The Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Santa Barbara County, CA for 2025

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Santa Barbara County pay approximately $5,506 monthly for in-home care. While this is about 10% higher than the national average, it’s 10% lower than the average Californian pays. Rates are modest compared to most surrounding cities, including San Luis Obispo, where fees are among the highest in the state at $7,150. In Santa Maria, the mean care cost is $6,673, and in Oxnard, rates average $5,815. In Visalia, in-home care costs are a couple hundred dollars lower than in Santa Barbara County at $5,339. 

Home care, which includes basic personal care and housekeeping services, costs $5,506. Home health care has the same monthly rate despite including specialized skilled nursing services such as medical monitoring and medication administration. Assisted living, which provides these services in a residential community setting, costs considerably less at $3,750, while nursing home care is pricier at $9,155.

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.