Home Helpers of East Oklahoma
22279 Hwy 271 , Spiro, OK, 74959
"Home Helpers Home Care strives to be the go-to home care solution for families looking for extra assistance from caring, highly qualified ca..."
READ MORELocated on the Arkansas border in Le Flore County, Pocola is a town of only 4,149 residents. However, as it shares the border with Fort Smith, a city of over 89,000 people, it benefits from the services afforded by its much larger neighbor. These include many well-regarded medical facilities, such as Mercy Hospital Fort Smith and a proportionally high number of Medicare-registered physicians. Pocola’s seniors also benefit from the metro area’s numerous home care and home health care agencies, the latter of which also provides medical care with standard home care services. The average monthly fee for home care in Pocola is $3,586, which is much lower than Oklahoma’s average of $4,385.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Pocola 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.
22279 Hwy 271 , Spiro, OK, 74959
"Home Helpers Home Care strives to be the go-to home care solution for families looking for extra assistance from caring, highly qualified ca..."
READ MORE1102 East Washington Avenue, Suite 3, Mcalester, OK, 74501
5.0
(1 reviews)
"After my grandfather had a heart attack followed by two surgeries, we needed someone to help take care of him in-home. We found Healthback Home Health in their town and scheduled an interview with them, not being familiar with the company. My father ..."
READ MORE420 South 22nd Street, Chickasha, OK, 73018
3.0
(1 reviews)
"I have not used this service but they do not do private, in-home duty nursing. ..."
READ MORE2830 NW 32nd Street, Suite 302, Newcastle, OK, 73065
"Our services include: In-home care Health and safety monitoring Sitting and companionship at independent/assisted living facilities Al..."
READ MORE613 S Mississippi, Atoka, OK, 74525
"HealthBackSM Home Health care provides quality health care and personal services in the convenience of your own home. Our goal is to help ea..."
READ MORE104 North 4th Street, Hugo, OK, 74743
"HealthBackSM Home Health care provides quality health care and personal services in the convenience of your own home. Our goal is to help ea..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
16201 North May Avenue, Edmond, OK, 73013
"HealthBackSM Home Health care provides quality health care and personal services in the convenience of your own home. Our goal is to help ea..."
READ MORE418 West McArthur, Shawnee, OK, 74804
"HealthBackSM Home Health care provides quality health care and personal services in the convenience of your own home. Our goal is to help ea..."
READ MORE401 W. Main St., Stigler, OK, 74462
"HealthBackSM Home Health care provides quality health care and personal services in the convenience of your own home. Our goal is to help ea..."
READ MORE5800 E Skelly Dr, Suite 150, Tulsa, OK, 74135
"HealthBackSM Home Health care provides quality health care and personal services in the convenience of your own home. Our goal is to help ea..."
READ MORE597 1/2 Highway 271 South, Suite B , Wister, OK, 74966
According to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Pocola pay some of the lowest home care fees in the state. Averaging $3,586 per month, they’re below those paid by the typical Oklahoman, at $4,385, and the typical American, at $4,481. Pocola is also a favorable choice when compared to the state’s major cities, such as Tulsa ($4,767) and Oklahoma City ($4,385). To find more attractive costs, seniors might consider Lawton, where they average $3,432.
Pocola
$3,586
Oklahoma
$4,385
United States
$4,481
Tulsa
$4,767
Oklahoma City
$4,385
Lawton
$3,432
Home care and home health care, the latter of which also includes basic medical care services, each cost on average $3,586 per month in Pocola. The Genworth survey doesn’t include adult day care costs, but the state average of $1,136 should give some indication of likely fees. Assisted living is the most affordable option with accommodation and care, while nursing homes typically charge $5,551 for semiprivate rooms and higher levels of care.
Home Care
$3,586
Home Health Care
$3,586
Adult Day Health
0
Assisted Living
$3,406
Nursing Home Care (semi-private room)
$5,551
Note: Data for Pocola was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Fort Smith, Arkansas, was used instead
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.
Despite Pocola’s rural location, its seniors have access to many resources designed to help them age comfortably in their own homes. The examples provided can resolve issues for senior struggling to get healthy meals every day and pay for some home repairs and energy costs. There’s help for unpaid caregivers too.
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Home Weatherization Program | (800) 299-4479 | The Home Weatherization Program is a state and federally funded program for low-income residents in Le Flore County that helps them reduce their energy costs. Applicants must agree to a home energy audit to be considered for support. Depending on the auditor's results, seniors may be eligible for a number of works that can make their homes more comfortable and lower their bills. These may include insulating walls, attics, and floors, repairing damaged heating and ventilation systems and fixing sources of air leaks, such as doors and windows. |
Nutrition Services | (580) 286-1244 | The Feed the Need Foundation for Rural Oklahoma is a charitable organization that provides home-delivered meals to adults aged 60 and over who are unable to make their own or have someone who can cook for them. Meals are delivered five times a week and prepared under the guidance of a registered dietitian, who ensures special diets are catered for and that each meal contains between 600-1,000 calories. Seniors who qualify for the Advantage program are eligible for seven-day frozen meal packs. |
Home Repair Program | (918) 471-7919 | Le Flore residents aged 60 and older may qualify for minor home repairs if they own the homes they reside in and satisfy the criteria in the assessment tool. The maximum amount each applicant can claim for minor repairs is $250. |
Caregiver Respite | (918) 471-7919 | Feed the Need Foundation for Rural Oklahoma, Inc. provides respite vouchers for unpaid caregivers which can be used to cover the cost of temporary services from professional caregivers. This allows the unpaid caregiver some respite from their duties, enabling them to attend to personal needs neglected due to their caregiving roles. Those who qualify receive vouchers that can be used with any qualified care provider, who will be paid directly by the foundation for their services. |
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.