Comfort Keepers is a private home care company, not a government program
Comfort Keepers is a for-profit home care agency that sends caregivers to your home to help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. It is not a government benefit or insurance program — you pay out of pocket, through private insurance, or sometimes through long-term care insurance if your policy covers it. The company operates in most U.S. states through a franchise model, meaning each location is independently owned but follows Comfort Keepers' standards and training.
If you are looking for paid home care and have the means to pay for it directly, Comfort Keepers is one option to research. If you need financial help paying for home care, you would look instead at Medicaid, Medicare, or Veterans benefits — programs that may cover some or all of the cost depending on your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Comfort Keepers is a private company you pay directly, not a government program that covers costs.
- Services include personal care (bathing, dressing), meal prep, light cleaning, and companionship, with hours ranging from a few hours per week to live-in care.
- Cost varies by location and the type of care you need, but is typically higher than government-funded alternatives because you are paying a private business.
- To use Comfort Keepers, you contact the local franchise office, describe your needs, and arrange a care plan and payment method directly with them.
- If cost is a barrier, explore whether Medicare, Medicaid, or your state's aging services can cover home care through public programs instead.
What services Comfort Keepers actually provides
Comfort Keepers caregivers perform personal care — helping you bathe, dress, groom, and use the bathroom. They also handle instrumental activities of daily living, which means meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, and grocery shopping. Many locations offer companionship and transportation to appointments or outings. Some provide specialized care like medication reminders or post-recovery information after surgery or hospitalization.
The company does not provide skilled nursing care — that is, wound care, injections, catheter management, or other medical tasks that require a licensed nurse. If you need skilled nursing, you would hire a home health agency (which may be covered by Medicare) rather than Comfort Keepers. Some people use both: a home health nurse a few times per week for medical needs, and Comfort Keepers for daily personal care and household help.
Hours are flexible. You can arrange care for a few hours per week, several days per week, or around-the-clock live-in care. The caregiver assigned to you may be the same person each time (continuity) or may vary depending on the franchise's staffing.
How much Comfort Keepers costs and what affects the price
Comfort Keepers does not publish a single national rate. Cost depends on your location (urban areas are typically more expensive), the type of care you need, the hours you require, and whether you want the same caregiver consistently. A typical range is $15 to $25 per hour for basic personal care in many markets, but some locations charge more, and live-in care is priced differently — often as a daily or weekly rate rather than hourly.
To get an actual price, you contact the Comfort Keepers office in your area, describe your situation, and they provide a quote. There is usually no charge for this initial assessment. Some franchises offer a trial period or first-visit discount, but this varies by location.
If you have long-term care insurance, check your policy to see whether it covers non-medical home care. Some policies do; others cover only skilled nursing or facility care. If you have coverage, Comfort Keepers can often bill your insurer directly, though you may still owe a copay or deductible.
How to contact Comfort Keepers and set up care
Start by visiting the Comfort Keepers website and using their location finder to identify the franchise office serving your area. Call that office directly — do not go through a national call center, as local franchises handle their own scheduling and pricing. Be ready to describe who needs care, what tasks they need help with, how many hours per week, and whether you have a preference for a specific caregiver.
The franchise will schedule an in-home assessment, usually at no cost. A representative visits, observes your home and the person needing care, and discusses your routine, preferences, and any safety concerns. They then propose a care plan, introduce you to a caregiver or caregivers, and explain payment options. Most franchises accept credit card, check, or automatic bank transfer. Some accept private insurance; very few accept Medicaid (see below).
Once you agree to the plan, care typically begins within a few days to a week, depending on caregiver availability. You can adjust the schedule or caregiver at any time by contacting the office.
When Comfort Keepers might not be the right fit
If you cannot afford to pay out of pocket and do not have long-term care insurance, Comfort Keepers is not a realistic option. In that case, contact your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center or your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about Medicaid home care, Medicare home health, or other publicly funded programs. These programs are free or low-cost but have may be able to access requirements and may have waiting lists.
If you need skilled medical care — wound dressing, medication injections, physical therapy, or nursing assessment — you need a home health agency certified by Medicare, not a personal care company. Your doctor can order home health, and Medicare or your insurance will cover it if you meet the criteria.
If you live in a rural area, Comfort Keepers may not have a franchise nearby. In that case, ask your Area Agency on Aging about local home care providers or whether your state offers in-home services through Medicaid.
Medicaid and Comfort Keepers: a limited connection
Most Comfort Keepers franchises do not accept Medicaid, because Medicaid rates are lower than what the company typically charges and the administrative burden is higher. However, a small number of franchises in certain states have contracts with Medicaid to provide personal care services. If you are on Medicaid and interested in Comfort Keepers specifically, ask your state Medicaid office whether any local franchises participate in your state's program.
In most cases, if you are on Medicaid and need home care, your state will direct you to a Medicaid-contracted home care agency instead. These agencies are required to accept Medicaid and are trained to work within Medicaid's rules and documentation requirements.
Questions to ask before hiring Comfort Keepers
Before you commit, ask the franchise office: Are caregivers employees or independent contractors? (This affects training, background checks, and liability.) What is the backup plan if your regular caregiver is sick? Can you request a different caregiver if the match is not working? What happens if you need to cancel or reduce hours — is there a notice period or cancellation fee? Does the franchise carry liability insurance in case of injury or property damage? What is the process for reporting concerns or complaints?
Ask the caregiver themselves about their training, experience, and whether they have worked with people in your situation before. Trust and communication matter more than credentials in personal care, because you are inviting someone into your home regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover Comfort Keepers?
No. Medicare covers skilled home health care (nursing, physical therapy) ordered by a doctor, but not personal care or companionship from a private company. Comfort Keepers is a private service you pay for yourself. If you need skilled care, ask your doctor about a home health referral instead.
Can I use Comfort Keepers if I live alone and have no family nearby?
Yes. Many people hire Comfort Keepers specifically because they live alone and need help with daily tasks and someone to check on them regularly. Make sure the care plan includes enough hours and frequency to meet your safety needs, and discuss emergency protocols with the franchise office.
What if I am not happy with the caregiver assigned to me?
Contact the franchise office and request a different caregiver. Most offices will honor this request, though there may be a brief delay while they find someone else. If the issue is a pattern of poor service, you can end the arrangement and hire a different home care company.
Is Comfort Keepers the same as a nursing home or assisted living?
No. Comfort Keepers sends caregivers to your own home. Assisted living and nursing homes are facilities where you move and live with staff on-site. Home care is less expensive and lets you stay in your own home, but requires you to manage your own housing, utilities, and medical appointments.
What if I need care but cannot afford Comfort Keepers?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or your state's Medicaid office. Many states offer in-home personal care through Medicaid, and some have additional programs for low-income seniors. These programs are free or very low-cost, though they may have waiting lists or may be able to access limits on hours per week.