companionship.
You might hear terms like “home care” or “home care aide”, which mean the same thing. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal care aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment. They typically work in the client’s home or a residential care facility.
How Much Does Personal Care Cost?
Deciding to get personal care for a loved one can bring relief, but also many questions. One of those is naturally the concern about personal care cost. As with most senior care options, cost can vary considerably based on a few factors.
However, to get an idea of average monthly expenses, according to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey, the national average for in-home care in 2024 is around $5,417. Those receiving home care services twenty hours each week pay an average of $2,700 a month for personal care.
Caregiverlist rate data also notes hourly costs in each state vary, from roughly $30 to $38, based on an aide’s skills, expertise, and training. Location, qualifications, and types of services needed all come into play to determine the cost.
Key Factors That Affect In Home Care Rates
Of course, determining your total out-of-pocket cost comes down to details specific to your individual needs. Things such as location, hours of service each week, and the qualifications of the caregiver all play a part in personal care assistance costs. Let’s look at how each factor makes a difference.
1. Location
Geographic location is often a major driving force in setting pricing. Cities with a higher cost of living will have higher personal care costs, compared to rural communities or less-expensive regions. Take North Dakota, for example. In 2021, their home health aides averaged about $27 an hour, according to Genworth. On the other hand, in less costly Southern states like Louisiana or West Virginia, averages are much lower at about $19 per hour.
2. Level of Care Needed
When considering what you will need to budget, you have to start with determining exactly how many hours of care you will require. This means thinking about how much your loved one can do independently and how much assistance they will need.
Someone only requiring help with showering, getting dressed, and taking medication a few days per week, might pay a very different amount compared to someone who needs more involved personal care services, twenty-four hours per day. That’s because around-the-clock help usually means a team of caregivers, to allow for adequate time off for each aide.
3. Caregiver Credentials and Expertise
Caregiver training and expertise can influence pricing. The experience level of the aide or nurse and any certifications they have will influence what they charge for services. For example, aides certified in specific types of care, such as dementia, are often in higher demand, which can also mean higher pay.
Remember to consider what you can afford and the unique needs of your loved one as you make decisions about personal care costs and levels of assistance.
Options for Helping Offset Personal Care Cost
Understanding the cost of home care is important, but knowing how to pay for care is crucial. Many seniors find that there are few, if any, insurance options for these services. In this case, they might explore private pay options or consider financing for long-term care services. Here are a few routes many people take:
1. Paying for Home Care Privately
Many seniors choose to pay for their personal care out of pocket, often referred to as private pay. Funds for this can come from retirement savings, such as IRA’s or 401k accounts, pensions, personal savings, or Social Security benefits. The benefit of private pay is that it can offer more choices.
2. HCBS Medicaid Waivers
A Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver lets qualified individuals direct their care and services based on their unique situation and need, also referred to as a 1915 (c) waiver. This option allows eligible individuals to access home and community-based services that are an alternative to receiving care in nursing homes. To be considered, individuals must qualify for nursing home care in their state’s Medicaid program.
FAQs About Personal Care Cost
Care Without Limits
Personal care, despite the financial planning and logistics involved, offers the valuable ability to age in place for as long as possible while still getting the assistance needed. Many families experience tremendous peace of mind in knowing their loved ones have dedicated care as they gracefully navigate their golden years.
Finding a home is one of the most important experiences in life. Choosing the right place for you whether a permanent residence, a hotel, or a senior home can become very challenging when you don’t have the right guide.
At Senior Home Transitions, we are committed to helping families make the home search experience as pleasant as possible. Whether you need memory care, independent living, or skilled nursing facilities, we are here to take the challenge off you and match you or your loved one with the perfect home for your special needs.
Call us today for FREE personal care planning services.
