The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Snohomish County, WA for 2024
Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Snohomish County, WA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.6 out of 5 stars across the 77 options below.
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Paying for Home Care in Snohomish County, WA
The Cost of Home Care in Snohomish County, WA
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveals that home care costs in Snohomish County, at $6,483, are slightly lower than the Washington state average, but over $1,500 higher than the national average. Seattle has higher costs than Snohomish County by $286, but locations to the east offer less expensive rates. Walla Walla to the southeast comes in at $334 less than Snohomish County, and Wenatchee to the east and Yakima to the southeast are both over $500 cheaper.
Snohomish County
$6,483
Washington
$6,547
The United States
$4,957
Seattle
$6,769
Walla Walla
$6,149
Wenatchee
$5,911
Yakima
$5,958
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County seniors will notice that home care costs are somewhat high compared to other care options. Assisted living comes in over $1,880 lower than home care rates, though seniors must relocate to obtain needed services. Home health care, with its medical services such as vital sign checks, is equivalent to home care in cost. Nursing home costs are higher than those of home care by $2,794.
Home Care
$6,483
Home Health Care
$6,483
Assisted Living
$4,600
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
$9,277
Note: Data for Snohomish County was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Bellingham, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Snohomish County, WA
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.
Snohomish County Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Snohomish County:
Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Senior Information & Assistance | (800) 422-2024 | 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 | The Senior Information and Assistance line is managed in partnership between Homage and the Snohomish County Long-Term Care and Aging department. The service acts as the first point of contact between older adults and several aging in place resources in the county. Seniors can get in touch with the service to find out more and check eligibility for programs like mental health counseling, home-delivered meals, in-home care services and transportation. |
TakeCare Medicare | (866) 937-6565 | 5026 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 | TakeCare Medicare is a Homage service offering free and unbiased advice about Medicare insurance. Advisors can help seniors understand their insurance options on topics such as Medigap, prescription medication plans and dual Medicare/Medicaid plans. Additionally, TakeCare Medicare counselors can also refer seniors to other aging services such as home repairs and meal delivery programs. |
Legal Services for Individuals Over 60 | (888) 387-7111 | 401 Second Avenue S, Suite 407, Seattle, WA 98104 | This senior legal line is a Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral service offered by the Northwest Justice Project. Seniors can call to speak to a lawyer or a paralegal who can either offer detailed advice over the phone, assist with legal documentation, or, in some instances, refer the caller to other legal aid agencies for representation. |
Minor Home Repairs | (425) 265-2222 | 5026 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 | The Minor Home Repairs program is managed by the Homage nonprofit and helps low-income seniors with some necessary house repairs so they can continue living at home. There is no labor cost for this service; however, seniors may have to pay for some of the materials on a sliding scale, according to their income. |
Veterans’ Assistance Program | (425) 388-7255 | 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Lower Level, Drewel Building, Everett, WA 98201 | This program is overseen by the Snohomish County Human Services Department and assists seniors who served in the country’s military and their families. Seniors can get in touch with the program for information and referrals to state and federal pensions their service entitles them to, including a robust list of services specifically for older veterans. |
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
Reviews of Care Providers Nearby
Home Care
Mary Anne
5.0
Review of Seniors Helping Seniors Shoreline, WA
I am using Seniors Helping Seniors Shoreline, WA for my cousin. We just had a new caregiver, so the first one was delightful, but she wasn't certified as to how much care my cousin needed. So we...
Home Care
Ruth S
1.0
Review of Homewatch CareGivers of Western WA
When caregiving for my loved one she was neglected and treated horribly. She has dementia and there was no training for Dementia given. Caregivers spent most of the time on their personal phones...
Home Care
Carol D_33
4.0
Review of Right at Home Snohomish County
It is good, it helps me out because I have a lot of health issues. Some of the caregivers have not had the training like I did.