I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City is Utah’s political and cultural capital as well as its most populous city. The area is home to just over 200,000 residents, including some 22,200 seniors who account for 11% of the population. If you’re considering home care, you should be aware that Salt Lake City has an above-average cost of living. Residents pay 20% more for essentials like housing and groceries, although health care costs are on par with other parts of the country.
As the state’s largest city, Salt Lake is home to world-class medical facilities, including the nationally ranked University of Utah Hospital, and it has slightly more doctors than cities of a similar size. One advantage for retirees in Salt Lake City is that the local government sponsors a variety of programs to help older adults maintain their health, wellness and mobility. Meals on Wheels, door-to-door transportation and related supports can help you enjoy a high quality of life while retaining your independence and avoiding an unnecessary move to assisted living.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Salt Lake City, UT
Home care agencies in Salt Lake City charge $5,100 per month according to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, which is slightly higher than other parts of the state and the nation. In the local area, rates are typically the same whether you require medical care or help with errands and household chores. In other parts of the country, home health care costs about $100 more per month. Price estimates assume that you require 44 hours of weekly care or about 6-7 hours of assistance every day. This breaks down to an expected cost of $26.75 per hour, which is about $3 higher than the national average. However, your monthly expenses can vary considerably depending on how much assistance you require.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Home care and home health care costs in Salt Lake City are about $200-$300 higher than the state median and approximately $500-$600 higher than the national average. In Logan ($3,909) and Ogden ($4,195) you’d pay about $1,000 -$1,200 less for homemaker services. Prices rise to $4,362 in Provo, but this is still lower than the national average. In Logan, home health care costs are on par with the U.S. median of $4,576. In Ogden, this level of care costs $4,814 per month, while in Provo, it averages $4,624.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In-home care can be an economically viable option, especially if you only need a limited amount of weekly assistance. Skilled nursing facilities in Salt Lake City charge $1,896 more per month for similar services, such as medical monitoring and physical therapy. Assisted living facilities cost $3,700 per month on average for accommodations, meals and personal care. Adult day care is another option. If you live in Salt Lake City, you can expect to pay $1,127 per month to participate in a daytime recreation program, which is about one-fourth the cost of in-home care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Salt Lake City, UT
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 Salt Lake City, UT.
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 Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services
What You Should Know
The county’s division of Aging & Adult Services is a hub for information, advice and supportive services designed to help older adults maintain their independence and age in place. It manages more than a dozen senior centers that offer recreational activities and social services, and its Meals on Wheels program provides nutritionally balanced food to homebound seniors and their pets. It can connect you with accessible on-demand transportation, legal advice, yard care assistance and one-on-one needs counseling. This agency also handles applications for Medicaid waivers that can help with the cost of in-home assistance.
Who Is Eligible?
This Area Agency on Aging serves seniors aged 60 and older in Salt Lake County. Information and assistance is also available to caregivers, disabled adults and veterans. If you need personal care, you must meet medical and financial criteria.
How to Get Started
To see if you qualify for programs offered by Aging & Adult Services, call (385) 468-3200.
Salt Lake County Treasurer Tax Relief
What You Should Know
If you own a home in Salt Lake City and are aged, disabled or facing a financial hardship, you may qualify for a property tax break through the county treasurer. The Circuit Breaker program can reduce your property’s assessed value while giving you an income-based homeowner credit valued at up to $1,067. The Indigent Abatement program provides a tax credit valued at $1,067 or 50% of the total tax liability, whichever amount is smaller. A similar program is available to low-income families who are facing a financial hardship. If you’re a disabled veteran, you may be eligible for a generous tax exemption on up to $275,699 in real estate and personal property.
Who Is Eligible?
Age requirements and income limits vary for each program. In most cases, you must be aged 65 or older, and your household income can’t exceed $34,666. You must submit tax returns and proof of income and assets or medical eligibility each year that you participate in the program.
How to Get Started
To apply for an exemption, call the Salt Lake County Tax Relief Division at (385) 468-8300, or email [email protected].
Home Energy Assistance Target Program
What You Should Know
If you need help paying your utility bills, you may qualify for assistance through the federally authorized Home Energy Assistance Target Program. Administered by Utah Community Action, HEAT provides a one-time payment between October 1 and September 30. Families can choose whether funds are allocated to their gas or electric bills. Help with unpaid water bills is available through Project Water ASSIST, which is sponsored by the Salt Lake City Chapter of the Salvation Army and local utility providers. It offers similar benefits to seniors and disabled adults who meet certain income limits.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for home energy assistance, your household must earn no more than 150% of the federal poverty level. Families that include seniors or young children receive priority consideration. Project Water ASSIST is open to disabled adults, seniors aged 60 or older and individuals who qualify for property tax relief.
How to Get Started
If you need help paying a water bill, call the Salt Lake City Chapter of the Salvation Army at (801) 969-0526 or Salt Lake City Public Utilities at (801) 483-6900. You can apply for HEAT online or by calling Utah Community Action at (801) 359-2444.
Salt Lake City Home Repairs
What You Should Know
Salt Lake City operates several home repair programs that are open to local seniors. The Handyman Program provides up to $500 worth of free home repairs to low- and moderate-income seniors. It helps with minor repairs, upgrades and maintenance tasks, such as repairing outlets, installing grab bars, cleaning gutters and unclogging drains. Seniors may also qualify for low- and no-interest loans through the Home Repair Program. These funds are designed to help with critical repairs needed to correct code violations. The program even helps homeowners obtain competitive bids from prequalified contractors.
Who Is Eligible?
The Handyman Program serves seniors aged 62 and older who earn no more than 80% of the median income for their area, which is approximately $59,000 for a two-person household. Disabled adults also qualify.
How to Get Started
You can learn more about Salt Lake City’s home repair programs by calling (801) 535-7228 or emailing the program administrator at [email protected].
Utah Legal Services
What You Should Know
Utah Legal Services is a comprehensive resource for seniors and low-income households who have questions about civil matters, such as Medicaid, housing, consumer rights, health care and estate planning. It provides direct representation, self-help tools and informational resources to help seniors learn more about age-related topics, such as long-term care planning, wills, deeds, probate and powers of attorney. Staff can help residents apply for government benefits, including food stamps, housing assistance and medical care.
Who Is Eligible?
According to ULS, more than 360,000 state residents are eligible for its services. Families who earn no more than 200% of the federal poverty level based on the size of their household qualify for free legal assistance. The organization also has units that are dedicated to serving seniors and other target populations.
How to Get Started
If you have a legal question, call the Utah Legal Services’ Salt Lake City office at (801) 328-8891, or complete an online intake form.