The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Buford, GA for 2024

Buford is a vibrant city with several parks, shopping and dining destinations, and age-friendly entertainment options, providing an exciting backdrop for retirement living. Warm weather throughout the year and cheaper-than-average health care create a comfortable environment for older adults, and senior transportation services make it easy to navigate without a personal vehicle. The city supports its senior community, which makes up about 13% of its 17,000 residents, through an active senior center, a network of free and low-cost resources and several home care agencies. These agencies charge $5,148 per month on average and provide personal care services, such as companionship and help around the home. Home health care, which includes skilled nursing, costs the same average monthly rate.  

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Buford 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.

Based on monthly care costs published in the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, home care clients in Buford expect to pay about $5,148 per month for full-time care. This exceeds the state norm of $4,290 as well as the national average of $4,957. Care costs in neighboring cities trend lower, with seniors in Dalton paying $4,862 for services and those in Athens paying $4,528. In Atlanta, monthly fees are $620 less than in Buford, and in Warner Robins, seniors pay about $1,050 less for care than those in Buford.

In Buford, home care agencies charge $5,148 per month for nonmedical services such as housekeeping, personal care and meal preparation. Home health care is available for the same monthly rate, though some agencies may charge higher hourly fees for skilled nursing services. Nursing home care costs about $700 more per month for semiprivate accommodations, but those who live in local assisted living facilities pay about $1,250 less.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.