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

Just south of Des Moines, Indianola is a charming small town in the heart of Iowa. It has a population of just under 16,000 residents, 17.5% of whom are seniors. Known for hosting the annual National Balloon Classic, Indianola also offers activities on the Simpson College campus for all ages. The cost of living is 12% lower than the national average, and this city boasts better air quality than the national rating, with a 72 out of 100. Home health care allows Indianola residents to enjoy those local attractions and costs around $5,815 per month. With home care, seniors get help with routine tasks such as cooking and personal hygiene. Home health care offers more options and can include skilled nursing and medication management.

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

Home care in Indianola costs about $5,815, making it $286 more than the median cost in Iowa and $858 more than the national cost. It’s the most expensive area in Iowa for home care costs. Ames is slightly less than Indianola, with a median cost of $5,625 per month. Dubuque residents pay about $524 less per month. In Iowa City and Waterloo, seniors usually pay around $4,767, making the costs in those cities about $1,048 lower than Indianola.

While home care and home health care both cost around $5,815 per month, other senior care options are available, with many options costing less. That includes adult day health care, which typically costs $1,517 per month. Seniors who want a residential option can choose assisted living for $1,012 less per month than in-home care. Nursing home care is the most expensive option, costing $1,333 more per month than home care for semiprivate accommodations. It’s ideal for seniors who need round-the-clock skilled nursing care.

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.