The national median cost of 24/7 home care in 2024 is $30 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This equals about $720 per day, or $5,040 per week. Home care provides provides seniors with nonmedical support through help with daily tasks and continuous supervision. However, a senior’s location and specific care needs will ultimately affect the overall cost of care. This guide offers an in-depth look at the cost of 24/7 home care, along with the services and benefits seniors can expect.
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The median cost of 24/7 in-home care in 2024 is $21,823 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This is based on the $30 hourly rate. These costs will vary based on where a senior lives and the level of support they need. Other factors that can affect the cost of care include the types of services provided, the number of caregivers required, and whether your family hires a private caregiver or works with a home care agency. The above figures are sourced from A Place for Mom’s 2024 report based on our proprietary data.
You should also factor in the duration of time you plan to use this service, says Todd Austin, president of Home Care Pulse.
“The timeline varies a lot by chronic conditions. This isn’t something that is [a] standard amount of time. On average, in-home care has a standard service time of 15-20 months,” says Austin.
In some cases, such as home care for hip replacements, your loved one may only need intensive care for a short period of time to safely recover after surgery. However, a permanent disability may call for home care for an indefinite period.
From a budgeting perspective, this may be costly, and you may want to consider what payment options a home care agency will accept. Most home care agencies work with private pay clients, but some may accept veterans benefits or long-term care insurance. In some cases, Medicaid may cover qualified home health care costs.
Providers of 24-hour home care typically offer the following services:
The opportunity for seniors to continue aging in place and the peace of mind for family members are some of the biggest benefits of home care.
While 24/7 home care offers the convenience of receiving care in the comfort of one’s home, the cost may become prohibitive for some families. A senior living community — such as assisted living, which offers a similar level of care — may be a more cost effective option. The national median cost of assisted living in 2024 is $4,995 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2024 Cost of Long-Term Care and Senior Living report.
Live-in care is another option that is less expensive than 24/7 home care and allows seniors to receive care in their own home. A live-in caregiver lives in the senior’s home and provides care during a specified shift, usually eight hours.
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The cost of 24-hour home health care will be even higher than standard home care, since these services are medical in nature and provided by skilled professionals like nurses and therapists. Medicare and Medicaid may cover some home health care expenses in certain situations, but these programs typically don’t cover round-the-clock care for an extended period of time. If a senior requires round-the-clock care, nursing homes offer the same level of care and are often a more affordable option than 24/7 home health care.
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Whether you’ve previously worked with a home care agency or are considering at-home help for the first time, choosing a provider can feel overwhelming. Many agencies offer an in-home care assessment to help ensure that they can meet your loved one’s needs. Plus, because there are so many home care agencies to choose from, finding the best fit for your loved one can be difficult.
If you’re unsure of how to proceed, or if you want to explore additional options, such as assisted living, consider working with one of our Senior Living Advisors. These senior living experts can help you find a home care agency or senior living community that’s right for your loved one and your family — all at no cost to you.
Yes, public insurance like Medicare and Medicaid will cover home health care for eligible seniors. Some private insurance plans may pay for home health care services, depending on a senior’s policy.
Hiring a nurse for home care is often done through a home care agency. Families also use agencies to hire nonmedical caregivers. However, some families may choose to hire an independent caregiver.
Care options that may be less costly than home care include assisted living and memory care. However, the cost of senior care, including home care, depends on a senior’s location and level of care.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom 2022 Community room prices and fees.
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