In-Home Care in Idaho

Idaho is home to nearly 1.8 million residents, and 16.3% of the state’s population are seniors aged 65 and older. A number of programs and services are available to help seniors age in place, including Idaho’s Aged and Disabled Medicaid waiver and the VA’s Aid and Attendance and Housebound enhanced pension benefits. The average cost of 44 hours of weekly in-home care in Idaho is $4,195 per month, which is just under the national average of $4,290.

This guide covers in-home care costs in Idaho and how those costs compare with nearby states. There’s also information on programs to help seniors pay for homemaker services, links to free and low-cost resources for older adults and an overview of the state regulations regarding in-home care.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Idaho

In-Home Care Costs in Nearby States

Genworth’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average cost of 44 hours of weekly in-home care in Idaho is $4,195 per month, which is $95 below the national average of $4,290. Costs are significantly higher in neighboring Oregon at $5,148 per month and in Wyoming at $5,339 per month. Costs in Montana are $381 more than in Idaho at $4,576 per month, while costs in Nevada are the same as the national average at $4,290 per month.

Cost of Other Types of Care in Idaho

In addition to in-home care, seniors have a number of community-based and residential long-term care options in Idaho. The costliest type of senior care, nursing home care, runs an average of $7,924 per month, while assisted living costs $3,728 per month. 44 hours of weekly care from a home health aide averages $4,290 per month, and at $2,275 per month, adult day health care is the least-expensive type of long-term senior care in the state.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Idaho’s Top Cities

Comparing Costs Across Idaho

Although the monthly statewide average cost of in-home care in Idaho is $4,195, actual costs vary depending on the local cost of living. The cost of 44 hours of weekly homemaker service in Lewiston and Boise City are $4,481, which is $286 per month above the state average. At $4,290 per month, costs in Coeur d’Alene are the same as the national average and just above Idaho’s state average. In-home care costs are below the state average in Twin Falls ($4,052) and Idaho Falls ($4,004).

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care in Idaho

Home and Community-Based Services Aged and Disabled Waiver

Idaho’s Home and Community-Based Services, Aged and Disabled Waiver provides funding for chore services, homemakers, in-home companions and personal care to help frail seniors safely age in place in their own homes.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for in-home services through the Aged and Disabled Waiver, seniors must first meet the financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid enrollment. Medicaid members must also be assessed by a physician or registered nurse as needing in-home care in order to prevent placement in an institutional setting such as a nursing facility.

How to Apply
To apply for the Aged and Disabled Waiver, seniors or their caregivers can contact their local Area Agency on Aging.

VA Enhanced Pension Benefits

Veterans, their dependents and survivors who require in-home care services may be eligible for a higher monthly VA pension payment through one of two VA enhanced pension programs. VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and the VA Housebound Allowance provide cash benefits that can be used towards the cost of homemaker services in Idaho.

Who Is Eligible?
The VA enhanced pension programs are open to anyone who already qualifies for the regular VA pension and who also meets the clinical criteria for each benefit. Qualifying medical conditions for either benefit do not need to be service-related.

For Aid and Attendance, applicants must be bedridden due to chronic illness; be legally blind; and/or need help from a caregiver to perform at least one activity of daily living such as getting dressed, grooming or adjusting a prosthetic device. For Housebound, applicants must spend most of their time at home due to a disability rated by the VA as 100%; or have one disability rated at 100% by the VA and at least one more disability with a VA rating of 60% or higher.

How to Apply
Veterans, survivors and dependents can apply for VA Aid and Attendance Benefits or the VA Housebound Allowance by contacting the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Office of Veterans Advocacy at (208) 780-1380. Alternatively, applicants can also visit their nearest VA location.

More Ways to Pay for In-Home Care

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they won’t cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages and private insurance. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost In-Home Care Resources in Idaho

In addition to the in-home care services provided through Idaho’s Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver and the extra funding from the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits, Idaho seniors who want to remain at home can access a number of free services and programs.

	Contact	Services Provided
Idaho Area Agencies on Aging	Contact the nearest AAA	Idaho’s network of six regional Area Agencies on Aging provides free information, support and case management services to seniors and caregivers. The AAAs coordinate local resources and programs to help older Idahoans age in place in their local communities.
Idaho Senior Medicaid Patrol	Contact the nearest AAA	Idaho’s Senior Medicaid Patrol is a volunteer-driven statewide program that aims to prevent and detect health care fraud such as double-billing, identity theft and overcharging. The SMP operates out of Idaho’s network of Area Agencies on Aging.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program	Contact the Idaho Foodbank	The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides low-income seniors aged 60 and older with monthly food packages. These packages contain a variety of fresh and shelf-stable foods such as milk, cheese, dry beans, canned fruits and cereals.
Legal Assistance	Contact the nearest Legal Aid office	Low-income seniors who need legal information, advice or representation related to a civil matter such as health insurance, housing or guardianship can contact Idaho Legal Aid Services.
Idaho Division of Veterans Services	(208) 780-1380	The Idaho Division of Veterans Services provides free advocacy, information and support to veterans and their families. The Division operates an advocacy office that helps vets secure their maximum entitlements from federal, state and county programs.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in Idaho

Although in-home service providers are not required to be licensed in Idaho, caregivers are required to meet the training standards established by the Division of Medicaid, Bureau of Long Term Care. This table highlights state-mandated standards around the services provided by homemakers, as well as training and reporting requirements.

Scope of Care	Home care providers may provide a range of nonmedical services, including housekeeping, meal preparation and home maintenance. They can also act as companions, escort seniors to appointments and assist with personal care.
Care Plan Requirements	Seniors who receive in-home care services through a Medicaid waiver must have a comprehensive care plan in place.
Medication Management Requirements	In-home caregivers can provide medication reminders, read prescription labels and pick up medications on behalf of a client. Caregivers cannot administer medications.
Staff Screening Requirements	Agencies that employ homemakers are required to complete a background check on all employees before assigning employees to clients and disqualify any employee or new hire with a history of fraud, assault or abuse of a vulnerable person.
Staff Training Requirements	In-home care agencies must ensure all caregivers have the skills and knowledge needed to safely perform their duties.
Medicaid Coverage	Idaho’s Aged and Disabled Medicaid waiver includes in-home care benefits.
Reporting Abuse	Idaho’s Adult Protective Services division investigates reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation of seniors. To file a report with APS, contact the local Area Agency on Aging, while immediate safety concerns should be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency.

Frequently Asked Questions