The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in La Plata, MD for 2024

The town of La Plata has over 10,000 residents, about 1,550 of whom are at least 65 years old. The city’s cost of living is comparable to state norms and some types of retirement income are exempt from state income taxes, making it a financially viable option for many retirees with fixed incomes. UM Charles Regional Medical Center is located in the city proper, and there are numerous home care agencies that provide nonmedical daily care. On average, seniors in La Plata pay $4,576 per month for home care. Home health care has the same monthly rate but provides specialized services such as medication administration and wound care along with nonmedical supportive services.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the La Plata 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 agencies in La Plata charge $4,576 for care according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This is hundreds of dollars lower than state and national norms, which come in at respective rates of $5,148 and $4,957. Other Maryland cities have higher monthly rates, including Salisbury, where agencies charge $4,957 for services, and Hagerstown, where fees average $5,148. Across state lines in Dover, DE, rates are about $760 higher than in La Plata, and in Winchester, VA, rates are comparable at $4,671.

Home care rates in La Plata come in at $4,576. Home health care, which includes skilled nursing along with personal care, has the same monthly average. However, seniors may save thousands of dollars by opting for adult day health care, which costs $1,928 per month. Home care costs significantly less than nursing home placement, which has the highest long-term care costs in the city at $8,608.

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.