For families in our service areas
For families in our service areas, this guide explains home care and how non-medical in-home caregiving can support care planning in East Idaho, Treasure Valley & Magic Valley, Northern Wasatch, North Central West Virginia, and Northeast Ohio.
Quick Answer
Using CareScout's 2025 national median of $35/hr for non-medical caregiver services, continuous one-on-one home care can cost about $840 per day before any premiums. CareScout's same release reported a $315/day national median for a semi-private nursing home room. That means 24/7 home care is often more expensive than facility care, but it may still be worth considering when the family values home, one-on-one attention, short-term recovery, or avoiding a facility move.
Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Simple cost math | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 home care at $35/hr | 24 x $35 = $840/day | One-on-one support at home can be costly at full-time levels. |
| Semi-private nursing home benchmark | CareScout reported $315/day nationally | Facility care may be less expensive when supervision is needed all day. |
| Happy to Help at $28-$36/hr | 24 hours would be $672-$864/day before any special terms | Flexible short shifts may be the better cost-control use case. |
| Targeted daily support | 2 to 6 hours/day | Often the best first step before full 24/7 care. |
When 24/7 Home Care Makes Sense
- Short-term recovery after a hospital, rehab, or surgery discharge.
- Dementia supervision when home remains safe and family wants one-on-one support.
- End-of-life or palliative support layered around clinical teams.
- Family relief during a crisis while a longer-term plan is decided.
When a Nursing Home May Be Safer
- Skilled nursing needs are continuous or complex.
- The person cannot be safely transferred or supervised at home.
- The home cannot be modified quickly enough.
- The budget cannot support continuous private-duty shifts.
Happy to Help Facts Used
- Happy to Help is a non-medical in-home care agency.
- Repo-backed public differentiators include $28-$36/hr, no minimum hours, no long-term contracts, flexible scheduling, companion care, respite care, meal preparation, veteran home care, personal care, and post-hospital support.
- Active public service areas include East Idaho, Treasure Valley and Magic Valley, Northern Wasatch, North Central West Virginia, and Northeast Ohio.
Sources Checked
Last fact-checked: May 18, 2026.
- CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey release
- Happy to Help services
- Medicare home health services
- Comfort Keepers 24-hour care
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24-hour home care cheaper than a nursing home?
Usually not when care is truly continuous. At a $35/hr benchmark, 24/7 home care is about $840/day, which is above CareScout's reported $315/day national median for a semi-private nursing home room.
Can home care be cheaper if we do not need 24/7 help?
Yes. Targeted shifts for bathing, meals, mobility, respite, or evenings can cost far less than full-time care.
Does Medicare cover 24-hour home care?
Medicare says it does not cover 24-hour-a-day care at home.