The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Green Bay, WI for 2024

According to Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report, Green Bay, Wisconsin, ranks among the best places in the country for seniors to enjoy their retirement. In fact, it stands at 19 out of 302 ranked cities and is known for its lakeside setting, rich history, sports teams and small-town feel. Green Bay’s overall cost of living is well below the national average, and housing costs are lower yet, coming in almost 40 points below U.S. rates. Health care costs are just slightly higher, but residents have several options to choose from, including Bellin Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, both of which offer emergency and primary care as well as many specialties.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey lists Green Bay’s home care costs at $5,053 per month. Home care provides assistance with household chores and personal care to allow seniors to remain in their own homes longer, while home health care provides light medical services.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Green Bay– 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.

Green Bay’s home care costs come in under the Wisconsin state average but over the national average, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. The state average for home care is almost $500 higher than Green Bay’s prices, which run almost $100 more than the U.S. average. Other Wisconsin cities are more expensive in their home care offerings than Green Bay. Milwaukee and Madison to the south, for instance, are higher by $1,048 and $286 respectively, and Eau Claire and La Crosse to the west and southwest are also more expensive.

In Green Bay, seniors can expect to pay more for home care than other care options. Adult day programs are the least expensive option by over $4,000, but seniors should be aware that they do not provide in-home support. Assisted living is also less expensive than home care by about $600, but requires a move. Home health care, which is equivalent in price to home care, may be a good option for seniors who need light medical services like vital sign checks. Skilled nursing care is more expensive than home care by over $3,400.

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.