Everyone reaches an age where they could use some help getting around and completing daily tasks. However, you may not need or want to move into a nursing home or assisted living community. Fortunately, the best in-home care services for seniors are a phone call away.
There is much to consider when deciding on the right agency. From experience to cost to reliability, you must practice due diligence in hiring a caregiver to meet your or your loved one’s needs.
In-Home Care Services vs. Care Facilities
In-home care services for seniors differ from those provided by a residential facility. With this type of assistance, individuals can receive personalized aid in the comfort of their own homes. It’s an ideal option for older adults who’d prefer to age in place and maintain their independence as much as possible.
Depending on what you’re looking for, an at-home caregiver will deliver personal care — such as bathing, dressing, housekeeping and shopping — and offer socialization for those who are generally isolated. Some also provide medical support, such as medication distribution and light physical therapy.
Conversely, a care facility — like nursing homes or assisted living centers — has around-the-clock services and is more equipped to provide medical and memory care support. There are also social activities so residents can interact with others regularly. Although these environments are conducive to those needing highly specialized care and assistance, older adults may find it difficult to adjust to a new setting and the thought of losing their independence.
Ultimately, you or a loved one must decide the level of personal and health care necessary for quality of life. An in-home aide may be appropriate for those who can still get around safely and do things independently.
Cost Of In-Home Caregiving Services
The cost of hiring an aide will likely come up early in discussions about in-home senior caregiving. Naturally, if you want to receive quality assistance and compassion from an expert caregiver, you must be willing to pay a fair price.
In-home care is usually cheaper than nursing home or assisted living fees. However, the actual hourly rate will depend on location, the individual’s medical condition, the type of assistance, and the number of visitation hours or days.
You can hire a home health care worker through an agency or privately. Although going through an agency is usually 20%-30% more expensive than hiring individual aides, it could be worth the extra cost. Agencies oversee the evaluation, aid matching and background checks for you.
Most of the time, in-home care for seniors costs about $30 per hour. Hourly rates may also be cheaper or more expensive by state. On the high and low ends, the median cost of an in-home caregiver is $9,721 monthly in Montana and $2,946 in Mississippi.
How To Pay For In-Home Health Care Services
Over one-third of 65-year-olds will likely need paid home care for at least two years, even if they’re in good health. Therefore, thinking ahead about your finances is essential to paying for at-home support.
For many, the best in-home care services for seniors are outside their budget and require some financial assistance. However, there are ways to offset part of the cost, such as the following:
- Medicare: Covers part-time and sporadic in-home care through Part A (hospital care) and/or Part B (medical insurance) for eligible beneficiaries.
- Medicaid: May cover home care services for low-income individuals, but eligibility varies by state.
- Veterans health care: Health care through Veterans Affairs for military service members needing at-home aid.
- Private medical insurance: May substitute specific elder care fees but typically requires physician authorization.
- Long-term care insurance: Private insurance that helps cover the cost of in-home care but varies by plan.
- Life insurance: Allows policyholders to withdraw cash funds for long-term in-home care.
- Personal savings: Includes savings, retirement income or other personal funds.
Look at what each option offers according to your policy. For example, Medicare is willing to provide coverage to those unable to leave their home without help because of an injury or illness or who are advised not to because of their condition.
However, part-time or intermittent home health aide services are for a maximum of 28 hours weekly or eight hours daily. Sometimes, your provider may recommend up to 35 hours for a short period. Medicare will not cover 24-hour home care, though. It also won’t pay for home meal delivery, unrelated shopping or cleaning services, or personal and hygiene care when it’s all you need.
How To Find The Best In-Home Care Services For Seniors
Navigating home health aides may seem daunting, with much to consider. If you’re wondering how to find the best in-home care services for seniors, making the best decision will require time and effort.
Before you begin your search, take stock of your or the individual’s physical, medical, emotional and social needs. Then, consider all financial resources and payment options to offset short- or long-term care costs.
You’ll want to research local agencies and private caregivers and compare their services and pricing. Also, read their reviews and testimonials to gain insight into their reputations. It will also be helpful to ask people for recommendations, including friends, family and your medical providers.
Call the agency or private aide to learn more about their services, qualifications, certifications, licensure, experience and pricing. You can set up an in-person appointment to meet with them at the agency or your home and ask them about their approach to care.
Look over the contracts of any agencies you’re considering and narrow down your options. Verify fees, cancellation policies and other charges before signing anything. A side-by-side comparison will help you ensure you receive the proper assistance you’re looking for. You should also inquire about flexible plans to accommodate changing circumstances.
Watch Out For These Red Flags When Choosing In-Home Caregiving Services
In-home care is personal. Therefore, you don’t want to hire someone unqualified or untrustworthy. When going through the selection process, be sure to keep an eye out for the following red flags:
- Providers are unable to furnish certifications and licensure.
- Agencies have a reputation for high caregiver turnover, indicating mismanagement and inconsistency in care.
- Agencies or private caregivers are unwilling to give you their references.
- Agencies conduct inadequate background checks on their aides.
- Caregivers have not undergone sufficient training and supervision.
- Communication is lacking, such as difficulty reaching them, being unresponsive to inquiries, or being unwilling to collaborate with the client and their loved ones.
- Providers display unprofessionalism by being rude, disrespectful or uncompassionate.
- You are pressured to sign a contract with them.
