Home Care in Rhode Island
With its many miles of sandy coastline and historic cities lined with Gilded Age mansions, Rhode Island has much to appeal to seniors. The state is home to over 1,050,000 people, and 17.7% of the population is 65 and older. In Rhode Island, seniors have access to excellent health care. The American Health Rankings survey ranked Rhode Island fifth in the nation for clinical care for seniors in 2020, pointing to the large amount of health care available to them. It also ranked the state 16th in the nation for health outcomes for seniors.
Rhode Island has a SeniorScore of 71. This score rates the state's senior friendliness based on over 100 variables in the categories of Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life. Rhode Island has a slightly lower score than the rest of the nation, which has a score of 72. It ranks highest for Health & Safety, which had a score of 73. A large number of Medicare-registered health care providers, a higher-than-average life expectancy of 79.9 and a large number of hospitals in the state all contribute to this score. Recreation & Leisure, which had a score of 68, was the second-highest category.
This guide provides an overview of home care costs in Rhode Island and some of the assistance and home care resources available to seniors.
Top Home Care Agencies in Rhode Island
Located at 475 Kilvert Street, 4th Floor in Warwick, Rhode Island, Vna of Rhode Island is a senior home healthcare provider that offers in-home health care and also in-home care. Since 1972, they have been serving customers in the Warwick ...
Located at 50 Maude St in Providence, RI, CharterCare Health Partner is a home health care service provider that offers in-home medical care and also home care. Since 1987, they have been serving customers in the Providence area. They ...
Located at 2809 Post Rd in Warwick, RI, Assisted Daily Living, Inc is a in-home care company offering home health care as well as in-home care. They have been serving clients in Warwick since 1993. They can provide different medical ...
Bayada Home Health Care, Inc is a home health care provider located in Providence, RI at 260 West Exchange St. They provide home care services as well as in-home medical care for seniors. They have been in business in ...
Located in Pawtucket, RI at 334 East Ave, Nursing Placement Home Health Care Services, Inc. is a senior home health care provider offering in-home personal care in addition to in-home health care. For nearly 19 years, they have been helping ...
Located in Cranston, Rhode Island at 165 Burnside St, Home Care Advantage is a senior in-home care company that offers in-home medical care as well as personal care. For almost 20 years, they have been providing care to customers in ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home care service provider based in Johnston, Rhode Island at 1665 Hartford Ave Ste 32. They provide in-home nursing services and also in-home care for senior clients. They can provide different ...
Located at 1184 East Main Rd in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home medical care along with in-home care. They have been in operation in the area ...
Located in Cranston, Rhode Island at 445 Reservoir Ave, St Jude Home Care, Inc is a home healthcare company offering home health care and in-home personal care services. They have been serving customers in Cranston for 11 years. They can ...
Located at 1525 Old Louisquisset Pike in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Innovative Senior Care Home Health is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home nursing as well as personal care services. They have been providing care in the area since 2004. ...
Located in Cranston, Rhode Island at 63 Sockanosset Crossroad, Suite 1-c, Life Care at Home of Ri is a home healthcare provider that offers home healthcare and also personal care services. Since 2003, they have been providing care to customers ...
Located in Cranston, RI at 1738 Broad St, H and T Medicals Inc is a home care service provider that offers in-home nursing services and personal care services. Since 1998, they have been providing care to seniors throughout the Cranston ...
Located at 30 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode Island, Concord Home Health and Wellness Services is a home healthcare company that offers home health care along with home care. For nearly 21 years, they have been serving customers throughout the ...
Located in Providence, Rhode Island at 400 Reservoir Ave, Capitol Home Care Network, Inc is a senior in-home care provider offering in-home personal care services as well as in-home health care. They have been operating in the area for nearly ...
Located at 49 B North Rd in Jamestown, RI, Consistent Care Corp is a home care service provider that offers in-home health care in addition to personal home care services. Since 1995, they have been providing care to customers throughout ...
Located in Providence, RI at 249 Wickenden St, Cathleen Naughton Associates is a home health care service provider that offers personal care and also in-home health services. They have been in operation in Providence since 1995. They can provide a ...
Amedisys Home Health Care is a senior home health care provider located in Providence, RI at 275 Promenade Street Suite 150. They provide personal home care services along with in-home health care to senior clientele. For nearly 24 years, ...
Memorial Hospital Home Care is a senior home healthcare provider based in Pawtucket, RI at 555 Prospect St. They offer in-home health care and also home care services to senior clientele. They have been providing care in the area ...
South County Home Health is a home health care company located in Narragansett, RI at 14 Woodruff Ave Suite # 7. They provide home health services as well as personal home care for seniors. For almost 50 years, ...
Located in Warwick, RI at 51 Health Ln, Vna of Care New England is a senior home healthcare company offering home care services in addition to in-home nursing care. They have been in operation in Rhode Island for 47 years. ...
The Cost of Home Care in Rhode Island
Seniors who wish to live at home may need additional help. Home care provides assistance with housekeeping, companionship and personal care. Home health care offers support with medical care as well. Both types of care in Rhode Island cost an average of $5,148 a month, according to the 2019 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This is higher than the national averages of $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care in Rhode Island Compared to Nearby States
Though Rhode Island's average of $5,148 for both types of home care is higher than the national average, compared to neighboring states, it's competitive. In Massachusetts, seniors pay $5,186 for home care and $5,243 for home health care. Connecticut is $4,195 and $4,576, respectively, while New York averages $4,767 for home care and $4,957 for home health care. In New Hampshire, home care costs $5,243, and home health care costs $5,386.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Rhode Island | $5,148 | $5,148 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Massachusetts | $5,186 | $5,243 |
Connecticut | $4,195 | $4,576 |
New York | $4,767 | $4,957 |
New Hampshire | $5,243 | $5,386 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Rhode Island
Seniors in Rhode Island have other types of care they can turn to when home care isn't the right fit. Adult day care is the most economical, costing an average of $1,771 for services during the day at a care center. Assisted living, which allows seniors to live in an apartment while receiving care in a community setting, averages $5,199 a month. Seniors who need nursing home care pay an average of $9,961 for a semiprivate room.
- In-Home Care: $5,148
- Home Health Care: $5,148
- Adult Day Care: $1,771
- Assisted Living Facility: $5,199
- Nursing Home Care: $9,961
The Cost of Home Care in Rhode Island's Top Cities
The cost of home care and home health care varies from one area of the state to another. Providence, the only rated city in the state, has an average cost of $5,148 for home care and $5,339 for home health care. In Norwich, Connecticut, seniors pay nearly $1,000 less for home care and $400 less for home health care. Boston and Barnstable, Massachusetts, were some of the highest in the area.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Rhode Island | $5,148 | $5,148 |
Providence | $5,148 | $5,339 |
Norwich Area, CT | $4,195 | $4,767 |
Boston, MA | $5,434 | $5,482 |
Barnstable Town, MA | $5,911 | $6,006 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Rhode Island
PACE-RI
PACE-RI is a health plan for seniors in Rhode Island living with chronic health needs who wish to continue to live at home. It provides insurance and medical care to help seniors access the services they need to remain independent at home. This program is funded by Medicare and Medicaid, and seniors who qualify for both services pay nothing for PACE-RI. Through PACE-RI, seniors can receive medical care in their homes rather than moving to a skilled nursing facility.
Contact Information
To enroll in PACE-RI, seniors need to call (401) 654-4176 to speak to a PACE Enrollment Specialist.
RIte@Home
RIte@Home is a shared-living program designed to connect adults who cannot live alone, including seniors, with caregivers who can help with activities of daily living. Though the caregiver cannot be a spouse, they can be another relative or a friend. After matching a client with a caregiver, the program trains the caregiver and ensures the safety of both the individual and the caregiver in the home. Caregivers receive a stipend for their assistance, which is paid for through Medicaid.
Contact Information
To apply for Rite@Home, qualified seniors need to contact Caregiver Homes of Rhode Island at (401) 473-2160.
Personal Choice
Personal Choice is a self-directed care option for seniors who qualify for Rhode Island Medicaid Long-Term Service and Support. Through this program, seniors can hire and manage their own caretakers to help with home care. They can also get assistance with modifying their environment to make it more accessible, getting specialized medical equipment at home, purchasing an emergency response system, having meals delivered and receiving advice about other services for seniors in the area.
