Paying for In-Home Care
Home Care vs. Assisted Living: What Does It Really Cost?
Many families assume a move to assisted living is the more affordable choice. For most families, it isn’t. Assisted living charges a monthly rate whether your loved one needs a little help or a lot. With in-home care, you pay only for the hours of help you actually use.
Here’s how typical schedules compare, based on Arizona median costs:
| Care option | Typical schedule | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| In-home care | 3 visits a week, 4 hours each | about $2,000 |
| In-home care | 4 hours a day, weekdays | about $3,300 |
| In-home care | 6 hours a day, weekdays | about $4,900 |
| Assisted living | Private one-bedroom, base rate | about $6,200 |
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, Arizona medians. Assisted living costs often rise with added care-level and medication fees. Your actual cost depends on the schedule your family chooses.
The value goes beyond the price. Staying at home means:
- No move. Your loved one keeps their home, neighbors, routines and pets.
- One-on-one attention. Your caregiver focuses on one person, not a whole hallway of residents.
- Care that grows with you. Start with a few hours a week and add more only if needs change.
- Your home stays yours. The home stays in the family instead of being sold to pay for a facility.
Ways Families Pay for Care
Does Medicare Cover Home Care?
Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical home care, such as companionship, personal care, meal preparation or help around the house. Medicare may cover short-term skilled care ordered by a doctor, which is a different service from what we provide. We’re happy to help you sort out the difference.
Why Choose an Agency?
Hiring a caregiver privately can seem less expensive at first. When you work with Assisting Hands Home Care – Gilbert, you also get:
- Caregivers who are background checked, bonded, insured and trained before their first shift
- No payroll, taxes or workers’ compensation for your family to manage
- Backup coverage if your caregiver is sick or on vacation
- Ongoing supervision and care plan updates from our office
Let's Talk About Your Options
Every family’s situation is different. Call (602) 851-8128 or schedule your free in-home consultation. We’ll help you understand your choices and create a care plan that works.
