MetLife and Genworth Financial have conducted multi-year studies on the costs of non-medical home care and how it compares to the cost of placement and care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The studies also provide useful information on the average hour rates for caregivers. This information may help you understand the typical costs for non-medical home care and help you plan for care now or in the future.
The national average hourly rate for homemaker/companions was $20 in 2012, according to the 2012 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services and Home Care Costs. Other resources list the hourly cost between $15 and $25 depending on where you live.
If you’re weighing the pros and cons of in-home care and continuing care (assisted living, nursing home), consider the results of a 2014 survey Genworth Financial.
- Nursing homes average $240 dollars per day for a private room; $212 for a semi private room
- Assisted living facilities (typically include at least two meals per day, housekeeping, and personal care assistance, for a one-bedroom apartment or private rooms with private baths in assisted living communities) average $3,500 per month.
- In-home care averages $20 per hour for health aides; $19 per hour for homemaker/companion.
In-home care can be a lower cost solution to assisted living depending on the kind of care you need, and how many daily hours of care are needed.
We encourage you to explore and compare home care costs to other types of care using one of these resources: