In-Home Care

What Is In-Home Care?

In-home care (also called home care or non-medical home care) sends a trained caregiver to your parent's home to help with everyday needs: bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation, and companionship. It lets seniors stay in familiar surroundings while getting the support they need. Care can be scheduled for a few hours a week or up to 24 hours a day.

In-home care is different from home health care, which is skilled, medically necessary care (nursing, physical therapy) usually ordered by a doctor and sometimes covered by Medicare for a limited time. Non-medical in-home care is generally private pay, though ALTCS and VA Aid & Attendance can help those who qualify.

Who It's For

In-home care fits seniors who:

• Want to stay in their own home as long as possible.
• Need help with some daily tasks but not full-time supervision.
• Have a safe, manageable home environment.
• Have family nearby to help coordinate care.
• Need companionship or respite support for a family caregiver.

If your parent needs many hours of help every day or 24-hour supervision, compare costs carefully — see in-home care vs. assisted living.

What It Costs in the East Valley

In-home care in the East Valley typically runs $30 to $40 per hour. A few hours a week is affordable, but costs add up fast: around-the-clock care can exceed $15,000 per month, and even 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, often runs $6,000–$8,000 monthly — more than assisted living. That crossover point is the key financial decision for many families.

In-Home Care vs. Alternatives

• In-home care vs. assisted living: Home care preserves independence and familiar surroundings but becomes expensive at high hours; assisted living bundles housing, meals, and 24-hour staff at a predictable monthly rate.
• In-home care vs. independent living: Independent living solves isolation and maintenance but not hands-on care; home care provides personal help at home.
• In-home care vs. memory care: Home care can support early dementia, but secured supervision at home is costly and hard to sustain as the disease advances.

Questions to Ask When Touring (or Hiring)

• Are caregivers employees who are bonded, insured, and background-checked?
• Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
• How do you handle caregiver no-shows or scheduling changes?
• What is the hourly rate, and does it change for nights, weekends, or holidays?
• Can you increase hours quickly if my parent's needs change?

How to Get Started

Deciding between in-home care and a move is one of the hardest calls families face. Our local advisors can walk you through the true costs of each and, if a community turns out to be the better fit, help you find one — free to your family. Request information to talk it through.

In-Home Care Costs by East Valley City (2026)

Figures are typical all-in monthly rates for 2026 compiled from current East Valley rate sheets and published cost surveys. See our East Valley Cost Report for how published sources compare, and request a free consultation for current rates at specific communities.