The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Rutland, VT for 2024

Rutland is a vibrant city with a historic downtown district, high access to parks and recreational amenities and several health care providers, making it a prime long-term option for retirees. The city has a very large senior community that makes up nearly a quarter of its 61,366 residents. Its low cost of living and generally pleasant weather support a favorable environment for seniors who live in their own homes, and Rutland Regional Medical Center provides outstanding medical care for all stages of life. On average, seniors in this city pay $5,863 per month for nonmedical in-home care. Those seeking skilled nursing at home pay slightly higher rates of $6,006 for home health care.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Rutland 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 Cost of Care Survey, home care agencies in Rutland charge $5,863 per month for services. This is a little higher than the state norm of $5,720 and about $900 over the national average. Rates in Burlington are about $140 less than in Rutland, and across state lines in Pittsfield, MA, seniors pay $5,625. Agencies in Bridgeport, CT, charge $5,339 per month for full-time care, and in Albany, NY, rates are about $700 less than Rutland’s average.  

Nonmedical home care in Rutland costs approximately $5,863 per month, and seniors who need skilled services pay slightly higher rates of $6,006 for home health care. This is significantly higher than the cost of assisted living, which averages $4,250 for a similar scope of services in a residential setting. Adult day health care may be an economical alternative to home care for those who want to live at home, with rates coming in at $2,427. However, home care costs less than half as much as nursing home care, which starts at $12,019.

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.