The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Des Moines, IA for 2024

In Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report, Des Moines, Iowa, is listed among the best retirement destinations. Situated along the Des Moines River, the city offers seniors a low cost of living and a comfortable year-round climate with many indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Des Moines is home to several high-performing hospitals, including MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and Iowa Methodist Medical Center. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors pay a monthly average of $5,815 for home care, which includes personal care. Home health care is available for those who need light medical services.

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

Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that monthly home care costs in Des Moines are $286 more than the state median of $5,529 and $858 more than the national median of $4,957. Waterloo’s prices are the lowest for in-home care. Average costs in Davenport and Sioux City are $667 and $476 less than in Des Moines, and at $5,625, rates just north of the city in Ames are $190 lower.

Des Moines offers seniors several long-term care options depending on their needs and living preferences. Home care costs $5,815, which includes personal care and assistance with household chores, and costs the same as home health care, which involves limited skilled nursing services and rehabilitation therapy. At $1,517, adult day care is the most affordable option. Assisted living costs about $1,000 less than in-home care at an average of $4,803 per month. Nursing homes charge $7,148 for semiprivate accommodations, making it the most expensive alternative with a monthly increase of $1,333.

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.