Home Care in Utah
Known for its stunning mountain scenery, vast deserts and modern urban centers, Utah has a lot to offer retirees who are looking for a comfortable place to settle down. The state is home to just over 3.2 million residents, and seniors aged 65 and older make up 11.4% of the population. Salt Lake City, the state capital, is the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the University of Utah Hospital. In the southern portion of the state, seniors can visit attractions, such as the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab and the stunning Zion National Park.
The SeniorScore is a numeric indicator based on over 100 factors that impact the suitability of a city or state for senior living. Utah's statewide SeniorScore is 71, which is just under the national average of 72. Utah's lowest score of 56 was in the Recreation & Leisure category, while it received a score of 71 for General Quality of Life. Some of the factors that contributed to Utah's SeniorScore include above-average income and sales tax rates, the abundance of Medicare-registered health care providers and the above-average life expectancy of 80.2 years.
This guide includes essential information on home care in Utah, including average care costs, links to financial aid programs and a list of resources to help seniors age in place.
Top Home Care Agencies in Utah
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah at 6076 South 900 East, Valeo Home Health & Hospice is a home healthcare provider that offers personal home care services along with in-home nursing. They have been providing care in the area since ...
Intermountain Homecare & Hospice - South Jordan is a senior home health care provider located in South Jordan, UT at 11520 South Redwood Rd. They offer personal home care and home health services for seniors. Since 1984, they have ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home health care service provider based in Sandy, UT at 9972 S 730 E. They offer home healthcare and also personal care services to senior clientele. They offer various medical services including ...
Located in Murray, UT at 1106 East 6600 South, Brighton Home Health & Hospice is a senior home health care provider offering personal home care along with in-home health care. Since 2012, they have been helping clients in the Murray ...
Located at 5650 South Green St in Murray, UT, Harmony Home Health & Hospice is a home care provider that offers in-home health care in addition to in-home personal care. They have been serving clients in Murray for nearly 22 ...
Located at 450 South 900 East in Salt Lake City, UT, Canyon Home Care is a senior home health care provider offering personal home care services in addition to home health care. Since 2006, they have been helping clients throughout ...
Located at 1849 North 1120 West in Provo, UT, Utah Home Health and Hospice – Utah County is a home care company offering personal care services in addition to in-home medical services. They have been serving clients in Provo since ...
Located in Murray, UT at 5882 South 900 East, Summit Home Health & Hospice is a senior home healthcare provider that offers in-home personal care services in addition to in-home nursing services. For almost 13 years, they have been providing ...
Primrose Home Care & Hospice is a home care company located in Providence, UT at 286 North Gateway Dr. They provide in-home personal care services and home healthcare for senior clientele. For almost 11 years, they have been helping ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a home health care service provider located in Salt Lake City, Utah at 5005 S 900 E Ste 120. They offer home health services along with personal home care for senior clients. They provide ...
Summit Home Health & Hospice - Davis & Weber Counties is a senior home healthcare provider based in Layton, UT at 2086 Robins Drive, Suite B. They offer home health services along with in-home personal care for senior clientele. ...
Located in Draper, UT at 11762 South State St, Brio Home Health & Hospice is an in-home care service provider that offers personal care as well as in-home medical services. Since 2007, they have been helping clients throughout the Draper ...
Located in Salt Lake City, UT at 352 Denver St, Renew Home Health & Hospice is a home healthcare company that offers in-home health care in addition to personal care services. Since 2011, they have been helping seniors in the ...
Located in Salt Lake City, UT at 2835 East 3300 South, Horizon Home Health & Hospice - Salt Lake Area is a senior home healthcare provider that offers home care services along with in-home medical care. They have been ...
Integrity Home Health & Hospice - Box Elder County is a senior home healthcare provider located in Brigham City, UT at 64 South 100 West. They offer in-home health services and personal care services for senior clients. For nearly ...
