As our population ages, more families face deciding how best to care for their loved ones. Individuals facing aging, an illness, or an injury can remain in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the necessary support with in-home care.
This breakdown will explore the costs of in-home care in New York state and discuss factors that will influence these costs. We’ll also compare in-home care and expenses to other care options.
Overview of In-Home Care Costs in New York
Rather than moving loved ones to a facility, in-home care is an increasingly popular option. Costs for care, in general, vary depending on the services needed and are also influenced by where you live and where your loved one stays. Depending on your region in New York, you will pay a wide range for in-home care services. Rural New York versus New York City will drastically differ.
Average Costs of In-Home Care in New York
In-home care costs in New York vary by region, service level needed, and medical care needs.
There are a variety of options for your loved one’s care, both in-home and in-facility. In-home care averages $4,000 to $6,500 per month for personal care, and up to $14,000 per month for in-home nursing care, depending on many factors. Let’s look at a few of them next.
Factors Influencing In-Home Care Costs
Various factors will affect the costs of care needed, including:
- Number of hours required: Whether your loved one needs full-time, 24/7 care or if they can manage with the assistance of a 20-hour or 40-hour-per-week shift with their in-home caregiver.
- Specialty services needs: Certain patients will need skilled nursing care that provides specialty services, such as dementia care, and administers medical treatment as necessary.
Types of In-Home Care Services and Their Costs
Different types of in-home care services depend on the needs of your loved one, be it supervision, household management, meals, or medical interventions. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect for each.
Personal Care Assistance
Personal care provides help with bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, and other household tasks. It’s an assisted living setting in-home that allows your loved one to heal and age in place.
Comfort and familiarity, especially with dementia patients, are essential to their well-being and should be considered an initial option when possible. In New York, personal care assistance ranges from $4,195 to $5,148 per month statewide.
Skilled Nursing Care
Skilled nursing care is services provided by medical professionals, including:
- Certified nursing assistant
- Licensed professional nurse
- Registered nurse
- Physical/occupational/speech therapists
While not all circumstances call for these professionals, it is essential to know about their costs as they most likely become necessary later in the patient’s life. The price for skilled nursing care ranges from $6,000 to $8,500 per month depending on the type of care, level of professional experience, and location.
Companionship Care
In New York, a program for companionship care is available for your loved one as another alternative to personal care assistance.
While personal care focuses mainly on tasks of maintaining the patient’s house and immediate, non-medical needs like bathing or dressing, companion care offers a more personalized experience. It focuses on the social needs of your loved one, who can feel isolated when medical intervention is needed first and foremost.
However, having a companion to talk to, a walking partner, or someone who will read to or do a crossword puzzle with your loved one, is invaluable to the healing process and in the later years of life. The price of companionship care in New York ranges from $3,500-$4,500.
Specialized Medical Care
Specialized medical care, such as care for dementia or other chronic conditions, requires highly trained medical professionals who understand the unique needs of these patients.
This level of care is generally provided around the clock and includes both medical treatment and personal care services. The cost of specialized care in New York can exceed $10,000 per month, particularly in metropolitan areas.
Comparing In-Home Care Costs to Other Care Options
In-Home Care vs. Assisted Living
For your loved one to stay in their familiar and comfortable environment, in-home care can be beneficial, particularly for those with dementia. Assisted living facilities provide 24-hour care in a community setting, but can feel institutional to some who want more independence.
In New York, the cost of in-home care ranges from $4,767 to $10,000 per month depending on the type and duration of care. Assisted living facilities generally cost between $4,000 and $5000 per month. Your loved one’s needs are important to consider when choosing between in-home care or a community setting.
In-Home Care vs. Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide a facility setting with comprehensive care that includes personal, medical, and social services. Nursing home care is significantly more expensive than in-home care, with costs ranging from $12,000 to $14,000 per month in New York.
