The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Fairfield, CT 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 Fairfield, CT, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.9 out of 5 stars across the 96 options below.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, Fairfield’s home care providers cost $382 per month more than the national average. The city’s average cost is similar to the state’s as a whole, however, and there is little difference in cost between the four Connecticut cities included in the survey. Home care in the closest surveyed city, New Haven, has an average of $96 below that of Fairfield, and the cost is just $10 lower in Hartford. Seniors to the east in Norwich pay $167 per month more.

Seniors in Fairfield pay the same average rate for home care and home health, with the latter being able to provide light medical care and supervision requiring certified personnel. Depending on the individual, in-home care may be replaced by adult day health programs, which cost $3,720 less. Assisted living provides 24/7 personal care and supervision at an increase of $934 per month, whereas nursing homes cost three times as much as home care.

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.