In short
When a parent needs 24-hour care, the options are shift caregivers or a live-in at home, assisted living with higher care levels, memory care for dementia, or a nursing home for daily nursing. At the 2025 national median of $35 an hour, round-the-clock home care costs far more than the $9,581 monthly median for a semi-private nursing home room.
Written by the Senior Choice Care teamUpdated October 9, 2026. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end of this page. General information; every family is different.
The options
^ Ways to cover 24-hour needs
| Option | Fits when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shift care at home | Strong preference to stay home | Cost; backup when caregivers call out |
| Assisted living | Personal care and supervision | Limits on nursing care |
| Memory care | Dementia with wandering or safety risks | Price of care levels |
| Nursing home | Daily nursing needs | Medicare doesn't pay long term |
A cost check
24 hours a day for 30 days is 720 hours. At $35 an hour that is about $25,200 a month, before agency differences.
Questions families ask
How much does 24-hour home care cost?
At the 2025 national median rate of $35 an hour, about $25,200 for 30 days.
Does Medicare pay for 24-hour care at home?
No. Medicare home health is part-time or intermittent.
Which costs less at round-the-clock levels, a nursing home or care at home?
At national medians, yes.
What about hospice?
Hospice adds support at home but doesn't provide round-the-clock caregivers except in brief crises.