When a senior loved one needs help at home, one of the first questions families ask is “How are we going to pay for this?” The emotional weight of seeing someone you love struggle with daily tasks collides with the financial pressure of affording care.
Costs of Home Care
Nonmedical in-home care is a type of support that includes help with daily tasks. The national median hourly rate for nonmedical caregiver services was $35 per hour in 2025. At 44 hours per week, that works out to roughly $80,080 per year.
Skilled home health services are a separate category from nonmedical support. This level involves licensed medical professionals delivering treatment ordered by a physician. The 2025 national median was $90 per hour for private nursing in the home or $160 per visit, depending on the medical needs.
Paying for Home Care
Most households use a combination of private resources and assistance programs rather than relying on just one funding source. The key is knowing what’s out there and which options the person receiving support qualifies for.
Private funding typically comes from one or more of four main sources: personal savings, long-term care insurance, life insurance policies, and home equity and reverse mortgages. Government programs like Medicaid and VA benefits can also help qualifying seniors offset or significantly reduce costs.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
