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How Much Does 24/7 Home Care Cost in 2024? An In-Depth Guide

5 minute readLast updated July 31, 2024
Written by Kevin Ryan
fact checkedby
Tori Newhouse
Reviewed by Leslie Fuller, LMSW, CDPLeslie Fuller, a Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner, is the owner of Inspired Senior Care.
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The national median cost of 24/7 home care in 2024 is $30 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This equals about $720 per day, or $5,040 per week. Home care provides seniors with nonmedical support through help with daily tasks and continuous supervision. However, a senior’s location and specific care needs will ultimately affect the overall cost of care. This guide offers an in-depth look at the cost of 24/7 home care, along with the services and benefits seniors can expect.

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Key Takeaways

  1. The national median cost of 24-hour home care in 2024 is $30 per hour, but costs vary by location and a senior’s level of care.
  2. The monthly median cost of 24-hour home care in 2024 is around $21,823, which includes multiple caregivers working in shifts and available at all times.
  3. Other senior care types may be less costly than 24-hour home care, such as assisted living and nursing home care.

How much does 24/7 in-home care cost per month?

The median cost of 24/7 in-home care in 2024 is $21,823 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This is based on the $30 hourly rate. These costs will vary based on where a senior lives and the level of support they need. Other factors that can affect the cost of care include the types of services provided, the number of caregivers required, and whether your family hires a private caregiver or works with a home care agency. The above figures are sourced from A Place for Mom’s 2024 report based on our proprietary data.

You should also factor in the duration of time you plan to use this service, says Todd Austin, president of Home Care Pulse.

“The timeline varies a lot by chronic conditions. This isn’t something that is [a] standard amount of time. On average, in-home care has a standard service time of 15-20 months,” says Austin.

In some cases, such as home care for hip replacements, your loved one may only need intensive care for a short period of time to safely recover after surgery. However, a permanent disability may call for home care for an indefinite period.

From a budgeting perspective, this may be costly, and you may want to consider what payment options a home care agency will accept. Most home care agencies work with private pay clients, but some may accept veterans benefits or long-term care insurance. In some cases, Medicaid may cover qualified home health care costs.

What services are included in the cost of 24-hour care?

Providers of 24-hour home care typically offer the following services:

  • Light housekeeping
  • Help with activities of daily living such as transferring, bathing, and grooming
  • Medication reminders
  • Companionship
  • Meal preparation
  • Ambulation — assistance with moving — to prevent bed sores in seniors who are unable to move themselves
  • Monitor fecal or urinary incontinence and maintain a clean environment

The opportunity for seniors to continue aging in place and the peace of mind for family members are some of the biggest benefits of home care.

While 24/7 home care offers the convenience of receiving care in the comfort of one’s home, the cost may become prohibitive for some families. A senior living community — such as assisted living, which offers a similar level of care — may be a more cost effective option. The national median cost of assisted living in 2024 is $4,995 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2024 Cost of Long-Term Care and Senior Living report.

Live-in care is another option that is less expensive than 24/7 home care and allows seniors to receive care in their own home. A live-in caregiver lives in the senior’s home and provides care during a specified shift, usually eight hours.

Can you afford home care?

Let our free assessment guide you to the best senior living options, tailored to your budget.

The cost of 24-hour home health care

The cost of 24-hour home health care will be even higher than standard home care, since these services are medical in nature and provided by skilled professionals like nurses and therapists. Medicare and Medicaid may cover some home health care expenses in certain situations, but these programs typically don’t cover round-the-clock care for an extended period of time. If a senior requires round-the-clock care, nursing homes offer the same level of care and are often a more affordable option than 24/7 home health care.

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Choosing the care your loved one needs

Whether you’ve previously worked with a home care agency or are considering at-home help for the first time, choosing a provider can feel overwhelming. Many agencies offer an in-home care assessment to help ensure that they can meet your loved one’s needs. Plus, because there are so many home care agencies to choose from, finding the best fit for your loved one can be difficult.

If you’re unsure of how to proceed, or if you want to explore additional options, such as assisted living, consider working with one of our Senior Living Advisors. These senior living experts can help you find a home care agency or senior living community that’s right for your loved one and your family — all at no cost to you.

Families also ask

Yes, public insurance like Medicare and Medicaid will cover home health care for eligible seniors. Some private insurance plans may pay for home health care services, depending on a senior’s policy.

Hiring a nurse for home care is often done through a home care agency. Families also use agencies to hire nonmedical caregivers. However, some families may choose to hire an independent caregiver.

Care options that may be less costly than home care include assisted living and memory care. However, the cost of senior care, including home care, depends on a senior’s location and level of care.

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Written by
Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan is a content specialist at A Place for Mom, focused on home care topics that include defining the differences between home care and other senior care types, home care costs, and how to pay. Kevin’s desire to support seniors and their families stems from his previous career as a teacher, plus his experience as a writer and community journalist.
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Edited by
Tori Newhouse
Tori Newhouse is the Managing Editor at A Place for Mom. She has more than 15 years' experience in publishing and creating content. With a background in financial services and elder law, her passion is to help readers to plan ahead and plan for their ideal retirement. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Gordon College.
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Leslie Fuller, a Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner, is the owner of Inspired Senior Care.
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