The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Baker, LA for 2024

Baker is a quiet community of about 12,000 residents, a tenth of whom are seniors, in the Baton Rouge region of Louisiana. It offers a lower-than-average cost of living, property tax relief for older homeowners and retiree-friendly state income tax laws, making it a financially viable option for many living on fixed incomes. The violent crime rate is low and property crime has been trending downward for the past 2 decades, providing peace of mind for seniors, and the area's high doctor-to-resident ratio support access to medical services. The city also has several high-quality home care agencies. These agencies provide nonmedical services for approximately $3,813 per month. This is the same monthly rate as home health care, which includes light medical services. 

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Baker 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 Cost of Care Survey lists home care costs in Baker at $3,813 per month, which is a couple of hundred dollars over Louisiana’s norm of $3,623 but very competitive compared to the national rate of $4,957. In New Orleans, monthly fees are typically higher than in Baker at $4,195 per month, and in Lake Charles, rates exceed the local average by about $100. Seniors in Hammond pay comparatively economical rates for nonmedical care, with agencies charging $3,623 for services. 

In Baker, seniors pay $3,813 per month for home care, which includes personal care services such as meal preparation and help with bathing. This is the same monthly average home health care agencies charge, though seniors often pay higher rates for this level of care. While adult day health care may be a more economical option than private in-home care, with rates averaging $2,513, residential options are generally costlier. Seniors in assisted living pay $4,125 for services, and nursing home residents pay about $1,800 more for care than those who receive private assistance in their homes.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.