Top Home Care Agencies in Philadelphia, PA
Home care agencies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, support seniors who want to continue living at home, but need additional support. The 399 Philadelphia home care agencies cost an average of $27 per hour, but the total monthly cost varies depending on how much care an individual needs. Home care services range from nonmedical care, such as cooking, housekeeping, transportation, and support with hygiene and other activities of daily living (ADLs), to at-home skilled nursing care. We’ll help you compare costs, discover ways to pay, and pick a Philadelphia home care agency that fits.
Home Care Agencies near Philadelphia, PA
The start of the care was rough. Once things calmed down they were very nice to work with. The caregiver connection with our loved one was tough at first. The first caregiver we thought was going to be...
Senior Helpers - Elkins Park, PA
7900 Old York Road Suite #114-B Elkins Park House, Elkins Park, PA 19027
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Costs of home care in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average cost of home care in Philadelphia, PA
Average monthly cost of home care vs. senior living in Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia.
Paying for home care in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Most families use existing assets or income to cover home care costs. This can include savings, pensions, long-term care (LTF) insurance, or even health savings accounts (HSAs) and other personal assets. However, as long as all eligibility and other criteria are met, seniors may have other ways to pay for home care. These could include benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Medicare, or Medicaid.
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 Philadelphia?
Medicare will cover medically necessary home care, but doesn’t typically cover nonmedical personal care. Medicare may cover nonmedical services if they’re provided by a Medicare-certified home care agency, and determined by a doctor to be medically necessary along with medical care services.
Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) is the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This program provides free support for seniors who want to enroll in or better understand their Medicare benefits, so this program may be able to help families navigate their home care coverage options.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, known as Medical Assistance (MA), provides some coverage for home care. This program is the state’s health care insurance program for low-income seniors.
One of Medical Assistance’s home and community based services (HCBS) programs provides coverage for Philadelphia seniors who want to live as independently as possible while remaining at home. Known as Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE), this program covers a wide range of services, including in-home supportive care, as long as seniors meet the following requirements:[01]
- Be age 55+
- Need a skilled nursing or rehabilitation level of care
- Meet county financial requirements
- Live near a LIFE provider
- Have care needs that can be met at home by a LIFE provider
Is there state assistance for home care in Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging offers aging services for seniors who want to age in place at home. These include health and wellness programs, meals, and several free or low-cost senior transportation services.
The Department of Aging also offers the Help at Home (OPTIONS) program. Designed for Pennsylvania seniors age 60+, this program offers a wide range of services to support seniors who want to continue living at home. Services include in-home meal deliveries, medical transportation, pest control, and home modifications.
Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Philadelphia?
There are several Pennsylvania benefits counseling resources available to veterans, their spouses, or their dependents. Some families use these benefits to cover costs of Philadelphia home care agencies. We recommend taking full advantage of these resources, as understanding and applying for veterans benefits can be difficult and overwhelming.
To learn about what benefits a veteran may be eligible for, start by contacting the Philadelphia Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) offers a Veterans Benefit Booklet to help eligible veterans understand their potential benefits and services. You’ll find eligibility criteria and easy-to-navigate lists of contact information for your county’s Director of Veterans Affairs.
Many seniors and families find it more helpful to connect with an accredited veterans service officer who can assist with the benefits application process. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs list of county directors can show you your nearest veterans service officer who can help with navigating eligibility and application requirements.
Your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapters can also assist with applying for benefits. Services are typically given at no cost to veterans or their families. Benefit counselors can help you understand what’s required to access benefits. Contact the local chapters below to get started.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Rising Sun Post 2819
6850 Martins Mill Road
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Phone: 215-728-5959
DAV National Service Office
5000 Wissahickon Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 215-381-3065
What other Philadelphia services help seniors age in place?
Philadelphia has several services programs designed for seniors, offering support from home repairs to transportation. Browse the list below to find programs that match your loved one’s needs.
- Philadelphia Parks and Recreations’ programs for older adults are offered in six senior centers. Services are for seniors age 55+ and include transportation, meals, social services, and educational and recreational programs.
- The City of Philadelphia’s mental and physical health services for older adults include prescription assistance, meals, home repairs, protective services, and more. To enroll in eligible services, call the Mayor’s Commission on Aging at 215-686-8450.
- The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) senior centers offer continuing education, fitness classes, and social activities to help seniors keep up with wellness.
- Rebuilding Together Philadelphia’s Senior Citizen Programs help elderly residents who have disabilities or low-income status. Call the PCA Senior Helpline at 215-765-9040 for information on their transportation services, home repairs, home modifications, and mental health services.
What families are saying about home care in Philadelphia
Recent reviews for home care in Philadelphia
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How to choose the right Philadelphia home care agency
Understanding requirements such as licensure and hiring practices can help families feel more confident in their choice of a home care agency. In Philadelphia, all home care agencies must be licensed, and their caregivers’ competencies are reviewed annually. Plus, every caregiver an agency hires goes through several screenings and must be certified to make sure they have the right skills to care for seniors.[02]
On this page, you’ll see listings for home care agencies offering a range of services from nonmedical personal care and support to medical care and skilled nursing. If you or your loved one needs at-home medical care, connect with a doctor or social worker to ensure you understand their needs. This is crucial information as you review your prospective Philadelphia home care agencies.
Licensure and accreditation
Pennsylvania home care agencies have to be licensed by the Department of Health. Once the license has been approved and the agency has paid its annual licensing fee, the Department of Health conducts staff interviews, reviews caregiver competency, and reviews the agency’s files. If any faults are found, a plan will be made and closely followed to make sure any issues are corrected. In addition, the Department of Health will investigate the agency if a complaint has been filed.[02]
Home care agencies can also be accredited by organizations such as The Joint Commission or the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. An accredited home care agency is an agency that’s been vetted by one of these organizations to ensure they meet certain criteria, like providing high-quality care.
To be accredited, each home care agency must meet the organization’s standards during an on-site inspection. The accrediting organization may look for proof of caregiver competency, infection control practices, and how the agency assesses senior patients.[03]
Hiring practices
Pennsylvania home care caregivers, sometimes known as direct care workers or aides, are thoroughly screened before they join an agency. These caregivers must pass all of the following checks:[02]
- Criminal background check
- Child abuse clearance
- Screening for tuberculosis
Pennsylvania direct care workers must also be certified in one of the following ways:[02]
- Pass a competency exam to demonstrate their level of home care skills
- Complete an approved nurse aide program
- Hold a nurse’s license
In addition, the competency of each caregiver is reviewed at least once each year.[02]
Fees and minimums
To understand what to expect with costs, we recommend preparing a list of questions to ask the Philadelphia home care agency you’re interested in. The following list is an example of what seniors and families can ask before agreeing to care:
- Does the agency require a deposit?
- Is there a charge for any initial assessments?
- What is the minimum age requirement, if any?
- What is the minimum number of hours or shifts, if any?
Other questions to ask Philadelphia home care agencies
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Frequently asked questions about home care in Philadelphia
Reliable Homecare Angels, Griswold Home Care for Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA and Comforcare Home Care - Montgomery North, PA are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Philadelphia, PA. 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 Philadelphia 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
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (2024). LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly).
Pennsylvania Department of Health. (2024). Home care agencies regulations.
The Joint Commission. (2018). Accreditation for personal care and support.
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