In-Home Care in Indiana

The Midwestern state of Indiana features a mix of large cities and small, close-knit towns, accommodating a range of budgets and lifestyle preferences. Seniors make up the fastest-growing demographic in this state. According to recent data, those aged 60 and over are projected to account for about 23% of Indiana’s population in 2030. By comparison, in 2012, seniors made up less than 18% of residents. A low cost of living, generally comfortable weather and affordable health care all play a role in why seniors are choosing to retire to Indiana.

As Indiana’s senior population grows, the need for affordable long-term care solutions is also increasing. If you plan to enjoy your retirement years in the comfort of your own home but certain activities are becoming more challenging, home care may be a good solution for you. This type of care includes services such as light housekeeping, meal preparation and companionship and costs approximately $4,676 per month in Indiana. Home health care is similar but is administered by licensed legal professionals and includes services such as medication administration and physical therapy.

This guide provides more information on in-home care in Indiana, including how care costs compare to those in other states, options for paying for services and resources you can contact for free assistance.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Indiana pay $4,767 per month for in-home care, which is a couple of hundred dollars less than the national median of $4,957. In Kentucky, which is situated to the south of Indiana, rates are the same at $4,767 per month, and in Ohio, which lies to the east, rates are equal to the national median at $4,957. West of the state in Illinois, care costs exceed the national median at $5,339, and to the north in Michigan, rates are the highest of Indiana’s bordering states at $5,529.

In-home care costs vary throughout Indiana depending on local living costs and the availability of services. The cheapest surveyed city for care is Terre Haute, where agencies charge approximately $3,623 per month. In Evansville, seniors pay $4,290, and in Muncie, fees are a little higher but still below the state median at $4,385. Seniors in Columbus pay $4,553 for in-home care, and in the capital city of Indianapolis, care costs are several hundred dollars higher at $5,053. In Fort Wayne, clients pay $5,339, and in South Bend, fees average $5,672.

In-home care is moderately priced in Indiana at $4,767 per month. Home health care, which is similar but includes specialized skilled nursing services, has the same monthly rate. Older adults who obtain this level of care in assisted living pay $4,283 per month for personal care, housing and meals. Adult day health care is the cheapest long-term care option in the state at $1,733 per month, and nursing home care is the costliest option at $7,270 for semiprivate accommodations.

Indiana’s Medicaid program provides comprehensive health insurance coverage to meet the needs of income-qualifying individuals within the state who may otherwise be unable to afford health care. While this program doesn’t pay for in-home care directly, it helps Hoosier seniors pay for this type of care through a waiver program. This waiver, called the Aged and Disabled Waiver, pays for services and support necessary for avoiding nursing home placement.

Seniors have several options for applying for Indiana Medicaid. If you want to fill out an application in person and receive one-on-one assistance with the process, you can visit your local Division of Family Resources office. You can call the Family and Social Services Administration at (800) 403-0864 to apply for Medicaid coverage over the phone, or you can submit an application online through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration portal or the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

Regardless of how you apply, the acceptance process takes about 90 days, though qualifying individuals may have their application accepted sooner. Seniors can follow up on their applications by calling the FSSA or viewing the application status through the website.

What Information You Will Need 

To apply for Indiana Medicaid, you must have several pieces of information on hand, including:

• Proof of income 
• Proof of assets 
• Birth certificate 
• Driver’s license 
• Social Security card 
• Medicare card and proof of other insurance coverage 

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.