The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Cokato, MN for 2024

Cokato has an estimated population of 2,756 that forms part of the almost 141,350 inhabitants of Wright County. Just over 12% of its residents are seniors who reside in the relatively peaceful and leisurely city that’s only an hour from Central Minnesota. Cokato has a strong sense of community, exceptionally low crime rates and more than enough home care agencies to look after its older citizens. Home care is a non-medical service that shouldn’t be confused with home health care, which provides medical support. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median monthly fee for home care in Cokato is $6,038, which is significantly more affordable than the state average.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Cokato 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 results of the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveal the average senior in Cokato pays approximately $1,081 per month more than the typical American, but $635 less than the majority of their peers in Minnesota. Although the city is one of the state’s more affordable for home care, its median fee isn’t as low as Duluth ($5,815) or Mankato ($5,720). However, Cokato is significantly less expensive than Minneapolis ($7,055) and Rochester ($7,627).

Cokato’s median fee for home care is $6,038, while home health care agencies typically charge an additional $193 for their home-appropriate medical services. At $2,600 per month, adult day health care is the least costly option for seniors healthy enough to attend, while, at $4,100, assisted living is the most affordable choice for those looking for care and accommodations. By far, the costliest type of senior care is within nursing homes, where a typical semiprivate room costs around $12,988 per month.

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.