The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Baltimore, MD 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 Baltimore, MD, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.9 out of 5 stars across the 100 options below.

When deciding what care to seek during retirement, many seniors consider the cost a significant factor in their choice. Thankfully, home care is rather affordable in Baltimore, averaging $4,957 per month according to Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey, equivalent to the national norm but $191 less than is typical in Maryland. However, care is still cheaper in some nearby areas, such as the city of California, where costs are $381 less. Expenses are equivalent to Baltimore in Cumberland, but they're 7.7% more expensive in Washington, D.C., on average, and nearly 4% higher in Hagerstown.

Home care allows seniors to continue living at home for as long as possible before potentially moving into higher levels of care. However, individuals may want to consider other types of support, depending on their needs. Home health care costs $96 more on average but allows seniors to receive nursing and medical treatments at home. Adult day health care, costing $3,030 less than home care, is another alternative for seniors who only need occasional support. On the other hand, assisted living, averaging $207 less than home care, may be ideal for individuals who prefer a communal living environment. Nursing homes cost more than twice as much at $10,798 but also offer 24-hour care from licensed medical professionals.

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.