In-home care, sometimes known simply as "home care," is a type of senior support that may allow your loved one to stay in their own home, surrounded by known and familiar people and belongings. For many, this option provides a welcome alternative to moving to an assisted living facility or other types of residential senior living.

In-home care includes nonmedical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and companionship. However, these services differ from the similarly named home health care, which delivers clinical-focused medical care in the home. 

 

If in-home care seems like an ideal pathway for you and your senior loved one, Caring can help. Our Family Advisors offer no-cost, personalized advice and recommendations to help you make the right choice for your loved one. You can speak to an Advisor by calling (800) 558-0653 and begin the process of finding the right in-home care for you and your senior.

 

In-home care may be the right choice for your loved one if they do not experience serious enough health concerns to require nursing home care and thus live in their own home, your home, or an independent living residence. If they exhibit the early stages of dementia but do not yet need specific dementia home care, in-home care may be the right fit for their needs. 

 

Perhaps your senior loved one just needs a little help with dressing or cooking meals. Maybe they had a fall and now wish for someone to assist them on stairs, manage their medications, or help clean the house. Homecare agencies may supply a companion to aid your senior in these and other situations.

There are several types of in-home care, allowing you to choose an aide or companion who matches your loved one's unique needs and situations. The two primary types of care are companion care and personal care. 

Some people call aides who deliver companion care services "elder companions." This type of in-home care:

 

• Provides Company: This is crucial for older adults struggling with isolation at home because of frailty or cognitive impairments.
• Includes Practical Support: Companion services may include driving seniors to appointments, safeguarding those unsteady on their feet, reading aloud, and preparing food.

In-home personal care and help with day-to-day activities serve as an alternative to residential assisted living for seniors who do not require full-time support. This type of in-home care:

 

• Includes Hands-On Support: Aides assist seniors with diverse activities of daily living, from grocery shopping to nonmedical personal care such as toileting, dressing, and bathing.
• Offers Respite: Family caregivers sometimes need a break, and respite services ensure seniors always receive support to live comfortably and safely. 

How do you know if it's time to search for "in-home care near me?" There are several signs you may want to consider, but regardless, in-home care can be beneficial if you are the primary caregiver and feel overburdened or unable to give your senior the compassionate care that they deserve. 

Consider the following signs that your loved one may require in-home care:

 

• Decreased Mobility: If your loved one struggles to move like they used to or to manage routine activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, or cooking, this may create barriers that an aide can help overcome. An aide can ensure that your senior can run errands, socialize, and avoid fall-related injuries. 
• Declining Hygiene and Grooming: Physical and cognitive impairment may keep your loved one from dressing in fresh clothes, shaving, or keeping themselves clean. An aide can remind them to brush their teeth and hair if they cannot.
• Physical Changes: Weight loss may signify that your senior struggles with eating properly. You may also notice bruising or small signs of injury, or they may appear more frail than they used to. 
• Increased Forgetfulness: Signs of forgetfulness can be one sign of dementia, but these symptoms also occur as a common sign of aging. An aide or companion can gently work with your senior to ensure that these tasks are carried out on time.
• Difficulty Maintaining the Home: As people age, it can become more difficult to manage domestic chores. Signs that your senior is struggling may be increased dust or grime throughout the home, piles of unclean clothes, excessive clutter, or a sink full of dirty dishes.
• Less Interest in Hobbies: Many seniors engage in pleasant and diverting hobbies that help pass the time and keep them mentally engaged, like reading and gardening. If your loved one begins to show less interest in a formerly beloved hobby, this may be a sign of depression or other underlying issue. An in-home aide can work with your senior to help them regain an interest in activities that provide social connection, physical exercise, and mental stimulation.

If in-home care seems beneficial for your senior, you'll likely need to consider how to cover companion or aide costs. You can combine various funding sources to pull together the payments needed for their home care help.

The following list explores several payment methods.

 

• Medicare: Although original Medicare does not cover standard in-home care, it may offer some coverage received alongside home health care services. You may also find that your senior's Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan offers some financial support. 
• Medicaid: If your senior qualifies for Medicaid, you may find support through a state-funded Home and Community-Based Services waiver. These waivers vary depending on location and eligibility criteria. Check with your state's Medicaid agency for more information on this method. 
• Veteran's Benefits: Qualifying veterans may use their pensions to pay for in-home care, but they can also investigate supplemental Aid and Attendance benefits.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: If your senior has been paying into a policy, they may have coverage for in-home care, depending on the policy's details and the beneficiary's needs.
• Life Insurance: There are two potential options for life insurance: your senior might sell their policy for a cash payment, or they may be able to access a portion of the death benefit if they have an endorsement for accelerated death benefits. 
• Reverse Mortgages: This financial vehicle is basically a loan against the value of your loved one's home. Although seniors can use reverse mortgages to pay for in-home care, the loan will eventually need to be repaid when they pass away or sell the property. 

Whether you require regular in-home care or medically focused home health care, our extensive directory lists homecare agencies in all parts of the country. Follow these steps to find the most appropriate in-home caregiver for you or your loved one:

• Fill in your ZIP code, city, or state in the Senior Care Directory to find in-home agencies near you.
• Read consumer reviews and compare ratings.
• Contact providers to discuss your requirements.
• Call one of our trained Family Advisors at (800) 973-1540 for customized, one-on-one assistance finding an in-home caregiver.
• Follow this checklist for finding an in-home caregiver.

Setting expectations for an in-home caregiver may vary a little. Still, you will generally want to look for an individual with strong organizational skills, respect for you and your property, and a professional yet compassionate attitude. You will want to set your expectations when you first meet them, detailing their duties.

For example, they will need to know if they are required to cook meals, do laundry, or help your senior with bathing or toileting needs. It's not enough to instruct them to simply "take care of Mom" — confirm their specific duties and ensure that you are comfortable with this person caring for your loved one.

• About older adult fall prevention. (2024). Centers for Disease Control
• Calculate the cost of long-term care near you. (2023). CareScout.com
• Contact us. (n.d.). Medicaid.gov
• Depression and older adults. (2025). National Institute on Aging
• Infographic: age-related forgetfulness or signs of dementia? (2025). National Institute on Aging
• Using life insurance to pay for long-term care. (2020). Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• VA aid and attendance benefits and housebound allowance. (2024). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs