In-Home Personal Care
What it is
Personal care agencies send trained caregivers, not nurses. They help with the everyday tasks that get hard with age, illness or disability. In Utah, personal care agencies are licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Personal care is different from home health. Home health is skilled nursing and therapy ordered by a doctor and usually paid by Medicare. Personal care is help with daily living, and Medicare does not pay for it on its own.
Good to know
- Most families pay privately by the hour; many agencies have a minimum number of hours per visit.
- Long-term care insurance often pays for personal care. Check the policy for the elimination period.
- Utah Medicaid waivers, such as the New Choices Waiver and the Aging Waiver, can cover in-home help for people who qualify.
- Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance to help pay for care at home.
