When faced with knowing that your loved one needs in-home care, one of the first things that’ll likely pop into your head is the cost of home care.
Before committing to any home care agencies, it’s a good idea to find out how much does 24/7 in-home care cost and move towards finding the home care agency that fits your budget without losing the quality of care your loved one deserves and needs.
Below you’ll find the different factors that help determine home care costs, so you are better equipped and prepared for what the in-home care costs will likely be for your unique situation.
Levels of In-Home Care Services
It’s important to consider the various levels of home care services, even if you’re specifically looking at 24/7 home care. The reason for this is that not all 24/7 home health care involves the same level of work or services, and some types of care require a medical professional instead of extra hands around the house.
Non-Sleeping Home Care
This type of 24/7 home care costs the most and typically involves several caregivers who work 8-12 hour shifts so that your loved one is always watched over by someone who is awake and able to be attentive. They will help with incontinence, mobility, disorientation, hydration, and medications and other care needs.
Live-in Care Home Care
This type of home care is usually for seniors who do well during the night time and can sleep throughout most of it, though a caregiver may be called in for nighttime help every so often or to check-in if help may be needed. This can be considered a 24/7 in-home care service as individuals who have this style of home care are able to utilize their caregiver more frequently throughout the night in the case of any issues. This type of care is often misunderstood due to the name live-in. The caregivers do not move into the home rather this type of care involves two to four caregivers performing the 24-hour shifts. Each caregiver stays in the home around the clock for two to three days.
Private vs. Agency In-Home Care
In the last section, briefly touched on was the primary options of home care: private or an in-home care agency. Like every other kind of services, each have their positives and drawbacks which are covered below:
Private In-home Care
- Hiring private caregivers is more affordable
- There are extra fees from running background checks, gaining liability insurance, having employer taxes, and other such factors
- The family is responsible for covering for the caregiver if they quit, vacation, or become ill themselves.
Agency In-home Care
- A home care agency may be more expensive
- The caregivers are thoroughly screened, bonded, insured, and supervised by the agency they work for.
- The agency is responsible for providing a substitute caregiver if the current one is ill or takes time off.
Ways to Pay for Senior In-Home Care Costs
Budgeting for in-home care for your loved one can be as stressful as knowing they need assistance, but there are several options you have to save out of pocket costs and still get the care they need.
Medicare/Medicare Advantage
It’s important to note that while Medicare covers medical home care needs it does not cover the cost of daily living assistance. This means that care aides or caregivers won’t be paid by Medicare for any household tasks unrelated to medical need. There are also specific requirements your loved one must meet:
- The care is prescribed by a doctor
- the care is short-term only
- The home care assistance is performed by a medical professional
If you’re depending on Medicare to provide financial relief for home care assistance or your loved one needs personal care for their caregivers, it’s important to check with your provider and/or talk with a Medicare specialist.
Medicaid
In many states Medicaid will fund non-medical in-home care for low-income seniors, though the benefits often only cover some of the home care needed. It’s important to discuss how Medicaid can help and what it doesn’t cover by speaking with the Medicaid office in your state.
Veteran Benefits
Veteran Affairs programs usually help pay for in-home care for veterans, or the spouse of a veteran that qualifies. Some of the programs are the Aid and Attendance pensions, Veteran Directed Care, and Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Due to each program having its own requirements and benefits offered, discuss what is needed for your loved one with a representative from one of these programs to see what services will be covered.
Long-Term Care Insurance
If your family member has bought a long-term care insurance policy then it may be time to put it into effect. This type of policy often covers caregiving and in-home care, though there will be requirements a senior must meet for the plan to pay this benefit.