The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Millwood, VA for 2024

Millwood is a vibrant community located at the northern border of Virginia. The community has over 28,000 residents and a thriving senior community that accounts for 16.7% of the population — on par with national rates. Situated just 75 miles northeast of the nation’s capital and 98 miles east of Baltimore, it offers a mild climate with an average comfort index of 7.2. Winchester Medical Center provides the area with a wide breadth of services, most notably its designation as an advanced primary stroke center.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that on average, senior residents pay $4,671 per month for home care services. For those who need limited skilled nursing services, home health care is a better option.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Millwood– 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 the city of Millwood are affordable compared to the state average, which is $96 higher, and national average, which is $286 higher. Charlottesville, in the center of Virginia and Staunton, up near the northern state border, charge higher home care fees. Harrisonburg, just southwest of Millwood and Baltimore, to the east in the center of Maryland, share the same fees as the national average, which is still more expensive than in-home care in Millwood.

Home care costs in Millwood average $344 less than assisted living and $6,400 less than skilled nursing. Adult day care programs provide a cheaper alternative for anyone wanting to participate in organized recreational activities and with the ability to travel to a community center. Home care includes light medical services such as administering medications and taking vital signs often provided by registered nurses as well as therapies such as speech, physical, and occupational therapies. 

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.