The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in West Bend, WI 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 West Bend, WI, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 7 options below.

The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey indicates that in West Bend, home care agencies charge $5,053 per month on average. This is about $100 higher than the state median of $4,957 and several hundred dollars higher than the national monthly rate of $4,481. In the Wausau area, care costs are considerably more competitive at $4,195. In Oshkosh, rates are consistent with the state average at $4,957, and in Racine, fees exceed West Bend’s average at $5,148.  

Senior care costs in the West Bend region vary depending on the environment an individual obtains care in and the level of service they need. Home care is moderately priced at $5,053, and home health care, which features some skilled nursing services, is a little costlier at $5,243. Older adults who live at home may save money by attending an adult day health center, which provides care in a daytime community setting for $1,322 monthly. Assisted living rates are comparable to home care at $5,073 monthly, and nursing home rates are higher at $9,429 for semiprivate accommodations.  

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.