An average in-home visit in 1997 cost $77.  (This is based on a 2-hour visit, with the cost of a nurse $98, a therapist $90, home health aid $54, and homemaker $52.) Round-the-clock care at home can be equally as expensive (and sometimes even more expensive) than institutionalized care, and will quickly deplete the hard-earned retirement monies that you have saved.

It is best to call several home health care agencies in your area to see what their hourly charges are for skilled and personal care.  A recent survey conducted in an area of northern New Jersey (Feb 1999) found that the cost for a home health aid ran between $16.00-$17.00 per hour ($128 per 8-hour shift or $384 for round-the-clock care.)