Let’s first take a look at the nationwide cost of care, and then our costs.
What is the nationwide cost of care for the elderly?
The cost looks like this:
- The average daily rate for a private room at a nursing home in the Chicago area is $410, or $149,650 per year, according to Genworth.
- For a semi-private room in a nursing home in the Chicago area, the daily cost is $335, or $111,325 annually.
- Average daily rate for Assisted Living (pending level of care) is $231/day or $84,315 annually
- The average hourly rate in Chicago for home health aides is $35.00/hr, monthly average cost $6,578 or $78,936 annually. (rate depends on level of care)
- The national average rate for adult day care is $128/day. Cost would be $26,000 annually.
Agencies and caregivers prefer caring for individuals who have predictable and well-communicated needs.
What are the costs?
The cost of care is based on the projecting the needs of the patient. Fees assessed are also a direct reflection of:
- The exact wage paid to our caregiver.
- What benefits are given to the care staff, such as workers’ compensation and liability coverage.
- The experience of the caregiver as well as the ability to drive to do errands and escorting.
Most agencies have an activity fee-based schedule consisting of three different levels of care which is determined by the family, patient, and agency assessment. The more assistance with activities of daily living the caregiver is required to do, the higher the cost of care.
Live-in care is quoted based on daily care; however, the caregiver will likely be contracted to be available only one time per night.
“13 Hour Rule”
As a licensed agency we need to abide by the Department of Labor’s “13-Hour Rule.” That means that 13 hours is allocated as work hours, 8 hours for sleep time, five of which must be uninterrupted, and breaks of 3 hours for meals. (See also court ruling on New York Dept. of Labor “13 Hour Rule”.)
If an older adult is not sleeping through the night, more shifts of caregivers or care providers may be necessary. A patient getting up in the night on a consistent basis will require an “awake” shift caregiver.
If during the night the home service worker does not get reasonable periods of uninterrupted sleep totaling at least 5 hours, the interruption to sleep time must be paid at $35/hour for the hour sleep is disturbed. If a client is up multiple times throughout the night or all night providing services, the entire period (5 hours) must be counted as time spent working. (Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act 35Q, 36Q)
Best solution to multiple times getting up in the night is to hire an “Awake” shift caregiver that will be up during the night for 8 hours. An example would be 10 pm to 6 am to help as needed so that the primary caregiver can get their allotted 8 hours of sleep and at least 5 hours minimum of uninterrupted sleep.
I understand that looking for in-home care for your loved one isn’t just about numbers – it’s about finding peace of mind during a challenging time. And I know that when you see the typical costs in Chicago – $400-450 per day for live-in care. And hourly rates? They’re at $39-45/hr from most agencies – it can feel overwhelming and even discouraging.
That’s exactly why we created a different approach at Safe at Home Health Care. We believe every family deserves access to quality care, which is why we’ve thoughtfully structured our rates at $375-395 per day. This isn’t just about saving money – it’s about making sure you can provide sustainable, long-term care for someone you love.
Your family member deserves to be comfortable in their own home, surrounded by compassionate care they can trust. And you deserve to sleep well at night knowing you’ve made the best choice – both for your loved one’s care and your family’s financial wellbeing.
Let’s have a heart-to-heart conversation about finding the perfect care solution for your situation. We’re here to listen, understand your unique needs, and help create a care plan that feels right in every way.
Our Hourly Rates:
We offer three thoughtfully designed levels of care to match your loved one’s exact needs:
Companion Care – $35/hour Perfect for seniors who need friendly support and helping hands around the house. Includes: • Companionship and supervision • Meal preparation • Transportation to appointments • Light housekeeping and laundry • Medication reminders • Basic personal care assistance
Assisted Care – $37/hour Ideal for those needing more hands-on support with daily activities. Everything in Companion Care, plus: • Safe transfer assistance • Help with walking and movement • Personal hygiene assistance • Bathing and dressing support • Toileting and incontinence care
Complete Care – $39/hour Our most comprehensive care level, designed for those requiring full support. Includes all previous services, plus: • Specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care • Professional hospice support • Full assistance with all daily activities • Around-the-clock attention and care • Complete personal care support.
Caring for Both Parents at Home
When both parents are living at home, families often ask us a very practical question:
“Does having two parents who need help mean we’re paying for two caregivers?”
Not necessarily.
A common situation is that one parent needs hands-on personal care, while the other parent is still fairly independent but may benefit from supervision, medication reminders, meals, or having someone nearby for safety.
In this situation, we generally base the cost of care on the parent who requires the higher level of personal care. We don’t simply double the rate because there are two people in the home.
However, caring for a couple does create some additional responsibilities for the caregiver. There may be meals to prepare for two people, additional laundry, more household assistance, and another person to supervise and assist throughout the day.
Hourly Care for Couples
When one parent requires personal care and the other primarily needs supervision, companionship, or medication reminders, the minimum rate is $50 per hour.
The final rate is determined primarily by the care needs of the parent requiring the most hands-on assistance.
Live-In Care for Couples
For this same type of situation, live-in care is a minimum of $450 per day.
Live-in care can be a good option when both parents are generally sleeping through the night and the caregiver can receive the required nighttime rest.
What If Both Parents Need Help During the Night?
This is where the care plan may need to change.
For example, if one parent regularly needs assistance during the night and the other parent also wakes at different times needing help, it may no longer be appropriate for one live-in caregiver to manage both.
In that situation, we would typically recommend adding a separate overnight caregiver, such as a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. shift, so the live-in caregiver can get the rest needed to safely provide care during the day.
Overnight hourly care would be priced according to the level of care required, with a minimum of $50 per hour.
Our Goal Is to Keep the Care Plan Practical
Having two parents at home shouldn’t automatically mean paying twice as much for care.
We look at what each parent actually needs, identify which parent requires the higher level of personal care, and then build the care plan around the needs of the couple.
That allows us to provide the right amount of support without unnecessarily treating two parents as two completely separate care cases.
Short Visits — When Four Hours of Care Isn’t Necessary
Sometimes your loved one doesn’t need four hours of home care. They may simply need a little help at the beginning or end of the day.
That’s why we offer short Rise & Shine and Tuck-In visits for families who need a helping hand without committing to a traditional four-hour minimum.
Rise & Shine Visit
A caregiver can stop by in the morning to help your loved one get ready for the day. Depending on their needs, this may include assistance with dressing, personal care, breakfast, medication reminders, or simply making sure they are safely up and settled for the morning.
Tuck-In Visit
An evening visit can provide peace of mind that your loved one is safely settled for the night. A caregiver can assist with getting ready for bed, provide medication reminders, help with personal care, and make sure everything is in place before leaving.
Cost: $90 Per Visit
These visits typically last about 60 to 75 minutes.
You may notice that the cost per hour is higher than our longer shifts. There’s a practical reason for that. To attract and retain dependable caregivers who are willing to commute to a home for a short visit, we pay a higher hourly rate to make these assignments worthwhile.
Many home care agencies require a four-hour minimum, which can mean paying for more care than your loved one actually needs.
Our short-visit option gives families another choice: get the help you need, when you need it, without automatically paying for a four-hour shift.
Short visits are subject to caregiver availability and the specific care needs of your loved one.
A Smarter Family Partnership Idea
Looking for ways to make home care more affordable while keeping your loved one surrounded by family? Here’s a practical idea that many families are loving.
Imagine a mother of 11 kids whose adult children all want to help care for her—but they also have jobs and their own families. Full-time professional care felt too expensive, yet they needed reliable backup. That real-life situation inspired our Family Partnership Plan.
How It Works
You only pay for professional caregivers on about 15–16 days per month (roughly half the time). Your family handles the other days. It’s simple and flexible:
- Caregivers come 3 days a week while family covers the other 4, or
- Caregivers come 4 days a week while family covers the other 3.
We can also add a live-in caregiver for 3–4 days per month to give everyone a break and provide overnight support. This creates balanced, sustainable coverage without the cost of full-time care.
The Big Savings
National home care rates now average $33–$35 per hour. Traditional full-time care can easily cost $5,500–$6,500+ per month. With the Family Partnership Plan, you pay for only about half that time—potentially saving thousands every month while still getting consistent, professional help.
Why Families Choose This Plan
- Keeps family actively involved (which most loved ones prefer)
- Significantly lowers monthly home care costs
- Prevents family caregiver burnout with built-in professional support
- Flexible — adjust the schedule as needs change
If your family is willing and able to help, this hybrid approach offers the perfect balance of love, reliability, and affordability.
Thinking about affordable home care options? I’ll customize a plan that fits your family’s schedule and budget.
Home care costs vary by location. We provide transparent, personalized quotes.
Contact us!
Not sure which level is right for your situation? Let’s talk it through together – we’ll help you find the perfect match for your loved one’s needs.
Give us a call at (800) 480-4154. Or contact us by email.
