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How Much Does Home Health Care Cost Per Day?
Date Updated: December 16, 2024
Written by:
Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
Reviewed by:
Kristi Bickmann, a licensed Long-Term Care Specialist, represents top-rated "Traditional" & "Hybrid" LTC companies. Serving associations such as the American Nurses Association, she's a licensed insurance agent in 27 states. Specializing in insurance products for seniors, Kristi helps hundreds of families every year protect assets, retirement, and loved ones. She understands aging concerns firsthand, having assisted her own parents. Kristi ensures accuracy on topics about senior long-term care and its consequences.
Home health care costs roughly $207 per day across the United States in 2024. Based on data from Genworth Financial, this median rate assumes individuals receive 44 hours of care each week. In comparison, home care agencies charge about $189 daily for nonmedical support in a person’s home.
Home Health Care and Home Care Rates Compared
For both types of at-home care, daily fees cost less for those needing less support, while those requiring more service hours incur higher charges. The exact assistance required also affects how much a person pays, and median prices vary widely among states.
Home health care fees range from $138 per day in Mississippi to $264 in Maine and South Dakota. For further insight into cost variations, typical prices stand at $157 in West Virginia, $189 in Arkansas and $223 in New Jersey. Regarding in-home care, daily rates start around $94 in Mississippi and reach $311 in Montana. Seniors can expect to pay roughly $138 in Alabama, $141 in Texas, $189 in Maryland and $195 in Michigan. Prices also vary among cities.
Paying for Care at Home
Several public assistance programs provide financial support for those aging in place. Eligibility criteria commonly consider an individual’s care needs and financial situation. Some programs only operate in particular areas. Seniors can learn more about funding options from their local Area Agency on Aging or VA center. Such assistance programs include:
- Medicaid and waiver programs
- Medicare
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- VA benefits
Many long-term care insurance policies cover home care and home health care for policyholders once they meet certain triggers — such as requiring help with several activities of daily living or receiving a dementia diagnosis. Senior homeowners may consider a reverse mortgage. Other sources of funds include:
- Personal income, such as Social Security and pensions
- Savings and other assets
- Private bank loans
- Early release of life insurance
- Family support