The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Reading, PA for 2024

Low housing costs help make Reading, Philadelphia, an excellent place for seniors to retire, according to Caring’s 2019 Senior Living report. The city boasts a great public transportation system with free fares for seniors, as well as a below-average crime rate and above-average access to parks, libraries and grocery stores. Reading Hospital is ranked regionally as a top ten hospital in Pennsylvania and rated as high performing in five adult specialties, including geriatrics.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that home care services in Reading cost an average of $4,576 monthly. Home care is distinct from home health care as it does not include medical services, but they share the same average cost.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Reading– 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.

Monthly home care costs in Reading are below the state averages by about $400, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost Care Survey. They are also affordable in comparison to national averages. Other major population centers in Pennsylvania, such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, have higher average home care costs. Reading’s costs are more in line with smaller cities in central Pennsylvania, such as Harrisburg.

Home care and home health care costs in Reading are about $1,150 less per month than the costs for assisted living programs. The costs for adult day health care programs, which require traveling to a community center, are roughly one-quarter that of home care costs. The cost of nursing home care is about $8,000 more per month than the average price of home care.

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.