Home Care in Reno, NV

The weather in Reno is ideal if you like plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and lots of dry days, since the city has about 252 sunny days each year — 47 more than the national average. If you enjoy golfing, there are dozens of top-quality courses in the region, and many offer discounts for seniors. Of course, there’s also plenty of indoor entertainment, thanks to the dozens of casinos in the city that feature slots, table games, excellent dining options and world-class entertainment.

Reno is home to just over 250,000 residents, and seniors aged 65 and older make up 14.8% of the city’s population. There’s no state income tax in Nevada, and that can make a big difference when it comes to stretching your retirement budget. Washoe County also offers a number of tax exemptions on real property that you might qualify for if you’re a veteran, survivor or dependent; you’re legally blind; or you’re a low-income senior.

Given the great weather, abundance of amenities and easy access to home care services, it’s easy to see why many Reno seniors opt to remain in their homes with the help of a home care provider.

According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of home care in Reno is $5,339, while home health care services cost $5,482. These estimates are based on 44 hours of care per week. If you don’t need full-time home care or home health care services to continue living in your own home, your monthly costs will be less. For example, if you only require 10 hours of care per week, you can expect to pay $28 or $28.75 per hour for homemaker or home health aide assistance, which works out to $1,213 or $1,246 per month, respectively.

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

In-home care rates in Reno are relatively high in comparison to the state ($4,576) and national ($4,481) averages. In nearby Carson City, seniors pay about $4,767 per month for 44 hours of weekly home care, and $4,862 for the same number of home health care hours. In Las Vegas, rates for both types of in-home care run about $4,290 per month, while across the state line, seniors in Sacramento, California, pay an average of $5,863 per month for home care and home health care services.

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.

Washoe County Senior Services

What You Should Know
Washoe County Senior Services helps seniors connect with local resources, including financial aid programs, legal information, transportation, Medicare and Medicaid counseling, Veteran’s benefits and home care. The agency can refer you to area service providers, and help you make a long-term care plan for yourself or your loved one.

Who is Eligible
Anyone living in Washoe County can contact Senior Services for information, and the services are available to those aged 60 and older.

How to Get Started
You can call Washoe County Senior Services at (775) 328-2575 to speak with a senior care specialist.

Washoe County Home Delivered Meals

What You Should Know
Washoe County Senior Services operates the Home Delivered Meals program, also known as meals on wheels. This program can provide you with up to seven precooked, home-delivered meals each week, plus two shelf-stable meals you can keep on hand in case of an emergency. You’ll receive one hot meal on your delivery day, plus six more frozen meals that are ready to be reheated in your microwave or oven.

In addition to the seven weekly meals provided through the HDM program, you may also qualify for seven more meals, for a total of 14 meals per week, through the Second Home Delivered Meal Program. When the volunteer driver drops off your meals, they’ll take a few moments to make sure you are safe and healthy, and to see if you need any additional assistance.

Who is Eligible?
If you’re aged 60 or older, and you’re struggling to maintain a healthy, balanced diet because you have difficulty getting to the grocery store, traveling to a congregate meal site or preparing your own meals, you may be eligible for the HDM program.

When you request meals on wheels service, a Washoe County Senior Services staff person will visit you at home to assess your needs, and see if there are any other county-administered services you might qualify for.

How to Get Started
To speak with a HDM staff person, call (775) 328-2575.

Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County

What You Should Know
If you’re a senior aged 60 and older, you qualify for reduced fares on the RTC, Washoe County’s public transit system.

All RTC buses are equipped with a kneeling feature that lowers the front door to curb level, as well as a wheelchair lift that’s accessible for those who use manual or power wheelchairs, walkers and mobility scooters. The front seats on each bus are reserved for seniors and people with disabilities, and the RTC provides service throughout Reno, Sparks and most other areas of Washoe County.

Who is Eligible?
Anyone can ride the RTC, and as a senior, you’re eligible for a free RTC reduced fare ID card. With this card, you pay half of the regular adult fare. If you’re unable to use the regular fixed-route RTC service due to a temporary or permanent disability, you can register to use RTC ACCESS, the door-to-door, ADA-compliant paratransit service.

How to Get Started
For up-to-date bus schedules in your area, or to apply for RTC ACCESS, call RTC customer service at (775) 348-0477.

Neil Road Recreation Center

What You Should Know
The Neil Road Recreation Center includes a dedicated senior center where you can use the computer lab, participate in organized events and fitness classes, and learn about local social service programs and services. The NRRC is fully wheelchair-accessible and equipped with a dedicated senior’s fitness center with free weights and cardio equipment. There are also a number of pickleball, table tennis and badminton clubs that use the NRRC.

Who is Eligible?
If you’re a resident of Washoe County, you’re eligible to use the services and amenities at the NRRC.

How to Get Started
For the current program schedule, call the NRRC at (775) 689-8484.

Nevada Energy Assistance Program

What You Should Know
If you’re a low-income senior, the Nevada Energy Assistance Program can help you afford your home energy bills. You may also qualify for funding to help you cover overdue energy bills.

Who is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance from the EAP, you must be a Nevada resident with a maximum annual pretax income of $19,140 if you live alone. If you live with one other person, the maximum pretax household income is $25,860 per year. If you or anyone in your household participates in another benefit program geared toward those with a low income, such as SNAP or SSI, you’re automatically qualified to receive support through the EAP.

How to Get Started
To apply for a one-time credit or ongoing assistance with your home energy bills, submit a completed application form along with the required documentation via mail or fax as indicated. You also can call Washoe County Seniors Services at (775) 328-2575 for help with your EAP application.