The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Tulare, CA for 2024

Tulare is a city with a small-town feel in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. It is comprised of 65,496 residents, 8.9% of whom are seniors aged 65 and over, compared to the California average of 14.8%. The city is popular with seniors for its low cost of living, year-round pleasant climate and access to high-quality health care facilities, such as Adventist Health Hospital. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in the Tulare area pay $4,767 for home care, which is lower than the state average of $5,529. 

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Tulare 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 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that the cost of home care in Tulare is $286 higher than the U.S. median of $4,481 and $762 lower than the California median cost. Compared to the neighboring city of Bakersfield which has an average home care price of $5,077, Tulare is more affordable. Tulare also has a significantly lower price for home care than Fresno, where agencies charge on average $5,034.

Seniors in Tulare have access to various types of care options depending on what they require. The most affordable option available to seniors is adult day health care with a median cost of $1,192. The cost of home care is $4,767 compared to home health care, which includes medical services and care from registered nurses or therapists, and costs on average $4,805. To live in an assisted living facility typically costs less than home care at $4,548 monthly, and staying in a nursing care facility costs significantly more at $6,844 for a semiprivate room. 

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.