The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Zimmerman, MN for 2024

Zimmerman is a small city of about 6,500 people, 7% of whom are aged 65 and over, in the southwestern region of Minnesota. The city’s low violent and property crime rates appeal to seniors who want to remain in their homes throughout retirement, and retiree-friendly state income tax laws enable many seniors to afford living expenses on fixed incomes. According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of in-home care in this city is $7,055 per month. This type of care includes nonmedical services, such as personal care, housekeeping and companionship, in the client's home. It's distinct from home health care, which may also be administered in the individual's home but includes skilled services such as medication administration and disease monitoring.

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Zimmerman 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 the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care agencies in Zimmerman charge approximately $7,055 per month for in-home care. This exceeds the state norm by about 6%, and it’s about 42% higher than the U.S. average, making this city a comparatively expensive place for in-home services. Several surveyed cities in Minnesota have more economically priced care, including St. Cloud, where rates are about $1,000 lower than in Zimmerman, and Duluth and Mankato, where respective monthly fees come in at $5,815 and $5,720. However, Zimmerman residents pay competitive monthly home care rates compared to seniors in Rochester, where agencies charge $7,627 per month on average for care.

In-home care is one of the most expensive senior care options in Zimmerman, with seniors paying $7,055 per month for care. In many cases, home health care providers charge more for specialized care, but in Zimmerman, the monthly average rate is the same as in-home care. While home care costs about 40% less than nursing home care, seniors may save money by opting for assisted living, which costs approximately $5,163 per month, or adult day health care, which comes in at $2,102.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.