The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Walla Walla, WA for 2023
With a senior population of 17.6%, Walla Walla has a large percentage of adults over the age of 65 as part of its overall population of slightly under 44,000 — more than the national average of roughly 16.8%. Situated in the heart of Eastern Washington wine country, Walla Walla has a surprisingly low cost of living for a town in the Pacific Northwest, and the cost of health care is nearly 18% lower than the national average. St. Providence St. Mary Medical Center provides Walla Walla residents with emergency and primary care. Those with advanced health problems may have to travel to Seattle, which is approximately 275 miles away, for their care.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, home care agencies charge an average of $6,149 per month in Walla Walla for help with basic household tasks and nonmedical personal care. Those needing limited clinical services, such as some types of skilled nursing or occupational therapy, can opt for home health care instead.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Walla Walla– 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.
Directory of Home Care Services in Walla Walla, WA
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Paying for Home Care in Walla Walla, WA
The Cost of Home Care in Walla Walla, WA
Seniors in Walla Walla pay an average of $6,149 for home care. While this is much higher than the national monthly home care cost average of $4,957, it’s several hundred dollars lower than Washington’s statewide average of $6,547. Mount Vernon residents pay the most for home care costs in Washington at $7,245, while costs drop to $6,769 in the state’s largest metro of Seattle, and they drop even further to $6,387 in the second-largest city, Spokane. Those in Wenatchee pay the lowest home care costs at an average of $5,911 per month.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Walla Walla, WA
At an average cost of $2,600, adult day care is the most affordable senior care option in Walla Walla, but these programs are provided in community centers and are typically only available during the day on weekdays. Seniors needing limited medical services pay an average of $6,149 per month for home health care, which is not the same as home care as it offers the assistance of a licensed health care professional. Nursing home care is the most expensive at $9,232 for a semiprivate room, while assisted living costs an average of $3,211.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Walla Walla, 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.
Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla:
Nutrition Program
Address: 720 Sprague St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone Number: (509) 527-3775, ext. 106.
Operated by the Walla Walla Senior Center, the Nutrition Program delivers warm and nutrition-filled meals to homebound seniors on a Monday-through-Friday schedule. Its service area covers Walla Walla and nearby counties. The program is available to seniors 60 years of age and older as well as spouses and disabled dependents. There are no income criteria, though donations are welcome.
Utility Bill Discounts
Address: 15 North 3rd Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone Number: (509) 529-4980
The city of Walla Walla reduces monthly utility bills for certain residents by 20%, which translates to an estimated $30 per bill for typical enrollees in the program. To qualify, a person’s name must appear on the utility bill and live in the structure receiving service. Additionally, an income limit of 150% of the federal poverty level applies. The Blue Mountain Action Council makes the final call on residents’ eligibility.
Southeast Washington Aging and Long Term Care
Address: 125 East Cherry Street, Suite A, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone Number: (509) 529-6470
SE WA ALTC is the Area Agency on Aging active in Walla Walla. Through this organization, seniors can access options counseling, which may help identify ways to extend the time during which living at home is viable. The organization also offers benefits assistance that can make Medicare, Social Security and veterans’ benefits more attainable. SE WA ALTC is additionally a source of information and referrals, and its Health Home program supports seniors’ well-being, with the goal of reducing hospitalizations.
Blue Mountain Action Council
Address: 8 East Cherry St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone Number: 509-529-4980
The BMAC serves individuals experiencing poverty and residing in southeastern Washington state. Its home weatherization program helps reduce its clients’ energy bills and make their homes healthier, safer places to live. The organization also provides pro bono legal services and assistance to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Free tax preparation is available as well.
Catholic Charities Walla Walla
Address: 408 West Poplar St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone Number: (509) 525-0572
CCWW makes affordable housing available to low-income seniors. Additional offerings from this organization include community advocacy and assistance during emergencies. Its volunteer chore services ease the burden of household tasks such as laundry and cleaning as well as shopping and other necessary activities.
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.
