The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Austell, GA 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 Austell, GA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 5.0 out of 5 stars across the 95 options below.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveals Austell’s seniors typically pay $4,290 per month for home care. This equals Georgia’s average but is more affordable than the national average by $667. Comparisons between Austell and nearby cities show it’s one of the more favorable options. The equivalent amount of home care in Rome costs an additional $286 per month. In Athens, it’s $238, and in Gainesville, it’s 858. An exception is Macon, where monthly fees are lower by $477.

At $4,290, home care is cheaper than home health care by $286 per month. However, the latter is a medical service, so the increase pays for licensed professionals. Home care is also more affordable than nursing home care by $3,238. But again, the latter is a medical support, so a direct comparison of services isn’t possible. Assisted living and adult day health care services are similar to home care. The former could save families about $445 per month, and the latter is $2,963. However, assisted living requires relocating to an institution and adult day care involves daily trips to a center.

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.