The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Soldotna, AK for 2023
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.
Directory of Home Care Services in Soldotna, AK
Home Instead – Anchorage, AK
440 W Benson Blvd, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK, 99503
TLC Home Care
1601 E. 84th Ave, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK, 99507
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is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
Paying for Home Care in Soldotna, AK
The Cost of Home Care in Soldotna, AK
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.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Soldotna, AK
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.
Note: Data for Soldotna was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Anchorage, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Soldotna, AK
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.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Soldotna, AK
The Soldotna region has numerous nonprofit agencies and programs to help older adults make informed decisions regarding their long-term care options and obtain the services they need at home. Through the following resources, seniors can access community-based services and financial assistance programs, which may help them age in place.
Resource
Contact
Service
(907) 262-2322
The Soldotna Senior Center is a nonprofit social and recreational center open to older adults in the region. At this location, seniors enjoy congregate meals and participate in games, informational and educational classes, age-friendly fitness activities and special events throughout the year. The center is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and publishes monthly newsletters to help seniors track upcoming activities and events.
(907) 262-6333
The Independent Living Center is the Aging & Disability Resource Center for the Soldotna region. This local nonprofit organization administers an array of programs and services to those aged 60 and over, including transportation, a community closet, access to assistive technology and home modifications, which can help older adults age in place safely. It also has health insurance counselors who provide unbiased assistance and advice to Medicare-eligible individuals, which may help them identify ways to cover home care costs.
(907) 714-2230
Seniors in Soldotna may be eligible for the senior citizen exemption available through the Kenai Peninsula Borough's Assessing Department. This provides an exemption of up to $300,000 of a primary residence’s assessed value for those aged 65 and over, reducing their property tax burden.
(907) 746-5680
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps qualifying seniors in Soldotna improve their home’s comfort, safety and energy efficiency through free weatherization measures. Through this program, older adults may obtain weather stripping, insulation, improvements and repairs to their homes’ heating equipment, and repairs or replacements for doors and windows. To qualify, individuals must meet the program's income guidelines.
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times 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.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of services can a home care agency in Soldotna, AK, provide?
Home care agencies in Soldotna specialize in providing services and support to help older adults avoid assisted living placement. The two main categories of home care services are companion care and personal care. Companion care providers offer services to address isolation and loneliness in older adults who live alone. This type of care includes companionship and conversation, accompaniment to medical appointments, reading aloud, playing card or board games and preparing meals and snacks. Personal care providers help older adults with daily living activities such as toileting, dressing and bathing.
How many home care agencies are there near Soldotna, AK?
Despite the community’s sparse population, the Soldotna region is home to six home care agencies. When comparing agencies, it may be helpful to research reviews for insight into past and current clients’ experiences with a given provider. In general, local home care agencies have high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average rate of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in Soldotna, AK?
Estimated home care fees in Soldotna are based on the average rate in Anchorage, where agencies charge approximately $5,434 per month for services. This estimate assumes 44 hours of weekly care at an hourly rate of $28.50. While this is high compared to the national average, it’s relatively consistent with the state median. Older adults may be able to reduce care costs by obtaining some services, such as transportation or home-delivered meals, through nonprofit, community-funded organizations.
What is a nonmedical home care service?
A nonmedical home care service doesn’t require state certifications or medical training to provide care. Examples of this type of care include meal planning and preparation, transportation for errands or medical appointments, reminders to take medication, mobility assistance, companionship, chores and light housekeeping and laundry.
What is private pay home care?
Most home care agencies provide private pay home care, or home care services the individual pays for using their income or assets rather than Medicaid. It’s the most commonly accepted form of payment for home care, and for some agencies, it’s the only form of accepted payment. When looking for ways to cover private pay home care fees, individuals might consider their savings, pension income, assets and family member contributions.