The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Rutland, VT for 2023
Situated in the center of Vermont, Rutland is rich in cultural and historical sites. The small city has around 15,851 inhabitants, 23.7% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older, which is significantly higher than the national average of 16.8%. The city has a range of senior services such as community centers and support groups. With a moderate cost of living and access to affordable medical amenities, Rutland is a great retirement choice for cost-conscious older adults. It’s home to Rutland Regional Medical Center, the largest community hospital in Vermont, which is rated as high performing in hip replacements and knee replacements. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Rutland and Glen Falls, New York, pay around $5,863 per month for in-home care, which is slightly more than the state median. While home care encompasses personal care services, home health care, which is more expensive, also includes light medical services.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Rutland– 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 Rutland, VT
TLC HomeCare
1550 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT, 05403
See Pricing for
is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
Paying for Home Care in Rutland, VT
The Cost of Home Care in Rutland, VT
Monthly home care costs in Rutland are around $140 higher than the average in Vermont and $800 more than the national average. In Burlington, the cost of care is equal to the state average and $143 less expensive than Rutland. Elsewhere in neighboring states, care costs can vary. In Albany, New York, seniors pay around $700 less than in Rutland for home care, and in Manchester, New Hampshire, seniors pay around $300 more than Rutland seniors. To the south in Springfield, Massachusetts, the cost of care is lower than in Rutland.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Rutland, VT
The cost of home care in Rutland is slightly lower than the cost of home health care, which includes medical services. Adult day care is the cheapest option, costing around $3,400 less than home care. Assisted living communities provide residential support and typically cost around $1,600 less than home care. For seniors needing the highest level of care, a semiprivate room in a nursing home is the least affordable option, typically costing around $6,200 per month more than home care.
Note: Data for Rutland was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Glens Falls, NY, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Rutland, VT
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.
Rutland Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Rutland:
Southwest Vermont Council on Aging Rutland Office
Address: 143 Maple Street, Rutland, VT 05701
Phone Number: (802) 786-5990
The Southwest Vermont Council on Aging serves as a local area agency on aging for the region around Rutland. Its support programs include meal provision services, benefits options counseling, a transportation service for seniors, volunteer programs for seniors who want to participate in their community and a senior companion program. The SVCOA also helps seniors navigate Vermont’s State Health Insurance Program for their Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Bridges and Beyond
Address: 160 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701
Phone Number: (802) 775-7111
The Rutland Regional Medical Center operates the Bridges and Beyond regional transportation program for senior residents of the region. Through Bridges and Beyond, elderly residents of Rutland County are provided with scheduled transportation services by volunteer drivers for doctor’s appointments, pharmacy trips, errands and shopping trips. Applicants don’t need to be patients or clients of Rutland Regional Medical Center. Only residency in Rutland County is needed to join. The service is free to use.
Vermont Legal Aid Senior Law Project Rutland Office
Address: 57 North Main Street, Suite 2 | Rutland, VT 05701
Phone Number: (802) 775-0021
The Vermont Legal Aid Project offers client representation, legal information and advice, and advocacy for elderly and disadvantaged individuals to residents of Vermont who are low-income, disabled or over the age of 60. It also provides legal services to those who have had problems with their health insurance coverage or been victims of illegal discrimination in obtaining benefits and services. The Law Project’s lawyers represent clients who are Vermont residents free of charge in civil cases throughout the state. The organization’s Elder Law Project delivers free legal services to elderly residents over the age of 60.
Vermont Weatherization Assistance Program
Address: 45 Union Street, Rutland, VT 05701
Phone Number: (802) 775-0878
The Weatherization Assistance Program of Vermont is coordinated by the Vermont Department of Children and Families through regional partners for each city or town. In Rutland, this is the BROC Weatherization Office. The program gives preference to low-income households with seniors or families, and elderly individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income are automatically eligible. Otherwise, individuals can enroll if they earn less than $27,692 in a single-person household or $37,453 in a two-person household, with incremental adjustments for larger households. This program fortifies homes against weather extremes at no cost.
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 – 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.
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.
