Home health care costs an average of $30 per hour in Alaska. This is based on figures from Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Seniors who need one hour of care each day can expect to pay a monthly average of $910. By contrast, around-the-clock home health care would cost an average of $21,840 per month. The exact hourly rate of home health care depends on factors such as services required and location.

Home health care fees generally cover skilled nursing or therapeutic services for older adults who are aging in place. Services may be provided by licensed or registered nurses, certified nursing aides or rehabilitation therapists.

What Services Does Home Health Care Cover?

Home health care is different from home care, with the latter usually providing assistance with personal care tasks, everyday activities and domestic tasks. Home health care includes intermittent clinical or therapeutic care, which may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Nutrition therapy
  • Medication administration
  • Pain management
  • Catheter care
  • Wound care
  • Medical social services
  • Health monitoring

Services are performed according to an individual’s personalized care plan. 

Comparison of Long-Term Care Costs in Alaska

The national average cost for home health care is $27 per hour, which is $3 lower than Alaska’s average rate.

The average hourly rate for home health care in Fairbanks is on par with the state average. Seniors in Anchorage typically pay a little more, with a median fee of $30.50 per hour.

  • Anchorage: $30.50
  • Fairbanks: $30    

Looking at other types of long-term care in the state, home care shares the same average hourly rate as home health care. Using 44 weekly hours of care as a benchmark, both types of in-home care cost $5,720 per month. Adult day health care provides care outside the home in a community location. The average monthly fee for adult day health care is $1,562. Receiving assisted living services in a residential setting typically costs around $6,830 per month. Seniors who need 24/7 care and the high-level clinical services provided by nursing homes can expect to pay around $31,512 in Alaska for a semi-private room.

  • Home health care: $5,720
  • Home care: $5,720
  • Adult day health care: $1,562
  • Assisted living: $6,830
  • Nursing home: $31,512