Located in St George, UT at 352 East Riverside Dr, Dixie Home Rehab is a senior home healthcare service provider offering in-home nursing services in addition to in-home care. For nearly 11 years, they have been providing care to seniors ...
Located in Murray, Utah at 220 East 3900 South, Aga Home Health is a senior home healthcare service provider that offers in-home health services and personal care. For almost 5 years, they have been providing care to seniors throughout the ...
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah at 5383 South 900 East, Good Shepherd Home Care & Hospice is a senior home health care service provider that offers in-home care and in-home health care. Since 2003, they have been serving clients ...
Located at 5284 South Commerce Dr in Murray, UT, A Step Forward is a home health care service provider that offers home health care and home care. They have been providing care in Murray for 10 years. They can provide ...
Abundant Life Home Health is a senior home health care provider located in Ogden, UT at 710 40th St. They offer personal care and also in-home nursing care for senior clients. They have been providing care in the area ...
The Cost of Home Care in Utah
According to Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey, average home care costs in Utah are $4,576 per month, which is $286 more than the national average of $4,290. Home care includes nonmedical personal care services, as well as assistance with light housekeeping and companionship. Home health care, which also costs an average of $4,576 per month in Utah, includes all of the services provided with home care, along with limited medical services.
The Cost of Home Care in Utah Compared to Nearby States
Compared to the national average home care rate of $4,290 per month, statewide home care rates in Utah are relatively high at an average of $4,576 per month for 44 hours of weekly care. Rates vary in nearby states. The lowest rates can be found in Idaho, where home care costs an average of $4,195 per month. In neighboring Nevada, rates are the same as the national average ($4,290), while home care costs in both Arizona ($4,767) and Colorado ($4,957) are higher than those in Utah.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Utah | $4,576 | $4,576 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Nevada | $4,290 | $4,290 |
Colorado | $4,957 | $4,957 |
Arizona | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Idaho | $4,195 | $4,290 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Utah
Home care is just one of the many long-term care options available to Utah seniors and those who have disabilities. The least-expensive care option is adult day health care, which costs an average of $1,560 per month and includes recreational therapeutic programming each weekday in a group setting. Hiring a home health care worker costs about $4,576 per month, while rates for residential care in an assisted living facility average about $3,400 per month. At $6,403 per month, a semiprivate room in a skilled nursing facility is the costliest long-term care option in the state.
- In-Home Care: $4,576
- Home Health Care: $4,576
- Adult Day Care: $1,560
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,400
- Nursing Home Care: $6,403
The Cost of Home Care in Utah's Top Cities
Home care costs are similar throughout Utah, with only a $239 difference in the monthly cost between the highest and lowest local rates. Costs in St. George and the state capital, Salt Lake City, are on par with the statewide average of $4,576 per month. Home care costs are higher in Provo at $4,767 per month, while Ogden has the lowest costs in the state at $4,528.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Utah | $4,576 | $4,576 |
St. George | $4,576 | $4,576 |
Provo | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Salt Lake City | $4,576 | $4,576 |
Ogden | $4,528 | $4,671 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Utah
Utah Medicaid Aging Waiver
Utah's Aging Waiver is a Medicaid waiver designed to help frail seniors and people with disabilities remain in their own homes. Waiver benefits are assigned on an as-needed basis and may include adult companion and chore services, case management, homemaker and personal attendant services. To qualify for enrollment in the Aging Waiver, seniors must be aged 65 or older or have Medicaid coverage due to a qualifying disability. Applicants must also meet the Medicaid financial eligibility criteria, which is updated on an annual basis.
Contact Information
For more information, seniors in the Salt Lake City area can contact Utah Medicaid at (801) 538-6155. Callers from other areas can use the toll-free number, (800) 662-9651, while Utah veterans can contact the Veteran's Coordinator at (877) 291-5583.
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound
The Veterans Administration provides two enhanced pension programs for eligible veterans and survivors, and money from these pensions can be used towards home care costs. To qualify for Aid and Attendance, applicants must need help from another person to perform at least one activity of daily living, be legally blind or be bedridden due to chronic illness or disability. For Housebound, applicants must have a permanent disability rated at 100% by the VA that largely restricts the applicant to their place of residence. For either benefit, applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria for the regular VA pension.
