The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in South Bend, IN 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 South Bend, IN, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 17 options below.

In South Bend, the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that home care agencies charge average monthly rates of $5,672 for nonmedical services. This is significantly higher than the Indiana norm of $4,767 and the national average of $4,957. In nearby Elkhart, rates are about $100 higher, but home care costs in other nearby surveyed cities tend to be lower. Seniors in Fort Wayne spend about $330 less on care than South Bend residents, and in Lafayette, monthly fees for full-time care average $5,053. In Kokomo, rates average about $1,100 below South Bend’s norms. 

Seniors in South Bend pay $5,672 for in-home care, which includes nonmedical personal care and support services, and home health care, which also features skilled nursing. Living at home is a financially viable option for many seniors who qualify for nursing home care, which has base monthly rates of $8,366. However, older adults may save about $2,400 per month, plus living expenses, by opting for assisted living.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.