Average cost of in-home care in Pennsylvania
The 2025 CareScout (Genworth) Cost of Care Survey, the most widely cited national cost study, reports a median of $34 per hour for a non-medical home care worker in Pennsylvania. The national median is $35.[1]
| Type of care | PA median |
|---|---|
| Non-medical home care (homemaker / home care aide) | $34 per hour |
| Home care, 44 hours a week | $6,483 per month |
| Adult day health care | $117 per day |
| Assisted living | $6,480 per month |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $11,954 per month |
| Nursing home, private room | $13,688 per month |
The survey publishes state-level figures. Pittsburgh-area rates vary by agency and by how many hours you need. Shorter visits, overnights, weekends, and dementia care can be priced differently.
What drives the cost of home care
- Hours per week. Most families start with 12 to 20 hours and adjust.
- Level of care. Companionship and housekeeping are different from hands-on help with bathing, toileting, and transfers.
- Schedule. Overnights, live-in, and 24-hour coverage need more caregiver hours.
- Consistency. A steady schedule makes it easier to keep the same caregiver.
Does Medicare pay for in-home care?
Medicare pays for skilled home health visits when you are homebound and need part-time or intermittent skilled care. It does not pay for 24-hour care at home, homemaker services, or custodial personal care when that is the only care you need.[2] For most families, non-medical home care is paid another way.
Ways Pittsburgh families pay for home care
Pennsylvania Medicaid: Community HealthChoices (CHC)
CHC is Pennsylvania's managed long-term services program. It serves adults 21 and older who have both Medicare and Medicaid, or who receive long-term services and supports, and you apply through COMPASS.[3]
PA Department of Aging OPTIONS program
OPTIONS serves Pennsylvanians 60 and older with unmet needs that affect daily functioning. It can cover personal care, in-home meals, adult day, and care management. There are no income requirements, but a sliding-scale co-pay may apply.[4]
VA Aid and Attendance
Veterans and survivors who receive a VA pension may qualify for an added monthly amount if they need help with daily activities like bathing, feeding, and dressing, among other criteria.[5] See our veteran care page.
Long-term care insurance and private pay
Many families use long-term care insurance, savings, or a mix of family help and a few paid hours each week. Ask your policy carrier about the elimination period and documentation requirements.
Get a clear price for your situation
Trinity Home Care offers a free, no-obligation in-home assessment. We will recommend a schedule, explain the cost in writing, and help you plan around any benefits you may have. Call 412-345-3721 or request your assessment online.
Frequently asked questions
How much does in-home care cost per hour in Pennsylvania?
The 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey reports a Pennsylvania median of $34 per hour for a non-medical home care worker. Actual rates depend on the schedule and the level of care.
Is in-home care cheaper than a nursing home in PA?
For part-time needs, usually yes. The 2025 Pennsylvania median for a semi-private nursing home room was $11,954 per month, compared with $6,483 per month for 44 hours a week of home care. Around-the-clock home care can cost more than a nursing home.
Does Medicare pay for a home caregiver?
Not for non-medical care. Medicare covers skilled home health visits for homebound patients, but not custodial care, homemaker services, or 24-hour care at home.
Will Pennsylvania pay for in-home care for seniors?
Some seniors qualify through Community HealthChoices (Medicaid) or the PA Department of Aging OPTIONS program, which has no income requirement but may include a sliding-scale co-pay.
Sources
- CareScout (Genworth), Cost of Care Survey 2025 — Median Cost Data Tables (2026). Accessed November 2026.
- Medicare.gov, Home health services. Accessed November 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Community HealthChoices. Accessed November 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Apply for Help at Home (OPTIONS Program). Accessed November 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. Accessed November 2026.
- Alzheimer’s Association, 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures — Pennsylvania (2026). Accessed November 2026.
This guide is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Program rules and costs change; confirm details with the program or your care team.