The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Boise, ID for 2024

Boise has developed into one of the most popular places in the country for seniors to retire with roughly 6,300 residents turning 65 each year and a remarkably low cost of living. About 14.6% of Boise residents are seniors, compared with 16.8% nationwide. A strong local support network exists to help seniors in both Boise and the nearby community of Meridian stay active and engaged in the community. . Seniors in Boise who need medical attention are close to both Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, which accept Medicare and have senior health specialists on staff.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that seniors in Boise pay an average of $5,720 a month for home care services, which is an in-home caregiver program. For additional light medical services, such as wound care or medication management, seniors may opt for home health care.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Boise area – 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.

According to data from Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the cost of home care in Boise is $763 a month higher than the national average of $4,957 for similar services. The average for the rest of Idaho is closer to Boise at $5,434 a month for equivalent care. Other cities in Idaho are fairly cost-competitive with the state and federal averages. Lewiston averages $4,576 a month for in-home care, while Twin Falls averages $4,767. Seniors in Pocatello pay an average of $5,339 a month for home care.

In-home care may not be the first choice for some seniors in Boise. Depending on their needs and budgets, other types of senior living arrangements might be more appropriate. Home health care in Boise averages $5,720 a month, and includes light medical services performed by medical professionals. Assisted living includes both a room and care, while adult day health care involves daily travel to a community for services. A semiprivate room in a local nursing home costs around $8,608 a month for more medically intensive care services.

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.