The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Anchorage, AK for 2024

Despite ranking fairly low in Caring’s 2019 Senior Living report, Anchorage, Alaska provides unique opportunities for seniors seeking adventure, clean air and natural beauty. Residents of Alaska’s largest city can choose between outdoorsy hobbies like whale watching, hiking and fishing or spend time in town at one of the many restaurants, museums and theaters. The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found the price of in-home, non-medical care in Anchorage averaged $5,720 per month. The city cares for its older population through its Senior Services Program, which manages facilities like the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. Anchorage is also home to the Alaska Regional Senior Health Clinic, specializing in senior wellness.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Anchorage 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.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care survey estimates that seniors can expect to pay about $5,720 per month for home care services. This is roughly what older adults pay throughout the state, with both Fairbanks and the overall state of Alaska averaging the same. Similar care in Alaska’s closest neighboring state, Washington, is more expensive. Bellingham, WA, averages about $763 more for home care monthly, for example, and Seattle’s costs are even higher.

In-home care in Anchorage is just one option for the city’s older residents. Home care, or assistance with daily tasks, is often the most affordable choice, but it lacks the medical care provided by home health aides. Typical rates for home health care are only slightly higher than for home care alone. Costs for adult day care programs, such as those hosted by senior activity centers, fall below the national average. At $24,208 per month, however, the expenses of a semiprivate nursing home room are more than triple the national rate.

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.