Senior in home care is for seniors who need nursing services and/or assistance doing household chores like cooking, personal care but who want to remain in their homes. These seniors may start off aging in place or living in retirement communities, but as they get older require more help. Some assistance in home care is occasional, several times a week for an hour each time, for example, while other in-home assisted living services provide home health aides 24/7. 

To get elderly in home care, you will need to contact, interview and hire an external home health care agency.  The easiest way to find elder care in your area is to use the Eldercare Locator, a free resource provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging. You can search online or by calling 1-800-677-1116.

Depending on the level and frequency of care required, the cost may be significant. Most home health care is private pay, but there are some government programs that offer assistance, including Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

PACE is designed to keep seniors 55 and older covered by Medicare or Medicaid out of nursing homes by covering in home care, adult day care, checkups and other services. 

Hospice

Seniors at the end of life stage can get assistance in home care through their local hospice agency. Hospice is suitable for individuals diagnosed with a late stage chronic illness who want care to treat their symptoms rather than trying to cure their disease.

Hospice care focuses on services like pain management and personal care to make them as comfortable as possible and may also offer emotional and spiritual support.