I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati is a city of 303,940 residents, and slightly over 12% of the population is aged 65 and older. Living here offers you several financial incentives. The cost of living is 16 points below the national average while the cost of health care is 15 points lower. Eligible low-income or disabled seniors can also reduce their annual property tax bill by as much as $25,000, which can make aging in place more affordable.
Cincinnati earned a 7.2/10 on the BestPlaces Comfort Index, which makes it one of the more pleasant areas to live in the state. It gets less snow than the national average, but generally sees fewer sunny days compared to other states.
You’ll find many attractions in the city, including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, which is one of the best-known zoos in the country. The city is also home to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. If you’re a sports fan, you can root for the hometown professional teams, including baseball’s Cincinnati Reds and football’s Cincinnati Bengals. The city also has many malls and shopping centers and over 100 grocery stores.
All these factors and many others make Cincinnati a great place to live if you want to age in place and need home care or home health care services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Cincinnati, OH
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, the average monthly cost of home care in Cincinnati is $4,767, while the cost of home health care is about $100 more expensive at $4,862. Home health care is often more expensive because it includes limited medical and skilled nursing services.
The Genworth figures are based on an average of 44 hours of care a week. Your cost for home care or home health care may differ depending upon how many hours of care you need. In Cincinnati, the hourly cost of home care is $25, while the average cost of home health care is $25.50 an hour.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
At $4,767 and $4,862 a month, the respective costs of home care and home health care in Cincinnati are similar to rates in nearby cities in southwestern Ohio. In the Dayton area, home care costs $4,763 a month while home health care is slightly more expensive at $4,767. For seniors in Springfield, home care and home health care both cost $4,767. In Columbus, both types of in-home care cost an average of $4,576 a month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
The cost of home care and home health care compares very favorably to the other senior living options available in Cincinnati. The cost of residing in an assisted living facility is $4,750 a month. Adult day care is the least expensive option at an average cost of just $1,560 a month. Nursing homes offer the most extensive and expensive type of senior care, at an average cost of $8,152 a month for a semiprivate room.
III. How to Find Home Care in Cincinnati, OH
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Cincinnati, OH.
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.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Cincinnati, OH
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA)
What You Should Know
A nonprofit organization that acts as the Area Agency On Aging In Southwestern Ohio, the Council on Aging works to enhance the quality of life for seniors and the disabled in Cincinnati and the surrounding five-county area. It offers a variety of programs designed to help you age in place independently and with dignity. The COA partners with other organizations in the area and provides direct services or hires contractors to provide them. It also works to close the gaps in service coverage for seniors.
Who Is Eligible?
Some programs offered by the Council on Aging may have specific eligibility requirements. By and large, applicants need to be at least 60 years of age and residents of Ohio to qualify for services.
How to Get Started
If you want to know more about the programs offered by the Council on Aging, determine if you’re eligible and how you can apply, call (513) 721-1025. Staff is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Elderly Services Program (ESP)
What You Should Know
The ESP is available to help seniors in Cincinnati age in place safely and independently. The program can provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADL), transportation, medical equipment, modifications to make your home safer, home-delivered meals and more. The ESP can also help to expand services that you may already be receiving from friends, family or caregivers.
Who Is Eligible?
If you live in Hamilton and are at least 60, you may be eligible for the program. Eligibility for services is determined during an in-home assessment by a case manager. If you receive similar services through Medicaid, Medicare, insurance or hospice care, you’re ineligible for ESP services.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the services available through the ESP, you can review the program’s fact sheet for Hamilton County residents or call (513) 721-1025.
Caregiver Support Program
The Caregiver Support Program provides support and resources at no charge for family members or volunteer caregivers. The program offers overnight care for any senior or disabled person for whom they have responsibility. It operates support groups that help caregivers reduce stress and the injuries that may result from caregiving. The support groups also provide information and tips on how caregivers can better care for their loved ones.
Who Is Eligible
To qualify for the program, family members or caregivers must be responsible for a senior who is at least 60 years of age. There’s no age requirement if caregivers and family members provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Caregiver Support Program and how to apply, your family members or caregivers should call (513) 721-1025.
PASSPORT
What You Should Know
PASSPORT is a Medicaid program designed to help seniors with disabilities avoid being placed in a nursing home and instead remain in their homes while receiving support and care. Services provided include meals, medical equipment, home modifications, an emergency response system to alert family members or caregivers when a senior is ill or has fallen, transportation to medical appointments, nursing care and help with out-of-pocket health care costs.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services through the PASSPORT program, you must be aged at least 60 years of age and be eligible for Medicaid. You must also require an intermediate level of care and help with at least two ADLs. You may not be eligible for the PASSPORT program if you’re currently receiving or are eligible for developmental disabilities waiver services.
How to Get Started
If you want to know more about PASSPORT, you can call (800) 252-0155 and select options 2.
Meals On Wheels Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky
This Meals on Wheels program can deliver over 24 different nutritious meals to seniors (and their spouses) who are aging in place. Each meal is made in the program’s restaurant. Milk, bread and butter are also available, and the program can accommodate special diets. The program also serves congregate meals at eight locations around Hamilton County. Additionally, Meals on Wheels offers the Pet Support Program and can deliver dog or cat food and provide you with help with the cost of veterinary services if you can’t afford to pay.
Who Is Eligible?
There is no set age limit for participating in Meals on Wheels. The main determining factor is your income, which is assessed as part of the review process. There’s also no set age limit to participate in congregate meals.
How to Get Started
If you live in the greater Cincinnati area, which includes Hamilton and Butler counties, call (800) 252-0155. To learn more about the Pet Support Program call (513) 244-5485. You can request transportation to a congregate meal site by calling (513) 721-0375.