The 5 Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in Duluth, MN for 2023

A port city on Lake Superior, Duluth is home to more than 86,000 residents with its population of those 65 and older at 15.7%. Residents enjoy a cost of living that’s 14.3% below the national average. Health care is also affordable with Duluth coming in 12.4% cheaper than the U.S. average. Hospital options include Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center, which features 24-hour emergency care and a Level I Adult Trauma Center, and St. Luke’s Hospital, which also features an emergency department, for easy access to critical care when needed. Home care in the city has a median cost of $5,815 per month, providing nonmedical assistance to help seniors age in place longer. Licensed medical services are also available with home health care.

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

Based on the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of home care in Duluth is $5,815 per month. It comes in lower than Minnesota as a whole with a median cost of $858 less, but more expensive than the national median by the same amount. Compared to other Minnesota cities, Duluth is one of the lowest with only Mankato coming in lower at $5,720. Seniors in St. Cloud pay slightly more at $6,038 per month, while Minneapolis home care costs about $1,240 more and Rochester comes in the highest at $7,627.

Seniors in Duluth needing different services or levels of support might choose options other than home care. This decision often comes down to specific care needs, preferences and available budget. The most affordable option for seniors is adult day care, costing about $1,276 per month. Median assisted living costs come in lower in Duluth than home care, costing $5,000 per month. Seniors who want to stay home but need skilled nursing or medical care can choose home health care for $7,436. Nursing home care is the most expensive option with median rates of $11,602 monthly. 

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.