Hourly: area median home care rate (CareScout 2025). 65+: Census share of residents (metro area for "Metro" locations).
License required
Is non-medical home care licensed in Ohio?
Ohio licenses non-medical home care.
Under Chapter 3740 of the Ohio Revised Code (effective Sept. 30, 2021, with the license requirement starting one year later), agencies and self-employed providers that give personal care or other nonmedical home health services need a nonmedical home health services license from the Ohio Department of Health. A provider with a skilled home health services license may also give non-medical care without the second license. The law does not require a license for a caregiver who is an immediate family member, a person who cares for no more than two people who are not family, a volunteer, or a person who provides Medicaid self-directed services. Skilled home health agencies (nursing and therapy) hold a separate skilled license.
Tip: Ask any agency or self-employed caregiver for their current Ohio Department of Health nonmedical (or skilled) home health services license before you hire. Family caregivers, caregivers with two or fewer unrelated clients, and Medicaid self-directed caregivers do not need one.
Most families pay privately, with long-term care insurance or with veterans benefits. These programs can pay for help at home for people who qualify.
HCBS waiver
PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver
Who: Ohioans age 60 or older who are financially eligible for Medicaid, need a nursing home level of care, and can stay safely at home. Income and asset limits apply; your Area Agency on Aging can tell you the current limits.
What it covers
In-home help such as personal care, along with other services that let a person stay at home or in another community setting instead of a nursing home.
Family caregivers: Yes. Participant direction is voluntary: the person recruits and hires a provider independent of a personal care agency.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Who: People age 55 or older who live in a PACE service area, need an intermediate or skilled nursing level of care certified by the state, and can live safely in the community.
What it covers
All-in-one care through a PACE center and in-home services; payment can come from Medicare, Medicaid, or private pay.
Income limit: Ohio Medicaid's 2026 special income level for institutional care and home and community-based waivers is $2,982 per month for one person (300% of the SSI benefit), up from $2,901 in 2025.
Ohio medians, CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025. Home care months are estimates: hourly rate x hours x 52 / 12. Not HomeCare.com prices.
Help at home with daily living.
Care in your home
Meal preparation
Light housekeeping
Bathing and dressing
Transportation
Companionship
Personal care
About home care in Ohio
Home care in Ohio helps seniors who need assistance with “activities of daily living (ADL’s)” and their family. In-Home Care can be provided in Ohio by either a home care agency or private duty caregivers. Agencies have physical locations and are more strictly regulated by the state, but many more experienced caregivers decide to work directly for the family as private duty home health aides so they can avoid the agency overhead that cuts into their wages.
HomeCare.com specializes in connecting families with caregivers who meet their unique needs. Our care advisors have years of experience dedicated to assisting families through this process. We'd be happy to offer you a free consultation to discuss your specific requirements and help you find the best possible caregiver.
Ohio PACE centers are open in Cuyahoga, Summit, Hamilton, and Franklin counties. The Toledo (Lucas County) PACE program was listed with a tentative April 2027 start.
Questions about care in Ohio.
Rather talk it through? A care advisor can answer these by phone.
CareScout's 2025 survey puts the Ohio median for a non-medical caregiver at $34 an hour. The national median is $35. The same survey lists assisted living at $6,103 a month and adult day care at $83 a day. Costs differ by city, so check your local page. A care advisor at 800-974-3458 can talk through payment options.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Ohio?
It can. The PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver helps Ohioans age 60 or older who qualify financially, need a nursing home level of care and can stay safely at home. The Ohio Home Care Waiver serves eligible Ohioans age 59 or under. For PASSPORT, call 1-866-243-5678 to reach your Area Agency on Aging. A HomeCare.com care advisor can talk through payment options.
Is non-medical home care licensed in Ohio?
Yes. Under Chapter 3740 of the Ohio Revised Code, agencies and self-employed providers of personal care or other nonmedical home health services need a nonmedical home health services license from the Ohio Department of Health. Immediate family members, volunteers, people who care for no more than two non-family clients and Medicaid self-directed providers do not need one. Ask for the license before you hire.
Can I be paid to care for a family member in Ohio?
The data shows two things. PASSPORT and the Ohio Home Care Waiver both allow self-directed care, where the person chooses and hires their own caregiver. From May 14, 2026 through November 14, 2026, Ohio Medicaid is not accepting new enrollment applications from Personal Care Aides, Home Care Attendants and waiver providers. Check the Ohio Department of Medicaid page for the status after that.
Where can I find senior services in Ohio?
Start with your Area Agency on Aging. Call 1-866-243-5678 to reach it through the Ohio Aging and Disability Resource Network. The Ohio Department of Aging is at 1-800-266-4346. The National Family Caregiver Support Program offers caregiver training, support groups, respite care and adult day services. The state long-term care ombudsman is at 800-282-1206.
How does HomeCare.com work in Ohio?
Call 800-974-3458 to talk with a care advisor. HomeCare.com then connects you with a credentialed, non-medical caregiver. Every caregiver it refers must pass a background check. You pick the visits and hours. An app confirms the caregiver arrived on time and that billed hours are accurate. Live-in care and 24/7 coverage are available, with support 7 days a week.
