What Is Non-Medical Home Care?

Non-medical home care provides practical assistance with everyday activities so individuals can maintain independence and continue living in their homes when appropriate.

Depending on the provider and the agreed care plan, services may include:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and personal routines.
• Meal preparation and help with household tasks.
• Companionship and social engagement.
• Light housekeeping and laundry.
• Medication reminders, where offered and permitted.
• Respite support for family caregivers.
• Help with everyday routines and maintaining a safer home environment.

Non-medical home care is different from skilled home health care, which may include nursing, rehabilitation, and other medically necessary services.

1. Paying for Home Care Privately

Private pay means using personal or household financial resources to pay for care. Families may use retirement income, pensions, savings, investments, or contributions from relatives.

Private-pay arrangements can offer flexibility in scheduling and choosing services, subject to the provider’s offerings, availability, and policies.

How can families manage the cost?

• Identify the daily activities that require the most assistance.
• Consider care during the hours when support is most needed.
• Coordinate caregiver visits with family support where practical.
• Set a monthly budget and review it regularly.
• Ask for a written estimate before services begin.

Ask providers about hourly rates, minimum shifts, weekend or holiday charges, payment schedules, and cancellation policies. Comparing the total expected monthly cost is more useful than comparing hourly prices alone.

2. Louisiana Medicaid Long-Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS)

Louisiana’s Long-Term Personal Care Services program, known as LT-PCS, provides assistance with specified activities of daily living for individuals who meet the program requirements.

Covered assistance may include bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, walking, and transferring. Certain related household tasks may also be covered under program rules.

Who may qualify?

Eligibility includes Medicaid enrollment, being at least 21 years old, meeting nursing-facility level-of-care criteria, needing assistance with at least one qualifying daily activity, and being able to direct care independently or through a responsible representative. Additional criteria apply.

Approval is not automatic. The state determines eligibility and applicable services. LT-PCS does not provide every type of home care, including companionship or sitter services.

3. Louisiana Community Choices Waiver (CCW)

The Community Choices Waiver is a Louisiana Medicaid home- and community-based services program for eligible individuals who meet its requirements. It is intended to support qualifying people who can receive approved services in their homes and communities.

Depending on the approved plan, services may include personal assistance, support coordination, caregiver respite, home-delivered meals, and other authorized supports.

How do families ask about the waiver?

Contact Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care to learn about the application process and Request for Services Registry. Eligibility, service authorization, and availability are determined under state rules. Some applicants may need to wait for an offer of services.

The waiver and LT-PCS are different programs, so ask which option may fit your loved one’s circumstances.

Read the official Community Choices Waiver information

4. Veterans Benefits and Aid and Attendance

Families caring for a veteran or an eligible surviving spouse may want to explore benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Qualifying individuals may be eligible for a VA pension benefit with an Aid and Attendance or Housebound increase. Eligibility depends on applicable military service, financial, and care requirements.

These benefits should not be assumed to cover every home care expense. Ask the VA how a benefit may be used and what documentation is required for your situation.

Explore VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits

5. Long-Term Care Insurance

Some long-term care insurance policies help pay for qualifying care at home. Coverage depends on the policy and the individual’s eligibility under its terms.

Before arranging services, ask the insurance company:

• Does the policy cover non-medical home care?
• What care needs must be documented?
• Is there an elimination period before benefits begin?
• Are there daily, monthly, or lifetime benefit limits?
• Must care be provided by an approved agency?
• Which services and caregiver arrangements are eligible?
• What forms and receipts are required for reimbursement?

Request written confirmation of coverage and provider requirements. Having a policy does not automatically mean that every service or agency will qualify for payment.

6. Does Medicare Pay for Home Care?

Medicare may cover certain medically necessary home health services when the person meets applicable medical and coverage requirements. However, Original Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing custodial care when help with personal activities is the only assistance needed.

For example, someone who needs regular help with bathing, dressing, meals, or companionship may need non-medical long-term care that Medicare does not cover.

Coverage can depend on the service, medical circumstances, and eligibility requirements. Contact Medicare or the person’s plan before relying on coverage.

Learn about Medicare and long-term care
Review Medicare’s home health services coverage

7. Create a Home Care Budget That Works for Your Family

Some families combine their own resources with benefits or insurance coverage. Any combination must follow the rules of each funding source, including restrictions on covered services and billing.

Start by answering these five questions:

1. What help is needed? Identify the daily activities that require assistance.
2. How much care is needed? Estimate the hours per day or week.
3. What funding may be available? Check benefits, insurance, and household resources.
4. What will the family pay? Identify uncovered services and other out-of-pocket expenses.
5. What could change? Consider how a change in care needs could affect the budget.

8. Home Care Resources for Washington Parish and St. Tammany Parish

Families in Washington Parish, including Bogalusa and surrounding communities, may be exploring ways to help an aging loved one remain at home. Families in St. Tammany Parish, including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, and Madisonville, may have similar questions about care schedules, costs, and financial assistance.

The following official resources are useful starting points. They provide information, but they do not guarantee eligibility or payment for any particular home care provider.

How to Choose the Right Payment Option

The right approach depends on your loved one’s care needs, finances, eligibility, and preferences. Before selecting a provider, ask:

• Does my loved one need non-medical personal care, skilled home health care, or both?
• Is my loved one enrolled in Louisiana Medicaid?
• Could LT-PCS or the Community Choices Waiver be appropriate?
• Is there a VA benefit or insurance policy worth reviewing?
• What can our family reasonably budget each month?
• What services would remain out-of-pocket?
• Does the provider meet the requirements of the intended funding source?

Take time to verify the details with the relevant program or insurer. This can help prevent unexpected costs and confusion after care begins.

9. Take the Next Step: Plan for Your Loved One’s Care

Understanding how to pay for home care is an important first step. The next step is exploring your budget and your loved one’s daily care needs. Ladner Caregivers offers two helpful starting points for families considering non-medical in-home support.