Home Care in Meridian, ID

Located in scenic Ada County, just 11 miles west of downtown Boise, Meridian is a great place for seniors who want to live in a city that offers easy access to health care services, recreational opportunities and accessible transit. Nearly 13% of Meridian’s 114,161 residents are seniors aged 65 and older, making Meridian the second most-populated city in the state.

Meridian is known for being an exceptionally safe place for residents of all ages, thanks to the fact that the violent crime and property crime rates are well below U.S. averages. In terms of the weather, the area is very dry, and the city only gets about 11 inches of rain and 10 inches of snow each year, while the national average is 38 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow. Meridian is also very sunny, with 211 days of sunshine every year.

Emergency and acute health care services are available at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center, a Magnet-designated hospital that’s known for excellence in nursing care. The facility has a dedicated chest pain center, advanced cancer treatment center and full imaging capabilities.

Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average monthly cost for home care in Meridian is $4,576. Home health care, which adds some limited medical services to home care, also costs an average of $4,576.

These monthly rates are based on 44 hours of care weekly, which may be more or less support than you need. You can estimate your weekly care costs by multiplying the number of hours of help you need each week by $24, which is the average hourly home care rate in Meridian.

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

Meridian’s home care and home health care costs are slightly higher than the statewide average of $4,481 for either type of care. Rates in Twin Falls match the rates in Meridian, while along the eastern border of Idaho in Idaho Falls, seniors pay an average of $3,813 for both types of in-home care. To the north in Lewiston, home care and home health care is costlier at $4,767 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.

Metro Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know
If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy diet because you’re unable to prepare your own meals or shop for groceries, you can sign up for hot, nutritionally balanced home-delivered meals through Metro Meals on Wheels. All meals include a carton of milk, a piece of fruit, a portion of protein, some vegetables and a starch, and the menu changes on a regular basis.

Volunteer drivers distribute meals each weekday, and they also take a moment to make sure you’re safe and healthy while making their delivery. You’ll be asked to make a small per-meal contribution to help cover the food costs. If you’re unable to pay for your meals, you can apply for free meals through the subsidized meal program. You can also request extra meals to carry you through the weekend and on holidays when hot meal delivery isn’t offered.

Who Is Eligible?
Any senior in Ada County who needs home-delivered meals can sign up for Meals on Wheels. There are no financial eligibility criteria, and you can use the service temporarily while recovering from an illness or injury or on a long-term basis.

How to Get Started
To learn more about Metro Meals on Wheels, call (208) 321-0031.

Center At The Park/Meridian Senior Center

What You Should Know
Open Monday to Friday, the Center at the Park, also known as the Meridian Senior Center, is a nonprofit community center for older adults. Annual memberships cost $15, and members can sign up for a wide range of free and low-cost fitness classes, arts and crafting workshops, social clubs and special events.

The Center is a great place to meet new friends, enjoy the company of fellow retirees and stay connected with your community. You can also learn about volunteer opportunities, participate in pop-up preventative health screening clinics and join escorted day trips to nearby wineries, restaurants and attractions.

Who Is Eligible?
Anyone aged 60 and older can join the Meridian Senior Center.

How to Get Started
To purchase a membership at the Meridian Senior Center or for up-to-date programming information, call (208) 888-5555.

Harvest Transit

What You Should Know
Operated by Valley Regional Transit in partnership with Harvest Church, Harvest Transit is a free, curb-to-curb transportation service for veterans, people with disabilities and seniors.

Harvest Transit operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the service area extends to South Cloverdale Road in the east, south to West Amity Road and north to Phyllis Slough. Riders need to schedule their trips at least two business days in advance by calling the Harvest Transit reservation line. You can use Harvest Transit to travel to any destination within the service area, but priority is given to those traveling to medical appointments.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a senior, veteran or person living with a disability, you’re eligible to use the Harvest Transit service.

How to Get Started
To book a ride within the Harvest Transit service area, call (208) 343-4414. Because this is a shared-ride service, you may not travel directly to or from your destination, and you’re asked to be ready one hour before your scheduled pickup time.

Idaho Assistive Technology Project

What You Should Know
The Idaho Assistive Technology Project is a statewide, federally-funded initiative that helps Idahoans access assistive technology devices such as audio amplification systems, optical magnifiers and playing card shufflers.

Seniors living with disabilities that impact vision, hearing, mobility, speech or activities of daily living can contact the Project to learn about devices that can help them retain their independence. IATP services include functional evaluations, assistance with purchasing or leasing equipment, custom fittings, repairs and training. The organization also maintains a number of lending libraries that let you try out assistive devices and borrow items for use while your equipment is being repaired.

Who Is Eligible?
Any Idaho resident with a disability can access the services offered by IATP. Seniors in Meridian can visit the nearby Boise Idaho Assistive Technology Resource Center.

How to Get Started
To contact the Boise IATP office, call (208) 340-4564 or (208) 364-4561.

Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging

What You Should Know
Also known as Area 3 Senior Services Agency, the Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging is a federally mandated nonprofit that helps plan and deliver programs and services for seniors aged 60 and older.

The agency coordinates a wide range of services for seniors who want to continue living in the community, such as legal services, transportation and respite care, and supports for family caregivers. There are also case management services, nutritional support programs and homemaker programs, as well as assistance for seniors who require financial aid to cover their housing and health care costs.

Who Is Eligible?
Anyone can contact a Senior Services Specialist at the AAA to learn about local, state and federal resources for seniors.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs and services offered through the AAA, call (208) 898-7060.