Contact Information
For more information about Personal Choice, seniors need to contact the Director of Residential Services at AccessPoint RI by calling (401) 941-1112 extension 104.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Rhode Island Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Rhode Island, the Office of Healthy Aging and Executive Office of Health & Human Services oversee in-home care provided to the state's seniors. Licensed home care agencies that receive Medicaid funding must adhere to the state's rules and regulations regarding staff training, personal care plans and hiring practices. All home care providers must follow the rules of the Licensing Home Nursing Care Providers and Home Care Providers regulation, 216-RICR-40-10-17.
Scope of Care | Home care aides in Rhode Island provide help with activities of daily living, such as grooming and bathing. They also offer housekeeping service, transportation and companionship. Home health care providers are trained to manage basic medical care at home, including wound care, diabetes management and medication management. |
Care Plan Requirements | Seniors living at home and receiving help from Medicaid have care plans that outline their needs clearly. This plan includes their care requirements, home modifications, care services and medical diagnoses. The home care agency works with the individual's physician to create this plan of care, and it must be revisited every three months. The Executive Office of Health & Human Services oversees these plans. |
Medication Management Requirements | Home care caregivers can only oversee the self-administration of medication. Home health care agency caregivers can provide help with the administration of medication according to a doctor's orders. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Workers with licensed home care providers must undergo a criminal background check with fingerprints per Rhode Island § 23-17-34. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home health aides in Rhode Island must complete at least 100 hours of instruction and 20 hours of clinical training. They must be Certified Nursing Aides and pass the CNA competency exam. |
Medicaid Coverage | Through PACE-RI, RIte@Home and Personal Choice, Medicaid-eligible seniors can get funds to pay for home care services. |
Reporting Abuse | Suspicions of senior abuse can be reported to the Office of Healthy Aging by calling (401) 462-0555. |
Free Home Care Resources in Rhode Island
Seniors in Rhode Island have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
The POINT
Rhode Island offers seniors information and referral services to community-based programs through The POINT, the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the state. The POINT operates a statewide call center in the United Way of Rhode Island coalition and in regional offices. This is the starting point for finding services and programs in the local community to help seniors aging at home.
Contact Information
Contact The POINT 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (401) 462-4444.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Rhode Island offers the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to elderly low-income seniors. This program delivers a box of nutritious food to seniors through local distribution sites. The boxes meet all federal nutritional standards for seniors and include foods necessary to make meals.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at (401) 942-6325 to learn more about this food box program.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Seniors who require assistance applying for Medicaid can receive support through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. SHIP helps seniors find and apply for the programs they may need, including Medicaid, Low-Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings.
Contact Information
Seniors can call SHIP at (888) 884-8721 or reach out to The POINT for help with SHIP.
Rhode Island Meals on Wheels
Home-bound seniors can receive nutritious meals delivered to their homes through Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. Volunteers bring meals that are ready to heat and include a balanced nutritional profile. Options for special diets are offered, including kosher meals in some areas.
Contact Information
Seniors must have an approved Medicaid waiver, such as PACE, to qualify for Meals on Wheels. They can register for the program online.
Rhode Island's Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services
Rhode Island offers a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation service that gives seniors access to transportation to medical appointments. NEMT is available to Medicaid-qualified seniors free of charge through Medical Transportation Management, Inc., a state-funded vendor. The program requires at least 48 hours of notice to schedule a trip for nonurgent needs.
Contact Information
Seniors can call (855) 339-9131 to schedule NEMT service. They can also visit the MTM website for information.
Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to Elders Program
The Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to Elders Program helps cover some of the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare Part D insurance plans. Enrollment in this program is based on income eligibility.
Contact Information
For information about eligibility for RIPAE, seniors can call the Office of Healthy Aging at (401) 462-0560.
Ocean State Senior Dining Program
The Ocean State Senior Dining Program offers seniors the chance to have a fresh-cooked meal. The meals are either delivered to the senior at home, served in a local senior center or offered through local restaurant vouchers. The goal of the program is to encourage seniors to eat more produce and locally grown foods. A small suggested donation is welcome, but not required, for this program.
Contact Information
Seniors enroll in the Ocean State Senior Dining Program through their local senior centers. They can call The POINT at (401) 462-4444 to find their local senior center.