Home Care in Ohio

According to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay $4,957 for in-home care in Ohio, which is on par with the national average. Agencies that offer these services typically provide chore assistance, meal preparation and help with errands. Home health care averages around $5,053, which is slightly lower than in other parts of the country. This option includes medical monitoring, help with medications and other services provided by licensed staff. Estimates from this study assume that seniors require 44 hours of weekly assistance. However, most agencies allow you to request as much or as little assistance as you need.

Home care prices in Ohio are on par with the national average, and they’re similar to neighboring states, including Pennsylvania. Prices in Indiana and Kentucky are slightly lower at $4,767, and West Virginia is substantially lower at $3,527. On the other hand, Michigan is significantly more expensive at $5,529.

Home health care agencies in Ohio typically charge $5,053 per month, which is about $100 lower than the national average of $5,148. These services are slightly more affordable in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana. If you’re considering other states in the region, Michigan is significantly more expensive at $5,529. However, in West Virginia, you could save about $1,478 a month at $3,575.

Home care agencies charge an average $4,957 to $5,053 per month in Ohio depending on whether you require medical assistance. Prices also vary depending on how many hours of assistance you need. If you’re looking for on-demand help in a residential setting, assisted living could be a good option. In Ohio, these facilities typically charge $4,635. You can access similar social and recreational opportunities by joining an adult day health care program for $1,733 per month. Those who need medical care day and night pay $7,300 for nursing home care.

Yes, Ohio Medicaid can help you pay for the cost of in-home care. Intermittent and part-time medical services and personal care are covered by Medicaid’s official State Plan. These benefits are available to beneficiaries of all ages, but there are strict limits on income and assets. Additionally, the federal government has given the state permission to operate several waiver programs that cover home care, chore assistance, emergency alert systems and other supports. These services are designed for individuals who require a nursing home level of care but choose to receive similar services at home or in a residential setting. Eligibility requirements and covered services vary depending on the program.

Ohio offers several programs and delivery systems for seniors who require in-home care. Here’s what you should know about these options.

To be eligible for regular Medicaid in Ohio, you must have no more than $841 in monthly income, which is on par with the federal benefit rate. If you’re applying with a spouse, this limit increases to $1,261 per month, and the asset limit increases from $2,000 to $3,000. If you have substantial medical needs and most of your income is spent on long-term care, you may be eligible for other Medicaid programs that have higher income limits.

Ohio provides several convenient application options depending on your location and preferences. To see if you qualify for Medicaid, complete an online application using the Ohio Benefits portal, or contact your county’s Job and Family Services office for in-person assistance. You can also apply for Medicaid and other benefits over the phone by calling the Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680.

What Information You Will Need 

Ohio asks for the following information on the Medicaid application:

• Name and contact information
• Social Security number
• Monthly income
• Assets, property and resources
• Proof of age and disability
• Insurance details

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

If you have questions about Medicaid or need help with the application process, contact the following state agencies for assistance.

Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical home care, but it can cover the cost of the medical version of home care, called “Home Healthcare” in some situations. In order to be eligible, you need to be homebound and have a referral from your doctor for the specific type of medical care that is needed. There are also other restrictions that apply.

Below is an overview of some of the services typically covered by Medicare for those who are eligible:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), and to treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, physical therapy is often provided in the home to help seniors recover from surgeries and procedures, such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Nursing Care: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services (such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.) for those who need medical care, but don’t need to stay in a hospital full-time.
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is designed to help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc., and providers can travel to your home if needed.
• Speech Therapy: Seniors can lose the ability to adequately communicate for many reasons, and speech therapists are there to help seniors regain the ability to communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets and teaching special techniques to swallow safely.

As mentioned above, home care is distinctly different from home healthcare, but there is some overlap – so while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical home care, there are personal care services that may be covered in special circumstances – such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing.

Read our guide to Medicare and Home Care Coverage for more information.

While the above programs can be a great way to make home care affordable for many people, they are not the right solution for everyone. Thankfully, there are other ways to make home care more affordable for you and your family. For more information about your other options, read our section on Other Ways to Pay for this guide.

Ohio provides a variety of free resources to its 2.5 million seniors through local senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging and nonprofit groups. Here are a few resources to get you started.

Federal regulations instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require staff members at participating home health agencies to be fully vaccinated as of 2022. However, providers in Ohio and many other states are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, private home care agencies may have their own requirements regarding vaccinations, testing and personal protective equipment for staff and/or clients. If you’re concerned about this issue, ask the provider about their policies, and discuss your preferences with your case manager. These rules are current as of April 2022, but they are subject to change. Contact your Area Agency on Aging for additional details.

Starting in 2022, medical and nonmedical home care agencies in Ohio will require a license from the Department of Health. These agencies are overseen at the federal level by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. To help you overcome this challenge, we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs, and finding a home care agency that will be the best fit for you and your family.

Download PDF Here

Learn More About Home Care in Ohio’s Top Cities

• Akron
• Cincinnati
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Dayton
• Defiance
• Elyria
• Lake County
• Toledo