Many families want care that keeps a loved one safe and comfortable at home. At-home healthcare can include short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay or ongoing support with daily activities. This guide explains what healthcare at home looks like, how coverage works, and practical ways to pay for it, including using a life settlement to unlock value from an existing life insurance policy.
What At-Home Healthcare Means
At-home healthcare refers to services delivered where a person lives. It can be medical, non-medical, or a mix of both. These terms are easy to mix up, so here is a clear breakdown.
Medical home health (clinical care)
- Skilled nursing and wound care
- Medication management and infusions
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Medical social work and care-plan coordination
Medical home health usually follows a physician’s order. Medicare may cover part-time or intermittent skilled services for people who meet homebound and clinical criteria. Review eligibility and covered services at Medicare home health services.
Personal or custodial support at home
- Help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming
- Light housekeeping, meal preparation, and companionship
- Transportation to appointments and errands
If ongoing help with daily tasks is needed, see how non-medical support works and what to expect by exploring our overview of custodial care at home.
Who Benefits Most from Care at Home
- Older adults who want to stay independent with the right level of help. Most seniors prefer staying in their homes rather than moving to an assisted living or nursing home facility
- People who need skilled services part-time rather than around the clock
- Families who provide care and need added support or respite
- Anyone who recovers better in a familiar environment
As needs change, it helps to compare in-home services with other settings. For national context on facility care, see CDC FastStats on nursing home care.
For a simple overview of options, review our plain-language guide to senior care choices.
What Visits Look Like and How Care is Organized
A typical plan starts with an in-home assessment to review health conditions, mobility, medications, and goals. The care team then outlines the following.
- Services and visit frequency
- Safety recommendations for the home
- Roles for family caregivers
- Goals for function, comfort, and independence
For medical home health, a clinician coordinates with the physician and monitors progress. For custodial support, the agency sets a schedule that fits daily routines.
How to Choose a Reliable Provider
- Credentials and experience: Ask about licensing, background checks, supervision, and specialty programs.
- Care planning: Request a written plan with clear tasks and visit frequency.
- Communication: Confirm how updates are shared with family and physicians.
- Continuity: Ask how they reduce caregiver turnover and missed visits.
- Safety and quality: Learn about incident reporting and after-hours support.
To find agencies and programs in your area, use the Eldercare Locator.
Costs and How to Pay for Healthcare at Home
Costs vary by location, level of care, visit length, and whether services are medical or non-medical. Most families combine funding sources.
Common payers and resources
- Medicare: May cover part-time skilled home health when eligibility criteria are met.
- Medicaid: State programs may fund personal care or home health for eligible individuals.
- VA benefits: Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for home-based services or caregiver support.
- Long-term care insurance: Policies may reimburse for in-home custodial or skilled care, subject to elimination periods and daily caps.
- Private pay: Families often combine savings with part-time supports such as adult day programs.
- Life settlement: If you own a qualifying life insurance policy that you no longer need or cannot afford, selling the policy can provide a lump sum, often higher than the surrender value, to fund in-home care, respite, or equipment.
How a Life Settlement Fits Into the Plan
A life settlement turns the potential value of an existing life insurance policy into funds that can be used for care. It can be considered in the following situations.
- Premiums are difficult to maintain
- Beneficiaries are financially secure or have other resources
- The policy’s cash value or surrender value does not meet current needs
- Staying at home is a priority and requires sustainable support
What to expect: A life settlement professional reviews your policy details and eligibility, then requests medical records to evaluate potential offers. You can use funds for any purpose, including at-home support, family respite, or safety modifications.
When Home Care is Not Enough
If safety needs grow or 24-hour supervision becomes necessary, consider support outside the home. To compare settings, the National Institute on Aging explains key differences in assisted living and nursing homes.
- Adult day programs that provide daytime supervision, activities, and therapy while giving family caregivers a break
- Assisted living communities that combine housing, personal care, and social support when daily help is needed beyond a few hours per day
How Future Healthcare Technology is Elevating Care At Home
- Remote monitoring: Connected devices send readings to clinicians for early intervention.
- Telehealth visits: Video check-ins reduce travel and keep care plans on track.
- Medication management: Smart dispensers and reminders improve adherence.
- Safety and mobility: Fall detection, transfer aids, and home sensors help maintain independence.
Ask providers how they use these tools and how data is shared with your physician.
A Simple Step-by-Step Plan
- Clarify goals: Comfort at home, rehab after a hospital stay, or support for dementia care.
- List daily needs: Note mobility, bathing, dressing, meals, and medication tasks.
- Check coverage: Confirm Medicare home health eligibility and any long-term care insurance benefits.
- Compare agencies: Build a shortlist using local resources, then review quality ratings with Medicare Care Compare (nursing homes) if a facility becomes necessary.
- Set a budget: Estimate weekly hours and equipment needs.
- Explore funding: Consider VA programs, Medicaid waivers, and whether a life settlement could support sustainable care at home.
- Start small, then adjust: Pilot a schedule, track how it works, and increase or reduce hours as needs change.
Conclusion
At-home healthcare keeps care personal and centered on daily life. Begin by clarifying goals, confirming what Medicare or insurance may cover, and building a budget that fits your needs.
If you own a life insurance policy and want to explore additional funding, a life settlement can provide resources that support care at home. Request a free policy estimate to see what your policy may be worth for care at home.
