In-Home Care

What in-home care provides

In-home care, also called non-medical home care, brings a paid caregiver to a person's home. Services may include bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, and supervision. The agreed care plan, schedule, and caregiver's permitted duties determine what is actually provided.

This is different from home health care, which provides skilled, medically necessary services such as nursing or therapy under a clinical plan. Medicare may cover qualifying home health services, but it does not generally pay for ongoing custodial care or 24-hour care at home. Non-medical care is usually private pay, although ALTCS and VA Aid & Attendance may help people who meet their respective rules.

When it may be a good fit

Consider in-home care when your family member:

• Wants to stay in their own home as long as possible.
• Needs help during predictable parts of the day.
• Has a safe, manageable home environment.
• Has someone who can coordinate schedules and respond when a caregiver is absent.
• Needs companionship or respite support for a family caregiver.

If supervision is needed at all times, plan for overnight coverage, call-outs, and care coordination—not just daytime hours. See in-home care vs. assisted living for a full comparison.

What it costs in the East Valley

In-home care in the East Valley typically costs $30 to $40 per hour. At those rates, eight hours a day, seven days a week often costs $6,000 to $8,000 per month, and around-the-clock care can exceed $15,000 per month. Actual totals depend on the contracted rate, hours, overtime, minimum shifts, and night, weekend, or holiday premiums.

Do not compare the home-care bill with community rent alone. Include housing, food, utilities, maintenance, transportation, equipment, and unpaid family time on the home side; use the assessed all-in quote on the community side.

How it differs from other care

• Assisted living combines housing, meals, and personal care; home care keeps the current residence and is usually billed by time.
• Independent living offers housing and amenities without routine hands-on care. Outside caregivers may be allowed under community rules.
• Memory care offers a secured dementia setting. Home care may support a person with dementia, but the safety plan and coverage must match the person's risks.

Questions to ask an agency

• Are caregivers employees or contractors, and who handles payroll, insurance, and supervision?
• What background checks, training, and competency checks do you require?
• Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
• What backup do you provide for call-outs or missed shifts?
• What is the hourly rate, and does it change for nights, weekends, or holidays?
• Which tasks can caregivers perform, and which require a nurse or another licensed professional?

Compare home care with a move

Write down the hours of coverage needed for a typical week, including nights and weekends, then request written agency quotes. If you also want community options, we can identify matching partner communities. Families do not pay for our placement service; a participating community may pay us a referral fee after a successful move. Request information to compare the options.

In-Home Care costs by East Valley city (2026)

Figures are typical 2026 hourly rates 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.