Sometimes older adults need extra help but don’t want to make the move to a senior living community. In these cases, the right choice can be in-home care services, or services provided in the comfort of an older adult‘s own home, wherever that home may be. In-home care provides great comfort and support to older people and peace of mind to families, all of which comes at a cost.
Knowing how much private home care costs per hour and what’s included in these services can help families make an informed decision regarding elder care.
About Private Home Care Costs
The 2024 national median cost for in-home care services was $6,292/month for homemaker services and $6,483/month for home health aides, according to CareScout and Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care survey.
Why Does In-Home Care Cost So Much?
In-home care services are care services received in the comfort of an older adult‘s own home, whether that home may be.
Factors that influence the cost of home care services include:
- Geographic location. Higher cost of living areas often see higher costs associated with home care.
- Type of care received. What level of care a senior needs influences pricing. Seniors needing help with light housekeeping and grocery shopping (homemaker services) or wanting companionship (companion care services) typically see lower costs than if they need help from a licensed healthcare provider to render medical care services or to administer medications (home health aides).
- Duration of care. Most home care providers charge hourly rates. The number of hours billed will affect overall costs. Part-time home health care services naturally cost lower than full-time services do.
- Home care provider. The exact people hired can affect the average cost of senior care. For example, hiring an independent caregiver can mean lower overall costs compared to hiring help from an agency. The types of services providers offer and the certifications they have can also affect costs.
- Live-in care. If a senior’s care needs are so severe that they require around-the-clock care, more expensive live-in care services may be necessary.
Types of Private Home Care Services
There are different types of in-home care options, including:
- Homemaker services: Non-medical home care like meal preparation
- Home health aide services: Personal care, such as help with activities of daily living/ADLs (bathing, grooming), and some medical care, such as medication management
- Skilled nursing care: Specialized care like wound care services
- Companion care: Companionship/elderly sitting
Paying for In-Home Care Services
Ways to cover senior living costs, including in-home health care costs, include:
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- VA benefits
- Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
- Savings
Cost of Private Home Care FAQs
How much does it cost to have a caregiver come to your home?
Average costs for professional caregivers to visit your loved one‘s home vary depending on whether your loved one needs medical care or non medical care. Homemaker services (think household tasks like preparing meals) can cost around $6,292 per month. Meanwhile, skilled professionals like home health aides (think medication management) can cost around $6,483 per month.
What is the average hourly rate for home care?
The median hourly cost was $33 for homemaker services and $34 for home health aides in the United States, according to the 2024 Cost of Care survey.
Costs vary depending on factors like services received, the type of provider hired, hours billed, and location.
What is private pay in-home care?
Private pay home care is only covered by out-of-pocket payments/private payments. In other words, these services will not be covered by insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. This option may offer greater privacy or flexibility to families who can pay for services without relying on insurance.
How do I choose the right home care agency?
A checklist for hiring a home health care agency should include the following items:
- Confirm your loved one lives within the service area
- Conduct a background check
- Confirm hourly pricing and associated costs
- Ask for proof of certifications, which can include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide certifications
- Confirm services will meet your loved one’s needs
What happens if a caregiver does not show up for their shift?
A reputable agency or private caregiver should have plans in place should a professional caregiver not show up to their shift.
These plans typically include:
- Notifications to the older adult and their emergency contacts, so there are no surprises
- A back-up caregiver or service is provided or recommended
- Costs for the day may be waived, reduced, or refunded
- Provider contact information should be provided at the time of hiring, so care recipients can notify agencies of any no-shows
Families should also have their own plans in place. These plans can include having emergency contacts, such as trusted neighbors or other family members, ready to notify on short notice.
How much does 24-hour in-home care cost on average?
How much private home care costs per hour depends on factors like services needed, hours billed, and location. That said, 2024 annual costs for homemaker services were $75,504 and home health care were $77,792, according to the Cost of Care survey.
Depending on your loved one‘s specific needs, comparable residential care can offer a more affordable option for families on a budget. According to that same survey, assisted living communities cost roughly $7,000 less a year than home health aides.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of medical, financial, tax or legal advice.