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In-Home Care in Vermont
Senior citizens aged 65 and over make up approximately 20% of Vermont’s overall population of slightly less than 646,000 residents. With its abundant natural beauty, relaxed way of life, organic food tradition and vibrant art scene, it’s not hard to imagine why the state attracts a higher-than-average number of retirees. Highly rated hospitals in Vermont include Northwestern Medical Center and Burlington Lakeside VA Clinic. Although Vermont isn’t considered particularly tax-friendly toward seniors, it does offer a tax credit to low-income seniors and disabled persons.
Vermont seniors have several options for care, including in-home care and home health care. Although they may sound similar, these two types of care are actually quite different. In-home care refers to non-medical personal care such as helping with getting dressed, bathing and basic grooming, light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping and other errands, laundry and companionship. Home health care involves clinical care performed by a licensed health care professional. As of 2021, the average monthly cost of in-home care in Vermont is $5,720 per month.
This guide provides an introduction to in-home care in Vermont. Along with average costs and coverage options through Medicaid and Medicare, we included a list of resources for Vermont seniors.
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The Cost of In-Home Care in Vermont
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in-home care in Vermont costs an average of $5,720 per month, which is higher than the national average of $4,957. Costs are even higher in the neighboring state of New Hampshire, at $6,006 per month, which is $286 higher than the average cost in Vermont, and in Massachusetts, where the average cost of in-home care of $5,911 is $191 more expensive than in Vermont. The average cost of in-home care is lower across Vermont’s western border in New York State, residents typically pay an average of $5,339 per month for in-home care, which is $381 less than their Vermont counterparts. The most affordable state in the region is Connecticut with an average monthly cost of $5,243.
Vermont
$5720
The United States
$4957
New Hampshire
$6006
Massachusetts
$5911
New York
$5339
Connecticut
$5243
Because Vermont is a small state both in size and population, we’re comparing the costs of the only Vermont community we have data on, Burlington, with similar cities in surrounding states. On the New York side of the New York/Vermont border, citizens of Glen Falls pay an average of $5,863 a month for in-home care, while those who live east of Vermont in the New Hampshire community of Manchester pay a monthly average of $6,149. Moving south to Massachusetts, costs are slightly lower in Pittsfield at an average of $5,625. Hartford, Connecticut, is the most affordable of these options for in-home care with a monthly cost of $5,329.
Burlington
$5720
Glen Falls, NY
$5823
Manchester
$6149
Pittsfield
$5625
Hartford
$5329
Although in-home care is more affordable in Vermont than nursing home care, which comes with an average monthly price tag of $10,585, other types of care are less expensive or the same. At a monthly average of $5,720, those opting for home health care pay the same as they would for in-home care. Residents of assisted living facilities pay an average of $5,250 in Vermont, which is $500 less expensive than in-home care. Adult day health care is the least expensive at $3,224.
In-Home Care
$5720
Home Health Care
$5720
Nursing Home Care
$10585
Assisted Living
$5250
Adult Day Health Care
$3224
Does Medicaid Cover Home Care in Vermont?
Medicaid does not directly fund in-home care in Vermont. However, seniors who choose to age in place may be able to receive assistance paying for some of the associated costs from Vermont’s Choices for Care Waiver. The waiver covers supportive services for older persons and those with developmental disabilities in a variety of environments, including their own homes.
Home Care Waiver Programs in Vermont
The Choices for Care Waiver services differ depending on the particular setting. For home-based recipients, services include help with dressing, grooming, bathing and other types of non-medical personal care, household tasks such as light cleaning, laundry and meal preparation, respite for unpaid family caregivers, adult daycare and case management. The waiver also pays for assistive technology, personal emergency alert systems and home modifications to accommodate mobility issues.
The Choices for Care Waiver is available to residents of Vermont who are aged 65 and over, meet the financial criteria and require a nursing-home level of care.
How to Know if You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Vermont
Financial eligibility for Medicaid depends on financial need, so applicants must be able to successfully show that they are within the required income limits. Income limits are set by the state rather than federally mandated. Eligible recipients must also be able to demonstrate that their assets are not above a certain limit. The annual income limit for single applicants for the Choices for Care Waiver in Vermont is $30,276, while the asset limit is $2,000. Both of those limits double in two-person households to 60,552 per year and $4,000 in assets.
2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Vermont
| Income limits* | Asset limits |
|---|---|
| $30,276 | $2,000 |
| $60,552 | $4,000 |
*per year
- be a U.S. citizen, legal immigrant or legal resident status
- be a resident of Vermont
- be age 65 or over
- require a nursing home level of care
How to Apply for Medicaid in Vermont
The most convenient way for most people to apply for Medicaid in Vermont is through the state’s online portal at VermontHealthConnect.gov. Applicants can also call (855) 899-9600 to apply by telephone or download an application on the state’s website and mail it to Vermont Health Connect’s central processing center. Applicants can also get help from a certified assister and mail a completed paper application to:
Vermont Health Connect
Application and Document Processing Center,
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8100
What Information You Will Need
Having your documentation in order makes the Medicaid application process go far more smoothly. You’ll need identifying information such as a driver’s license, passport or state identification card, proof of income, such as pay stubs, Social Security stubs, tax returns and bank statements. You will also need documentation of any insurance that you carry.
