This webpage is designed to assist residents of Idaho in better understanding the costs associated with home care, adult day care, and assisted living. It also investigates the payment options and financial assistance programs available from the state. Outlined here is inclusive of what is available from Idaho, but not inclusive of what may be available at a national level. To find assistance that best meets your needs, it is important that you also look for assistance at a national level. To do so, please use our Resource Locator Tool.
Idaho Eldercare Costs for 2023
Assisted Living / Memory Care
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2021, the statewide assisted living cost for Idaho residents averages $3,838 / month. Compared to many states, fluctuation between geographic locations within the state is fairly minimal. However, in the areas of Twin Falls and Boise City, the monthly cost of assisted living is under the state average at approximately $3,586 – $3,820. The costliest areas of Idaho for assisted living are Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene, where the average monthly cost is $4,419 – $4,675.
Memory / Alzheimer’s care in assisted living adds approximately $896 to 1,168.75 / month.
Home Care
Per the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average hourly rate for home care across Idaho is $28.50. The least expensive areas of the state are Lewiston and Twin Falls, which offer an average hourly cost between $24 and $25. In the more expensive areas of Coeur d’Alene and Boise City, the expected average cost is $30 – $30.50 / hour. The hourly cost of home health care, which provides minimal medical care, is in line with home care.
Adult Day Care
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2021, the expected daily cost of adult day care services in Idaho is $100. Boise City and Twin Falls are in line with the state average at $100 / day. The least expensive adult day care is found in Pocatello, where the cost is $50 / day.
Idaho Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid is a joint health care program between the state of Idaho and the federal government. Idaho’s Medicaid state plan will cover the cost of nursing home care for low-income, elderly, and disabled persons. Idaho also offers three Medicaid-based assistance programs in addition to nursing home care.
This waiver pays for services and other support mechanisms in one’s home, an adult foster care home, or assisted living to prevent nursing home placement. Benefits of this program may include adult day care, homemaker services, respite care, home modifications, and many others. This program is not an entitlement, which means there are a limited number of participant slots, and a wait list may exist. More information about benefits and restrictions can be found by clicking the above link.
This program provides elderly and disabled residents assistance with basic activities related to living at home. These activities might include bathing, meal preparation, housecleaning, and grocery shopping, to name a few. As long as the caregiver is an authorized Medicaid provider, the care recipient is able to choose from whom they receive care. This program is also available to those living in assisted living facilities and foster homes. Find out more by clicking on the above link.
MMCP provides coordination of Medicare and Medicaid services (including long term care services via the A&D waiver) for “dual eligibles,” meaning individuals who are recipients of both programs. At the time of this writing, MMCP is not available statewide. For more information about this program and to see where it is available, click the above link.
Medicaid Eligibility
The state of Idaho requires that in order to qualify for Medicaid as an elderly person, one must be a resident at least 65 years of age, (or if under 65, disabled). As of 2023, the income limit is set at $967 / month for an individual and $1,391 / month for a married couple (with one or both spouses as applicants) if categorically aged, blind or disabled. To be eligible for a Medicaid Wavier, the monthly income limit is $2,742 for individuals (or $2,762 with a $20 disregard) and $4,484 (or $5,504 with a $20 disregard) for married couples (both spouses as applicants) over 65.
For those who are categorically aged, blind or disabled, there is also a $2,000 asset limit for individuals and a $3,000 limit for couples. For individuals applying for a Medicaid Waiver, the asset limit is $2,000 and for couples (with both spouses as applicants) each spouse is entitled to $2,000 in assets. When only one spouse is an applicant, the non-applicant spouse is entitled to a greater portion of the couple’s joint assets. (Learn more here).
Note that some items are considered exempt, such as the primary home (valued up to $750,000 if the applicant is not married), household furnishings, personal belongings, and a single vehicle. Medicaid eligibility can be complicated, particularly if one is over the income and / or asset limit(s). Persons over these limits may still qualify for Medicaid, but it is strongly suggested one work with a Medicaid planner.
Idaho Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
The state of Idaho offers two non-Medicaid assistance programs. They both have the objective of keeping disabled and elderly residents of Idaho from having to leave their homes and to move to more costly, residential nursing homes. Click on the programs below to get more information on specific benefits and eligibility guidelines.
The respite program rovides temporary caregiving assistance to relieve primary caregivers. Care may be provided in-home or out-of-home. Waiting lists may apply.
The Homemaker Services Program provides in-home personal support and errand assistance. Examples of benefits include grocery shopping, preparation of meals, housekeeping, and medication management.
Other Financial Options for Care
Along with the options available here, there are also other options available that assist in paying for care. These options can encompass non-profit help, federal programs, veterans options, tax credits, and many others. Our Resource Locator Tool will take only a few minutes to complete. It provides a comprehensive picture of the assistance options relevant to the person in need of care. For those needing assistance, this is the best way to find the program that is most suitable to their situation.
Finding Affordable Care in Idaho
Although, for the most part, there is not a broad range in pricing within each type of care throughout the state of Idaho, there is still good reason to contact multiple providers and use multiple avenues to find affordable care. Our free service is available for families and individuals to help match unique geographical and pricing needs to providers who fulfill those criteria. For help in locating more affordable care, please click here.
Top Cities for Senior Care in Idaho
For more information about the costs and resources available in Idaho cities, click on the links below.
