The average starting cost of home care in Washington, D.C. is $32 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Washington, D.C. are Tender Love and Care of DC, J3 Healthcare Services or Nation Care.
Home care in Washington, D.C. helps seniors remain safe and independent while continuing to live in familiar surroundings. As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. is home to a growing older adult population and offers a variety of home care options to meet different needs. Families often prioritize dependable caregivers, personalized support, and flexible scheduling while also considering costs and the availability of services.
Home care provides nonmedical assistance with everyday activities, while home health care includes clinical services delivered by licensed medical professionals. Although some agencies offer both types of care, A Place for Mom’s network consists of nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom has partnered with 7 home care agencies to help seniors and their loved ones find the right provider.
Home care in Washington, D.C. typically costs $32 per hour, which is lower than the national average of $32.[01] Monthly costs vary depending on how many hours of care your loved one needs. The following costs are estimated based on the average hourly rate in Washington, D.C.:
Several factors can affect home care costs in Washington, D.C., including:
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In Washington, D.C., most families pay for nonmedical home care using a combination of private and public sources, which may include long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and other payment methods.
Private pay funding sources for home care include:
Veterans and their surviving spouses may have access to benefits that help cover the cost of home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Available programs include:
For additional information about eligibility and applications, visit VA.gov or contact the Washington, D.C., Office of Veterans Affairs.
Medicaid is a health insurance program that’s jointly funded by federal and state governments and is designed to help people who have low incomes. The Medicaid program in Washington, D.C., can help offset the cost of home care services for eligible residents. The program does so through:[04,05,06]
These programs cover the cost of services that include, but aren’t limited to:
Eligibility for all Medicaid programs is based on income and assets. Some programs also require recipients to demonstrate medical necessity. The Washington, D.C., regular Medicaid plan and the PCA Services program are entitlements, meaning all eligible seniors will receive services. The Elderly and Physical Disabilities waiver isn’t an entitlement, so there may be a waiting list for services.
Medicare covers limited home health care services, such as skilled nursing care or therapy, when medically necessary. However, it only covers nonmedical home care, such as help with bathing, grooming, feeding, or walking, when provided in conjunction with home health services.[07]
Washington, D.C. regulates both home health agencies and nonmedical home care agencies to help protect consumers. These regulations ensure agencies meet standards for safety, training, and quality of care.
Yes. In Washington, D.C., home care agencies, also known as home support agencies, must be licensed by the DC Department of Health. This applies to both home health and nonmedical home care agencies.[08,09]
The Department of Health in Washington, D.C., conducts surveys of licensed nonmedical home care agencies.[08] These surveys help ensure agencies comply with district regulations.
Families can verify an agency’s license and review survey reports using the DC Department of Health website. Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:[08,10]
Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.[11]
Washington, D.C. requires agencies to follow hiring and training practices, including:[08,10]
These standards help ensure caregivers are qualified to provide safe, effective support.
Choosing the right agency is one of the most important steps in arranging home care for your loved one. Here are some tips to guide your decision:
Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency
The average cost of home care in Washington, D.C. is $32 per hour.
Medicare covers home health care, and can cover nonmedical home care services, such as help with bathing, grooming, and feeding, if they are medically necessary and provided in conjunction with skilled services.
Yes, the Medicaid program in Washington, D.C., and its home- and community-based services typically covers home care services for those who qualify.
The Medicaid program in Washington, D.C., will permit relatives such as adult children (but not spouses) to be paid for caregiving under its Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Waiver program. The Personal Care Aide (PCA) Services program does not permit family caregivers to be paid.
Eligibility for home care assistance in Washington, D.C. depends on income, assets, care needs, and specific program requirements.
Home care agencies in Washington, D.C. typically provide services such as personal care, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation to appointments and for errands.
Difficulty with daily tasks, safety concerns, medication mismanagement, and poor hygiene are a few of the common signs that your loved one could benefit from home care.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, March 3). Geriatrics and extended care: Home and community based services.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, April 27). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Department of Health Care Finance. Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) individuals.
Department of Aging and Community Living. Elderly and Persons with Disabilities waiver.
Department of Health Care Finance. Personal Care Aide (PCA) Services.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
DC Department of Health. Home support agencies.
DC Department of Health. Criteria and standards: home health services.
Council of the District of Columbia. §44-107.02. Staff training
Joint Commission. Home care accreditation program.
Overview of home care in Washington, D.C.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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