The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, IA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 11 options below.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that North Liberty seniors pay $4,767 per month for in-home care. This is affordable compared to care costs in the state and nation as a whole, with local rates coming in about 14% below Iowa’s norm and 4% lower than the national average. Care costs in nearby cities tend to be high, including in Dubuque, where residents pay $5,291 for care, and in Cedar Rapids, where rates are even higher at $5,529. Similarly, in Ames, rates are 18% higher than in North Liberty, and in Des Moines, monthly fees exceed the local average by 22%.

Home care agencies in North Liberty charge $4,767 per month for full-time care. While seniors who obtain skilled nursing services through home health care pay the same average monthly rates, those who opt for assisted living pay about $360 less for care. Adult day health care rates are even more economical at $1,353, but home care costs about 33% less than nursing 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 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.