Contact Information
Utah vets, dependents and survivors can learn more about VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound by calling the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs at (800) 894-9497.
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.
Utah Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Utah, in-home care provided through a home health agency is regulated under the Utah Administrative Code, Rule R432-700. This rule outlines standards related to patient rights and records, personnel screening and training, medication administration and care planning.
Scope of Care | Home care aides may provide nonmedical services to help patients remain in their residence. These services must be directed and supervised by a licensed medical practitioner, such as a physician or registered nurse. |
Care Plan Requirements | Each client should have a personalized care plan that clearly describes the care to be provided by the home care agency. Care plans should include any treatment goals, diet and nutritional requirements and client-specific safety plans. |
Medication Management Requirements | Unlicensed caregivers can only administer medications as delegated by a licensed health care professional, and that professional must be readily available by phone or in-person. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Home care agency administrators must ensure that all personnel who have direct contact with clients have been thoroughly vetted and deemed suitable for the job. All staff must be immunized in accordance with R386-702 to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases, and within two weeks of hiring, staff need to present proof of a negative skin TB test. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home care staff must complete an orientation that covers client confidentiality and rights. Staff must also be trained in their legal obligation to report suspected abuse and/or neglect of vulnerable persons and how to access emergency medical services. |
Medicaid Coverage | Medicaid beneficiaries in Utah who require home care may qualify for home care services through Utah's New Choices Waiver or the Aging Waiver, two Medicaid waiver programs that include home care services. |
Reporting Abuse | In accordance with Utah law 62A-3-305, anyone who suspects that a vulnerable adult is being abused, exploited or neglected must file a report with Utah's Adult Protective Services or the local law enforcement agency. Reports can be filed online or by calling (800) 371-7897. |
Free Home Care Resources in Utah
Seniors in Utah 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:
Area Agencies on Aging
Utah's statewide network of 12 Area Agencies on Aging administers a range of free and low-cost programs and services to seniors aged 60 and older. These programs are designed to help seniors remain as independent as possible as they age and include transportation services, meal delivery programs, case management and assistance with accessing home care services.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact their local Area Agency on Aging or call the Utah Department of Human Services, Aging and Adult Services at (801) 538-4171.
Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Utah's Department of Veterans and Military Affairs provides free information and assistance to veterans, survivors and dependents. Veteran Service Officers can help with VA benefit applications and appeals, including applications for the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound enhanced pension programs. VSO's can also assist with Disabled Veteran Property Tax Abatement applications, Veterans license plate applications and Utah Transit Authority reduced fare cards for disabled vets.
Contact Information
Veterans and survivors in Salt Lake City can call (801) 326-2372, while those in the rest of the state can use the toll-free number (800) 894-9497.
Adult Protective Services
Utah's Department of Human Services, Aging and Adult Services, Adult Protective Services works to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Any senior who is concerned for their safety, or the safety of another senior, can seek assistance by contacting Adult Protective Services.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact Utah's Adult Protective Services department by calling (800) 371-7897.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program/Senior Health Insurance Program
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, also referred to as SHIP, is a nationwide program that provides free, unbiased Medicare and health insurance counseling to seniors and people with disabilities. Trained SHIP volunteers conduct information sessions at senior centers and are available for one-on-one in-person and phone appointments to help older adults navigate their health insurance options.
Contact Information
To connect with the nearest SHIP counselor, seniors can all (800) 541-7735.
Utah Legal Services
Utah Legal Services provides free legal help to low and moderate-income seniors who need assistance with noncriminal matters, such as guardianship, estate planning, housing and health insurance. The organization offers services statewide and maintains offices in Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George and Ogden.
Contact Information
Within Salt Lake City, seniors can call (801) 328-8891, while those in all other areas of the state can call toll-free at (800) 662-4245.