I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Carmel, IN
Carmel is an upscale suburb of 100,000 people in the northern reaches of the Indianapolis urban area. Almost 14% of the city’s residents are seniors aged 65 and over, a figure that’s expected to increase by 40% by 2030. The large and growing senior population of Carmel fuels a vibrant social scene for older adults that includes multiple senior centers, high-end shopping and entertainment complexes located near downtown and plenty of outdoor activities for active adults, such as golf and community fitness programs.
Carmel has a lot to offer seniors who like to get out and see unique attractions available nowhere else. Several local museums showcase the work of local craftsmen and artists, including miniature house builders, which is a popular local hobby. The city center boasts a water park that’s great for visiting grandchildren, while local dining offers all the sophistication of cities much larger than this bedroom community.
As urban as the town center is, the region around the residential neighborhoods is still half wild and full of interesting plants and animals you can see on a hike or bicycle trip. Jogging and bike trails crisscross the community, and outside of town several public paths accommodate casual strolls for adults of all mobility levels.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Carmel, IN
Home care in Carmel costs an average of $5,053 a month, according to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. Home health services are somewhat less expensive in town, costing an average of $4,957. These figures are averages, and they may change depending on the intensity of care you need to remain safely in your home.
Genworth’s figures for the average cost of home care per month are based on 44 hours of care a week. The monthly cost varies somewhat from the average depending on the number of hours of care you need each week. You can expect to pay an average hourly rate of $26.50 and $26 for home care and home health care services in Carmel.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Carmel’s monthly costs for home care and home health are near the high end of Indiana cities. The $5,053 and $4,957 a month seniors pay in Carmel are more than the $4,767 state average and more than the $4,957 and $5,148, respectively, that seniors pay nationwide. Prices are lower in Kokomo, at $4,576 a month for both types of care, and in Evansville, where costs average $4,290. Carmel is significantly less expensive than Fort Wayne, where costs average $5,339 a month for both home care and home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care and home health services can be an expensive senior living arrangement for many seniors. Depending on your needs, other types of living may be more affordable and appropriate. Adult day health care in Carmel, for example, costs an average of $1,625 a month, while assisted living averages $4,478. Nursing home care is more intensive and, as a consequence, more expensive. Seniors in Carmel pay an average of $7,057 a month for a semiprivate room in Carmel’s nursing homes.
Note: Data for Carmel was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Indianapolis, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Carmel, IN
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Carmel, IN.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Carmel, IN
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
What You Should Know
The PACE program offered statewide by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration helps seniors remain safely at home with a customized plan of care that addresses each of their needs. Experienced case managers working with the program bring together medical and social professionals to craft a plan for home visits, medication procurement, caregiver and respite care and other social and personal needs. PACE also provides referrals to local resources for occupational, physical and rehabilitation therapy. Seniors with mobility needs and disabilities can reach out through PACE to get durable medical supplies, including mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers. Assistance is also available to seniors who need home visits, light housekeeping help and limited transportation for personal trips in the local area.
When you apply to the PACE program, an appointment is set with an intake worker who will assess your needs. Program workers can go over the resources available to provide financial and social support for seniors living at home. There is no cost for a comprehensive needs assessment or for the referrals provided through PACE.
Who Is Eligible?
Indiana seniors may be eligible for PACE if they are 55 or over, live permanently within the state and meet the program’s financial eligibility standards. Your intake worker must also find that your needs can be adequately met with a home-care program.
How to Get Started
Seniors in the Indianapolis area, including Carmel, can schedule their initial appointment with a worker by calling PACE at (844) 817-7223.
Department of Health Care Coordination Program
What You Should Know
The Indiana Department of Health operates a care coordination program for seniors aging in place who need help staying connected to the community and remaining active. Services available through the program include help shopping for groceries, home safety inspections, and help scheduling social outings. Daily check-in service is also available to help you feel safe and connected to the rest of the community.
Who Is Eligible?
You might be eligible for the care coordination program if you are 55 or over, live in the state of Indiana and meet the program’s financial eligibility criteria. You are also required to apply for Medicaid through an authorized agency.
How to Get Started
To learn more about this program or to apply, you can call (800) 475-1355 and speak with a program specialist.
Way2Go Senior Transportation
What You Should Know
Way2Go helps seniors get around the Indianapolis area with on-request and disabled ride transportation services. Seniors enrolled in the program may request a door-to-door trip with at least 24 hours advance notice, with wheelchair assistance provided at no cost. Trips may be scheduled for medical, personal and social reasons, as well as for errands and scheduled daily or weekly trips to dialysis, church and other routine locations. A single caregiver may accompany you on each ride.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for Way2Go service if you are 55 and over, live in the greater Indianapolis region and meet the nonprofit organization’s income and eligibility guidelines. You must be able to enter and exit a mobility-equipped van safely and have no medical needs that require an ambulance or other more intensive level of transportation.
How to Get Started
To apply for the program and schedule a ride, you can call CICOA’s main number at (800) 432-2422.
Hamilton County Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
Hamilton County Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals to seniors located throughout the eight communities located around northern Indianapolis. Meals are prepared in a state-certified kitchen with guidance from registered dietitians and with input from physicians who are familiar with seniors’ dietary needs. Meals are delivered daily by volunteers, who also act as a check-in service for housebound seniors.
Who Is Eligible?
Meals on Wheels is open to any adult who cannot easily leave their home to shop, or whose age or disability makes preparing food difficult. No income restrictions exist, though seniors who can afford to are encouraged to pay a nominal fee for meals.
How to Get Started
To sign up and schedule regular meal deliveries, call (317) 776-7159 and speak with a program volunteer.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
What You Should Know
The Indiana IHSS program, provided by CICOA, connects seniors with limited mobility and ability to care for themselves with homemaker and personal care assistance. Caregivers are screened and trained by CICOA, and they may be anyone you choose, including family members, a spouse or a personal friend. Assistance includes help with activities of daily living, such as grooming, cooking, cleaning up and various chores, and funds are disbursed via your own authorization, which effectively makes you the caregiver’s employer.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible seniors in Carmel are age 65 or older, blind or disabled, and need assistance to safely live at home. You must also meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid or be receiving SSI benefits at the time of your application to qualify.
How to Get Started
You can apply for the IHSS program by calling CICOA’s main office in Indianapolis at (800) 432-2422. As part of the intake and authorization program, you will be asked for proof of financial eligibility and given a needs assessment, which may be done in your home by the intake worker.