In-Home Care in North Dakota

Home to 775,000 people, North Dakota offers retirees wide open spaces, clean air and comfortable summer weather. Almost 16% of the population is aged 65 and above. Older North Dakotans benefit from low tax rates and quality health care from hospitals such as Sanford Health Medical Center.

North Dakota also has a low cost of living, which can help seniors budget for their care needs. Both in-home care and home health care in the state cost an average of $5,689 per month. Those who only need non-medical assistance such as help with activities of daily living may find in-home care the best option, while home health care provides medical services such as skilled nursing.

This guide has information about the cost of in-home care and other senior living options in North Dakota. It also has details about the financial assistance available to older adults in the state and resources that can help seniors age at home.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average cost of in-home care in North Dakota is $5,689 per month. This is $732 higher than the national average of $4,957. Costs are high in North Dakota when compared to its western neighbors, with Montana seniors paying just $5,339 for in-home care. Nearby Wyoming is also more affordable, with an average cost of $5,529. Other nearby states have higher costs. In South Dakota, the average is $5,911 per month. Minnesota is the least affordable of North Dakota’s neighbors. The price there is $6,673, almost $1,000 more than in North Dakota.

The cost of in-home care in North Dakota can vary widely depending on where you live. Costs in the eastern part of the state are close to the North Dakota average, with seniors in Grand Forks and Fargo paying $5,690 per month. However, the state capital is significantly more expensive. Prices in Bismarck average $7,823 monthly, or $2,134 more than the state average.

Older adults in North Dakota may wish to explore other senior living options to find what works best for their needs and budgets. Adult day care and assisted living costs are similar, at $3,383 and $3,391 respectively. Like in-home care, home health costs an average of $5,689 per month. Nursing home care offers around-the-clock assistance. The price reflects this, with seniors in North Dakota nursing homes paying an average of $11,978 per month.

In North Dakota, home care is covered directly by Medicaid through the Medicaid State Plan – Personal Care Services program. The state also has a waiver program that funds in-home care. Both programs provide in-home care services designed to prevent or delay placement in a nursing home. This includes assistance with activities of daily living, food preparation, house cleaning and shopping. These services can be provided in a variety of living situations, including in the senior’s home or the home of a relative.

Medicaid applications are managed by Human Service Zone offices. You can contact your local office to receive an application by mail or print a form to return to the local office. Alternatively, applications can be completed at the state’s online portal. Online applications are directed to the correct Human Service Zone office.

What Information You Will Need 

In order to process your application, the state may ask for certain documentation to verify details. You may be asked to provide proof of:

• Identification
• Age
• Citizenship or residency status
• Social Security number
• Income
• Assets
• Current health insurance

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.