Your parent needs help at home, but you don’t know where to start.
Maybe there was a recent hospital discharge. A fall that shook everyone. A new diagnosis. Or maybe it’s something quieter, you’re realizing you can’t keep doing this alone anymore.
Suddenly, you’re hearing unfamiliar terms like home care, home health, assisted living, and hospice, and they all blur together. You want to do the right thing, but the options feel overwhelming, and the stakes feel high.
This guide is here to help you make sense of it all. It will provide a sufficient answer to the question “what is home care?”, including how it works, and whether it could be a good fit for your family in Cleveland.
There’s no pressure to decide anything today. Think of this as a starting point. Simple, honest information to help you take the next step with confidence.
Home Care Services Explained
Home care means professional caregivers come to your loved one’s home to help with everyday activities, personal care, and companionship. The primary goal of home care is to help seniors age safely and comfortably at home rather than moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
It is about bringing the support to the senior, rather than moving the senior to the support. Home care services in Cleveland allow many residents to remain in the neighborhoods they love while maintaining their independence.
What Home Care Covers
Home care services can include:
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Help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming
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Meal preparation and light housekeeping
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Medication reminders (non-medical caregivers do not administer medications or injections)
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Companionship and social interaction
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Transportation to appointments or errands
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Safety monitoring and fall prevention
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Support for conditions like dementia, stroke recovery, or chronic illness
Who Uses Home Care?
Home care supports a wide range of people, including:- Seniors wanting to age in place but struggling with daily chores.
- Individuals in post-hospitalization recovery needing temporary help.
- People living with chronic conditions like Dementia, Parkinson’s, or COPD.
- Anyone needing support but not requiring 24/7 skilled medical supervision.
Home Care vs. Other Care Options
Home care, home health, assisted living, and nursing homes often get used interchangeably. However, they mean different things. Here, we break down each option in simple terms, so you can clearly see what each type of care.Home Care vs. Home Health
This is the most common point of confusion, and for good reason. While both services happen at home, home care vs home health serve different purposes. Think of home health as clinical care and home care as lifestyle and safety support.| Feature | Home Care (Non-Medical) | Home Health (Medical) |
| Provider | Caregivers, Aides, Companions | Nurses (RN/LPN), Physical Therapists |
| Key Services | Bathing, meals, cleaning, transportation | Wound care, injections, rehab therapy |
| Medical Tasks | Medication reminders only | Can administer and manage medications |
| Schedule | Highly flexible (2 to 24 hours) | Short, intermittent medical visits |
| Medicare | Generally not covered | Treating a specific medical condition |
| Best for | Daily life and safety | Post-hospital recovery or active medical treatment |
Key takeaway: Many families need both. Home health can handle the medical treatment, while home care fills the daily support gap that medical visits don’t cover.
Understanding the Other Alternatives
Beyond home-based options, you may weigh these other options:- Home care vs. assisted living: With home care, your loved one stays in their own home and you pay only for the hours used. Assisted living involves moving to a facility with a monthly all-inclusive fee.
- Home care vs. nursing home: Nursing homes provide 24/7 skilled medical care. They are typically reserved for those with severe medical needs or advanced dementia that cannot be managed safely in a private residence.
- Home care vs. adult day care: Adult day centers like those found in many Cuyahoga County senior centers provide a group setting during the day. Home care offers one-on-one attention inside the senior's actual home.
Types of Home Care Services
Home care isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can choose from light companionship to hands-on personal care and even round-the-clock support, depending on your loved one’s needs. Let’s explore the main types of home care services to help you identify the right level of help.1. Companion Care
Companion care is the most flexible and least hands-on type of home care. It’s designed for people who are mostly independent but shouldn’t be alone all day for safety or social reasons.Here’s what is usually included:
- Friendly conversation and social engagement
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation and hydration reminders
- Medication reminders (not administration)
- Transportation to appointments or activities
- Safety monitoring and supervision
- Support with hobbies, walks, or gentle activities
- Seniors who are physically independent but lonely or isolated
- Individuals with early stage dementia
- People recovering from minor illness or surgery
2. Personal Care
Personal care involves hands-on support for people who can no longer safely manage everyday activities on their own. It builds on companion care, with added help for personal and physical needs that require closer attention.Personal care includes:
- Assistance with bathing and showering
- Dressing, grooming, and oral hygiene
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Mobility support
- Feeding assistance when needed
- More intensive safety monitoring
- All companion care services
- Seniors with mobility limitations
- Individuals with moderate dementia or cognitive decline
- Those living with chronic conditions that affect daily function
- People returning home after a hospital stay and need extra support
3. Specialized Care
Specialized care is designed for people living with specific medical conditions or complex needs that require caregivers with additional training and experience.Types of specialized home care include:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s care: Structured routines, behavior redirection, wandering prevention, and meaningful cognitive activities
- Parkinson’s care: Movement assistance, fall prevention, support during “on/off” periods, and help with daily tasks affected by tremors or stiffness
- Stroke recovery support: Mobility assistance, communication strategies, and reinforcement of therapy routines
- COPD and respiratory support: Oxygen safety, energy conservation, breathing exercise support, and monitoring for changes
- Diabetes support: Meal planning, blood sugar reminders, foot care awareness, and routine consistency
- Post-surgical or complex recovery care: Assistance following medical instructions, mobility support, and close observation
4. 24/7 Live-In Care
24/7 live-in care provides continuous support in the home for people who cannot be left alone safely. A live-in caregiver lives in the home. They help throughout the day and stay awake overnight if needed.24/7 live-in care offers:
- Ongoing supervision and safety monitoring
- All personal care and companion care services
- Help with mobility, toileting, meals, and daily routines
- Overnight presence for reassurance and urgent needs
- Consistency with the same caregiver or small caregiver team
- Regular agency oversight and care coordination
- People with advanced dementia or wandering risk
- Individuals with severe mobility limitations or frequent falls
- Seniors who require help both day and night
- Families who need significant relief from constant caregiving
- Those seeking an alternative to nursing home placement
How Home Care Works
Once families decide to explore home care, the process is usually simpler and faster than expected. Most care arrangements can be set up within days.Step 1: Initial Consultation (Usually Free)
The process begins with a phone call or in-home meeting with a home care agency. You’ll talk through your loved one’s situation, daily challenges, schedule needs, and preferences. This is an exploratory conversation and there’s no obligation to move forward.Step 2: Care Assessment
If you decide to continue, the agency completes a detailed assessment. This looks at personal care needs, mobility, safety risks, routines, medical considerations, and the home environment. The goal is to understand how support should fit into daily life. At BrightStar Care, this is done by a Registered Nurse (RN).Step 3: Care Plan and Schedule
Based on the assessment, a care plan is created outlining recommended services, hours per week, and costs. This plan is flexible and can be adjusted as needs or budgets change.Step 4: Caregiver Matching
The agency matches a caregiver based on skills and personality fit. Caregivers are trained, background-checked, and insured. You should always have the opportunity to meet the caregiver to ensure it is a right fit for your family dynamic.Step 5: Care Begins and Adjusts Over Time
Your caregiver starts their agreed-upon schedule. In many cases, a supervisor will check in during the first few visits to ensure the transition is smooth and the care plan is being followed exactly. In Cleveland, many families begin with just a few hours and increase support gradually.Home Care Costs in Cleveland
The cost of in-home senior care is often the primary concern for families. As of 2026, home care rates in Northeast Ohio remain slightly more affordable than the national average. However, they are rising due to increased demand and a competitive market for high-quality caregivers.Cleveland Home Care Rates (2026 Estimates)
In the Cleveland area, home care is usually charged by the hour, and rates depend on the level of care:- Companion care: $32–$36/hour
- Personal care: $34–$42/hour
- Specialized care (Dementia/Parkinson’s): $40–$50/hour
- Live-in care: $250–$400/day
Monthly Cost Examples
Since care is billed hourly, total cost depends on how many hours your loved one needs:- 10 hours per week: Approximately $1,280-$1,440 monthly
- 20 hours per week: Approximately $2,560-$2,880 monthly
- 40 hours per week (full-time support): Approximately $5,120-$5,760 monthly
What Influences Cost
Several factors can raise or lower your rate. They include:- Hours of care needed: More hours means higher total cost.
- Level of support: Basic companionship is less expensive than personal or specialized care.
- Time of day: Overnight or weekend hours may cost more.
- Agency vs. private hire: Agencies may charge more but provide background checks and supervision.
- Specialized needs: Dementia, Parkinson’s, or other condition-specific training often increases hourly rates.
Benefits of Home Care
Home care is often chosen because it supports both practical needs and emotional well-being. It allows families to add professional help without taking away independence or familiarity.Benefits for Seniors
The most significant advantage of home care is the ability for a senior to remain in their environment.- Familiarity and comfort: They get to sleep in their own bed and maintain the routines they’ve spent decades building.
- One-on-one attention: Unlike a facility where one staff member might be responsible for 10 or 15 residents, a home caregiver is focused entirely on your parent.
- Independence and dignity: Seniors maintain a sense of control over their lives. They decide when to eat and when to go for a walk.
- Better health outcomes: Studies consistently show that seniors recover faster and have a lower risk of infection when they are in a home environment.
- Connection to community: They can stay close to their neighbors and favorite neighborhood spots.
Benefits for Family Caregivers and Families
As a family caregiver, you are likely exhausted. Home care provides the support you need to keep going.- Relief from 24/7 responsibility: You can return to being a son or daughter again, rather than just a nurse and housekeeper.
- Peace of mind: You no longer have to worry every time your phone rings while you're at work or out of town. You know a professional is there monitoring your loved one's safety.
- Preventing burnout: Professional support allows you to maintain your own health and your relationships with your spouse and children.
- Extended "aging in place": By bringing in help early, you prevent a premature move to a nursing home due to family exhaustion.
- Professional perspective: Caregivers and agency supervisors often notice small changes in health or mobility before they become major emergencies.
- Emergency rotocols: Having an agency involved means there is a clear plan in place if a fall or medical event occurs
How to Choose a Home Care Agency
Choosing a home care agency can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your time. The good news is that that there are some green flags that signal trust and quality.1. Licensing and Insurance
Start with the basics. The agency should be licensed in Ohio and fully insured. Ask whether caregivers are employees or independent contractors . Employee-based agencies handle payroll, taxes, insurance, and supervision, which reduces risk for families.2. Caregiver Screening and Training
Ask how caregivers are vetted and trained. Reputable agencies conduct background checks and provide ongoing training. Also ask how caregivers are matched to families and what happens if the fit isn’t right.3. Reliability and Backup Coverage
Care doesn’t stop when a caregiver calls in sick. A strong agency has backup caregivers available and clear procedures for coverage, so your loved one is never left without support.4. Supervision and Communication
Find out who supervises caregivers and how often the agency checks in. You should know exactly who to contact with questions or concerns and how issues are resolved.5. Costs and Flexibility
Ask for pricing, minimum hour requirements, and contract terms. You should be able to adjust hours as needs change without penalties.Common Concerns About Home Care Addressed
It is perfectly normal to have reservations about bringing a professional into your home. Most Cleveland families we work with express the same few concerns. Addressing these head-on can help you move with confidence.“My parent won’t accept help from a stranger.”
This is one of the most common fears. Many seniors are resistant at first, but acceptance often improves once care begins. Families help by starting with short visits and finding the right personality match.“It feels like I’m giving up or failing them.”
Choosing home care doesn’t mean you are giving up. In reality, it’s a proactive step to keep your loved one safe at home longer. Waiting until exhaustion or crisis forces a decision often leads to fewer options and more stress.“I should be able to do this myself.”
Caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding. Even the most devoted families need support. Home care extends what you can do. It doesn’t replace you.“We can’t afford it.”
Many families worry about cost. In Cleveland, some start with just a few hours a week and increase gradually. Financial assistance programs and shared family planning can also help.“What if something goes wrong?”
Licensed agencies use background checks, supervision, and clear reporting systems to reduce risk. If something feels off, you have the right to speak up and make changes.Final Thoughts
Home care is a way to preserve the independence and dignity of the people who raised us. By choosing professional support, you are choosing to keep your loved one safe in the Cleveland home they love, surrounded by the memories they’ve built.Just as importantly, home care supports you. It eases the pressure of doing everything alone and helps families create sustainable a care plan. Whether care starts with a few hours a week or more consistent support, it can grow and change as needs evolve.
If you’re exploring options in Cleveland, you don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Schedule a free consultation with BrightStar Care Cleveland today. Call 440) 613-1500 or fill out our contact form.
Summary
- Home care consists of professional, non-medical support provided in the senior's home to help them age safely and independently
- Support includes help with daily tasks (bathing, dressing), meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and companionship.
- Home care is non-medical and flexible, while Home health is clinical and usually covered by Medicare for short-term recovery.
- There are different levels of home care, including companion care, personal care, specialized condition-based care, and 24/7 live-in support.
- Home care benefits seniors and families by reducing stress, improving safety, speeding up recovery, and supporting quality of life.
- Choosing the right agency involves checking licensing, caregiver training, reliability, communication, and cost transparency.