How Much Help at Home Do You Actually Need?
It depends on what’s hard. Some people need a few hours a week of help with errands and meals; others need daily help with bathing and dressing, or someone there around the clock. At a national median of about $35 an hour, the cost of home care scales directly with the hours of help you need.
What does the range look like?
| Level of help | What it looks like | Hours / week | About / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| A little help | Check-ins, errands, meals | ~10 | ~$1,500 |
| Regular help | Daily visits, some personal care | ~20 | ~$3,000 |
| Close to full-time | Help most of the day | ~44 | ~$6,700 |
| Around the clock | Someone always there | 24/7 | Several times more |
Monthly figures are illustrative, calculated from the national median rate of about $35 an hour (CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey). Actual rates vary by location and provider.
How do needs change?
Help often starts small and grows. Planning for a range, not a single number, gives you room to adjust.
Are there alternatives to more hours at home?
Adult day programs offer daytime supervision and activities, often at a lower cost than equivalent hours of in-home care. Many families also mix paid help with family support.
When does long-term care insurance start paying?
Once you meet a benefit trigger, such as needing help with two of six daily activities. Lighter help earlier on, like errands or companionship, is usually paid out of pocket. Once benefits begin, the coverage we offer pays monthly cash you can put toward whatever hours you need. See What Happens When You File a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim?.
Staying Power is a licensed insurance agency that helps people plan for a range of help at home.
To see what care costs and how to fund it, get started. See also Questions to Ask Before Hiring In-Home Care.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know how much help is needed?
An aging life care professional or a home care agency can do an assessment.
Can insurance pay for part-time help?
Once you’re eligible for benefits, the coverage we offer pays monthly cash you can use for any number of hours.
Is live-in care priced differently than hourly care?
Often, yes. Some agencies offer live-in arrangements at different rates. Ask agencies directly.
