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

Seniors who enjoy living in a smaller community with a pleasant year-round climate may find Nipomo an ideal town in which to age in place. Nipomo had a population just above 18,000 in 2020, including 16.2% aged 65 or older, nearly matching the national average of 16.8%. While the city is smaller, in Santa Maria just 7 miles away seniors have access to Marian Regional Medical Center. Marian Regional is part of the Dignity Health system. It has been named among Healthgrades’ best hospitals in the nation for three consecutive years and touts heart care, orthopedics and home health as some of its top services. Home health care includes medical services while home care doesn’t, but both in-home services average $7,150 in Nipomo.

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

Genworth’s 2022 Cost of Care Survey lists an average monthly cost of $7,150 for home care in Nipomo, making it the most expensive in the state. This average is more than $1,000 higher than the state average and nearly $2,200 higher than the national average. Compared to nearby cities, Nipomo’s average is closest to San Jose’s $7,102. It’s only $286 higher than Santa Cruz’s average and $477 more than Santa Maria’s, but it’s significantly higher than Bakersfield’s by more than $1,600 monthly.

Home care includes personal care, such as grooming and bathing, and chore services, such as housekeeping and running errands, but it doesn’t include medical services. Alternately, home health care includes medical care usually performed by a registered nurse or therapist. Despite these differences, both in-home care services average $7,150 in Nipomo. Home health care is significantly higher than assisted living, which runs $5,300, but it allows seniors to remain in their homes. Conversely, nursing home care in a semiprivate room costs substantially more at $10,038 per month but includes 24/7 skilled nursing care.

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.