The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.6 out of 5 stars across the 97 options below.

In Pittsburgh, the cost of home care averages $5,339 per month. This is nearly $400 per month more than both the state and national averages. Seniors can find more affordable care in Johnstown, where they can save around $1,500 per month for comparable services. The price of care in Pittsburgh is also higher than in Altoona, where seniors pay an average of $4,290 per month, and in State College, where care averages $4,767 per month. Chambersburg is also more affordable than Pittsburgh, costing an average of $4,957 per month.

In Pittsburgh, both home and home health care share the same average cost of $5,339, despite home health care including skilled medical services, such as therapies or IV and wound care. Many seniors turn to assisted living as an affordable option for 24/7 assistance with daily living tasks for an average of $3,250 per month. Those aging in place who only need services during daytime hours may opt for adult day health care as a significantly more affordable option, averaging $1,495 per month. Nursing home care may be the right option for seniors in need of around-the-clock skilled nursing, with semiprivate rooms averaging $9,733 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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.