Also called the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World, Homer is known for its friendly small-town charm, rugged natural beauty and picturesque views of Kachemak Bay. Nearly 20% of Homer’s 5,922 residents are 65 and up, which is higher than Alaska’s percentage of seniors for the state overall (12.5%). Homer residents can get cutting-edge geriatric care and specialty services at South Peninsula Hospital, which is the largest medical facility serving the Kenai Peninsula area. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home care in Homer costs an average of $5,434 per month, which is slightly higher than prices for Alaska as a whole.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Homer 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.
440 W Benson Blvd, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK, 99503
4.3
(6 reviews)
"Home Instead has been an absolute Godsend for our family and Dad who lives 4,000 miles away. After my initial inquiry, Jayme showed up the very next day for an assessment, asked all the right questions and assigned my Dad the most amazing caregiver:..."
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35557 Kenai Spur HWY, Soldotna, AK, 99669
4.0
(1 reviews)
"The caregivers from Senior Helpers of the Kenai Peninsula were wonderful and very caring. They loved my mom and she loved them. The office people individually were very nice, but they just weren't as organized and as helpful as they needed to be. The..."
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440 W Benson Blvd, Anchorage, AK, 99503
"Founded more than 25 years ago in Omaha, Nebraska, Home Instead provides individualized, compassionate care to aging adults with the goal of..."
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47255 Princeton Avenue , Soldotna, AK, 99709
"About TLC Care Services We proudly serve all of Anchorage, Matsu, Fairbanks, and the entire Peninsula!! We believe that our clients an..."
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1601 E. 84th Ave, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK, 99507
4.3
(4 reviews)
"I have 2 caregivers from TLC Home Care. They are remarkable, I love them both to death. And they are absolutely the most caring, loving, helpful, talented individual, both of them. I have a young man that comes today, he comes Tuesdays and Thursdays...."
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700 Katlian Street, Suite B, Sitka, AK, 99835
"COMPASS is a division of Center for Community, a non-profit corporation founded in Sitka, Alaska which has served Alaskans for over 26 yea..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
At a monthly average of $5,434, Homer’s home care prices are approximately $100 more than Alaska’s average of $5,339 and $953 more expensive than costs for the nation overall, which is $4,481. Fairbanks is located almost 600 miles to the north of Homer and shares Alaska’s home care costs of $5,339. Prices can be higher in other major cities of the northwestern United States. In Seattle, Washington, rates go up to $6,670, and in Portland, Oregon, they average $5,815.
Homer
$5,434
Alaska
$5,339
The United States
$4,481
Fairbanks
$5,339
Seattle, WA
$6,670
Portland, OR
$5,815
Seniors in Homer have several options for their long-term care. Adult day care, which provides supervision and activities during the daytime only, is the cheapest choice at $1,915 per month. Home health care costs $5,533, or $99 more than regular home care does. This service is more expensive because it also includes skilled nursing and other medical assistance. Seniors who require more supervision may choose assisted living, which costs $6,045. Nursing home care is the most expensive at $31,664 for a semiprivate room.
Home Care
$5,434
Home Health Care
$5,533
Adult Day Health
$1,915
Assisted Living
$6,045
Nursing Home Care (semi-private room)
$31,660
Note: Data for Homer was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Anchorage, was used instead.
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.
The following free resources are provided by government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout Homer, Kenai Peninsula Borough and the state of Alaska. These resources provide utility bill assistance, weatherization, property tax breaks and other services that can make it easier and more comfortable for seniors to live in their home.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Community Development Corporation | (907) 746-5680 | This nonprofit organization provides free home weatherization and accessibility improvements for seniors in Kenai Peninsula Borough. Weatherization includes wall and roof insulation, ventilation, sealant of air leakages, heating appliance repairs and other improvements that can make seniors' homes more comfortable during the winter months. Its Housing Accessibility Improvement Program pays for wheelchair ramps, barrier-free showers, stairlifts and adaptations for people who are hard of hearing or blind. |
| Meals on Wheels | (907) 235-7655 | In association with the Homer Senior Center, Meals on Wheels delivers hot, freshly prepared food to seniors who can't leave their homes to grocery shop or cook for themselves. Volunteers can prepare meals to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions, such as low in fat or salt-free. Meals are low-cost, and no one will be turned away based on their ability to pay. |
| Heating Assistance Program | (907) 465-3347 | Alaska's Heating Assistance Program provides grant money to low-income households that are struggling to afford their utility bills. Funds can be used to pay for gas, electric and wood heating costs. This program is open to residents with a household income at or below 150% of the poverty level and a minimum of $200 in heating costs per year. Both homeowners and renters are eligible. |
| Property Tax Exemption Programs | (907) 714-2230 | The Kenai Peninsula Borough offers several property tax exemption programs to residents of Homer and surrounding areas. Residents 65 years of age or older can receive the Senior Tax Exemption, which exempts up to $300,000 in assessed value of their primary residence and residential land use. Other tax breaks include the Disabled Veterans Exemption and the Disabled Residents Tax Credit. |
| Senior Benefits Program | (907) 465-3347 | Provided by the state of Alaska, this program pays monthly cash benefits to low-income residents who are 65 and up. Benefits could be $76, $175 or $200 per month, depending on income. Seniors can use these benefits to pay for groceries, bills or help around the home. |
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
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