Interviewing In-Home Health Aides: Qualities To Look For
Choosing an in-home caregiver requires a comprehensive check on their experience, expertise and personality traits. After all, safety and comfort are the top priorities for the individual receiving assistance.
The ideal aide is compassionate and empathetic toward the senior’s wellbeing. They should also exude patience, reliability, flexibility, respect for the individual’s dignity and excellent problem-solving skills. Effective communicators are also vital for coordinating the individual’s needs and relaying information to their loved ones.
If you are searching for a potential home health provider through an agency or doing so privately, ask the following questions to get to know them better:
- How long have you been in this profession?
- What sort of medical training, certification and background do you have?
- What specific services are you adept in?
- How comfortable are you with giving medications, personal care and mobility assistance?
- What is your protocol for emergencies?
- How do you communicate with your client and their custodians?
- What is your availability, and do you work weekends and holidays?
- How do you document and report the client’s care and progress?
- How do you ensure the individual’s safety and comfort?
- What is your approach to establishing and maintaining close bonds with your client?
- How do you handle challenging personalities and situations?
You should also inquire about professional references from previous employers and clients to understand their experiences with the caregiver.
5 Best In-Home Care Services For Seniors
The best in-home care services for seniors are nationwide, delivering quality assistance to older adults with varying conditions and needs. The following agencies guarantee superior caregivers, availability and attention wherever you live.
1. Village Caregiving
Village Caregiving delivers compassionate in-home care services to older adults who need personal and hygiene assistance to achieve greater independence. The company offers affordable, flexible plans with an emphasis on family involvement. Clients will appreciate not having to sign a contract and the ability to cancel anytime.
You will work with your local Village Caregiving manager during a consultation and assessment. From there, they will select an aide who can fulfill your needs. If interested, you can ask to meet the caregiver in advance to see if they’re a good fit.
| Location | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming |
| Services | Respite care, hygiene, ambulation, companionship, light housekeeping, bathing, dressing, cooking, appointment transportation, errands, veteran care and memory care |
| Pros | Offers personalized care plans, does not require contracts, provides backup caregivers during emergencies, offers 24-hour services, and is thoroughly vetted |
| Cons | Cannot administer medication, including topical ointments or shots |
2. Visiting Angels
Visiting Angels is a recognizable in-home care provider with locations across the United States. It tailors plans based on each person’s necessities, allowing them to age in place comfortably. What makes the company stand out is the option for 24-hour assistance, overnight stays, and weekend and holiday visitation.
Search for your nearest location to get started with Visiting Angels’ in-home senior care. A local coordinator will provide a free consultation at your home to learn about the individual, the environment and everyone’s preferences. This information will be used to assign a caregiver and create a customized plan.
| Location | All 50 states and the District of Columbia |
| Services | Home care, memory care, end-of-life care, palliative care, fall prevention, companionship, personal care, respite care and hospital transition care |
| Pros | 24-hour care, flexible and affordable plans, weekend and holiday visits, overnight care |
| Cons | Does not provide skilled nursing care, may see multiple caregivers depending on availability |
3. Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers prides itself on delivering compassionate and uplifting home care to seniors to help them maintain independence. Caregivers develop a specialized plan encompassing the client’s physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.
Those interested can take a self-assessment on Comfort Keepers’ website or call their local office to set up an in-person consultation directly.
| Location | All states except Hawaii, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia |
| Services | Companion care, personal care, safety care, memory care, end-of-life care, palliative care, transitional care, respite care, veteran care |
| Pros | 24-hour care, short-notice care and private-duty nursing |
| Cons | Affordability varies by state |
4. Home Instead
Older adults looking to enhance their wellbeing and age in place should consider Home Instead. The company personalizes in-home services, from daily living activities to companionship.
Home Instead boasts 1 million hours of care weekly thanks to its 100,000 highly trained caregivers nationwide. Clients are given the respect and dignity they deserve as they maintain their quality of life in familiar surroundings.
To hire an at-home aide, visit Home Instead’s website and search for the nearest location. Then, call the office and set up a consultation appointment.
| Location | All 50 states |
| Services | Personal care, hospital transition care, memory care, transportation, hospice support, mobility assistance, meal preparation, medication reminders and housekeeping |
| Pros | Caregivers must pass background checks to be insured, aides receive ongoing training, provides senior-friendly technology systems for resource access |
| Cons | Affordability varies by state, minimum weekly hour requirements by location |
5. BrightStar Care
In addition to standard in-home care services, BrightStar Care offers skilled nursing aid for those with medical needs. A registered nurse supervises all caregiving teams to ensure the safest, most compassionate attention. BrightStar’s use of cutting-edge technology also allows for real-time insights and updates so everyone remains informed of the client’s care and progress.
Search for your nearest BrightStar Care location through the website. You can either fill out the online form with your contact information or reach out to your regional office directly. Someone is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your questions or set up a free home consultation and evaluation.
| Location | All states except Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming |
| Services | Companion care, personal care, short-term care, transitional care, memory care, in-home therapies, appointment transportation |
| Pros | Offers skilled nursing care, participates in Joint Commission accreditation, all at-home care is supervised by a registered nurse |
| Cons | Independently-owned locations may lead to inconsistent services |
Aging In Place With Peace Of Mind
Whether you or your loved one are beginning the search for the best in-home care services for seniors, you can rest assured these agencies will deliver on their promises. Maintain your independence in the comforts of home with peace of mind of your safety and wellbeing.