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    Find Home Health Aide

    Help at home. Many ways.

    Levels of care

    • Companion / homemaker — laundry, light cleaning, errands. $20-30/hr.
    • Personal care aide — bathing, dressing, mobility help. $25-35/hr.
    • Home health aide (HHA) — same + simple medical tasks (vitals, meds). $25-40/hr.
    • Certified nursing assistant (CNA) — more medical tasks. $30-45/hr.
    • Registered nurse (RN) — wound care, IV, complex meds. $80-120/hr.

    Agency vs private hire

    • Agency (Visiting Angels, Home Instead, BrightStar) — $30-45/hr. Background-checked. Backup if no-shows. Insured.
    • Private (Care.com, word of mouth) — $20-30/hr. You background-check + manage. Cheaper but more work.
    • Recommendation — agency for shorter-term post-surgery. Private for ongoing trusted relationship.

    Insurance coverage

    • Medicare — covers home health aide ONLY if homebound + need skilled nursing/PT too. Up to 60 days per spell.
    • Medicare Advantage — sometimes covers companion care.
    • Medicaid — covers more. State-by-state varies.
    • VA — covers for vets.
    • Long-term care insurance — main reason people buy it.
    • Most private-pay = out of pocket.

    Vet your aide

    • References — call 3.
    • Background check (agency does, you must for private).
    • Trial period — 1-2 weeks.
    • Family member present first few visits.
    • Lock up valuables / important papers.
    • Document everything in writing — schedule, duties, pay.
    • Camera (with consent) for peace of mind.

    Free / cheap respite + companion

    • Faith in Action / Stephen Ministry — volunteer companions through churches.
    • Senior Companion (AmeriCorps) — federal volunteer program.
    • Friendly Visitor programs through AAA.
    • VA respite programs.
    • Adult day care — $40-100/day vs $200+ private home care.

    Pay aide fairly

    Best home health aides last years if treated well. $25/hr + flexibility + holiday bonus + dignity = retention. Agencies often pay aides $15/hr + charge $35/hr — privately you save AND aide earns more.