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The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Iowa City, IA for 2024

Iowa City, IA, is a vibrant Midwestern city offering endless opportunities for entertainment for seniors, including outdoor activities, historical sites, museums and movie theaters. It has nearly 74,600 residents with a senior population comprising 11%. Located in eastern Iowa, the city offers a low cost of living, low violent crime rates and 605 physicians per 100,000 population. Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, a world-class medical facility consistently recognized as one of the best hospitals in the nation. Home care costs an average of $4,767 per month in Iowa City and offers nonmedical help with personal care tasks, including dressing, grooming and meal preparation. Home health care is a better option for seniors requiring skilled nursing care.

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

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Home Care Agencies in Iowa City, IA

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Paying for Home Care in Iowa City, IA

The Cost of Home Care in Iowa City, IA

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Iowa City pay a monthly rate of $4,767 for home care, which is about $760 less than Iowa’s statewide average, and $190 less than the national median. Des Moines also has a higher monthly rate than Iowa City at $5,815, as does Cedar Rapids at $5,529. Home care in Sioux City is about $572 more per month than Iowa City, while seniors in Davenport pay roughly $380 more for care.

Iowa City

$4,767

Iowa

$5,529

United States

$4,957

Des Moines

$5,815

Cedar Rapids

$5,529

Sioux City

$5,339

Davenport

$5,148

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Iowa City, IA

Seniors have access to several care options in Iowa City. Adult day health care is the most affordable option at $1,353 per month. Assisted living is a long-term residential care option that costs about $357 less per month than home care. Home health care offers skilled medical care by licensed professionals and shares an equivalent monthly rate with home care at $4,767. Seniors requiring around-the-clock skilled nursing care can access a semiprivate room at a nursing home for a higher price of $7,072 per month.

Home Care

$4,767

Home Health Care

$4,767

Adult Day Health Care

$1,353

Assisted Living

$4,410

Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)

$7,072

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Iowa City, IA

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.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Iowa City, IA

Seniors in Iowa City can access several services and programs to make life easier and maintain their independence. The following local organizations and state agencies offer valuable resources, including utility assistance, tax exemptions, meal delivery and home assistance. Seniors and their families can contact these programs directly to learn more.

ResourceContactService
Meals on Wheels of Johnson County(319) 398-3574Meals on Wheels delivers fresh, ready-to-eat and frozen meals to seniors and people with disabilities throughout eastern Iowa. Individuals can sign up for services on an ongoing basis or short-term while recovering from a hospital stay or when their caregiver is away.
TRAIL of Johnson County(319) 800-9003TRAIL of Johnson County is a member-based nonprofit that provides tools and resources to help seniors age in place. Services include transportation, daily phone check-ins, health care assistance and home maintenance. Seniors can also participate in program-sponsored social and educational events.
Iowa Property Tax Credit for Senior and Disabled Citizens(515) 281-3114As part of the Homestead Tax Law, the Iowa Property Tax Credit for Senior and Disabled Citizens provides property tax and rent relief for elderly homeowners. To be eligible, adults must be 65 or older and meet low-income requirements.
Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP)(319) 393-7811HACAP is a nonprofit that provides bill payment assistance for seniors and low-income individuals. The program helps eligible households pay energy bills and access affordable housing and food. Veteran resources are also available to obtain government benefits and prevent homelessness.
Iowa City Utility Discount Program(319) 356-5066Iowa City's Utility Discount Program offers reduced costs for water and sewage, storm water charges and other monthly bills for eligible households. Seniors receiving some type of government assistance, such as Social Security or the Elderly Tax Credit, can apply for services.

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 – often times 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.

Download
Checklist for determining the need for home care
Checklist for determining the need for home care

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.

Download
Talking with Family and Others about a loved one's needs
Talking with Family and Others about a loved one's needs

Frequently Asked Questions

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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