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How Much Does Private Home Care Cost Per Hour?
Date Updated: December 6, 2024
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With over a decade of dedicated experience, Andrea Miller boasts an extensive background in healthcare writing and editing. Her expertise spans various facets of the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on nursing, senior care, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health. Andrea has also contributed her editorial talents to reputable publishers in the Philadelphia region, complementing her extensive freelance work.
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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.
Private home care costs $30 per hour for in-home care services and $33 per hour for a home health aide. These amounts from the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey represent the median prices for private home care in the United States. Many families use Medicare benefits or state Medicaid waivers to help pay for private home care.
What Do In-Home Care and Home Health Aide Services Include?
In-home care services include:
- Cooking meals
- Running errands
- Offering companion care
- Providing transportation for errands and medical appointments
- Reminding seniors to take their medications
- Shopping for groceries
- Helping with personal hygiene tasks, such as bathing, grooming, dressing and brushing teeth
Like in-home caregivers, home health providers help with activities of daily living. They also perform services such as:
- Medication administration
- Medical transportation
- Wound care
- Catheter care
- Pain management
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Management of chronic health conditions
When Do Seniors Need Private Home Care?
Seniors need private home care when they want to age in place at home but need professional support to do so. Home care could benefit your loved one if they live alone and have a disability or chronic illness. It allows them to remain safely in their own space, which preserves well-being and independence. Research shows that seniors who age in place feel more connected to their environment and have stronger social networks. As a result, they have a lower risk of loneliness and isolation.
How Much Does 24-Hour Home Care Cost Per Month?
Home care for 24 hours a day, seven days a week costs $21,840 per month for in-home care services and $24,024 per month for a home health aide. These estimates represent the hourly cost for these services times 672 hours a month (168 hours per week for four consecutive weeks).
In comparison, assisted living care has a median monthly cost of $5,350, according to the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care survey. Consider this more affordable choice if your loved one requires around-the-clock supervision. Assisted living communities give seniors a residential setting where they receive the care they need. Each person typically has a private or shared apartment and access to daily meals, social activities, transportation and common areas. Assisted living offers a supportive environment if your loved one doesn't need the extensive care available at a nursing home.