A plain-language breakdown of what in-home care costs across South Florida — companion care, personal care, and skilled nursing — and how private pay, long-term care insurance, and VA benefits fit in.
Cost is usually the first question families ask, and it's the hardest to answer in a sentence. What you'll pay for in-home care in South Florida depends on the level of care, how many hours you need each week, and whether the caregiver is live-in or hourly. This guide walks through typical ranges across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach — and how families put the pieces together to pay for it.
The rates below are general South Florida market ranges gathered from publicly available cost-of-care data and industry averages. They do not reflect Care Alternatives, Inc. pricing or a guaranteed quote.
What any family actually pays depends on several factors: the type and level of care needed, the number of hours per week, whether care is hourly or live-in, the caregiver's experience and credentials, scheduling complexity, geographic location within the county, and whether services are covered in part by long-term care insurance, VA benefits, or another payer source. The best way to get an accurate picture for your situation is to speak with our team directly.
Companion care — light housekeeping, meal prep, medication reminders, transportation, companionship — typically runs $28–$34 per hour in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Most families need a 3- or 4-hour minimum per visit.
Personal care — hands-on help with bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, and mobility — typically runs $30–$38 per hour. Certified Home Health Aides (HHAs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) fall into this range.
Skilled nursing care — provided by a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) for wound care, medication management, injections, or catheter care — typically runs $55–$85 per hour, with LPN visits at the lower end and RN visits at the higher end.
Live-in care (one caregiver in the home who sleeps at night with time off during the day) is usually billed as a flat daily rate — typically $280–$380 per day in South Florida — and is a common way to bring the effective hourly cost down for families needing round-the-clock presence.
True 24-hour care with two or three rotating caregivers (no one sleeping on shift) is billed hourly and lands in the $650–$820 per day range. It's the right fit when a client cannot be left unattended at any hour.
Rates in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach are broadly similar and slightly above the Florida statewide average, in line with cost-of-living differences. Coastal Boca Raton, Aventura, and Palm Beach communities tend to sit at the top of each range; inland areas often sit at the bottom.
Private pay is the most common way families pay for in-home care in Florida. You pay the nurse registry or agency directly and have full flexibility over hours and caregiver selection.
Long-term care (LTC) insurance policies purchased years ago often cover a significant share of in-home care today — daily benefit amounts of $150–$300 are common. Most modern policies include home care; older policies may not. There's usually an elimination period (30, 60, or 90 days) before benefits pay, and triggering benefits requires documentation that the policyholder needs help with two or more activities of daily living.
VA benefits can help wartime veterans and surviving spouses. The VA Aid & Attendance benefit adds to a monthly pension for veterans who need help with activities of daily living — for 2026 the maximum monthly amount is roughly $2,800 for a married veteran. VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care is a separate program the VA can authorize directly.
The fastest way to control cost is to be honest about what hours actually matter. Many families start with 3–4 hours a day at the times of highest need — mornings, meals, evenings — and expand only as the situation changes.
Combining sources is common: LTC insurance often covers a fixed daily amount, and families pay the remainder privately. Veterans may combine VA benefits with private pay. A short call with a coordinator usually clarifies what's realistic before you commit to anything.
Costs in South Florida land in predictable ranges — the real question is how many hours you need and how you're paying for it. Call us and we'll help you build a plan that fits your budget.
Speak with a Care Alternatives coordinator today. We'll listen, answer your questions, and help you take the next step — without pressure.
