The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Soldotna, AK for 2024

Situated at the western edge of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Soldotna is a scenic city with a relatively modest cost of living, a cool year-round climate and exceptionally clean air. Of the city’s 4,100 residents, approximately 13% are aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 16.5% nationwide average. Even so, older adults enjoy a range of amenities and access to community-based services to help them remain in their own homes. Numerous home care agencies operate in this region and provide services such as personal care, transportation, companionship and meal preparation. On average, seniors in Soldotna pay $5,434 per month for home care, which is significantly higher than the U.S. median, but only slightly more than Alaska’s statewide average.

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

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, Soldotna seniors pay an estimated $5,434 per month for home care, which is about $100 higher than the statewide average and over $1,100 higher than the national median. In Fairbanks, monthly fees are consistent with the Alaska average at $5,339. Limited senior care data is available for Alaska, so home care rates in the cities of Bellingham, Washington, ($6,197) and Corvallis, Oregon, ($5,425) were used for comparison. 

Older adults in Soldotna have several senior care options available. Nonmedical home care is among the cheapest, at $5,434 per month. Home health care, which also includes some medical services typically provided by therapists or nurses, is a little costlier at $5,533. Assisted living provided in a residential community setting averages $6,045 per month. Adult day health care, which is offered in a daytime group setting, is the cheapest option at $1,915. Nursing home care in Soldotna is very expensive, with those in shared rooms paying $31,664 per month.  

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.