The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg, PA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 5.0 out of 5 stars across the 8 options below.

Seniors in Gettysburg pay an average of $5,291 per month for home care, according to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey for 2021. This is $334 per month more than the Pennsylvania and U.S. averages. Costs are slightly lower in Reading and Harrisburg, which have average monthly home care costs of $4,576 and $4,767, respectively. Less than $100 separates the monthly averages for Gettysburg and Allentown. Home care is more affordable in Gettysburg than in Philadelphia, which has average monthly costs of $5,329.

Nonmedical home care is one of the most expensive forms of senior care in Gettysburg, costing an average of $5,291 per month. Home health care, which includes medical care provided by licensed professionals, costs the same amount. Adult day health care is a nonresidential option, so it costs the least, averaging $1,192 monthly. Assisted living, a form of long-term residential care, costs $776 per month less than home care. Nursing home care is for seniors who need around-the-clock skilled nursing care, so it’s the most expensive option. A semiprivate room costs an average of $11,315 per month.

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.