Top Home Care Agencies in New York City, NY
Home care agencies in New York City provide a variety of supportive services for seniors aging in place. This may include assistance with general hygiene or help with chores. While total costs will depend on a senior’s needs, the average cost of home care in New York City is $27 per hour. Before choosing a home care agency, it’s important to know if an agency can meet your family’s needs. This guide provides useful information about home care in New York City including costs, how to pay, state regulations, and agency reviews. You’ll also find listings of local home care agencies to help aid you in your search.
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Costs of home care in New York City, New York
Average cost of home care in New York City
Average monthly cost of home care vs. senior living in New York City
Compare the costs of aging in place against senior living
Use our cost calculator to compare your loved one’s current living and home care expenses against the cost of senior living in New York City.
Paying for home care in New York City
Most families pay for the cost of nonmedical home care out of pocket. They pay for services using funds such as savings, retirement pensions, health savings accounts (HSAs), and long-term care insurance. Veterans benefits may also help cover some costs of home care services for eligible veterans and their spouses.
The type of care your loved one needs will impact the cost and may determine eligibility for different types of payment methods.
Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.
VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.
Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care insurance to cover home care costs.
Does Medicare pay for home care in New York City?
Yes, Medicare will pay for some home care services when they’re included in an at-home health care plan prescribed by a doctor. Services must be deemed medically necessary and be prescribed by a doctor after a hospital stay for a surgery, injury, or illness. Medicare only covers medical home care services if they’re provided by a Medicare-certified home care agency.[01]
New York State provides Medicare information and counseling services through the Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP). Trained HIICAP volunteers can be contacted to help beneficiaries understand the services Medicare covers, qualification requirements, and the application process.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in New York City?
Yes, there are several Medicaid-funded programs in New York that provide home care supports. While each of these home care programs has different eligibility rules, all participants are required to qualify for Medicaid in New York State. The following programs offer home care supports for New York residents:
- The Personal Care Services Program (PCS) provides nonmedical support services like assistance with activities of daily living, which include bathing, toileting, and grooming. The program can also support qualified seniors with housekeeping and meal preparation.
- The Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program (CDPAP) offers many of the same supports with activities of daily living as the PCS program. However, it also allows participants to choose their own caregiver. This could be a family member or trusted friend who would receive compensation for caregiving.
- The Managed Long-Term Care Program broadens the types of services offered to include some medical support services. Individuals who are dually qualified for both Medicaid and Medicare can receive skilled nursing care and rehabilitation therapies at home, in addition to nonmedical personal care services.
- For seniors who medically qualify for placement in a nursing home, the Long-Term Home Health Care Program may allow them to receive the health care services they need while remaining in their home.
To qualify for these programs, applicants must be eligible for Medicaid. Some of the programs also require a doctor’s orders, a community health assessment, or both.[02] To learn more about applying for these programs and specific eligibility requirements, you can call the general Home Care Services Program line at 718-557-1399 or contact your local NYC borough office.
What other New York City services help seniors age in place?
The New York City Department for the Aging provides information about senior-specific resources. It can help connect seniors to services and activities like job searching tools, recreation centers, and housing programs.
Where do I get information about veterans benefits in New York City?
Veterans service organizations (VSOs) in New York City can provide information, counseling, and assistance in applying for benefits to veterans and their spouses. The New York City Department of Veterans Services (DVS) has offices in each borough and can provide benefits counseling or connect veterans to other service organizations, like the following:
To set up an appointment with a NYC DVS benefits counselor make an appointment online or call your local DVS office.
What families are saying about home care in New York City
Recent reviews for home care in New York City
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How to choose the right New York City home care agency
When exploring home care options, families learn about agencies’ care philosophies, hiring practices, and scheduling. Families are also encouraged to understand state regulations for home care agencies and to read reviews. You can also use the resources provided below to check on an agency’s accreditation and licensure status. This information can help you narrow down options and find the home care agency that fits your loved one’s needs.
Knowing the type of care your loved one requires is important. Home care agencies can provide a range of services, from nonmedical supports for seniors who need extra help around the house to complex nursing care. This may include personal care services, like help with bathing and dressing, or help with home tasks such as laundry, light housekeeping, or meal preparation. More complex care provided by medical professionals, like wound care, drug administration, and physical or occupational therapy services could also be provided.
