Deciding to hire home care involves many factors, with cost being one of the most significant. This guide explains the elements that influence in-home care pricing and provides an overview of average costs in Portland.
We also cover how to pay for these services and compare home care to other senior living options.
TL;DR: We surveyed 35 local home care companies in Portland and found the average cost for in-home care is $43 per hour.
How Much Does Home Care Cost?
Home care isn’t a fixed-price service. Costs vary depending on the type and level of care needed and the recipient’s financial circumstances. An exact estimate can only be provided after assessing the individual’s care needs and creating a tailored care plan.
Average In-Home Care Costs in Portland
Our team surveyed 35 local in-home care agencies in Portland and found the average hourly rate to be $43. The lowest quoted rate was $38 per hour, while the highest was $52. For more complex cases, rates ranged from $40 to $52 per hour, reflecting the intensive level of care required.
Portland remains one of the more affordable areas in Oregon for home care, with hourly rates that align with or are below the national average.
We are often asked, “How much does 24/7 in-home care cost per month?” If we do the math according to our local survey, a client needing around-the-clock care would be paying about $31,000 monthly. This does not account for the uplifts charged by many agencies, which can significantly increase the cost.
It is important to consider that most round-the-clock care is temporary in nature, as people come home from surgery or are in the healing process. Moving someone to an assisted living facility or an adult care home is often a permanent decision.
How Select Home Care Differs: Many agencies charge an uplift for nights and weekends. Select Home Care does not charge an extra fee for these hours, and in many cases, our clients may qualify for a discounted night shift rate based on their care needs and assessment.
Comparing Home Care Costs to Other Senior Living Options
To provide a broader perspective, here are the average monthly costs of other senior living options in Portland. We included the cost of nursing facilities as reported by the Genworth Cost of Care Calculator.
According to Bess Lindahl, Owner of Care and Keeping, the average cost of LTC in Oregon in 2023 was $10,342.
We appreciate Bess sharing the average monthly costs for the following senior care options in Portland:
| Type of Senior Care in Portland, OR | Cost in dollars per month | In-Home Care Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement (Independent) Living | $3,900 per month* | ~23 hours per week (1:1 care) – 4+ HR/Day 5 Days/Week |
| Assisted Living (with Moderate Care) | $7,500 per month* | ~44 hours per week (1:1 care) – 6+ HR/Day 7 Days/Week |
| Adult Care Home (with Moderate Care) | $7,500 per month* | ~44 hours per week (1:1 care) – 6+ HR/Day 7 Days/Week |
| Memory Care | $6,500 – $9,500 per month* | ~47 hours per week (1:1 care) – 7 HR/Day 7 Days/Week |
| Semi-Private Room in a Nursing Facility | $15,024 per month | ~87 hours per week (1:1 care) – 12.5 HR/Day 7 Days/Week |
| *Prices are average monthly base costs |
Compared to these options, in-home care can be a more flexible and cost-effective option, especially considering that care needs may decrease over time after recovering from a surgical procedure or other hospitalization.
How Select Home Care Differs: We strive to work with families to ensure they receive care when it’s needed, not based on a set of pre-existing time slots. Some agencies require care to fit into time slots that work with their staffing plans, which we understand, given the complexities of scheduling. Despite the additional workload that may be required, we strive to provide care when care is needed.
Factors Influencing Home Care Costs
Here are the main factors that affect home care costs:
Type of Care Needed
Home care services range from general to specialized care, each varying in cost.
- Companion Care: Offers general services to help seniors and disabled adults with daily tasks. Common services include:
- Light Housekeeping (dusting, laundry, fridge cleaning)
- Meal Preparation (planning, cooking, cleanup)
- Transportation (errands, doctor’s appointments)
- Special Diets (adjusting to dietary needs)
- Pet Care (feeding, walking, litter maintenance)
- Sitter Shifts (supporting transitions from medical facilities)
- Errands and Shopping (assistance or accompaniment)
This type of care is usually the most affordable as it focuses on basic assistance.
