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Care at home: help so a loved one can stay put
Most older people want to stay in their own home, and with the right help, many can. That help ranges from a few hours a week to daily hands-on care. Here's what's available, what it costs, and the one free call that opens most of it.
Last reviewed: August 7, 2026
The short version:
- In-home help runs from a companion or aide a few hours a week to daily personal care, plus therapy, meals, and rides.
- Medicare covers doctor-ordered skilled home health and therapy for a while, but not ongoing help with bathing, dressing, and daily living.
- For that day-to-day help, Medicaid can pay (and can even pay a family member), and you don't have to be on Medicaid to get help.
- Start with one free call to the Elder Helpline. It screens you and opens meals, aides, respite, and more.
What kind of help do you need?
Each of these will have its own guide with local providers and costs. We're building them now; in the meantime, the Elder Helpline can point you to any of them today.
In-home aides & caregivers
Help with bathing, dressing, meals, and daily tasks.
Physical & occupational therapy
Recover strength and stay steady at home.
Home-delivered meals
Meals on Wheels and other meal help.
Transportation & rides
Rides to appointments and errands, and who pays.
Respite & caregiver help
A break for you, and support to keep going.
Free Medicare counseling (SHINE)
Unbiased help understanding your plan and benefits.
What does Medicare cover at home?
If a doctor orders it and your parent is homebound, Medicare covers skilled home health for a while: part-time skilled nursing, and physical, occupational, or speech therapy, with a home health aide only alongside that skilled care. You usually pay nothing for covered home health. What Medicare does not cover is ongoing custodial care, the day-to-day help with bathing, dressing, meals, and company, when that's the only help needed. That's the gap the programs below fill.
Paying for it, and help if you're not on Medicaid
For ongoing personal care, Florida Medicaid long-term care can pay, and its participant-directed option can even pay a family member to provide it. But you don't have to be on Medicaid: the Elder Helpline connects anyone 60 and older to Older Americans Act services, in-home help, meals, and respite, often free or on a sliding fee, with no income test. Medicare Advantage extras, the VA, and nonprofits help too. See how to pay for care and help for caregivers.
Common questions
- Does Medicare pay for a home health aide?
- Only alongside doctor-ordered skilled care (nursing or therapy) while your parent is homebound. Medicare does not pay for ongoing help with bathing, dressing, or meals when that is the only care needed.
- Can I be paid to care for my parent at home?
- In some cases, yes, through Florida Medicaid long-term care's participant-directed option. See how to pay for care and the caregivers guide.
- What if we don't qualify for Medicaid?
- Call the Elder Helpline. Older Americans Act services, in-home help, meals, and respite, are open to anyone 60 and older, often free or on a sliding fee, with no income test.
Sources
- Medicare -- Home health services. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs -- programs & the Elder Helpline. https://elderaffairs.org/
- Administration for Community Living -- Older Americans Act services (no means test). https://acl.gov/about-acl/authorizing-statutes/older-americans-act