The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Los Gatos, CA for 2024

Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Los Gatos, CA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.7 out of 5 stars across the 83 options below.

In Los Gatos, home care rates are relatively high at $6,864, according to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, exceeding the state median of $6,101 and the national average of $4,957. While in-home care costs in San Jose are higher than in Los Gatos at $7,102, most other surveyed cities in Central California are comparatively affordable. In Merced, rates are about $600 less per month at $6,288. In Modesto and Stockton, care costs are about $1,000 less than in Los Gatos, at $5,768 and $5,482, respectively.

Home care agencies in Los Gatos charge $6,864 per month for basic tasks such as light housekeeping and laundry, meal planning and preparation, and personal care. Home health care, which includes skilled nursing services such as wound care, administering medications and taking vital signs, is a little costlier at $7,007. Assisted living facilities may be an affordable alternative to home care, with rates averaging $5,550. Nursing home costs exceed home care rates by several thousand dollars per month at $10,646 for shared rooms. 

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.