Home Instead Senior Care

History and Background

Paul and Lori Hogan founded Home Instead in Omaha, Nebraska in 1994. Their immediate purpose was to help their family’s ailing matriarch, Grandma Manhart, age well at home. They also wanted to ease their own family’s caregiving struggles. Nearly 30 years after the couple’s founding, their original business venture has evolved into a franchise-based global home care network. In August 2021, it was acquired by Honor Technology, a leading technology and operations platform. The combined organization represents over $2.1 billion in home care services revenue. As such, it is the largest player in the projected $500 billion home care industry.1

Home Instead’s core mission has remained the same throughout it all: to provide compassionate care and improve the quality of life for aging adults and their families.

Home Care Services Offered

Home Instead’s caregivers provide home care services ranging from personal care and help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing and grooming, meal prep, light housekeeping, transportation, and companionship.

Home Instead’s customized – or “person-centered” – approach means that each of their professional CAREGivers is carefully matched with a senior based on their level of need. All CAREgivers are also given a comprehensive background check and undergo ongoing services training. Customer reviews state that the caregivers are reliable, kind, and provide excellent care.

Home Instead services; source: https://www.homeinstead.com/home-care-services/

Specialized Care

In addition to the services above, Home Instead CAREGivers offer more specialized support for seniors experiencing chronic conditions and other medical issues. When it comes to memory loss as a result of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, their caregivers are specially trained using a one-of-a-kind protocol. This program, called Person-Centered Care Training for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias*, follows guidelines recommended by the Alzheimer’s Association to help individuals with cognitive conditions. Following this evaluation, CAREGivers develop a personalized plan to ease associated symptoms and improve quality of life.

They can also offer support for seniors suffering from other ailments, including heart disease and stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and weight-related issues.

*Note: While the program is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s not considered an endorsement.

Home Care Technology

Home Instead has the solid backing of Honor Technology, billed as “the world’s largest senior care network and technology platform.” It’s no surprise that Home Instead makes good use of the latest innovations – all while ensuring that face-to-face interaction remains at the forefront.

Among their core technology-enabled tools is a virtual portal that allows family members and caregivers to safely and securely arrange, track, and manage seniors’ care. Specifically, the web-based system allows family members to coordinate loved ones’ care with office staff, view upcoming schedules, add care notes, and review invoices. Combined with in-person visits, Home Instead’s care technology is designed to enhance communication with everyone involved with the senior’s care. This increases the loved one’s sense of comfort and well-being while bringing peace of mind to family members.

Home care technology; Source: https://www.homeinstead.com/home-care-services/

Finding Care

The process for getting started with Home Instead is pretty straightforward. Simply find a representative in your local area by visiting their website or calling 402-205-8492 within the U.S. (International callers can contact 888-331-3242.) From there, you can request an in-home consultation. During the initial free Care Consult visit, you can discuss your or your loved one’s specific care needs, service options, and related costs and payment details. Home Instead then matches you with a personal caregiver trained in the skills you need. This can range from hourly care for basic chores to around-the-clock service for hospice support.

Home Instead In-Home Care Costs

Home Instead costs vary depending on need, the amount of care, and location. While cost is only one factor when considering home care, it’s still significant. Fortunately, Home Instead offers personalized plans that are tailor-made and designed to fit most budgets and lifestyles. Ultimately though, it’s the quality and availability of services, among other factors, that should guide your decision about what's best for you or your family member’s unique situation.

Home Instead cites the Genworth Cost of Care Survey on its website to give readers an idea of median national costs for care. For a senior care cost comparison of estimated median national costs, see the breakdown below:

• In-home care: $5,892 to $6,481 per month
• Assisted living facility: $5,511 per month
• Nursing homes: $8,929 to $10,025 per month

Just remember that rates will vary for each Home Instead franchise. Some other companies, like Bickford Senior Living, advertise prices online, but Home Instead does not. Home Instead recommends contacting your local Home Instead office for a more accurate cost estimate.

How to Pay for Home Instead

Some common ways to pay for Home Instead at-home senior care include self-pay and long-term care insurance. Coverage will vary depending on your insurer. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for at-home 24-hour care; nor does it pay for personal or homemaker services (i.e., shopping/laundry) if that’s the only care needed. However, Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B may allow for certain home health medical services. In-home services may also be covered through your state’s regular Medicaid plan plus through Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waivers or Section 1115 demonstration waivers. Military personnel can apply for veteran assistance. For eligible families, Home Instead offers grants to cover in-home care costs for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Home Instead Locations

There are roughly 1,200-plus Home Instead locations in 14 countries – 600 of which are based in the U.S. alone. Home Instead provides services in all fifty states, so they may offer a home care office near you. We appreciate the company’s widespread availability, as other companies, such as Oakmont Senior Living have limited availability in select states. To find a franchise in your area, go to their website and type in your postal code or city/state under the locations tab.

Final Thoughts on Home Instead

Home Instead is a franchise-based network of more than 1,200 locations worldwide. While reports of client satisfaction can be inconsistent – and largely dependent on location – it generally has a well-regarded reputation for having dependable, skilled, and compassionate caregivers. Throughout nearly three decades, the company has evolved from a single family-owned business to a leading force within the senior in-home care industry. Backed by the latest technological innovations, the company remains at the forefront by developing tools to keep at-home seniors, their families, and caregivers connected and engaged. With its specialized support offerings and suitable pricing that fits most budgets, Home Instead will allow you or your loved one the comfort and peace of mind to age safely at home.