While there is a level of peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe with 24/7 supervision, in contrast, in-home care offers a more personal approach. The cost of in-home care is potentially lower as well, making it an option many families prefer to keep their loved ones in their homes.
Financial Assistance and Payment Options
Medicare and Medicaid
Short-term in-home care is generally covered by Medicare if it follows a hospital stay and specific financial criteria are met. However, it does not cover long-term care. On the other hand, Medicaid offers coverage for long-term in-home care, particularly for disabled, low-income seniors. In New York, the Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) program by Medicaid helps to cover these costs for eligible patients.
An excellent service in New York is the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This is a Medicaid program that offers a comprehensive assistance program for seniors 55 and older. A short list of some of the services in this program includes:
- Day centers for social activities and physical, occupational, and speech therapies
- Home health nursing and aide services
- Medical supplies and Medicare Part D prescriptions managed by a care team led by a PACE physician
- End-of-life care for pain management
- Emergency room, 24-hour phone support, and telehealth
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
This is an amazing program for qualifying New Yorkers who need comprehensive resources to manage their care.
Private Pay and Long-Term Care Insurance
Many families have to rely on paying out-of-pocket for in-home care using retirement funds, additional mortgages, savings, or other personal assets.
Costs can be offset by long-term care insurance, whether obtained by private pay or an employer-sponsored medical plan. Check coverages carefully to know what is covered and what you’ll need to manage on your own.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans benefits can be obtained through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for patients and their spouses if one or both served in the U.S. military.
They provide programs, such as Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits, which provide financial assistance to cover in-home care costs for eligible veterans.
Non-Profit and Charity Assistance
Non-profit organizations and charities in New York assist those unable to pay for in-home care.
Organizations, such as the Foundation for Senior Citizens, have a Home Attendant program that is funded with financial assistance or low- to no-cost care options. They provide support and resources to help seniors age in place without financial burden.
Tips for Reducing In-Home Care Costs
Utilizing Community Resources
Overall costs of in-home care can be reduced by contacting local resources as well. New York has volunteer companionship programs, transportation assistance, meal delivery, and other community resources.
Supplementing paid care services with these resources can ease the costs of overall care and wellness for your loved one.
Negotiating Rates
Another tip for reducing in-home care costs includes negotiating rates with in-home care providers, especially if it’s for long-term care or if you can commit to a set number of hours per week that will be provided. Discussing your options and budget needs with providers may lead to arrangements that can be more affordable.
Hiring Directly with Clara
Home care agencies in New York typically charge $25-35+ per hour for caregiver services. When you hire through Clara, the hourly rate you pay goes directly to your caregiver, which is often in the $15-25 per hour range. Clara then charges a modest fee on top of that for handling all the payroll, taxes, insurance and other employment logistics.
With an agency, a large portion of that $25-35+ hourly rate goes to the agency's overhead and profits, not to the caregiver. By hiring directly through Clara, more of what you pay goes to the person actually doing the caregiving work.
Over the course of a year, the savings of hiring through Clara can really add up, often amounting to thousands of dollars for full-time care. That's money that stays in your pocket.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of considerations for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. Costs in New York vary widely but the state also has some excellent resources for community assistance and financial help to ease the burden of personal and medical care.
Your loved one has some options for receiving in-home care and we hope this knowledge of services in New York can help you navigate this transition easier.
This article was reviewed and fact-checked by Megan Jones, MSW, LSWAIC.
Sources
“Cost of Long Term Care by State: Cost of Care Report.” Genworth Financial, 2023, www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.
“Department of Health.” Dual Eligible New Yorkers, health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/duals/. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
“Home Health and Personal Care Aides.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311120.htm#st.
“NY Program Companion Care.” Program Companion Care:, www.nyconnects.ny.gov/services/companion-care-3781. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
“Who Pays for Long-Term Care?” Who Pays for Long-Term Care? | ACL Administration for Community Living, acl.gov/ltc/costs-and-who-pays/who-pays-long-term-care. Accessed 8 Aug. 2024.