How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid
| Program | Contact | Services provided |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Health Connect | (855) 899-9600 | Vermont Health Connect can assist those struggling with the application process find one-on-one help from the Assister Program. Assisters are professionally trained and certified by the Department of Vermont Health Access to provide in-person or virtual assistance to those having difficulty accessing health care. |
| Health Care Advocate Helpline | (800) 917-7787 | The Office of the Health Care Advocate operates a Helpline that provides assistance to Vermont residents having issues accessing health insurance, including Medicaid. This office is administered by Vermont Legal Aid, which is a private nonprofit law firm and not a part of Vermont's state government system. |
| Senior Helpline | (800) 642-5119 | Vermont seniors can call the Senior Helpline for assistance with a wide range of issues, including Medicaid. Services provided by the Helpline are free of charge and completely confidential. |
Does Medicare Cover In-Home Care in Vermont?
In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.
Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.
- Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
- Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
- Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
- Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.
As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)
Other Financial Assistance Options for In-Home Care in Vermont
While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.
Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Vermont
Seniors who choose to age in place typically do so to remain in a familiar environment and retain community connections and relationships with family and friends. Aging in place has specific challenges, however, such as finding and accessing community supports, home modifications to accommodate mobility issues and keeping home interiors warm and comfortable without experiencing soaring utility bills. The following chart features some of the resources available to Vermont seniors that address these challenges.
| Resource | Contact | AreaServed | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging | (800) 642-5119 | Entire State | The Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging is comprised of five local nonprofit Area Agencies on Aging located throughout Vermont. These agencies provide Vermont residents aged 60 and over with information about relevant programs and services in their areas and provide a number of direct services. Direct services that might be of interest to those opting to age in place include senior centers, congregate meals where seniors can enjoy a hot, nutritious lunch with their peers and health and wellness screenings. The Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging also publishes a monthly newsletter with information relevant to senior issues. |
| State Health Insurance Program | (800) 642-5119 | Entire State | SHIP is a national program designed to educate Medicare-eligible individuals so that they can make good, informed decisions about their health insurance. This program is administered on local levels by Area Agencies on Aging and provides one-on-one Medicare counseling, group workshops and a variety of relevant printed and online material. |
| Vermont Veterans Affairs | (802) 828-3379 | Entire State | Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces with honorable or general discharge status, their dependents and survivors can receive assistance applying for service-based entitlements and benefits and information about VA health care. The agency also maintains a Veterans Crisis Line and a Women Veterans Call Center. |
| Vermont 211 | 2-1-1 | Entire State | Vermont 211 serves as a clearinghouse for essential community information about available community-based resources. The number is a local call from anywhere in Vermont, and callers speak with a real person instead of getting a prerecorded message and a menu. All calls are completely confidential. |
| Weatherization Assistance Program | (802) 241-0935 | Entire State | Vermont's Weatherization Assistance Program increases energy efficiency and improves the comfort and safety of the home environment. The program typically involves a whole-house energy assessment followed by customized improvements, such as insulation, caulking, heating and cooling system repairs or replacement, weatherstripping and replacing old windows and doors. The average amount spent by the program in individual homes is $10,000. Drafts are reduced by approximately 40%. |
In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in Vermont
The Division of Licensing and Protection of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living program regulates home care in Vermont. Both in-home and home health care are covered by the same regulations and provided by home health agencies. The table below offers insight into Vermont’s state rules and regulations.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Scope of Care | Home health agencies may provide assistance with activities of daily living, homemaking services and companion care. They also provide medically necessary, intermittent skilled health services and hospice care. |
| Care Plan Requirements | Home health agencies must develop a plan of care that is person-centered and understandable to a layperson. Patients have a right to be involved in the care planning process. Agencies must also respond in a timely manner to any request regarding a care plan, including changes in service. |
| Medication Management Requirements | There are no specific regulations covering medication management services for home health agencies in Vermont. |
| Staff Screening Requirements | Home health agencies must conduct background checks on all employees and contractors and may not hire anyone who has a substantiated record of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult. |
| Staff Training Requirements | Staff must be qualified for the role they are performing. Medically necessary skilled services must be offered directly by, or under the supervision of, skilled nursing or rehabilitation personnel. Unlicensed services, such as personal care and homemaking, may be provided by unlicensed caregivers. The home health agency is responsible for ensuring these caregivers are fully trained and appropriately supervised. |
| Medicaid Coverage | The Global Commitment to Health and Attendant Services Program waivers will cover some or all of the cost of in-home care for those who qualify. |
| Reporting Abuse | Abuse should be reported to the office of the long-term care ombudsman, which is administered by Vermont Legal Aid. Their contact number is 1-800-889-2047. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Find an In-Home Care Provider in Vermont
Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. When you hire an in-home care aide you’re placing a lot of trust in the hands of the person by inviting them into your home, so you’ll want to be diligent in your search. At Caring.com, we’re here to help – we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs and finding a home care agency that will provide the best care possible.
Find Home Care Agencies Near You
To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.
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