The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Council Bluffs, IA 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 Council Bluffs, IA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 16 options below.

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home care services cost an average of $4,767 per month. While this average cost matches Iowa’s statewide average, it’s nearly $300 greater than the national average of $4,481 per month. Des Moines, nearly 130 miles east of Council Bluffs, is markedly more expensive, averaging $5,148 per month. Sioux City is also pricier at $5,005, as is Lincoln, Nebraska, at an average of $4,957. 

Seniors living in Council Bluffs who receive home care services pay a monthly average of $4,767. Home health care, which is better suited for seniors with chronic health problems, costs $190 more per month for an average of $4,957. The cheapest option is adult day health, costing just $1,625 per month. Assisted living is cheaper than in-home care at $4,523 per month. Nursing homes are by far the most expensive option available at $8,182 per month.

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.