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

In Monterey, a city of about 30,000 people, the senior community accounts for approximately one-fifth of the population. This is high compared to state and national norms, promoting access to community-based services and high-quality home care services. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula is located within the city proper, and health care costs tend to run lower than national averages. While living costs are relatively high, the city has an affordable housing program to help older adults remain financially stable throughout retirement.

There are also assistance programs to cover relatively high home care rates, which the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows are $6,864 per month. Home care is a long-term care solution for older adults who need help with daily living activities such as bathing, laundry and meal preparation but want to remain in their homes. In contrast, home health care is for those who need skilled nursing services and is typically more expensive.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Monterey– 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.

Based on care costs in nearby Santa Cruz, home care rates in Monterey are estimated at $6,864 per month, significantly exceeding respective state and national averages. In Stockton, monthly care costs are about $1,400 lower than in Monterey, while home care agencies in Vallejo charge about $900 less for in-home care. In Merced, rates are about $600 less than in Monterey. San Jose is the only surveyed city in Central California with higher monthly home care rates, exceeding Monterey by $238. 

Home care agencies in Monterey charge $6,864 per month for basic services such as meal planning and preparation, light household chores, transportation and help with personal care. Home health care agencies, which provide these services along with skilled nursing services such as medication and insulin administration and physical therapy, charge about $140 more. While assisted living rates are considerably more affordable than in-home care costs, nursing home fees are several thousand dollars more expensive for semiprivate accommodations.

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.