Keep in mind that some home care agencies specialize in one type of care, while others might offer both forms of care — nonmedical personal care or home health care. If you think your loved one may require at-home medical care or even skilled nursing, speak first with their doctor or social worker to ensure you understand their care needs. This will help you evaluate local New York City home care agencies and find one that can meet their care needs.
Licensure and accreditation
Home care agencies in New York City are licensed by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH). The department refers to home care agencies as Licensed Home Care Service Agencies (LHCSAs).[03] Home care agencies in New York offering medical care services are called Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs).[04] It’s important to note that home care agencies may contract with home health care agencies to provide certain home health care services to clients.
After initial licensure inspections are approved for an agency, the Department of Health conducts unscheduled inspections to monitor compliance with state regulations. Some of those regulations are as follows:[05]
- Agencies are required to create a care plan for each client.
- Care staff should be trained to identify and report changes in client’s needs, health and safety.
- Agencies are required to document all work done with clients.
- Care staff must have certificates of immunizations and health screenings on file with the home care services registry.
- Services should be provided by the same caregiver when possible.
- Caregiver must display proper and current identification when providing care in client’s home.
Inspections are conducted periodically for Licensed Home Care Service Agencies and Certified Home Health Agencies, but are not to exceed a 36-month period between inspections.[06] These periodic inspections also include the investigation of low-level complaints. High-level complaints, however, are investigated immediately.
To view information about home care agencies in New York, you can use the NYSDH home care agency search tool. It includes an agency’s location, counties it serves, and the types of services it provides.
You can also check if there have been any enforcement actions levied against the agency in the last 10 years. Enforcement actions are citations for noncompliance with state or federal regulations that result in a substandard quality of care, history of poor care outcomes, or harm to patients.[07]
Use the following steps to help refine your search results:
- First choose “Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs)” or “Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs)” from the “Select a Provider Type” drop-down menu.
- Choose “New York Metro – New York City” from the “Select a Region/County” drop-down menu.
- Click on the name of the agency you would like to review.
- Use “Overview” and “Inspection” tabs at top to view information.
Hiring practices
Home care agencies in New York are required to develop and implement written policies and procedures, which must be reviewed annually. Certified Home Health Agencies are required to ensure a personal care caregiver has completed the following before being hired:[08]
- A training program in home health aide services or an equivalent state exam.
- One full year of experience providing personal care services through a home care services agency within three years of receiving training certification or passing exam.
Fees and minimums
Families are encouraged to create a list of questions for home care agencies. In addition to care-related questions, be sure to ask about additional fees or care minimums. Questions you may consider asking a potential agency include the following:
- Does the agency require a deposit?
- Is there a charge for assessments?
- Does the agency require a minimum amount of care hours or shifts?
- Is there a minimum age to receive care?
- What are the costs for late night or overnight care?
Other questions to ask New York City home care agencies
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Frequently asked questions about home care in New York City
CareTen Inc. - Hackensack, NJ, Steadfast Caregivers, LLC and Unity Home Care are the top-rated Home Care facilities near New York City, NY. These Home Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Home Care in New York City is {{ zipAverageCost }} per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Home care is provided by an aide who comes to a senior’s home to help with daily chores and activities of daily living. It can be offered anywhere a senior calls home — including a house, senior apartment, independent living, or assisted living. Learn more about home care.
Home care services are customizable to a senior’s unique needs. Services can include companionship, help with chores like cooking and housekeeping, or assistance with activities of daily living, like toileting and bathing. Explore home care services in more detail.
Home care provides nonmedical services for seniors who require assistance with daily tasks like housework, bathing, dressing, and transportation. In contrast, home health care is prescribed by a doctor and includes services like skilled nursing care and therapies, health monitoring, and medication administration that are provided by licensed medical professionals. Read more about home care vs. home health care.
References
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
New York State Department of Health. (2022, November). Personal care services program.
New York State Department of Health. About licensed home care service agencies.
New York State Department of Health. About certified home health agencies.
New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations. (2023, October 4). Section 766.11 – Personnel.
New York State Department of Health. State inspection process.
New York State Department of Health. About enforcement.
New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations. (2018, December 12). Section 700.2 – Definitions.
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