The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, IA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.8 out of 5 stars across the 16 options below.

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home care agencies in the Urbandale region charge approximately $5,148 per month for services, making it among the costlier options in Iowa. Statewide, monthly fees average $4,767, and nationally, older adults pay $4,481 per month for this type of care. In Iowa City, local home care rates exceed state and national medians but are affordable compared to Urbandale at $5,053. In the Waterloo area, monthly fees are consistent with the state rate at $4,767, and in the Davenport area, care costs are competitive at $4,385.

Senior care in Urbandale ranges in price from about $1,500 monthly to over $7,000, depending on the type and level of care. Older adults pay $5,148 for home care. Home health care, which includes specialized care, has the same monthly rate. Adult day health care may be an affordable alternative to home care, costing approximately $1,517 monthly. Older adults who obtain personal care in an assisted living facility pay $5,005 per month, and nursing home residents pay $7,148 for semiprivate accommodations. 

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.