The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Defuniak Springs, FL 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 Defuniak Springs, FL, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 8 options below.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in DeFuniak Springs, home care agencies charge $5,005 per month for private services. This is about $240 higher than Florida’s norm but comparable to the national average of $4,957. Most nearby cities have lower home care costs, including the state’s capital city of Tallahassee, where agencies charge $4,814 for care, and Pensacola, where fees come in at $4,767 for full-time services. In Gainesville, rates are about $520 less than in DeFuniak Springs, and in Homosassa Springs, care costs are even more economical at $4,273.

Seniors in DeFuniak Springs pay $5,005 per month for private nonmedical in-home care and about $50 more per month for specialized home health care. Home-based care is affordable compared to nursing home rates, which start at $7,908 per month for around-the-clock medical care and monitoring. However, seniors may save money by opting for assisted living, which features housing, meals and personal care for $4,924 monthly. 

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.