What Does 24/7 Home Care Cost in Pennsylvania?
What Does 24/7 Home Care Cost in Pennsylvania?
Short answer: Round-the-clock home care in Pennsylvania costs an estimated $816 per day or $5,712 per week, based on the state median hourly rate of $34. Families can lower this expense by mixing agency aides with unpaid family support or Medicaid programs.
- 24-hour hourly care averages $5,712 per week at the Pennsylvania median rate of $34 per hour.
- At $393 to $450 per day, a Pennsylvania nursing home costs less per day than 24/7 hourly home care.
- Live-in care is priced differently by agencies because the caregiver sleeps and takes breaks during the shift.
- Medicaid’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver covers personal assistance, but hours depend on assessed need.
- Medicare covers intermittent skilled care, not 24-hour non-medical assistance.
The Math: Calculating 24/7 Home Care Costs
Round-the-clock non-medical support is a significant expense. According to the CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, the median rate for a non-medical caregiver in Pennsylvania is $34 per hour.
If you hire aides for 24 hours of continuous, awake care, the math comes to $816 per day. Over a full week, 24/7 hourly care totals $5,712.
Many families compare these costs to a nursing home. The Pennsylvania median for a nursing home is $393 per day for a semi-private room and $450 per day for a private room. Adult day health care provides a daytime alternative at a statewide median of $117 per day.
| Type of Care (PA Median) | Estimated Daily Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Hourly Home Care | $816 | $297,840 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $450 | $164,250 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $393 | $143,445 |
| Adult Day Health Care | $117 | $30,420 |
Hourly 24-Hour Shifts vs. Live-In Care
Agencies deliver round-the-clock support in two main ways: hourly shifts and live-in care. Hourly 24-hour care means staff work in rotating shifts. The caregiver stays awake and alert the entire time, which suits people who wander or need frequent help at night.
Live-in care involves one caregiver staying in the home for an extended period. The caregiver requires a place to sleep and scheduled breaks.
Because of the sleep time, agencies price live-in arrangements differently than hourly shifts. You should ask your local agency how they structure and bill for live-in services.
Mixing Family Help and Paid Care
You can reduce expenses by combining professional help with family support. Relatives might cover nights and weekends while an aide works during the day.
If you need a break, you can arrange respite care to cover your usual shifts. Family members can also get paid for their caregiving time through Medicaid. Under the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver, relatives can work as paid caregivers.
The CHC waiver will not pay the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney. Other relatives can be hired to provide support.
New Century Home Care provides non-medical assistance across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties. Call 215-974-0000 or submit our contact form (choose “I am a client” and “I need services”) to discuss a schedule that fits your budget. Our office staff speak English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Can Medicaid Pay for 24-Hour Care?
Medicaid helps cover non-medical home care through the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program. Services include Personal Assistance Services (PAS) to help with eating, bathing, dressing, cueing, and supervising people who cannot safely be left alone.
Medicaid does not guarantee 24/7 care. A CHC service coordinator sets the hours in the person-centered service plan based on assessed needs. (The PCA assessment in Philadelphia decides waiver eligibility; it does not set hours.)
Read more about qualifying for Pennsylvania Medicaid for home care to see if your loved one is eligible.
Medicare Does Not Pay for 24-Hour Care
Medicare home health covers part-time or intermittent skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. It covers home health aides only alongside skilled care for homebound people.
Medicare does not cover 24-hour care. It also does not pay for personal care when that is the only assistance your loved one needs.
When a Facility May Cost Less
If your loved one needs constant awake supervision, a facility is often cheaper than round-the-clock home care. At $816 per day, 24/7 hourly home care costs nearly double the daily rate of a private nursing home room.
You must weigh the financial reality against your loved one’s desire to stay home. Read more about the cost of home care in Philadelphia to understand local pricing factors. You can also review all your care options to find the best fit for your family.
If you need help covering daytime or overnight shifts, New Century Home Care can help. Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our contact form and select “I am a client” then “I need services.”
Frequently asked questions
Will Medicare pay for an in-home caretaker?
Medicare does not pay for 24-hour care or non-medical personal care when that is the only service needed. It only covers part-time home health aides alongside intermittent skilled nursing or therapies for homebound individuals.
Is it cheaper to have home care or a nursing home?
Full-time 24/7 hourly home care is usually more expensive than a nursing home. In Pennsylvania, 24 hours of hourly home care averages $816 per day, while a private nursing home room averages $450 per day. Part-time home care is cheaper than a facility.
Can you get paid as a caregiver for a family member in PA?
Yes, family members can get paid through the Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver. However, the waiver will not pay a participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney.
How many caregivers are needed for 24/7 care?
The number of caregivers depends on the schedule. Hourly 24/7 care needs several caregivers working in shifts. Live-in care uses fewer caregivers, but they require a place to sleep and scheduled breaks.
Non-medical home care in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Medicaid CHC (Keystone First), VA programs and private pay. We speak English, Russian and Ukrainian.
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