The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Delaware, OH for 2024

Delaware is a vibrant community with an estimated 44,000 residents, nearly 14% of whom are aged 65 and over. It features a relatively low crime rate and high access to affordable health care, making it a viable long-term option for many retirees, and its generally pleasant weather provides plenty of time to enjoy area amenities. The city is home to numerous home care agencies that provide personalized care to help older adults remain in their homes even when day-to-day activities become challenging. These agencies provide nonmedical services such as help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation and help with household chores, and they charge approximately $5,625 per month. Home health care, which includes specialized services such as disease management, costs the same monthly rate.

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Delaware 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.

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care agencies in Delaware charge $5,625 per month for full-time nonmedical services, exceeding state and national rates by about $670. Seniors in Dayton spend about $200 less on care, and in Canton, care costs average $4,814. In Mansfield, home care agencies charge $4,576 for services, offering a significant monthly savings over Delaware’s norm, and in Springfield, monthly care costs are even lower at $4,385.

Home care agencies in Delaware charge $5,625 per month for nonmedical custodial services such as help with bathing and dressing, medication reminders and transportation. Home health care, which includes skilled nursing services such as rehabilitative care and medication administration, is available for the same monthly rate. Seniors may save about $3,900 per month by attending adult day health care, which provides personal care, meals and recreation in a community setting. Assisted living facilities charge about $1,500 less per month than home care agencies for care, while nursing home rates exceed the cost of home care by about $1,900 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.