How to Estimate and Pay for In-Home Care
A clear-eyed look at how to estimate the cost of in-home care for a parent and which programs may, or may not, help pay for it.
Paying for care
Care costs add up quickly and vary widely. Start from your own quotes and hours, compare care at home with other options, and agree in writing how the family shares what is not covered.
Start here
- Estimate the weekly and monthly cost of care at home.
- Compare care at home, day care and residential care with your quotes.
- Agree a fair split of costs within the family.
Turn this into a plan
Add 7 ready-made tasks for this situation to a free care space, with sensible dates, reminders and room for the whole family.
Tools for this
Home care cost calculator
Estimate weekly, monthly and yearly costs of paid help at home from your own hourly rate and hours.
Care hours calculator
Estimate how many hours of help a day or week someone needs, based on everyday activities.
Care cost comparison calculator
Compare the monthly and yearly cost of home care, adult day care, assisted living and a care home using your own quotes.
Family care cost-sharing calculator
Divide the monthly cost of care fairly among siblings and relatives — equally, by income, or with credit for hours of hands-on care.
Printables for this
Read next
How Siblings Can Split a Parent's Care Costs Fairly
Practical, fair ways for brothers, sisters and other relatives to share the cost of a parent's care without damaging relationships.