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

Concord, CA, is listed among the best places to retire according to Caring’s 2024 Senior Living Report. It’s more affordable (by East Bay’s standards), has a walkable downtown and the BART system brings Oakland and San Francisco to within 40 minutes. Violent crime is below the national average in Concord, and the climate is one of the most senior-friendly in the state. Per the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Concord’s seniors pay $6,864 per month for home care, based on 44 hours per week. Home care is a nonmedical service not to be confused with home health care, which is a medical service provided by licensed professionals. The Concord Medical Center, one of California’s top 20 hospitals, illustrates the high-quality medical care available.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Concord 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 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveals the average Concord senior pays $6,864 per month for home care. This doesn’t compare favorably with the state and national averages. The typical Californian saves $763 per month when compared to their equal in Concord, while the average American saves $1,907. However, Concord isn’t the costliest option in the region because San Jose’s average senior pays another $238. In reality, seniors choosing nearby alternatives to Concord are likely to save on costs. If they choose Napa, it’s $429 per month, in Vallejo, it’s $906, and in Stockton, it’s $1,382 less than Concord.

Home care’s median fee of $6,864 is cheaper by $286 per month when compared with home health care. The gap is wider with nursing home care, at $4,702. But these are medical services by registered nurses and licensed therapists. Therefore, it’s more fitting to compare home care with nonmedical options. Assisted living is cheaper by $545 and with adult day care, it’s $4,914 less. However, the former requires congregate care and the latter, daily journeys to a center.

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.