The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Atwater, CA for 2024

Situated in California’s Central Valley, Atwater is a historically rich city that offers access to beautiful parks and unique museums. Although the city’s senior community is a little small compared to state and national norms, making up about 12% of its 32,000 residents, the city has a variety of benefits for retirees, including comfortable weather throughout the year, a comparatively low cost of living and access to transportation services. On average, seniors in Atwater pay $6,288 per month for in-home care, which features nonmedical services such as personal care and companionship. Home health care agencies are available to older adults with more advanced care needs and provide services for the same average monthly rate. 

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Atwater 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 Cost of Care Survey reports that seniors in Atwater pay $6,288 for in-home care services, making this city among the more expensive places in California to obtain this level of care. By comparison, the California norm is $6,101, and nationally, care costs are about $1,300 lower than in Atwater. Although Atwater may be a budget-friendly alternative to San Francisco, where agencies charge $6,864 for care, several nearby cities are comparatively more affordable. In Modesto, monthly rates average $5,768, and in Stockton, agencies charge about $5,482 per month. 

Home care agencies in Atwater charge $6,288 for nonmedical personal care services and companionship. Home health care agencies charge the same monthly rate even though they provide skilled nursing services along with nonmedical support. Those care options are about $2,440 less than the cost of nursing home care, which is for those with advanced medical needs. Seniors may save even more by moving to an assisted living facility, with local rates averaging $4,000 monthly, or by opting for adult day health care, which costs $2,074 for daytime services in a community setting.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.