I. What You Should Know About Home Care in St. George, UT
Because it’s such a senior-friendly community, St. George is appealing to many older adults. In fact, nearly 23% of the 89,587 people who live in St. George are aged 65 and older. The natural beauty of the mountains surrounding St. George pulls many people in, and the comfortable weather entices them to stay.
Outdoor recreation is a popular pastime in the St. George area, and Red Hills Desert Garden and Pioneer Park allow you to get close to the red rock formations and desert flora that this area’s known for. To get a taste of history, spend some time exploring the Brigham Young Winter Home or St. George Temple. The city also has numerous golf courses, including Sand Hollow Golf Club, the state’s top public golf course.
For a more urban experience, St. George has a vibrant arts scene. The Kayenta Art Village isn’t far away, providing the chance to view art and photography by local artisans. You can also catch live theater performances outdoors under the stars at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. The city’s variety of lifestyle amenities helps make it an ideal choice for retirees to age in place with the help of home care services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in St. George, UT
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home care and home health care have the same average cost in St. George. Seniors in this area pay $4,576 per month for either type of in-home care. Genworth calculates these rates based on 44 hours of care per week.
The amount you pay on a monthly basis will depend on how many hours of home care you need each week, and the specific services you need if you’re getting home health care. To make your cost easier to estimate, you can expect to pay $24 an hour for either type of in-home care services.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Seniors in St. George pay more for home care than their peers in Provo and Ogden, but less for home health care services. In Provo, the average costs are $4,362 for home care and $4,624 for home health care, while in Ogden, $4,195 is the average for home care while home health care costs $4,814 a month. Compared to those in St. George, seniors in Salt Lake City pay significantly more for both types of in-home care services at an average of $5,100 a month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Choosing to stay at home with the help of home care or home health care services puts your monthly costs of $4,576 about midrange compared to other types of available senior care in the area. The least expensive option is adult day care, which costs an average of $2,438 per month. For assisted living care, seniors spend $3,400 per month, on average. The most expensive option in St. George is nursing home care, which averages $6,388 per month for a semiprivate room, which is over $1,800 more than in-home care.
III. How to Find Home Care in St. George, 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 St. George, 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 St. George, UT
St. George Senior Center
What You Should Know
The St. George Senior Center provides area seniors with a place to socialize and enjoy a healthy meal with their peers. Regular activities and outings provide opportunities for connection within the community, and a hot lunch is served daily on Tuesdays through Fridays. Throughout the week, programs and classes, including computer classes, give you a way to pursue interests and stay engaged.
The Senior Center coordinates many of the area’s senior services, including transportation and Meals on Wheels. It’s also a starting point for many seniors to access home-based care services.
Who Is Eligible
Programs are available to area seniors aged 60 and older. Friends or family may join a senior loved one, but may have to pay an additional fee to participate.
How to Get Started
Most programs are available without a reservation. To order lunch in advance or sign up for activities and classes, you can call (435) 922-2755.
Dial-a-Ride
What You Should Know
Through the Dial-a-Ride service, you can get transportation to medical appointments, pharmacies, the senior center, grocery shopping and visits to assisted living communities where your spouse resides. This program has a suggested donation of $3 for a one-way trip or $5 for a round trip, but this isn’t required for those who can’t pay it. Transportation is available Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Who Is Eligible
If you’re aged 60 or older and don’t have your own transportation, you can use the Dial-a-Ride service.
How to Get Started
To reserve a ride, call (435) 634-5743 and choose option 1. Leave a message with your full name and phone number, the date and time you need a ride and the complete address of the destination.
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels provides seniors who can’t leave their homes without assistance the chance to get healthy meals delivered to their door. The service is available in St. George and throughout Washington County. Daily meals arrive at your home Tuesday through Friday, with two meals provided on Friday. Delivery volunteers also provide a basic well-being check when they bring the meals. There’s a suggested donation of $3 per meal for the service.
Who Is Eligible
You may qualify for Meals on Wheels if you’re aged 60 or older and unable to drive or leave home without assistance due to your age or a disability.
How to Get Started
To check your eligibility and get started with the Meals on Wheels program, call (435) 634-5743 and choose option 0.
Five County H.E.A.T. Program
What You Should Know
The federally funded Five County H.E.A.T. Program is designed to provide energy assistance to low-income households in St. George and the surrounding areas. If you meet the income qualifications, you can get funds through a program to help pay your heating and cooling bills. The program typically runs from November 1st through September 30th each year, and it provides a one-time assistance payment during the season.
Who Is Eligible
You’re eligible to apply for H.E.A.T assistance if your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
How to Get Started
You can apply for H.E.A.T. assistance only one time per season. You can call (435) 652-9643 to schedule an appointment. You can also download the required forms and print and mail a paper application to H.E.A.T. Program, 1664 South Dixie Drive, Unit L-104, St. George, UT 84770.
Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services
What You Should Know
This program helps Utah veterans access the services they need to continue living at home. The VD-HCBS Program can connect veterans with a budgeted amount to pay for goods and services to help them stay healthy and safe as they age in place. Because this is a veteran-directed program, you can decide what services you need and who provides them. You can choose to get assistance from the program’s personal care aides, or opt to have a family member provide your care and get paid through the program.
You can use your VD-HCBS funds to pay home care workers, purchase home-delivered or congregate meals and purchase items necessary for your health and comfort at home. A care advisor can help you plan a budget that meets your needs.
Who Is Eligible
If you’re an honorably discharged veteran who needs home health care and are enrolled in VA Health Care, you may be eligible for VD-HCBS. If you’re at risk for nursing home placement and want to remain at home and direct your own care, this program could help you obtain services and supports to continue living independently.
How to Get Started
You can reach out to the VD-HCBS program coordinator at (801) 582-1565 to learn more about the program. You can also request information through your local Area Agency on Aging.