Which kind of care?
Home care, home health, assisted living, memory care or hospice: which does your parent need?
Short answer
Home care is non-medical help at home, usually paid privately. Home health is skilled medical care at home ordered by a doctor, usually covered by Medicare for people who qualify. Assisted living is a licensed community with 24-hour staff, mostly private pay. Memory care is assisted living for dementia. Hospice is comfort care for a terminal illness, usually covered by Medicare.
Side by side
| Type | What it is | Who it's for | Who usually pays | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home care | A caregiver comes to the home to help with bathing, dressing, meals, errands, companionship and supervision for memory loss. It is non-medical. | Someone who is safe at home but needs hands-on help or company, from a few hours a week up to 24/7. | Mostly families, out of pocket. Also long-term care insurance, VA Aid and Attendance, and Medicaid waiver programs for people who qualify. Medicare doesn't pay for it when it's the only care needed. | $35 an hour (U.S. median) |
| Home health | Skilled medical care at home ordered by a doctor: nurses and physical, occupational or speech therapists, often after a hospital stay. Visits are short and part-time. | Someone who is homebound and needs skilled care for a while. | Medicare, for people who qualify. You pay nothing for covered home health services. Medicaid and private insurance also cover it. | Usually $0 with Medicare if you qualify. |
| Assisted living | An apartment in a licensed community with meals, activities and help with daily tasks, with staff on site around the clock. | Someone who can't safely live alone but doesn't need nursing-home care. | Mostly private pay. Medicare doesn't pay for it. In Texas, the STAR+PLUS Medicaid waiver can pay for assisted living services for people who qualify. | $6,200 a month (U.S. median) |
| Memory care | Assisted living with a secured setting and staff trained in Alzheimer's and other dementias. In Texas, memory care is assisted living that holds a state Alzheimer's certification. | Someone with dementia who wanders, gets confused about time and place, or needs supervision all day. | Mostly private pay, plus long-term care insurance. Medicaid waivers may help in some states. | $6,200 a month (U.S. median) for assisted living; memory care not reported |
| Independent living | Senior apartments or communities with amenities and social life. Care is not included. | An active older adult who wants community and no home upkeep. | Private pay. | Cost not reported by CareScout. Ask each community. |
| Hospice | Comfort care for a terminal illness, usually at home, with a team that includes nurses, aides, social workers and chaplains. | Someone whose doctor certifies a life expectancy of 6 months or less and who chooses comfort care over treatment to cure. | Medicare Part A, for people who qualify. You pay nothing for hospice care from a Medicare-approved provider (small copays may apply for drugs and respite care). | Usually $0 with Medicare if you qualify. |
Costs where you live
Home care runs about $35 an hour nationally costs
Assisted living runs about $6,200 a month nationally costs
Not sure? Take the one-minute quiz
Common questions
What is the difference between home care and home health?
Home care is non-medical help with daily activities, usually paid privately. Home health is skilled medical care ordered by a doctor, usually covered by Medicare for people who are homebound and qualify.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living or home care?
No. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term or custodial care, including non-medical home care and assisted living. It covers home health and hospice for people who qualify.
Quick facts: Which kind of senior care does your parent need? A side-by-side comparison of who each is for, who pays and what it costs, plus a one-minute quiz.