The 3 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Sequim, WA for 2024

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim is a quiet town just minutes from Puget Sound and near Olympic National Park. This picturesque town is home to just over 8,000 people, 35.7% of whom are seniors 65 or older. The cost of living in Sequim is about 10% higher than the national average but nearly 12% lower than the state average. Sequim is home to the Olympic Medical Cancer Center and residents can visit Olympic Memorial Hospital in Port Angeles for other care needs. Local seniors wishing to age in place who require personal care assistance can receive in-home care for an average of $6,673 per month. Home health care is also available to provide medical assistance such as skilled nursing or physical therapy.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Sequim 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.

In Sequim, the cost of home care is mostly in line with the surrounding areas according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. However, the rate is higher than the state and national averages of $6,547 and $4,957. Sequim shares the same monthly cost with Olympia at $6,673, but it’s slightly more expensive than care to the north in Bellingham, where care averages $6,483. Sequim home care costs are about $100 lower than comparable care in Seattle and nearly $600 lower than care in Mount Vernon.

Home care in Sequim averages $6,673 per month, which is lower than the cost of home health care. Home health care costs an additional $334 per month and includes medical services provided by licensed nurses or therapists. Seniors looking for a more affordable option may choose assisted living care, which averages $5,750 and offers around-the-clock assistance with daily living tasks. Those in need of more consistent skilled nursing and 24/7 medical assistance may benefit from nursing home care. In Sequim, semiprivate nursing rooms cost an average of $10,479 per month.

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.