Home Care in Elyria, OH

Situated just 20 miles southwest of Cleveland in Lorain County, Elyria is known for its friendly small-town atmosphere, abundance of public parks and stately historic properties. Approximately 8,278 of Elyria’s 53,757 residents are seniors aged 65 and older, while countywide, 18.8% of the residents are seniors.

Summers in Elyria are warm and sunny, while during the winter, the area receives an average of 51 inches of snow, making this city ideal for those who like to experience all four seasons. If you enjoy spending time outside, you’ll appreciate the natural beauty of Elyria’s famed Cascade Park, a 145-acre green space with an asphalt trail that leads to a stunning waterfall lookout.

There are also plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy, including the Hickories Museum, a stunning estate home built during the 1890s. For some retail therapy, you can head to Midway Mall, Lorain County’s only indoor shopping mall. If you enjoy playing the slots or trying your luck at the card tables, you’ll find a number of casinos nearby, including MGM Northfield Park and JACK Cleveland Casino. You’ll also be happy to know that high-quality acute and emergency healthcare services are available right in Elyria at the 387-bed UH Elyria Medical Center. 

Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that in Elyria, you can expect to pay an average of $4,362 per month for home care. Home health care, which also provides limited medical services, such as assistance with medication management, costs slightly more at $4,410 per month.

These average monthly rates are based on full-time care, which assumes 44 hours of support per week. If you’re like many seniors, you may not need that much in-home assistance to remain safe and independent. You can estimate your home care or home health care costs by multiplying the respective hourly rate of $22.88 or $23.13 but the number of hours of assistance you expect to need.

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

Elyria’s in-home care costs are lower than the statewide averages of $4,481 for home care and $4,566 for home health care. West of Elyria, seniors in Toledo pay an average of $4,553 for either type of care, while to the south, rates are slightly lower in Canton at $4,338 for both home care and home health care. In nearby Akron, either type of in-home care costs about $4,195 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.

Lorain County Transit Dial-A-Ride

What You Should Know
Lorain County Transit’s Dial-A-Ride program is a low-cost, ADA-compliant door-to-door public transit service that operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The service area includes any address located within 3/4 of a mile of any Lorain County Transit fixed-route bus line, anywhere in Elyria or Lorain County.

You can use Dial-A-Ride to travel to and from medical appointments, run errands and visit with family and friends. You’ll need to book your trip at least 48 hours in advance, and no more than 14 days in advance, by calling Lorain County Transit’s scheduling office.

Who Is Eligible?
If you have difficulty using the regular public transit bus due to mobility issues that make it hard for you to reach your nearest bus stop, or to load and unload from a bus without assistance, you can apply to use the Dial-A-Ride service.

How to Get Started
For more information, call Lorain County Transit’s customer service line at (440) 329-5525.

Habitat for Humanity Revitalization Programs

What You Should Know
Lorain County Habitat for Humanity operates two home revitalization programs to help low-income homeowners with exterior repairs and accessibility upgrades. The Critical Repairs Program focuses on major projects, such as roof and siding replacement, and installation of wheelchair ramps, while the A Brush With Kindness Program is for minor, nonstructural exterior work, such as window and door upgrades, landscaping and painting.

Both of these programs are volunteer-based, and whenever possible, homeowners are encouraged to help out with the work on their home. Habitat for Humanity may be able to supply donated materials, and the organization offers zero-interest loans that participating homeowners can use to cover any building permit and inspection fees, purchased materials and insurance.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a low-income homeowner in Elyria, and you need help completing exterior repairs and upgrades to make your house safer and more energy-efficient, you can apply for either the Critical Repairs Program or the A Brush With Kindness Program. You’ll need to show proof of income, and you’ll also be asked to do some volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity in exchange for the services provided by the organization.

How to Get Started
For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s home restoration programs, call (440) 984-3343.

Lorain County Veterans Service Commission 

What You Should Know
The Lorain County Veterans Service Commission works to ensure that all veterans and their families receive their maximum entitlements under local, state and federal programs. Staff at the VSC can help with VA benefit applications and appeals; arrange free transportation to and from VA medical centers; and assist vets and survivors who need temporary financial aid to cover housing costs.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a resident of Lorain County who’s a veteran, survivor or dependent, you’re eligible to access free services through the VSC.

How to Get Started
To make an appointment with the VSC, call (440) 284-4625.

Restaurant Voucher Program

What You Should Know
Shopping for groceries and preparing meals can be a challenge, particularly if you have mobility limitations or you’re only cooking for one. The Restaurant Voucher Program aims to help seniors enjoy healthy, dietitian-approved meals in the company of other retirees.

This program gives you up to 12 meal vouchers each month for use at Blue Sky Restaurants in Elyria and nearby Amherst. You can use these vouchers to select a meal off the specially designed menu, and your only cost is your servers’ tip.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a senior aged 60 or older who needs help maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, you can apply to the Restaurant Voucher Program. You may also qualify for the Senior Food Box Program, which provides you with a monthly box of shelf-stable essentials such as canned fish, meats, beans and vegetables.

How to Get Started
For more information on this and other food security programs for seniors, call the Lorain County Office on Aging at (440) 326-4800.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

What You Should Know
Operated by the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, the Aging and Disability Resource Center helps seniors aged 60 and older remain as independent as possible through a number of programs and services.

Seniors and their caregivers can contact the Center for help with Medicare and Medicaid; to sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Home Energy Assistance programs; and to discuss their current and future care needs with a professional case manager.

Who Is Eligible?
If you need help navigating your government benefits, accessing community-based services and deciding what supports you require to continue living in your own home as you age, you can contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center for assistance.

How to Get Started
To set up an appointment with a case manager, you can complete the online form or call (440) 326-4800.