The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Mercer Island, WA for 2024

Nestled between Bellevue and Seattle, Mercer Island, WA, is a picturesque community with just under 26,000 residents. Nearly 20% of its population are seniors, which is above the national average, reflecting its appeal to older adults. Mercer Island is celebrated for its low crime rate and high quality of life, with easy access to top-tier medical facilities such as Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue and Swedish Hospital in Seattle. For seniors who wish to age in place, nonmedical home care, which provides assistance with daily tasks such as meal preparation and medication reminders, is available to Mercer Island’s senior residents at an average cost of around $6,673 per month. This contrasts with home health care, which includes specialized medical services and costs slightly more.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Mercer Island area – 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.

At $6,673 per month, home care in Mercer Island is slightly higher than the state average of $6,547, and considerably more than the U.S. average of $4,957, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. When comparing the cost of home care with nearby cities, the monthly cost on Mercer Island is lower than Seattle, which averages $6,769, and is on par with prices in Olympia, estimated at $6,673 per month. Mercer Island’s home care cost is higher than Longview, where the average monthly expenditure is $6,054. 

Mercer Island offers seniors a variety of options tailored to their individual needs. Assisted living facilities are the most budget-friendly choice for seniors, averaging $5,750 per month. In-home care is the next most affordable option. At around $6,673 per month, it allows seniors to remain in the comfort of their own homes. Home health care, which includes medical services from live-in or visiting nurses or therapists, is higher at $7,007 a month. Nursing homes, at $10,479 for a semiprivate room, are suitable for seniors who require 24/7 medical attention.

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.