The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Syracuse, NY 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 Syracuse, NY, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 2.0 out of 5 stars across the 12 options below.

The average home care cost in Syracuse is almost $1,000 per month higher than the national average, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. It’s also high when compared to the New York state average and other cities in the state. Seniors can find lower-priced home care in all directions. Watertown, located north of Syracuse, has some of the lowest prices in New York, and to the west in Buffalo, average costs are in line with the national average. Albany in the east is above the national average, but still close to $800 less than costs in Syracuse. New York City’s costs are closest to Syracuse’s costs at $5,529 per month.

Home care and home health care in Syracuse have the same average price, although home health care also offers light medical services from registered nurses or therapists. Adult day care is the most affordable option for seniors who aren’t looking for residential care. Assisted living in the city is an affordable choice, with prices at $1,217 less than the cost of home care. Nursing home care provides the highest level of care and this is reflected in the cost, which is more than double the average price of 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 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.