I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Defiance, OH
Located in the northwestern corner of Ohio about 55 miles to the southwest of Toledo, Defiance is a vibrant city with a rich history, unique art and cultural amenities and scenic parks. It has nearly 17,000 residents and a fairly large 65+ community that accounts for about one in five people. The city is home to numerous golf courses, including Auglaize Country Club and St. Michael’s Golf Course, and the NorthTowne Mall, which offers indoor entertainment and shopping venues and a food court. Defiance also features a revitalized downtown Main Street District with one-of-a-kind restaurants and retailers, and local points of interest such as Fort Defiance and the Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum that provide a glimpse into the city’s past.
Despite its amenities, Defiance is a very affordable place to live, which may help you maintain your standard of living throughout your retirement years. The overall cost of living is about 25% lower than the national average and 10% lower than Ohio’s median. Housing is particularly cheap, with a median home cost of $98,900 versus the national average of $231,200. The city has a very low violent crime rate, which may provide peace of mind if you live alone, and the good air quality may be beneficial if you or a family member have a respiratory or cardiovascular condition.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Defiance, OH
On average, you can expect to pay $4,576 per month for home care in Defiance, which includes services such as basic housekeeping, companionship, help with daily living activities and transportation, depending on your needs. Home health care is similar but also includes skilled nursing services. On average, this type of care also costs $4,576 in the Defiance area.
Regardless of whether you need basic home care or specialized home health care, you pay approximately $24 per hour for services. The monthly rate assumes 44 hours of weekly care, so the amount you pay may differ depending on how many hours of care you require. Accessing community-based services such as home-delivered meals, transportation and social and recreational programs may also impact your expenses.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
In Defiance, you can expect to pay $4,576 per month regardless of whether you obtain home care or home health care services. The monthly rate for home care is a little higher than the shared state and national averages of $4,481, but the cost of home health care is only $10 higher than the state average of $4,566 and equal to the national average. Home-based care costs are cheaper in the Canton area, where seniors pay $4,338 per month for both levels of service, and in Youngstown, where home care costs $4,004 and home health care costs $4,385. Defiance is a cost-effective alternative to Cincinnati, where locals pay $4,767 for homemaker services and $4,862 for specialized home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Defiance, residents pay $4,576 per month for home care and home health care. Assisted living, which offers a similar scope of care in a residential facility, is slightly cheaper at $4,594. Adult day care, which is provided in a daytime community setting, is generally considerably cheaper. Local data isn’t available, but statewide, seniors pay approximately $1,300 per month for this type of care. Nursing homes provide the highest level of care available outside a hospital inpatient setting. This is the most expensive senior care option in Defiance at an average cost of $6,874 per month.
III. How to Find Home Care in Defiance, 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 Defiance, 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 Defiance, OH
Defiance County Senior Services
What You Should Know
The county offers a broad range of programs to support older adults’ comfort and safety in the community, including transportation, supportive services, nutrition services and education. Most services are administered through local county-funded senior centers, including the one in Defiance. At this location, you can participate in social and recreational programs, join support groups or volunteer your time and talents by teaching classes or decorating for special events. The center also provides Medicare assistance and notary services and offers daily congregate meals.
Who Is Eligible?
To get services through the county, you must live within the service area. You may also have to meet additional guidelines to participate in certain programs related to need or income.
How to Get Started
Contact the Senior Services’ Defiance location by calling the main office at (419) 782-3233. The office is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Defiance County Veterans Services
What You Should Know
Through the Defiance County Veterans Office, you can get help with accessing services and programs in the community, such as transportation, VA health care, emergency financial assistance and nutrition services. It’s staffed with officers who can help you apply for programs that can help cover home care services, including pension programs, disability compensation and the Aid and Attendance benefit. Staff members can also help you determine whether you qualify for respite services through the VA.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for help through the Veterans Office, you must be a U.S. military veteran and live within the service area. In some cases, spouses, survivors and children are eligible for services. Programs such as the monthly pension, disability compensation and Aid and Attendance have additional eligibility criteria.
How to Get Started
To get assistance through the county’s Veterans Office, you can call the office at (419) 782-6861 or email [email protected].
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
What You Should Know
The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Defiance and the surrounding region. It administers a range of programs for older adults and family caregivers in the area, providing you with the support you need to live at home. Its Adult Day Care service center provides coordinated services in a community-based group setting, and its Caregiver Support Program provides practical advice and emotional support for informal caregivers. The office also serves as an entry point for accessing services in the community, such as home-delivered meals, transportation, case management and options counseling.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be at least 60 years old and live within the agency’s service area to be eligible for assistance.
How to Get Started
To apply for services through the AAA, you can call the Area Office on Aging at (419) 382-0624.
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program
What You Should Know
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program provides you with unbiased counseling, which can help you understand your options for covering the cost of home-based care. Through this volunteer-staffed program, you can get one-on-one help with reviewing your Medicare coverage and determining whether any home care services are covered under the original plan. Volunteers can help you compare available Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans, long-term care insurance and prescription drug plans. They can also help you determine whether you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs or prescription drug assistance. All services are available free of charge.
Who Is Eligible?
Assistance through OSHIIP is available to anyone who lives in Ohio who’s eligible for Medicare.
How to Get Started
To speak with an advisor, you can call the OSHIIP hotline at (800) 686-1578. The hotline is staffed on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission
What You Should Know
The Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission administers a range of supportive programs to those in Defiance and the surrounding region. Through this organization, you can obtain emergency home repair and modification assistance to ensure that your house is safe and outfitted to meet your mobility needs. The organization has a range of financial assistance programs available, including utility payment assistance, the Summer Crisis and Winter Crisis programs and PIPP Plus, which provides year-round help with utility bills. It also offers free tax preparation services to help you file taxes on your retirement income.
Who Is Eligible?
Services through NOCAC are available to everyone who lives within the program’s service area and meets the organization’s income and need-based criteria.
How to Get Started
To learn more about NOCAC’s services and programs, you can call the main office at (419) 784-5136. You can access emergency assistance by calling the 24-hour appointment hotline at (419) 219-4641, and the Emergency Home Repair/ Handicap Modification Program and Home Weatherization Assistance Programs can be reached by calling (419) 784-5393.