What Home Instead Senior Care Does

Home Instead Senior Care is a franchise network that sends caregivers to older adults' homes to help with daily living tasks, personal care, and companionship. The company does not provide medical nursing care — it focuses on non-medical support like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, and transportation to appointments. A caregiver comes to your home on a schedule you set, whether that is a few hours a week or around the clock.

Home Instead operates through local franchise offices in most U.S. states and several other countries. Each franchise is independently owned but follows Home Instead's training standards and screening process. When you contact a local office, they assess what you need, match you with a caregiver, and handle billing and scheduling. You pay Home Instead directly — the company does not bill Medicare, Medicaid, or most insurance plans, though some long-term care insurance policies may cover part of the cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Home Instead provides non-medical in-home care through local franchise offices, with caregivers helping with bathing, meals, medication reminders, and companionship.
  • You pay Home Instead out of pocket; the company does not bill Medicare or most insurance, though some long-term care insurance may cover costs.
  • A local Home Instead office will assess your needs, match you with a caregiver, and set up a schedule that fits your routine.
  • Caregivers are screened and trained but are not nurses — if you need wound care, injections, or medical monitoring, you need a home health agency instead.
  • Costs vary by location and hours needed, ranging from a few hours weekly to 24-hour live-in care.

How to Contact Home Instead and Start the Process

Find your local Home Instead office by visiting the company's website and entering your zip code into their office locator. You can also call the main number and ask for the franchise nearest you. When you call, tell them what kind of help you need — bathing information, meal prep, medication reminders, transportation, or companionship — and roughly how many hours per week.

The local office will schedule a free in-home assessment, usually within a few days. A Home Instead representative visits your home, talks with you (or your family member) about your daily routine, health needs, and preferences, and explains what services are available and what they cost. They ask about your schedule, any mobility issues, dietary needs, and whether you have pets or specific routines that matter to you. This visit has no obligation — you are learning what the service looks like and what it would cost.

If you decide to move forward, Home Instead matches you with a caregiver based on your needs and personality fit. Many offices introduce you to the caregiver before the first shift so you can meet and ask questions. The caregiver then comes on your agreed schedule — whether that is twice a week for three hours or every day for eight hours.

What Caregivers Can and Cannot Do

Home Instead caregivers are trained to help with activities of daily living — the personal care tasks that keep someone independent at home. This includes bathing and showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, and transportation to appointments or social outings. Many caregivers also provide companionship: they may read aloud, play games, take walks, or straightforward sit and talk.

Caregivers can remind you to take medications at the time you are supposed to take them, but they cannot administer injections, change wound dressings, insert catheters, or perform any task that requires a nursing license. They cannot diagnose problems or make medical decisions. If you need those services — skilled nursing care, physical therapy, or medical monitoring — you need a home health agency that employs nurses and therapists, not a companion care service like Home Instead.

Some Home Instead offices offer a service called Home Instead CaregivingPLUS, which adds limited medical support like blood pressure checks or catheter care, but only in certain locations and only if a nurse supervises the caregiver. Ask your local office whether this is available in your area.

Cost and Payment Options

Home Instead charges by the hour, and rates vary significantly by location, time of day, and whether you need live-in care. Daytime hourly rates typically range from the mid-$20s to the mid-$30s per hour in most markets, though urban areas and areas with higher costs of living charge more. Overnight live-in rates are usually lower per hour but require a longer commitment — often a minimum of 10 to 12 hours per night.

You pay Home Instead directly. The company does not bill Medicare, Medicaid, or most private insurance plans. However, some long-term care insurance policies do cover Home Instead services — check your policy or call your insurance company to ask. Veterans may be able to use VA benefits to pay for some in-home care; contact your local VA office to learn what is covered. Some employers offer dependent care accounts or flexible spending accounts that can be used for in-home care costs.

Home Instead typically requires a minimum number of hours per week — often four to eight hours — though this varies by location. Ask your local office about their minimums and whether they offer trial periods or reduced rates for new clients.

Screening, Training, and Caregiver Reliability

All Home Instead caregivers go through a background check, including a criminal history review and reference checks. The company requires caregivers to complete Home Instead's training program, which covers personal care techniques, communication, dementia care, and safety. Caregivers are not required to be certified nursing assistants (CNAs), though some are.

Home Instead handles scheduling and payroll, so if your regular caregiver is sick or unavailable, the office is responsible for finding a replacement. This is different from hiring a private caregiver directly, where you manage scheduling yourself. The trade-off is that you pay more per hour, but the company handles the logistics and ensures someone shows up.

If you are unhappy with your caregiver, tell your local Home Instead office. They can discuss the issue with the caregiver, provide additional training, or match you with someone else. Most offices try to resolve problems quickly because caregiver-client fit is central to the service.

Home Instead Versus Other In-Home Care Options

Home Instead is one option among several for in-home support. A home health agency employs nurses and therapists and bills insurance; it is right if you need medical care. A private caregiver you hire directly costs less per hour but requires you to handle taxes, background checks, and scheduling. An adult day program provides care and activities during the day while you work or take a break. Many people use a combination — for example, Home Instead for daily personal care and a home health nurse for wound care.

Home Instead's main advantage is reliability and screening: the company handles hiring, training, and backup if someone calls in sick. Its main disadvantage is cost — you pay more per hour than you would for a private caregiver, and insurance usually does not cover it. If cost is the primary concern and you are comfortable managing a private hire, that may be a better fit. If you want the structure and reliability of an agency without medical care, Home Instead is a common choice.

What Happens If You Need More Care Than Home Instead Provides

If your health changes and you start needing skilled nursing care — wound care, medication injections, catheter management, or medical monitoring — you will need to add a home health agency to your care plan. Home Instead and a home health agency can work together; the caregiver handles personal care and companionship while the nurse handles medical tasks. Your doctor can refer you to a home health agency, or you can ask your local Home Instead office for recommendations.

If you reach a point where you need 24-hour supervision or more care than in-home services can provide, you may need to consider assisted living or a nursing home. Home Instead can help with the transition and sometimes continues to provide companionship even after you move to a facility, though this varies by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for Home Instead?

No. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover companion care or non-medical in-home support. You pay Home Instead out of pocket. Some long-term care insurance policies do cover it, and some VA benefits may explore if you are a veteran. Ask your insurance company or VA office directly.

What if I need care at night or on weekends?

Home Instead offers evening, night, and weekend care. Rates may be higher for off-hours shifts, and availability depends on your local office's staffing. Call your local office to ask what hours they can cover and what the cost would be.

Can Home Instead caregivers give injections or change bandages?

No, not in most cases. Caregivers can remind you to take pills but cannot give injections or perform wound care. Some Home Instead offices offer limited medical services through a separate program called CaregivingPLUS, but this is not available everywhere. Ask your local office whether it is available in your area.

What if my caregiver and I do not get along?

Tell your local Home Instead office right away. They can talk with the caregiver, provide additional training, or match you with someone else. Most offices prioritize getting the right fit because the relationship between caregiver and client is central to the service working well.

Is there a contract, and can I cancel if I change my mind?

Home Instead typically requires a service agreement, but terms vary by location. Ask your local office about contract length, cancellation policies, and whether there is a trial period. Many offices are flexible about cancellation if you give reasonable notice.