The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Walla Walla, WA for 2023
Walla Walla County is located in the southeastern portion of Washington state along the Snake River. Seniors make up approximately 19% of the population, which accounts for nearly 12,000 people — more than the national rate of 16.8%. The cost of living in the area is low, and there are a large number of physicians per capita, which may make it easy for seniors to find medical care. St. Mary’s Medical Center is located in Walla Walla and provides treatment for a variety of conditions, including heart and vascular issues, orthopedics and neurology.
Aging adults who live in their homes and struggle with daily chores and personal care can choose to receive assistance at home through home care, which costs around $6,483. Home health care is slightly more at $6,547, which is typically offered to seniors recovering from an illness or surgical procedure and those in need of extensive frequent supervision.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Walla Walla County– 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
Home Instead – Kennewick, WA
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Paying for Home Care in Walla Walla, WA
The Cost of Home Care in Walla Walla, WA
As of 2021, the cost of home care in Walla Walla County is $6,483 per month, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey. The state average is $64 more, and the national average is $1,526 less. Mount Vernon has one of the highest costs of home care in the Walla Walla area at $7,245 per month. Bremerton and Seattle have slightly higher-than-average home care costs of $6,673 and $6,769 per month, respectively.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Walla Walla, WA
Walla Walla seniors have several care options to choose from. Home care for nonmedical personal care costs an average of $5,802 per month. Home health care costs the same even though it includes skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Adult day health care is not available in Walla Walla. Assisted living facilities provide services similar to in-home care and have a much lower rate of $3,800 per month. Nursing home care is the most expensive option with a monthly average of $9,764 for a semiprivate room.
Note: Data for Walla Walla County was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Bellingham, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Walla Walla 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.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Walla Walla, WA
Walla Walla seniors have access to a variety of resources that provide free and low-cost programs to help them age in place and live more comfortably. Some resources provide financial assistance, home repairs and weatherization and help with paying utility bills. Other resources help with health and wellness, case management, affordable housing, meal deliveries, case management, long-term care and many other services.
Resource
Contact
Service
(509) 529-6470
ALTC advocates to support and identify the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities and people who need long-term care. The agency then administers and provides services to meet those needs. Programs and services include information and referral, case management, caregiver support, benefits assistance, health and wellness, nutrition, transportation, senior foot care and free legal services.
(509)524-4960
The DSHS helps seniors and blind or disabled adults find local services, information and resources to enhance their quality of life while aging in place. Services and programs are available through the Home and Community Services Division and include an assessment of eligibility, in-home care services, residential services, Adult Protective Services, social services, housing assistance and food, cash and medical services.
(509) 527-3775
The Walla Walla Senior Center delivers hot, nutritious meals to seniors 60+ years old who are home-bound, their spouses and disabled dependents. No income requirements apply. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday and provide 1/3 of the daily nutritional requirements for seniors. Drive-thru pick-up is also available on a donation basis. People under 60 years of age can purchase a meal for $7.
(509) 529-3100
SonBridge provides the underserved with information, resources and services to those seeking free and low-cost assistance with health and medical services, mental health services, assisted living options, senior services, senior housing, social services, counseling, emergency assistance, immigration services, senior centers, hospice care and veterans' services.
(509) 529-4980
The BMAC is a nonprofit organization that provides eligible individuals access to community benefits to help them gain stability and self-sufficiency. Programs and services include food bank assistance, affordable housing, homeless services, adult literacy, energy assistance, home repair and weatherization, neighborhood outreach, ombudsman, pro bono law referral and supportive services for veteran families.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find home care agencies near me with availability?
One of the best ways to find home care agencies is through online research using in-home caregiver directories. Asking your doctor is another good way. Friends and family can also help in finding the right agency to meet your specific care needs. Reading reviews can often help with providing recommendations. Your local Area Agency on Aging is another good way in determining which agency to choose.
How many home care agencies are there near Walla Walla, WA?
According to Caring.com, there are eight home care agencies in and near Walla Walla.
What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in Walla Walla, WA?
According to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost for in-home care in Walla Walla is $30.43. Based on 44 hours of care per week, the monthly rate would be $5,802. The rate for home health care is the same.
What is a home care plan?
A home care plan is basically a daily schedule of care services. Because care needs vary from person to person, the list would include services tailored to meet the specific needs of the person receiving the care. If a person only needs help with activities of daily living, it would include services such as bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting. If they have mobility issues, ambulation and transferring could be added, or even housekeeping, laundry, shopping and meal preparation.
What to expect with hospice care at home
While hospice care is available in other care settings such as a hospital, it is usually provided in the comfort of a person’s home. Hospice care is provided by specially trained professionals who can offer medical, psychological and spiritual care to someone who is dying and their family members. Hospice staff is available 24/7 to make sure the dying person is comfortable and feeling no pain. Support and counseling services are also provided to help the person and loved ones get through the dying process. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice can provide more information about hospice care at home.