The Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Stafford, VA for 2025

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey includes Stafford’s median home care cost with Washington, DC, due to the town’s proximity to the nation’s capital. As a result, the median cost of home care in Stafford is $5,339 — higher than for Virginia ($4,767) and the United States ($4,957). It’s also above the median for almost all cities in Virginia, including Winchester ($4,671), Harrisonburg ($4,957) and Richmond ($5,148). However, it’s below the state’s costliest city for home care, Charlottesville, where the typical senior pays $6,292 per month.

At around $5,339 per month, Stafford’s home care agencies deliver nonmedical services, such as personal care and light housekeeping. For the same median fee, home health care agencies provide limited medical support by licensed nurses and therapists, such as pain management and occupational therapy. Adult day care is the least costly option with fees around $2,282, while nursing home care is the most costly at $11467. Assisted living offers similar services to home care for a median fee of $5,948.

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.