According to the AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey (2021), a strong majority of older adults plan to stay in their current homes as they age: 77% of those aged 50 and older and 85% of those 65 and older. At the same time, research shows that about three in five people will need some level of long-term care services during their lifetime. For many, a home care provider can help bridge that gap and support aging in place.
The basics of long-term care
The term “long-term care” covers a range of services and supports that help an individual meet daily needs. It’s used differently across contexts, but generally refers to assistance that helps someone maintain independence and quality of life.
In most cases, long-term care refers to non-medical personal assistance—help with dressing, bathing, getting to appointments, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and other daily tasks. This type of help is often called assisted living or personal care services and can be provided in a private home or in a congregate setting such as an assisted living community. Many of these tasks can be performed by unpaid family members or by paid caregivers without extensive medical training.
Long-term care can also describe medically necessary services that require trained professionals, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). These services may include wound care, injections, IV therapy, and more intensive monitoring. Medically oriented long-term care is sometimes delivered at home, but it frequently requires placement in a skilled nursing facility where 24-hour medical supervision is available.
>> Related: 10 Points to Consider If You Plan to Stay in Your Current Home as You Age
What is a home care provider?
A home care provider—also called a personal care aide or home care aide—offers non-medical assistance that enables people to safely remain in their homes. When a person does not require medical treatments but needs help with daily tasks, a home care provider can be an effective option.
Home care providers commonly assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and dressing, and with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like light housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, transportation, and medication reminders. They often provide companionship as well as practical support.
Home care aides may be hired directly by the person receiving care or by their family, or they may be employed through an agency. While the role does not typically require formal medical certification, agency-employed aides are sometimes supervised by nurses or social workers.
These caregivers usually work in the client’s home for a set number of hours per day or week, helping maintain independence and safety. Home care providers are a practical solution for older adults who need intermittent support—such as Baby Boomers living alone or couples who need extra help to remain at home.
It’s important to distinguish between a home care provider and a home health care provider (home health aide). Home health care professionals perform medical tasks such as wound care, injections, IV infusions, and clinical monitoring. They often hold credentials like certified nursing assistant (CNA), LPN, RN, or physical/occupational therapist (PT/OT), and they have formal medical training and certification.
>> Related: Home Healthcare Provider vs. Home Care Provider
Paying for a home care provider
Understanding the costs of hiring a home care provider is important because these services are frequently paid out of pocket by the care recipient or their family.
Many people assume Medicare covers non-medical home care, but Medicare does not generally pay for routine homemaker or personal care services. Medicaid may cover home care for those who qualify financially, provided a Medicaid-certified provider is used. Long-term care insurance policies can sometimes cover part of the cost, depending on the policy terms.
Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey provides a useful benchmark for typical expenses. In 2023, the average hourly rate for homemaker-type services from a home care provider was about $27.58, which translates to roughly $5,259 per month for 44 hours per week. Home health aides averaged about $28.64 per hour, or about $5,462 per month for the same weekly hours. Local rates vary, and more hours of care will increase the total cost.
>> Related: Which is Better: An Independent Caregiver or Home Care Agency?
Considering other long-term care options
For many people who want to age in place, a home care provider offers a flexible, companionable option that supports daily living needs. As more older adults live alone, these services can help maintain independence and quality of life.
However, families should plan for rising costs as needs increase. If a person’s care requirements grow beyond non-medical assistance, adding home health services or moving to a care-focused senior living community—such as assisted living—may become necessary. At that point, it’s important to evaluate safety, care needs, and financial feasibility to determine the best long-term option.