The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Harrisburg, PA for 2024

Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, is located approximately an hour north of the Maryland border and 2 hours west of Philadelphia. It’s a relatively small city of 20,062 and its cost of living is 25% lower than the national average. U.S. Census data indicates that Harrisburg’s population skews slightly older than that of the average American city, with 17.5% of residents considered senior citizens. UPMC Harrisburg ranks among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for its urology care, while Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is similarly lauded for its orthopedics care.

According to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2021, seniors seeking home care in Harrisburg see an average monthly price of $4,767. Home care encompasses assistance with tasks of daily living such as bathing and eating. Alternatively, home health care involves a higher level of medical care such as working with IVs and complex medications.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Harrisburg– 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 the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Pennsylvania’s average monthly cost for home care, $4,957, is the same as the national average, but Harrisburg’s average monthly cost is roughly $200 cheaper. The state’s most populated cities, such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, tend to also have the state’s highest reported prices. Erie, which is in the northwest corner of the state, has prices in line with Harrisburg’s. The state’s lowest reported prices are found in Johnstown at $3,813 per month.

Home health care is similar to home care, but involves more support from medical professionals. According to Genworth Financial, the average prices of both options are identical in Harrisburg. Assisted living is slightly more expensive than home care at $4,828 per month. However, there’s a much bigger price jump for Harrisburg seniors who require the extended medical support of a skilled nursing facility, as it’s more than twice the monthly price of in-home care. Adult day health care is a much cheaper option, but its limited hours mean it’s most often used as a supplement to primary caregiving. 

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.