The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Providence, RI for 2024

According to the 2024 Caring Senior Living Report, Providence, RI, is one of the best places to retire. Local seniors can enjoy lower-than-average income and sales tax rates, a vibrant arts scene and a high number of physicians per capita. Providence is also home to Lifespan Rhode Island Hospital, the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the state. Older adults who need nonmedical assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing and dressing, pay an average of $5,720 per month for home care. Home health care is different from home care because it includes skilled medical care provided by nurses or other licensed medical professionals.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Providence 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 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, home care in Providence costs an average of $5,720 per month, which is the same as the state average and $763 higher than the U.S. median. Compared to nearby cities, home care costs in Providence fall in the middle of the range. Seniors in New London, CT, pay $214 less per month, while seniors in Boston, MA, pay an average of $572 more. Worcester, MA, has the same average costs as Providence.

Providence seniors pay $5,720 per month for home care services, and home health care, which includes medical services provided by nurses and therapists, costs nearly $200 more. Adult day health care is a part-time option and costs an average of $1,658 per month. Assisted living, a full-time care option for seniors who need daily assistance, has monthly average costs of $6,063. Nursing homes provide 24/7 supervision and medical care, so they have the highest costs. Seniors in Rhode Island pay an average of $10,190 per month for semiprivate accommodations.

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.