How much do you pay per hour for elder care?

[Anonymous]

Hi,
My name is Mey and I am a 58 years old paraplegic. My condition makes around the clock care necessary. My question is what is the hourly rate for elder care? Does insurance cover any of it?

[Anonymous]

In Maryland, there is a Community Waiver program that covers the cost of caregivers/aides to enable people to remain at home, versus reside in a long-term care facility. There is a waiting list for these services, and I’m not certain if there is a cap in the number of hours provided.

In terms of private insurance or Medicare - no, they do not pay for aides. Sometimes long-term care insurance covers a certain amount of care - you would have to check with your individual policy.

[Anonymous]

In Virginia there is a waiver called the C+++ Waiver which replaced the Elderly and Consumer Directed a@waiver and will cover direct personal care. However, the rate was just raised in our area of Virginia to about $12.70 an hour and somewhat higher in NOVA. However,, I pay $18 cash an hour for a college student to my daughter who has a disability to do fun things in the community without any personal care. In general, if one gets a waiver, I have heard you need to enhance it in some way to find and keep a reputable person. I would look into any waivers and then you would have an idea in terms of what you could afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Maryland, there is a Community Waiver program that covers the cost of caregivers/aides to enable people to remain at home, versus reside in a long-term care facility. There is a waiting list for these services, and I’m not certain if there is a cap in the number of hours provided.

In terms of private insurance or Medicare - no, they do not pay for aides. Sometimes long-term care insurance covers a certain amount of care - you would have to check with your individual policy.

This program you have to be in a nursing home and it’s minimal hours.

[Anonymous]

Insurance usually doesn't cover the cost of a home health aide and I think this is one reason people who have been in severe accidents will have to sue everybody and anybody in sight - the need help to pay for the long term care if they cannot manage things themselves.

I pay $25 to $28 an hour for a home health aide for my husband who helps him get dressed, groom and bathe, transfer from bed to wheelchair, and prepare meals. This is through an agency. The aide doesn't get that hourly rate. However going through an agency protects us from having to deal with unemployment insurance and workers comp or injuries to the aide on the job.