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How Much Does a Home Health Aide Cost per Hour in Montana?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Nationally, seniors pay $27 per hour for home health aide services, meaning Montana is slightly more expensive than the typical U.S. state for care. However, local care costs reflect regional norms. Home health care agencies in Idaho charge $28.50 per hour, and in North Dakota and Wyoming, rates are a little higher than in Montana at $29.84 and $29, respectively. In South Dakota, seniors pay $31 per hour for skilled nursing at home, $3 more than in Montana.
How Does the Cost of Home Health Aide Services Compare to Other Care Options
Montana seniors who need skilled nursing services have a range of long-term care options available to them, depending on their budget and lifestyle preferences. For those who want to live in a residential community, assisted living may be a viable option. This care option includes housing, meals and personal care. Monthly fees start at about $900 lower than home health aide services at $4,450, However, there may be an additional charge for those who need skilled nursing services, which are usually provided within the facility by a third party.
Seniors who want to live at home but obtain more cost-effective care may consider adult day health care, which provides skilled nursing services, personal care and recreational activities in a community setting during daytime hours for $2,600 per month. This is about half the cost of home health aide services. Nursing home care, which is for those who need around-the-clock medical care and monitoring, is considerably more expensive than home health aide services at $7,574 per month.
How to Pay for Home Health Aide Services in Montana
Seniors in Montana who meet eligibility requirements may pay for home health aide services through the state’s Big Sky Waiver. This Medicaid waiver program pays for services such as case management, private duty nursing, respite care, housekeeping services and specially trained attendant care, letting many seniors avoid nursing home placement. Seniors can get more information on this program, as well as subsidized community-based options, through their local Area Agency on Aging.