I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Saint Paul, MN
As the state capitol and the seat of Ramsey County, Saint Paul is a bustling metropolis filled with stunning urban parks, modern museums and an impressive array of services geared toward seniors. Saint Paul is home to approximately 311,500 people, and one in 10 residents are aged 65 and older.
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll have no trouble finding a home team to cheer on, as the city boasts a number of professional and semi-professional teams including soccer, hockey and basketball. If you prefer spending your time exploring museums and historical sites, you’ll appreciate the fact that Saint Paul has a number of well-regarded cultural venues to enjoy.
During the brisk winter months, the city can be quite snowy, and the average annual snowfall in Saint Paul is about 52 inches. Summers are warm and comfortable, making for ideal weather to explore the city’s public parks, many of which offer stunning views of the Mississippi River.
Access to health care services is important at any age, and in Saint Paul, there are a number of well-regarded medical centers that offer a comprehensive range of emergency and acute care services. These centers include the Regions Hospital in the downtown district and United Hospital, the region’s largest health care facility.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Saint Paul, MN
In Saint Paul, you can expect to pay about $6,292 per month for home care services. This rate is based on 44 hours of care weekly, which works out to an average hourly rate of $33.
Home health care is a type of in-home care that combines home care with some limited medical services, such as medication management and rehabilitation therapies. On average, home health care in Saint Paul costs about $6,483 per month.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Saint Paul’s in-home care rates are quite high compared to rates in nearby cities such as Mankato, St. Cloud and Rochester. In Mankato, seniors pay an average of $5,720 per month for either type of in-home care, and in St. Cloud, home care runs around $5,262. Rates for home health care services average about $6,292. To the south of Saint Paul in Rochester, median home care rates are $5,434 per month, and the median monthly home health care rate is $6,101.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Saint Paul, home care and home health care costs are higher than the average assisted living rate of $4,797 but less than the median monthly price for a semiprivate nursing home room, which is $11,285. At a monthly average of $1,863, adult day care is the least expensive senior care option in the city.
Note: Data for Saint Paul was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Minneapolis, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Saint Paul, MN
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 Saint Paul, MN.
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 Saint Paul, MN
Metro Mobility
What You Should Know
Metro Mobility is a government-funded, shared-ride public transportation service for those who are unable to use the regular public bus service due to disability or a chronic or acute health condition. All rides are provided in small wheelchair-accessible buses or vans.
Fares range from $3.50 to $4.50 per trip, depending on the time of day, and riders can either pay cash, or use a pre-loaded Go-To electronic fare payment card available at over 100 retailers throughout the region.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify to use the Metro Mobility service, you must meet the eligibility criteria based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means you’re likely eligible if you are unable to board and exit a regular bus without assistance at some stops or you have trouble understanding the fixed-route bus schedules.
If your qualifying condition is permanent, you’re generally granted access for four years at a time. If your health and mobility is expected to improve, you can apply for a renewable 9-month rider pass.
How to Get Started
For more information on Metro Mobility and the certification process, call Metro Mobility’s customer service line at (651) 602-1111.
Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County
What You Should Know
A nutritious, well-balanced diet is important at any age, but it’s especially key for seniors. Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County provides housebound seniors with hot, healthy noontime meals delivered each weekday by a team of trained and screened volunteer drivers. Alternatively, seniors can opt to receive a combination of fresh and frozen meals every few days or a weekly delivery of heat-and-serve frozen meals.
All meals are prepared by local chefs who craft low-sodium and diabetic-friendly foods approved by a licensed dietitian. When the meals are delivered, the driver will take a moment to chat with the recipient. If drivers spot any safety concerns, they’ll make sure that additional resources are offered to the client.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Meals on Wheels service, you or your spouse must be a housebound senior aged 60 or older or an adult who is housebound due to disability. There’s no financial eligibility criteria, and you’ll be asked to make a small donation towards the cost of each meal if you can.
How to Get Started
To sign up for Meals on Wheels service, call (612) 623-3363.
Hearts & Hammers
What You Should Know
Hearts & Hammers is a nonprofit organization that helps elderly, veteran and disabled homeowners throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area complete essential home maintenance and repair projects. Hearts & Hammers contractors and volunteers provide eligible homeowners with free home improvements.
The type of work that can be completed by this organization is limited to exterior maintenance, such as painting, deck and porch repairs, landscaping and weatherproofing. Volunteers can also help make your home more accessible by installing handrails and wheelchair ramps, adding grab bars to your bathroom and replacing your existing toilet with a raised-height toilet.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance from Hearts & Hammers, you must own and occupy your own home within the Twin Cities area and you need to plan on remaining in your home for at least 2 more years.
You must also have a low or moderate income that falls within the current income limits. These limits are adjusted on an annual basis.
How to Get Started
For more information regarding eligibility and current income limits, call Hearts & Hammers at (651) 636-0797.
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly
What You Should Know
Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly is a nationwide nonprofit organization that aims to reduce loneliness and isolation among seniors. Over 900 volunteers in the Twin Cities staff a number of free programs for seniors, including Phone Companions, a phone-based companionship program that pairs elders with screened volunteers.
Little Brothers also runs a free phone-in friendly chat line that seniors can call every weekday morning and a visiting companions program. This program pairs seniors with a volunteer who schedules regular phone calls and in-person visits with program participants.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a senior who is struggling with feelings of loneliness, you can sign up for any of the free programs offered by Little Brothers.
How to Get Started
To learn more, call Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly’s Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter at (612) 721-6215.
Jewish Family Service of St. Paul — Aging & Disability Services
What You Should Know
Jewish Family Services’ Aging Services department offers a range of services to support seniors, including advanced care planning for the elderly. Available on a sliding-scale basis, JFC’s advanced care planning program pairs seniors with a certified elder law specialist who helps seniors prepare their advanced directives.
The JFC also provides contracted case management services to low-income seniors in Ramsey County. The JFC’s Holocaust Survivor Program provides Holocaust survivors and their families with spiritual guidance, care coordination, home-delivered Kosher meals and assistance with in-home care.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for services offered by JFS varies with each program and is based on your age, background and income.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the aging and disability services offered by the JFS, call the JFC at (651) 315-9167.