The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Darien, CT for 2024
Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Darien, CT, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 82 options below.
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Paying for Home Care in Darien, CT
The Cost of Home Care in Darien, CT
Based on its proximity to Bridgeport, Darien shares the same care costs. Seniors in this area typically pay $5,339 per month for home care, which is around $100 higher than the Connecticut state average and nearly $400 more expensive than the average American city. Rates in Hartford are similar to Darien, and costs are even lower in New Haven, which is on par with the state median. However, Darien is around $160 less expensive than Norwich. It’s also more affordable than the neighboring New York area, where costs are in excess of $5,500 per month.
Darien
$5,339
Connecticut
$5,243
The United States
$4,957
New Haven
$5,243
Hartford
$5,329
Norwich
$5,506
New York City Area
$5,529
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Darien, CT
Seniors who require lower levels of care and supervision may consider adult day health care, which is very affordable at $1,619 per month. Individuals who need assistance with daily tasks will find home care to be around $900 less expensive than assisted living. While home health care also includes skilled nursing care, costs are the same as in-home care. Nursing homes are the most expensive with semiprivate rooms at $16,805 — $11,000 more expensive than home care.
Home Care
$5,339
Home Health Care
$5,339
Adult Day Health Care
$1,619
Assisted Living
$6,273
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
$16,805
Note: Data for Darien was not available, so data for the nearest city, Bridgeport, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Darien, CT
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.
Darien Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Darien:
Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Darien Housing Authority | (203) 655-0866 | 24 Allen O’Neill Dr., Darien, CT 06820 | The Darien Housing Authority is a division of the city’s Department of Human Services. It owns and operates two small blocks of houses for lower-income families. These units are apartment-style living near the city center, with several onsite amenities. Applications are taken on a first-come-first-served basis and there is a waiting list. Eligibility is based on income. |
Discount Vouchers for Local Farmers Markets | (203) 656-7328 | Department of Human Services Office, Room 109, Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Rd. | Low-income Darien seniors may be eligible for vouchers to use at the city’s local farmer’s market. This includes being able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, local honey and herbs. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and proof of income eligibility is required. This program is funded through the city’s Department of Human Services and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). |
City of Darien Renter’s Rebate Program | (203) 656-7328 | Department of Human Services Office, Room 109, Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Rd. | Darien’s Department of Human Services offers a rebate voucher program for seniors aged 65 and older who qualify based on income and are either disabled or collecting Social Security benefits. The program offers full or partial reimbursement for rent and/or utilities and is strictly income-based, depending on household size. |
Darien Commission on Aging | (203) 656-7300 | Darien Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Rd. Darien, CT, 06820 | This community-funded program evaluates the needs of seniors, including establishing programs to allow them to age in place. Case managers are on hand to help seniors find benefits that they’re entitled to, as well as apply for healthcare coverage. The commission also provides access to transportation and social events for the elderly, including recreation access. |
The Loan Closet | (203) 656-7328 | Department of Human Services Office, Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Rd. | Parishioners and those in need of canes, wheelchairs or other medical equipment may be able to borrow supplies from The Loan Closet, part of the Department of Human Services. These items are free of charge and are to be returned when no longer needed. A $50 deposit may be required. |
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.