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

Waukee is a western suburb of Des Moines that’s home to around 24,000 residents, with the 65 and older age group making up about 10.3%. Some of its seniors benefit from home care services, which, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, cost on average $5,148 per month, which is more than the state average of $4,767. Home health care has similar fees, despite including support from medical professionals to its home care services. Many other medical professionals in the city can be found in its two primary facilities, The Iowa Clinic Waukee and the Methodist West Hospital. 

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

Waukee’s average fee for home care services is the most costly in the state, typically $381 per month more than Iowa’s mean of $4,767 and $667 more than the $4,481 average fee paid by the typical American. The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey also found Davenport’s seniors pay the least for in-home care services, at $4,385, while in Ames, residents can expect to pay around $5,053 — about $286 more than their peers in Waterloo.

Seniors in Waukee receiving in-home care usually pay around $5,148, while those getting the same care with added medical support from professionals don’t typically see a difference in costs. Both services are a little more expensive than assisted living, which is usually $5,005 per month. Nursing home care is by far the most expensive, with a typical semiprivate room costing $7,148 per month. Adult day health centers offer the most affordable solution for able-bodied seniors at $1,517.

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.