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Find in-home care

Compare local home care providers and find support that fits your family’s needs, schedule, and situation.
Or call us for help connecting to care at (855) 885-6612.

What is in-home care?

In-home care provides support where an older adult already lives. It can help family members get a little extra support with everyday activities, household tasks, transportation, and even companionship.

Most in-home care is non-medical and can be arranged around a loved one's needs; it can range from a brief visit for a few hours to daily support for a full day. Care is usually delivered one-on-one, and many caregivers will use in-home care as a way to get a much-needed break (also called respite care).

What in-home care often includes:

  • Help with bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Transportation and errands
  • Mobility and transfer support
  • Medication reminders
  • Companionship
Families often confuse in-home care with a home health care agency. While both occur at home, home health care is medical in nature and provided by licensed nursing professionals. In-home care focuses on non-medical support, such as companionship and personal care.

Resources

Browse in-home care by state

Featured in-home care providers

When might in-home care be the right choice?

In-home care can be a good fit if you or your loved one wants to remain in familiar surroundings and remain independent but could benefit from additional support. Care can be adjusted around existing routines.

Signs in-home care may be a good fit

  • Personal care is becoming more difficult
  • Meals or household tasks are being missed
  • Driving or transportation is a concern
  • More companionship would be helpful
  • Family caregivers need additional support
  • Help is needed after an illness or hospitalization

What does in-home care cost?

The cost of in-home care depends on where the care is provided, the kind of support needed, and how often a caregiver visits. In-home care is priced by the hour in most cases, so the total can change if schedules or care needs change.

Factors that affect cost

  • Location
  • Hours of care
  • Frequency of visits
  • Type of support needed
  • Caregiver experience or specialization
  • Provider rates
  • Minimum visit requirements

Tip: When comparing providers, ask about minimum visit lengths, weekend or holiday rates, cancellation policies, and how pricing may change if more support is needed.

What are families typically paying for?

Depending on the care plan and provider, services may include:
  • Personal care assistance
  • Respite for family caregivers
  • Meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Transportation and errands
  • Companionship
  • Mobility support
  • Medication reminders

Compare senior care options

The right option depends on where someone wants to receive care, what kind of support is needed, and whether those needs are personal, household, social, or medical.

Care types differ on how much support they provide. Getting an understanding of each can help you decide which one is best for your health needs and budget.

Home health care: How it differs from home care

Provides medical care at home through trained clinicians. Services may include skilled nursing, physical therapy, wound care, injections, or health monitoring.
Home care vs. home health care: which is right for me?

Assisted living: How it differs from home care

Provides housing, meals, activities, and everyday support in a residential community. In-home care brings support to the person’s current home.
Assisted living vs home care: which option is right for you?

Adult day care: How it differs from home care

Provides scheduled care, activities, and social connection outside the home during part of the day. In-home care is provided in the person’s home and can be scheduled around individual needs.
What is adult day health?

Memory care: How it differs from home care

Provides dementia-focused support within a residential setting designed for safety, structure, and ongoing supervision. Some home care providers may offer dementia support for people who can safely remain at home.
Understanding in-home dementia costs

Nursing home care: How it differs from home care

Provides more extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and supervision in a residential setting. In-home care primarily supports everyday activities and independence at home.
What are nursing homes?

Why families use CareScout

When care needs change and you’re looking into in-home care, it’s helpful to have trusted guidance on your best next steps. CareScout brings together quality-focused providers, trusted guidance, and resources to help you make informed care decisions.

  • Explore quality-focused options

    Find home care providers that meet CareScout’s quality standards and are committed to person-centered care.

  • Compare care options in one place

    Learn about different types of care, compare options, and prepare questions as you explore providers and communities.

  • Plan for the cost of care

    Explore local cost information and better understand the factors that may affect what you pay.

  • Get support along the way

    Connect with an advisor who can answer questions and help you navigate your search.
CareScout applies quality standards to help you compare care options with greater confidence. Learn more about the CareScout Quality Network.

Helpful resources for families

Choosing in-home care can bring up a lot of questions. These resources can help you compare your options, prepare for community tours, talk with family, and plan for a possible move.
Explore resources

FAQs

If you're working with a home care agency, the agency takes care of all payment, including any tax withholding. In most cases, you can expect to be invoiced regularly or to set up automatic payments. Unless you forgo using a home care agency and try to hire a caregiver independently, you should never have to handle money directly with a caregiver.
That depends on your loved one's care needs. Some aging seniors require only a few hours of help each week or a brief visit daily to help with medication or meals. Perhaps you're a family caregiver who wants some outside help to give yourself a break now and then. Others, especially those in need of memory care, may require round-the-clock monitoring and services. Discuss your loved one's needs with their physician and with your home care agency.
Start by discussing your loved one's needs with the agency to see how they're able to help. The agency should be willing to answer any questions you have, including questions about costs. They should also arrange a visit with you and optimally with your loved one. After that visit, the agency should prepare a care plan for your loved one and suggest potential caregivers for you to interview.
Hospice care at home is about maintaining comfort during the end of life process. Often, medication such as morphine may be administered on request to help with pain management. You need a doctor’s prescription to get hospice care at home covered by Medicare or other private health insurance. Always check with your medical professional and insurance provider to determine your level of coverage for hospice at home.