Home Care in Idaho

The average starting cost of home care in Idaho is $35 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Idaho are Cornerstone Caregiving - Idaho Falls, ID, ComForCare Home Care of Coeur d'Alene, ID or FirstLight Home Care of Boise, ID (494, 495).

Home care in Idaho helps seniors remain in familiar surroundings while receiving support with daily activities and routines. Families across the state — including in Boise, Meridian, and Twin Falls — have access to a variety of home care providers offering flexible services designed to meet different care needs and preferences. When evaluating options, many families look for dependable caregivers, personalized care plans, and services that allow their loved ones to maintain independence at home.

Home care provides nonmedical assistance with tasks such as personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and companionship. Home health care, on the other hand, involves medical services delivered by licensed health care professionals. While some agencies offer both types of care, A Place for Mom’s network focuses on nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom has partnered with 63 home care agencies throughout Idaho to help families find trusted in-home support that fits their loved one’s needs.

Home care in Idaho typically costs $35 per hour, which is higher than the national average of $32 per hour.^[01] Costs can vary by location. For example, home care rates in Boise tend to be above the national average, while rates in Twin Falls are generally in line with the national average. In Idaho Falls, costs are often somewhat lower than the national average.^[01]

Monthly expenses will depend on the number of care hours your loved one requires. The following estimates are based on Idaho’s average hourly home care rate:

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $3,016 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $6,634 per month

Several factors can affect home care costs in Idaho, including:

• Level of care (companionship vs. personal care)
• Specialized services (such as dementia care)
• Overnight care, weekend care, holidays
• 24-hour and live-in care needs
• Caregiver experience and certifications
• Location within Idaho

In Idaho, 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 options

Common private pay options include:

• Social Security benefits
• Savings, investments, or pensions
• Long-term care insurance
• Life insurance conversion
• Reverse mortgage

VA benefits

Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for financial assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help offset the cost of home care. Programs that may help include:

• VA health care, which may provide access to certain in-home services, including homemaker and home health aide programs for eligible veterans.^[02]
• Aid and Attendance, a benefit that provides additional monthly payments to qualifying veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or eating. These funds can be used to help pay for home care services.^[03]

Eligibility requirements vary by program. Veterans and their families can learn more through VA.gov or the Idaho Division of Veterans Services.

Idaho Medicaid

Medicaid is a health care program developed to help low-income individuals and people with disabilities. It’s jointly funded by state and federal governments and administered by each state. Idaho Medicaid can be used to offset the cost of some health and personal care services.

Idaho’s Medicaid supports elderly residents through:^{[04,05,06,07]}

• The state’s regular Medicaid plan for the elderly
• The Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Aged & Disabled Waiver program
• The Personal Care Services Program (PCSP)
• The MMCP and IMPlus programs

These programs support services including, but not limited to:

• Attendant care
• Homemaker services
• Meal preparation
• Help with activities of daily living
• Companion services
• Medication management

The state’s regular plan is an entitlement program, meaning eligible residents receive services. The waiver program, PCSP, and the MMCP and IMPlus programs aren’t entitlements, so availability may be limited and waitlists may apply. Additionally, MMCP and IMPlus are only available in certain Idaho counties.

Medicare

Medicare may pay for limited home health care when it’s medically necessary and ordered by a doctor. Covered services can include skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and some medical supplies.

Medicare usually doesn’t cover ongoing nonmedical home care by itself. Help with bathing, grooming, feeding, walking, meal preparation, or housekeeping is generally only covered when it’s part of a qualifying home health care plan that also includes skilled medical care.^[08]

Idaho regulates medical and nonmedical home care providers and agencies that accept payment from the state’s Medicaid program. These regulations ensure providers meet skill, training, and safety standards.^[09,10]

Does Idaho require home care agencies to have a license?

No. In Idaho, neither home health care agencies nor nonmedical home care agencies, also called personal assistance agencies, are required to have a license to operate.^[10,11,12]

Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.^[13]

Does Idaho conduct inspections of home care agencies?

No, Idaho does not inspect home care agencies.

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Idaho?

Idaho requires agencies to follow hiring and training practices, including:^[09,12]

• Background checks for caregivers
• Verification of qualifications and certifications
• Initial training and ongoing education requirements

These standards help ensure caregivers are qualified to provide safe, effective support.

Choosing the right agency is one of the most important steps. Here are some tips to guide your decision:

• Check licensing. Make sure the agency is licensed in Idaho. A Place for Mom verifies licensing for agencies in our network twice per year, helping families feel more confident in their search.
• Read reviews. Look for consistent feedback about caregiver reliability and compassion.
• Ask about training. Ensure caregivers receive proper onboarding and ongoing education.
• Request detailed pricing information. Agencies may require weekly hour minimums and charge higher rates for care provided overnight, on weekends, and on holidays.
• Understand services. Confirm the agency offers the level of care your loved one needs.
• Meet caregivers. A good personality match can make a big difference when it comes to the comfort of your loved one.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency