The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Albany, NY for 2024

Situated along the western banks of the Hudson River, Albany, New York State’s capital, is an ideal retirement destination for seniors who want to enjoy their golden years on the east coast. The city has 98,617 residents, of whom 13.2% are at least 65 years old — less than the national average of 16.8%. Winters in Albany are a little chilly, but seniors can enjoy pleasantly warm summers and have access to outdoor activities, arts and cultural attractions. The charming, eclectic city offers the older population a low cost of living and additional savings on housing, transportation and health care costs. Albany is home to many high-quality health care facilities, including Albany Medical Center and four hospital locations through St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Seniors who need personal care and wish to remain at home pay an average of $5,148 per month for home care, per the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Home health care may be a more suitable option for older adults who also need minimal medical services or therapy.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Albany– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

At $5,148 per month, home care costs in Albany are about $190 lower than the state median and around $190 higher than the national median, based on the results of Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Prices in the northern city of Watertown are more affordable at $4,862. Rates in the far southern region of the state in New York City are higher, and just north of Albany, in Glens Falls, rates are even higher. The most expensive is south-central Ithaca, where home care costs are about $1,000 more than in Albany.

Monthly average home care in Albany costs $5,148 and provides nonmedical assistance with daily living activities. For about $430 more, older adults can also receive limited skilled nursing through home health care services. Adult day programs provide daytime supervision, assistance and activities in a group setting and are more economical at almost $4,000 less than home care in Albany. Assisted living communities charge a little more for services similar to home care. Nursing home costs for a semiprivate room are more than double the cost of home care, but include 24-hour supervision and medical support.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.