Agency vs. hiring privately - what's the difference?

Agencies handle screening, training, taxes, and backup. Private hires cost less per hour but you become the employer, responsible for taxes and coverage.

What's the difference between home care and home health?

Home care is non-medical (personal care, companionship). Home health is medical (nursing, therapy) and typically Medicare-covered short-term.

Is there a minimum number of hours?

Most agencies have a 3- or 4-hour minimum per shift.

Can I get overnight or 24-hour care?

Yes - live-in and 24-hour options exist, priced differently. Ask about awake vs. sleep-in overnight rates.

Will the same caregiver come every visit?

Consistency is a top request. Good agencies work hard to keep the same caregiver but always have backup.

How does LTC insurance work with home care?

Most policies reimburse for licensed home care after an elimination period. Confirm your policy's daily benefit and hourly rules.

Is memory care possible at home?

In early and middle stages, yes - with a strong caregiver team. As disease progresses, memory care may become safer.

Care guide

In-Home Care

Care that comes to you, in the home you love.

In-home care lets older adults stay in their own home while getting help with the things that have become harder. Care can range from a few hours a week of companionship to 24/7 live-in support. It's the most flexible option - and often the first step families consider.

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Care matching

Start with location and care needs, then compare providers before sharing contact details.

National median

$33/hr

Typical schedule

8–40 hrs/week

Minimum shift

3–4 hours

Live-in option

Yes

Real listings

Photo-first profiles

Family-controlled contact

Pricing shown when available

Who it's for

Real moments that lead families here

If any of these sound familiar, this level of care was designed for exactly your situation.

Staying at home matters
The house, the neighborhood, the routine - all of it stays. A caregiver comes to you.

A few hours of respite
You are the primary caregiver and running on fumes. Even 8–20 hours a week resets the whole family.

Help after a fall or surgery
Short-term help with bathing, meals, and mobility during recovery, without moving anywhere.

How it works

A calmer way to compare care

Three steps. No cold calls. You stay in control the whole time.

01
Tell us what's changing
Share location, budget, care needs, and timeline. It takes about two minutes - no phone number required.
02
Compare real options
Review real listings side by side - pricing signals, photos, care types, and questions to ask on a tour.
03
You decide who calls
Create a plan when you're ready. We route the request through your intake - never a cold-call blast.

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What's included

Inside a typical community

What most in-home care providers cover - before you tour.

Companionship and supervision

Meal preparation and light housekeeping

Help with bathing, dressing, and grooming

Medication reminders

Transportation and errands

Overnight or 24-hour live-in care

Respite for family caregivers

Life inside

A regular week, in colored tiles

The activities and services you'll find on most calendars. Every community's mix is different - use these as a starting point for what to ask about.

Medication help

Housekeeping

Dining

Transportation

Fitness

Pet friendly

Salon

Gardening

Compare

How in-home care compares

The quick differences between the levels of care families weigh most often.

vs. Assisted Living

Assisted living is a move into a community; in-home care keeps you at home.

vs. Independent Living

Independent living is social by design; in-home care is one-on-one at home.

vs. Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing is 24/7 medical care in a facility; home health can bring some clinical services home.

vs. Memory Care

In-home dementia care works early on; memory care becomes safer as symptoms progress.

Typical costs

What families actually pay

$28 – $40 / hour, or $5,000 – $9,000 / month for full-time care.

Typical per hour

USD · pre-tax

National low: $28
National median: $33
National high: $42

Hourly rates for non-medical home care. 24/7 live-in or overnight coverage is priced separately.

Cost drivers

Hourly rate in your market
Total hours per week
Live-in vs. hourly schedule
Level of care (companion, personal care, dementia care)

Ways to pay

Private pay (most common)
Long-term care insurance
Veterans' Aid & Attendance
Medicaid HCBS waivers (state-specific)

Illustration of coins, a receipt, and a growing plant

Before the tour

Questions worth asking

Strong providers answer directly and put pricing, staffing, and care-plan changes in writing.

Great providers give a specific number, name, or written policy - not a marketing line. Ask them to put the answer in writing before you tour.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Medicare covers skilled home health (nursing visits, PT) for a limited period after a qualifying event. Custodial care - the hourly help most families need - is not covered.

Real communities

In-Home Care on GrowingOlder

Real listings from our directory. No cold calls, no fake reviews.

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