Did you know that in the US, every day 10,000 people turn 65 and most want to live in their own homes?
Are you wondering what the cost of in-home care is? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over the costs of care at home.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out.
What Factors Can Affect the Cost?
The cost of in-home care depends on how long a care worker spends with the individual. The type of services and supplies needed can also affect the price.
A client’s health will get factored into the rate charged by the agency. Most agencies provide trained workers. A client with health problems might have to pay a higher price.
Every state has its own average cost associated with in-home care. The national average is around $4,000 a month.
Some of the most expensive states for home care include Hawaii, North Dakota, and Rhode Island, to name a few. The less expensive states are Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Do You Need to Pay a Deposit?
Some agencies will let their clients pay every week. Most home care agencies will want an initial payment or deposit for a specific amount of care. Ask about this beforehand so you know what prepayments you’ll need to make.
Do You Need a Care Worker for a Couple of Hours?
One common way to determine the cost is to figure out the rate per hour. Seniors who are independent in their daily activities won’t need a worker with them all day.
Some seniors only need a care worker for around two hours each day. Some home care providers want a certain amount of working hours spent with a client. Most of the time, it’s between two to four hours.
You’ll want to get an estimate based on an assessment by a licensed home care agency.
Do You Need a Care Worker for the Day?
If you or a relative needs care or help every hour, look into a daily rate. These rates get calculated daily instead of paid by the hour.
The rate could range from $200-350 every day. This price will change depending on the cost of living in your region. If you or your relative need specialized care, the rate will increase.
What About Hiring a Worker for an Overnight Shift?
The overnight rate isn’t always as expensive as the daily rate. Overnight clients hire a caregiver because they have conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s. They might also need help to get up and head to the washroom.
A care worker can help keep their clients safe throughout the night. This is a great option for family members who are the primary caregiver throughout the day. A family member will need to get a good sleep so the care worker can take over.
These rates are affordable and are anywhere from $120-200. All these estimates will vary depending on the location. Compare a few agencies to find the best price.
What Should You Look for When Comparing Agencies?
Look into how long the agency has been in business. Are they quite new, or have they been in business for years?
Next, you’ll want to look into the qualifications of the agency’s staff. Are the in-home care service providers trained? Are some of them certified nurses? The credentials of the staff members will help you gain insight into the level of care they can provide.
Find out if the staff is already bonded and insured. Depending on the care you or your family member needs, check if the home care provider works with a doctor.
Together, they can come up with a structured plan for medical and rehabilitative care.
Are you able to get references from the care provider? A top provider will be happy to share recommendations with you. When you get the chance to talk to a client, you can understand more about the home care agency.
Take your time to decide on the best home care agency for your situation.
How Can You Pay for Home Care?
You can pay for home care in a few ways. Some family members will pay for the service, or you can also pay out of pocket.
Look into institutions like Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran Administration for military vets. Do you have a health insurance company or managed care plan? This is another third-party option.
On a rare occasion, a private citizen, friend, or church member will cover this service. Start setting money aside for this service.
Determine Your Budget
Before you choose an agency, think about the services you or your loved one will need.
Next, you’re going to want to determine the budget you have for in-home care. Decide on how much of the week you’ll need the home care service provider.
By answering these questions, you can determine a rough cost for a home care provider. This will help you make a plan for when you need to decide to hire help for you or a loved one.
Learn more here about what you should look for when looking to hire a private duty home care.
Now You Know the Cost of In-Home Care
We hope you found this guide on home care helpful. Now that you know the cost of in-home care, you can start researching various agencies.
Don’t forget to save our site. This way, you won’t miss any of our resources.
