Home Care in Akron, OH

As the seat of Summit County and the fifth most-populated city in Ohio, Akron is filled with amenities and services that make it a great place for older adults. Out of Akron’s 190,500 residents, just over 28,000 are seniors aged 65 and older. Budget-conscious retirees appreciate the fact that the overall cost of living in Akron is approximately 13% below Ohio’s statewide average, and 30.5% under the nationwide average.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll be happy to know that there are over 14,000 acres of parkland managed by Summit Metro Parks, including three nature centers and a number of parks equipped with picnic shelters and washrooms. You can experience all four seasons here, thanks to the fact that Akron’s summers are warm and sunny, while winters are typically quite cold, and the city receives close to four feet of snow annually. There’s also a thriving arts and cultural scene, and the Akron Civic Theatre hosts a number of affordable productions and live concerts year-round.

Access to health care services is a concern at any age, and in Akron, you’ll find a number of top-ranked medical centers including Akron General, an acute care facility operated by the Cleveland Clinic.

Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that home care services in Akron cost an average of $4,195 per month. Home health care, a type of in-home care that also includes some skilled nursing services, also costs an average of $4,195 per month.

Genworth’s figures are based on 44 hours of care per week, which may be more or less in-home care than you need. You can estimate your home care costs by multiplying the average hourly rate in Akron, $22, by the number of hours of care you expect to require so you can continue living in your own home as you age.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

At a monthly average of $4,195, in-home care rates in Akron are below Ohio’s statewide averages of $4,481 for home care and $4,566 for home health care services. Just south of Akron in Canton, seniors pay about $4,338 for either type of in-home care, while to the east in Mansfield, rates are lower at $4,004 per month for home care and home health care. In Cleveland, home care costs an average of $4,362 per month, while home health care is slightly more expensive at $4,410 per month.

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio

What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio provides housebound seniors with hot, home-delivered meals each weekday. You can use this meal delivery service on a short-term basis while you’re recovering from an illness or injury or on a long-term basis to help ensure you’re getting a healthy balanced meal each day.

Volunteer delivery drivers bring you your meal each day, and they also perform a brief safety check to see how you’re doing. If your driver notices that you need extra help, they’ll take the time to contact your family members, case manager or emergency services. Meals on Wheels also operates the local Wheels for Wags program, which provides housebound pet owners with free pet food for their companion animals.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re unable to shop for groceries or cook your own healthy, nutritionally-balanced meals because you’re housebound or providing full-time care for a person who’s disabled, you’re eligible for Meals on Wheels service. You’ll be asked to contribute towards the cost of each meal on a sliding scale basis based on your income and assets.

How to Get Started
To learn more about Meals on Wheels and Wheels for Wags, call (330) 515-5605.

Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program

What You Should Know
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County operates a Home Repair Program to help low-income homeowners complete critical exterior home repairs and accessibility upgrades. The program is designed to preserve existing single-family, owner-occupied homes in Akron by assisting those who cannot afford to keep up with necessary home maintenance projects.

Program participants are granted an interest-free loan to use towards the cost of the materials needed, while all labor is provided free of charge by Habitat for Humanity volunteers. You may be able to access funding through this program to have a wheelchair ramp installed, fix a leaking roof, upgrade your home’s insulation or repair damaged flooring that poses a tripping hazard.

Who is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance through the Home Repair Program, you must own and occupy your own home within Summit County. Your income must be between 30% and 80% of the average median for the county, and all your utility, tax and mortgage payments need to be paid to date.

How to Get Started
Applicants for the Home Repair Program are accepted throughout the year, and the work is usually completed between April 1 and October 31. To learn more, call Habitat for Humanity of Summit County at (330) 745-7734.

Telecare Phone a Friend Program

What You Should Know
The Telecare Phone a Friend Program is a free telephone support program designed to reduce social isolation among seniors who are living independently in Akron. This program pairs screened and trained volunteer callers with seniors who want regular phone calls from a friendly volunteer.

Volunteer callers check in with program participants on a regular basis. If needed, the volunteers can refer seniors to other services and supports such as home-delivered meal programs, home care services and adult day health programs.

Who is Eligible?
Any senior aged 55 and older in Summit or Medina County who would appreciate regular phone calls from a friendly, compassionate volunteer can sign up for the Telecare Phone a Friend Program.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the Telecare program, call (330) 253-4597, extension 166.

Metro Regional Transit Authority — SCAT Services

What You Should Know
SCAT is a curb-to-curb, shared-ride public transportation service that operates each weekday. All SCAT rides must be reserved in advance, and service hours vary depending on where you live in Summit County. SCAT buses are fully wheelchair-accessible and can accommodate riders who use mobility devices such as electric scooters and walkers. SCAT services may also be provided by contracted taxi cab companies.

Who is Eligible?
You can use METRO SCAT if you’re aged 62 or older and you live in Summit County. If you’re under the age of 62, you can apply to use SCAT on a temporary or permanent basis if you have a disability that limits your ability to ride the regular, fixed-route buses.

How to Get Started
To register as a SCAT rider, call (330) 376-5353 or (800) 227-9905.

Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities

What You Should Know
Direction Home is a private nonprofit organization that helps connect seniors and people with disabilities with local programs and services. The agency offers free in-home assessments to help seniors determine what types of support they need in order to safely age in place. ADRC case managers can also help seniors apply for government benefits programs such as the Ohio Home Care Waiver, Medicaid and Medicare.

Who is Eligible?
As an Akron senior, you’re eligible to access free information and case management services through ADRC.

How to Get Started
To contact a senior care specialist at the ADRC, call (877) 770-5558.