- Personal Care: Caters to adults and elderly individuals with chronic health conditions, mobility issues, or physical disabilities. It offers more specialized services, including:
- Dressing and Grooming
- Bathing Assistance
- Memory Care Support (engaging activities, redirection)
- Exercise Assistance
- Transfer Assistance and Fall Prevention
- Vital Sign Monitoring
- In-Home Safety Assessment
- Respite Support (temporary care for family caregivers)
*Personal care costs slightly more than companion care due to its specialized nature. In our surveys, we did not find a significant difference in the pricing structure.
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care: Involves specialized support for those with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or Parkinson’s.
- Respite Care: Short-term care allows family caregivers to take time off. Costs depend on the type of care required, whether personal, companion, or specialized.
- Complex Care: For individuals with advanced conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), requiring high-level services from experienced caregivers or registered nurses. It includes:
- Medication Management and Administration
- Nursing Services
- Hospice Assistance
- Nurse Delegation and Consults
*Due to the intensive or short-term nature of this care, it can sometimes carry a higher cost.
How Select Home Care Differs: Many agencies charge an uplift for medication administration or dementia care, often charging $2-4 per hour over their base rate. Select Home Care charges a flat monthly rate for medication administration or other oversight. This includes RN oversight, ensuring safe administration of more complex care.
- Overnight Care: Involves night-time support. Pricing varies based on the approach:
- Hourly Awake Care: Caregivers stay up for clients with intensive needs throughout the night.
*Overnight care typically costs more than daytime services.
How Select Home Care Differs: Many agencies also charge an hourly uplift for nights and weekends. Select Home Care does not charge an uplift for these hours, and in fact, in many cases our clients may qualify for a discounted night shift rate based on the care needs/assessment.
Location
Home care costs can vary depending on the region. Caregiver services are often pricier in areas with a higher cost of living. For example, care costs in California generally exceed those in Louisiana.
In Portland, the average hourly rate is either equal to or lower than the national average, making it a cost-effective choice for retirees.
Duration of Care
The length of the service period and the duration of visits also affect costs.
- Hourly Care: Suitable for clients with less demanding care needs. It is cost-effective for occasional visits but can become more expensive with frequent or long-term visits.
- Shift-Based Care: Offers better savings, especially for clients requiring prolonged care, such as those with Alzheimer’s or complex care needs. Shifts can range from 3 to 12 hours.
- Overnight Care: For most surveyed agencies, costs are higher than daytime services.
- 24/7 Care: This option can make sense for those who want to remain in their home or are on hospice, and comfort is the primary factor. Other considerations are short-term around the clock care after coming home from the hospital or recovering from a procedure. We also see families wanting to “spend down” their funds to qualify for Medicaid, and others that simply require this level of care and comfort, or have long-term care (LTC) insurance. It is wise to work with your financial planner or advisor to consider any tax deductions or potential reverse mortgage options to help pay for this level of care, as it can be more expensive than other options.
Type of Caregiver
Choosing between a home care agency or an independent provider affects costs. While independent providers may seem less expensive, additional costs (e.g., taxes, insurance) often bring the total closer to agency rates.
Agencies also offer greater flexibility in availability, expertise, and caregiver selection.
Who Pays for Home Care Services?
Understanding payment options can help make home care more accessible:
- Insurance: Some insurance policies cover home care; confirm coverage with your provider.
- Long-term Care Insurance (LTCI): Covers chronic conditions or disabilities.
- Workers’ Compensation: Covers home care if injuries or disabilities result from job-related incidents.
- Private Insurance and Medicare: Private insurance rarely covers home care, while Medicare only covers doctor-prescribed home health care.
- Private Funding: Out-of-pocket payments are accepted with no eligibility requirements.
- Veterans’ Aid & Attendance: Offers senior veterans and their spouses benefits to help with home care costs.
Home care costs vary based on service type, duration, location, and caregiver selection. For a personalized care plan and accurate quote, contact Select Home Care Portland today to set up a free consultation and assessment.