The Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in Bowie, MD for 2023
Bowie, a city in central Maryland located roughly 30 minutes northeast of Washington, DC., appears on Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report for the strength of its quality of life ratings and proximity to world-class health care. Johns Hopkins Hospital, ranked among the nation’s best medical facilities in cancer, cardiology, geriatrics and many other specializations, is less than an hour north in Baltimore. An annual price study by Genworth Financial finds that the average monthly cost of home care in Bowie is $4,957. Seniors may find that home health care, which, unlike home care, employs medical professionals, is slightly more expensive on a month-to-month basis.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Bowie 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.
Directory of In Home Care Services in Bowie, MD
Paying for Home Care in Bowie, MD
Bowie’s average monthly cost for home care is identical to the U.S. average and roughly $200 less than the Maryland average. The state’s prices for home care are highest in Hagerstown, which is in the western part of the state. Seniors in the city of California, which is one of Maryland’s southernmost locations, see the state’s lowest reported prices for home care.
The Cost of Home Care in Bowie, MD
Bowie
$4,957
Maryland
$5,148
The United States
$4,957
Cumberland
$4,957
Hagerstown
$5,148
California
$4,576
Salisbury
$4,957
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Bowie, MD
Bowie’s average monthly price for home health care is approximately $100 higher than that of basic home care. Seniors interested in the social aspects of retirement life may choose assisted living care instead, which is roughly $200 cheaper than home care on a monthly basis. Adult day health care is easily the least expensive option at $1,927 monthly. However, nursing home care, which is often necessary for seniors with chronic illnesses, is more than twice as expensive as any other long-term care option in Bowie.
Home Care
$4,957
Home Health Care
$5,053
Adult Day Health Care
$1,927
Assisted Living Facility
$4,750
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$10,798
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Bowie, MD
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 Bowie, MD
Maryland’s government offices and independent nonprofit organizations offer the following assistive programs. Some are specific to Bowie or Prince George’s County, while others serve all Maryland residents.
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Maryland Durable Medical Equipment Re-Use | (240) 230-8000 | Seniors can turn to this state-run program for free used durable medical equipment. Items available from the program include wheelchairs, scooters, shower chairs, mechanical lifts and bathroom safety railings, among others. There's no age requirement and no doctor's note is needed; the program is open to all Maryland residents. |
Meals on Wheels (MOW) of Central Maryland | (410) 558-0827 | This nonprofit delivers daily meals directly to the doorsteps of Bowie seniors. In addition to providing the meal delivery service, MOW Central Maryland volunteers provide wellness checks and crisis intervention when needed. Seniors can also sign up for the organization's Phone Pal program for regular check-ins with supportive volunteers. |
Prince George's County Senior Property Tax Credit | (301) 952-3700 | Prince George's County senior residents may be eligible for a property tax credit that reduces their property taxes by 20%. To qualify, they must be at least aged 65 and have owned the property for at least a decade. The tax credit may be used on properties with values of up to $500,000. |
Bowie Senior Center | (301) 809-2377 | Operators of the Bowie Senior Center's Information and Referral hotline can help seniors with questions regarding health care coverage, housing options, elder law and similar topics. Seniors unable to leave their homes can also take advantage of the city's free curb-to-curb transportation to Bowie Senior Center events. |
Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program (MWAP) | (855) 583-8976 | The MWAP helps Bowie homeowners modify their homes with energy-efficient upgrades that lower electric bills while bolstering home safety and improving quality of life. These upgrades may include installing new lighting, water heaters and insulation. There are income requirements, but all Marylanders who receive SSI are automatically eligible to participate. |
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.
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.