In-Home Care in Ohio

If you want to maintain your health and independence well into your golden years, the Buckeye State offers a variety of services to help you stay active and age in place. According to the Ohio Department of Aging, 2.5 million state residents are aged 60 or older. This segment is growing 20 times faster than the rest of the population, so retirees are in good company. In fact, researchers at Miami University estimate that by 2025, one in four Ohioans will be in this age group.

Older adults in Ohio have access to fantastic amenities, including an excellent health care system. The Cleveland Clinic and OSU’s Wexner Medical Center are nationally recognized. Additionally, approximately 800 home health agencies provide skilled care to seniors living in diverse communities. The median cost of nonmedical in-home care is $4,957. Providers that offer chore assistance and personal care, as well as skilled nursing, typically charge $5,053 per month.

This guide takes a look at home care prices in Ohio and neighboring states as well as financial assistance programs available through Medicaid. You’ll also find information to help you apply for benefits and access resources in your community.

According to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay $4,957 per month for in-home care in Ohio, which is on par with the national average. Rates are identical in Pennsylvania and slightly lower in Kentucky and Indiana. Home care prices increased by about 12% in Michigan to $5,529. West Virginia offers a much better value. Median rates of $3,527 per month save residents about 28% in-home care.

In Toledo, home care prices are on par with the state median of $4,957 and about $200-$240 higher than average in Cincinnati and Cleveland. However, there are some outliers. Akron is the most affordable major city for home care with median rates of $4,052. If you live in Columbus, you’ll pay about $668 more than the state median for every month of care, which adds up to more than $8,000 per year. Dayton is another costly option with rates that are $477 higher than average.

If you’re considering long-term care, you want to think about cost, convenience and your personal preferences. In-home care costs about $300 more than assisted living, which averages $4,635. Seniors who live at home also incur additional monthly expenses that should be factored in. Home health care costs about $2,250 less than skilled nursing although these agencies provide some of the same medical and rehabilitative services. The main difference is that home health care agencies typically don’t offer 24/7 supportive services.

Ohio’s Medicaid program covers Home Health Services through its official Medicaid State Plan. This benefit is available to all Medicaid beneficiaries regardless of age, but the services must be medically necessary. Additionally, care is limited to eight hours a day and 14 hours per week. Most visits are two hours or less. Ohio’s Medicaid State Plan covers part-time Home Health Services provided by home health care, nurses and physical therapists. Private-duty nursing is available to individuals who require additional care. If you’re eligible for nursing home care but want to remain in the community, you may qualify for one of the state’s home-based and community-based services waivers.

For most consumers, the easiest way to apply for Medicaid is by visiting the state’s official benefits portal at Benefits.Ohio.gov. The site also lets you check your eligibility before you apply. For in-person assistance, contact your County Department of Job and Family Services. These local offices handle applications for Medicaid and other financial assistance programs. They also accept paper applications if you’d rather complete a printed form. To apply over the phone, call the state’s Medicaid Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680. 

What Information You Will Need

Be prepared to provide information about yourself and other members of your household when you complete your application. Gather the following records to save time when you’re ready to apply.

• Name and address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Federal tax filing status
• Citizenship and/or residency information
• Employment and expected income
• Property, vehicles and financial resources
• Existing health coverage
• Medical expenses

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)