The 5 Best In-Home Care Services in New Oxford, PA for 2023
New Oxford has a population of around 1,800, 358 of whom are seniors. They’re part of the larger population in Adams County, which, according to the 2020 Census, is almost 104,000 strong. The county’s 65+ age group makes up just over 21% of the population, above the U.S. average of 16.5%. The median cost for home care services in New Oxford is $4,481, which is typical for the country but lower than average for Pennsylvania. Home care shouldn’t be confused with home health care, which is an in-home service that includes basic medical support from skilled nurses and therapists. Other health care providers serving seniors in the area include the New Oxford Medical Center and the Gettysburg Hospital.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the New Oxford 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.
Directory of Home Care Services in New Oxford, PA
SYNERGY HomeCare of Mid Penn, Pennsylvania
20 Westminster Drive, Carlisle, PA, 17013
Home Instead – Gettysburg, PA
14 Deatrick Dr, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Right at Home Hanover, PA
100 Frederick St, Ste 202, Hanover, PA, 17331
Comfort Keepers-Fayetteville
3374 Lincoln Way East, Fayetteville, PA, 17222
Senior Helpers Serving the Greater Harrisburg Area
3806 Market Street Suite 3, Camp Hill, PA, 17011
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Paying for Home Care in New Oxford, PA
The Cost of Home Care in New Oxford, PA
The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found that the typical senior in New Oxford pays $4,481 per month for home care, which is about $95 less than normal for the state and equal to the national average. However, it’s not the most affordable in the region, a position held by Chambersburg where the average is $4,267. Seniors considering moving to larger towns will probably have to increase their budgets as nearby cities, such as Harrisburg and York, typically charge $4,528 and $4,576 respectively.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in New Oxford, PA
At $4,481, the average costs for home care and home health care are identical despite the latter also providing basic medical assistance from registered nurses and therapists. Both services are also more costly than the typical assisted living facility, which charges $3,443 for care, although home care agencies are less costly than the $10,889 nursing homes typically charge for semiprivate rooms. If the senior is able to attend, adult day centers offer the most affordable care at $1,192 per month.
Note: Data for New Oxford was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Gettysburg, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in New Oxford, PA
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.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in New Oxford, PA
New Oxford seniors in need can call on assistance from many local and state resource providers. The agencies listed here provide help for those struggling to reduce their energy costs or pay a utility bill in addition to getting home-delivered meals if they live alone and rebates on their property taxes or rent.
Resource
Contact
Service
(800) 638-6816
LIHEAP is the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which helps seniors pay their utility bills with a cash grant paid directly to their energy supplier. It's a one-time payment made to seniors in danger of having their heating supply cut off due to an unpaid bill. Grants of between $500 and $1,500 are available depending on the size of the household, and there's no requirement for the senior to repay.
(717) 632-7998
The Adams County Office for Aging is a nonprofit focused on helping adults aged 60 and over remain at home and avoid institutional care unless absolutely necessary. Its range of free and low-cost services includes arranging for freshly prepared hot meals to be delivered to the senior's home and managing a 24/7 emergency response system for those who live alone. The organization also supports unpaid caregivers.
(800) 451-9869
Weatherization is a program administered by South Central Community Action Programs, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting for Adams County residents who depend on low incomes. The purpose of Weatherization is to reduce seniors' home fuel bills by making their living spaces more energy efficient. It achieves this by conducting energy audits to determine areas of improvement, which can mean installing insulation in walls and attics and repairing fixtures that leak heat, such as doors and windows. The program is free for those deemed eligible and is funded by local utility companies and the U.S. Department of Energy.
(800) 548-3240
Pennsylvanians aged 60+ and widows aged 50 or older can apply for a property tax or rent rebate on their home if it's within the state. The level of rebate depends on several criteria, including the senior's income and the amount of property tax or rent paid. Homeowners must provide proof of taxes paid, and renters need a signed confirmation of rent payments from their landlord or an agent acting on the landlord's behalf.
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times 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.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a good home care agency in New Oxford?
Before contacting a home care agency, seniors should check to see if it’s licensed to provide care by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They should also read reviews on Caring.com to get an idea of the quality of care the agency provides. Once satisfied that it’s operating legally and well-regarded by current and former clients, the next step should be to make the call. It’s important to ask about the agency’s procedures for ensuring quality, such as its hiring policies and how it handles emergencies should the worst happen in the senior’s home while the caregiver is on-site.
What’s the difference between in-home care and home health care?
Home care provides a choice of nonmedical services, such as companionship for seniors who live alone, which may include driving them to medical appointments and providing support during grocery trips. It can also include personal care services, such as helping the senior dress and bathe. Home health care can provide these services with the addition of some medical care delivered in the home. Care is typically provided by registered nurses or therapists and can include the use of medical equipment suitable for home use.
How do you pay for senior care at home?
Private pay is the most common way to cover home care costs with the senior using their own savings and possibly liquidizing assets too. Financial assistance from relatives can help contribute towards fees, as can releasing equity on the senior’s home with a reverse mortgage. Depending on their plans, Medicare beneficiaries may also get help on a part-time basis, while those with Medicare Advantage can get support for the long-term. For some, it may be possible to get a no- or low-cost home care from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Help at Home (OPTIONS) program.
Who is eligible for the veterans’ home care program?
Those who served their country and now have complex medical needs that can be addressed at home may qualify for the veterans’ home care program. To be eligible for the program, the vet must already receive a VA pension. Several other factors determine eligibility, but they can be confusing to those who aren’t used to dealing with the complexity of the paperwork required. Therefore, it may be useful if seniors contact a nonprofit organization, such as VeteranAid.org, that provides free support in matters concerning allowances and benefits for U.S. military veterans.
Can you write off in-home elderly care?
IRS Publication 502 provides guidance to help seniors itemize medical expenses that can be claimed on Schedule A. The IRS will use this information to determine expenses that can be deducted as home care and personal maintenance costs. Other deductibles may include health and safety costs, such as widening doors for wheelchairs. Seniors whose caregivers can be registered as their employees may also save on costs. IRS Publication 926 can clarify this potential opportunity.