Will Medicare Cover In-Home Care?

If you’ve ever tried figuring out what Medicare actually covers, welcome to the club. The websites are filled with big words, and even when you finally get through on the phone, the answers feel... fuzzy.

When I was caring for my dad, I needed help. Real help. He was on Medicare and didn’t qualify for anything else, which meant the only option left was paying out of pocket.

He needed to be monitored 24/7 — he would wander if he weren’t being watched.

Eventually, he needed help with everything: bathing, meal prep, remembering when to sleep. And I was doing it all. Alone.

This was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so even the limited support that might have been available wasn’t really accessible.

No nurses. No agencies. No direction.

Just me and what I could find on Google at 2 a.m. while falling apart.

Here’s what I wish someone told me straight:

Medicare usually does NOT pay for a long-term home aide, like someone who helps with bathing, dressing, meals, or watching over your parent.

What it does cover is short-term help if there’s a medical reason:

• After a hospital stay

• If a nurse or physical therapist is needed

So, if your parent just needs help with daily stuff?

Medicare probably won’t cover that.

Medicaid, on the other hand, sometimes does — but only in certain states and only if your parent qualifies.

I was shocked when I learned it could cost up to $45 per hour out of pocket to get someone in my home to help! No one tells you that until it’s already too late.

This is why many people, especially women, end up having to leave their jobs to become full-time caregivers. Not because they want to, but because the system gives them no other choice.

Eventually, I had to get an attorney to figure out what we could do. I was lucky — we had the means to do that. But there are a lot of people who don’t.

So what CAN you do?

Become resourceful and never stop asking questions. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Find your local Area Agency on Aging. Google "[your county] Area Agency on Aging" — they’re a free resource that can walk you through available services in your area. But be prepared: wait times can be long, websites might be outdated, and sometimes it takes a few tries to get someone helpful on the phone. Be patient and persistent.

2. Call your state’s Medicaid office. Even if your parent doesn't have Medicaid yet, they may be eligible. Ask if your state offers any waiver programs that support family caregivers. Heads up: You may be transferred multiple times, and some reps might not have clear answers. Write down names, dates, and what you’re told so you can follow up or push back if needed.

3. Write down what you do each day. Start a simple log of the tasks you handle — meals, medications, mobility help. This list can help you advocate for services or support when speaking to professionals. It’s also a reality check that reminds you just how much you’re doing — and why you deserve support.

   
   

You're not powerless. The system is messy, but you're not alone in it — and there are paths forward, even if they take a little digging and a lot of patience.

📥 Need more help? Download my free "Caregiver Companion" — a simple guide packed with the basics I wish someone had handed me on day one. It includes daily care logs, self-care reflections, and resource checklists to keep you steady.

👉 Download the Caregiver Companion here