The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Gretna, LA for 2024

Gretna is the second-largest city in Jefferson Parish and is known for its cultural events, beautiful parks and exciting downtown district, making it a welcoming place for retirees. It has a senior community that makes up 16% of its 18,000 residents and may be a good option for older adults seeking affordable housing, modest crime rates and high access to health care. The city also has several home care agencies that provide nonmedical services, helping older adults with care needs to remain comfortable and independent at home. This type of care costs approximately $4,195 per month for full-time care services, which may include housekeeping, meal preparation and personal care. Home health care is similar but includes skilled nursing for the same monthly rate. 

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

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that Gretna seniors pay $4,195 per month for full-time in-home care. This exceeds the state norm by about $570, but it’s $760 below the national average. In Lake Charles, monthly fees are about $290 less than in Gretna, and seniors in Baton Rouge pay even lower rates of $3,813. Care costs in Hammond are several hundred dollars lower than in Gretna at $3,623, and in Alexandria, agencies charge $3,527 per month for care.

Home care agencies in Gretna charge $4,195 per month for care, which is high compared to other long-term care options. By comparison, assisted living residents pay $3,973 per month for housing, meals and personal care, and those who attend adult day health care instead of receiving private care at home pay $1,408. Home health care is available for the same monthly average rate as home care, although some agencies may charge higher fees for this specialized level of care, and nursing home rates are $1,700 more per month than in-home 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 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.