The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Kinston, NC for 2024

Last Updated: June 5, 2024 - Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Kinston, NC, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 11 options below.

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care agencies in Kinston charge monthly fees of $3,813 for full-time care, which is considerably lower than North Carolina’s norm of $4,385 and the national average of $4,957. It’s also low compared to rates in nearby Greenville, where seniors pay $4,004 for care, and Rocky Mount, where rates are about $480 over Kinston’s norm. In Wilmington, care costs are hundreds of dollars higher at $4,576, and in Raleigh, home care clients pay $4,957 per month for services.

Home care clients in Kinston pay $3,813 per month on average for nonmedical care, which includes help with personal care activities, housekeeping and meal preparation. Home health care, which includes basic skilled nursing services, is available for the same monthly rate, but seniors who receive nonmedical services in assisted living pay considerably lower monthly rates of $2,700. Nursing home care, which is the highest level of care available outside of a hospital, costs more than double the rate of home care at $8,456 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 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.