Types of Home Care Services Explained

A complete guide to every type of home care — what each includes, who it is for, what it costs, and how to pay.

Updated April 2026 | CaringScout Editorial Team

Quick Summary

There are 6 main types of home care: personal care, companion care, skilled nursing, memory care, 24-hour/live-in care, and respite care. The right type depends on your loved one's medical needs, daily assistance requirements, and safety concerns. Costs range from $20/hr for companion care to $75/hr for skilled nursing.

Personal Care

Also known as: Home Health Aide Services, Custodial Care

What It Includes

Hands-on assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) — bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, and transfers. May include medication reminders and light housekeeping.

Best For

Seniors or adults who need physical help with daily routines but do not require medical procedures at home.

Typical Cost

$25–$35/hr

Insurance Coverage

Not covered by Medicare. May be covered by Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or VA benefits.

Companion Care

Also known as: Homemaker Services, Sitter Services

What It Includes

Non-medical support focused on companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, transportation, and social engagement. No hands-on personal care.

Best For

Seniors who are largely independent but need help with household tasks and benefit from regular social interaction to prevent isolation.

Typical Cost

$20–$28/hr

Insurance Coverage

Generally not covered by insurance. Private pay is most common.

Skilled Nursing

Also known as: Home Health Care, Private Duty Nursing

What It Includes

Medical care delivered at home by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Includes wound care, IV therapy, injections, catheter care, chronic disease management, and post-surgical monitoring.

Best For

Patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or requiring medical procedures that do not need a hospital setting.

Typical Cost

$35–$75/hr

Insurance Coverage

Medicare covers intermittent skilled nursing if ordered by a physician. Private duty nursing is usually private pay or long-term care insurance.

Memory Care

Also known as: Dementia Care, Alzheimer's Home Care

What It Includes

Specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Includes safety supervision, routine structuring, cognitive stimulation, wandering prevention, and behavioral management. Caregivers are specifically trained in dementia care techniques.

Best For

Individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, or other cognitive disorders who can still live at home with proper support.

Typical Cost

$28–$40/hr (10–20% premium over standard personal care)

Insurance Coverage

Rarely covered by Medicare. May be partially covered by Medicaid waivers or long-term care insurance with dementia riders.

24-Hour / Live-In Care

Also known as: Around-the-Clock Care, Overnight Care

What It Includes

Continuous care coverage, either through rotating 8–12 hour shifts (24-hour care) or a single caregiver who lives in the home (live-in care). Live-in caregivers typically sleep during the night; shift-based care provides awake caregivers around the clock.

Best For

Seniors who cannot safely be left alone due to fall risk, severe dementia, post-surgical needs, or end-of-life care. Also for families who want an alternative to assisted living.

Typical Cost

Live-in: $250–$350/day. Shift-based 24hr: $350–$550/day.

Insurance Coverage

Rarely covered in full. Long-term care insurance may cover a portion. Medicaid waivers in some states.

Respite Care

Also known as: Short-Term Care, Relief Care

What It Includes

Temporary professional care that gives family caregivers a break — from a few hours to several weeks. The respite caregiver takes over all duties the family member normally handles.

Best For

Family caregivers experiencing burnout, needing to travel, recovering from their own illness, or simply needing regular time off to maintain their own health and wellbeing.

Typical Cost

$25–$35/hr (same as personal care rates)

Insurance Coverage

Some Medicaid programs cover respite care. VA has a respite care benefit for veterans' caregivers. Some long-term care insurance policies include respite provisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Type	Medical?	Cost/hr	Medicare?
Personal Care	No	$25–$35	No
Companion Care	No	$20–$28	No
Skilled Nursing	Yes	$35–$75	Partial
Memory Care	No	$28–$40	No
24hr/Live-In	Varies	$250–$550/day	No
Respite Care	No	$25–$35	No

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between home care and home health care?

Home care (non-medical) provides help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals, and companionship. Home health care provides medical services like wound care, injections, and physical therapy by licensed nurses or therapists. Home health is typically covered by Medicare; non-medical home care usually is not.

What does a home health aide do?

A home health aide (HHA) helps with personal care tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and medication reminders. Some HHAs have additional certifications for specialized care like dementia or post-surgical recovery.

What is companion care?

Companion care provides non-medical support focused on social interaction and light assistance. Companions help with meal prep, errands, transportation to appointments, light housekeeping, and most importantly, provide companionship to reduce isolation. This is the most affordable type of home care.

When does someone need memory care at home?

Memory care at home is appropriate when a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia and can still live at home safely with supervision. Signs include wandering, forgetting to take medications, leaving stoves on, confusion about time or place, and difficulty with daily tasks they previously handled independently.

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