The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Bethlehem, PA 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 Bethlehem, PA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.8 out of 5 stars across the 32 options below.

Costs for in-home care in Bethlehem average $5,196 per month, which is more than $230 more expensive than both the national and Pennsylvania averages for the same types of assistance. In East Stroudsburg, home care prices are very similar to those in Bethlehem, while in Scranton and Reading, seniors pay an average of $600 less per month. Senior in-home care fees are more expensive moving southwest of Bethlehem, where care costs are about $145 more in Philadelphia.

While home health care in Bethlehem is more expensive than in-home care, health care professionals, such as nurses and therapists, provide services that personal aides do not. The least expensive option for seniors is recreational programs offered in adult day care centers. These programs are beneficial to seniors who can travel to the centers within their communities. Assisted living is also less costly than either type of in-home care for seniors in this city. Nursing homes are the priciest option, costing over $7,000.

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.