Free Consultation - Call: 239-590-0861
Free Consultation - Call: 239-590-0861
Proudly serving families in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.
Are you trying to figure out what it actually costs to bring a private caregiver into your home in Fort Myers or Cape Coral? Costs vary by family, but here’s what to expect as you start planning.
As of 2026, most families see total invoiced costs of roughly $25 to $35 per hour for an in-home caregiver, depending on the level of care needed, the caregiver’s credentials, and the schedule. Live-in and around-the-clock arrangements are priced differently and depend on the specifics of the arrangement — give us a call at 239-590-0861 and we can walk you through what to expect for your situation.
For years, the MetLife Mature Market Survey was the standard reference for long-term care costs — it’s where the often-quoted $21-per-hour national figure came from. That survey was discontinued more than a decade ago, and its successor is the Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, which has tracked median long-term care costs across all 50 states since 2004.
The 2025 survey reports a national median of $35 per hour for a non-medical caregiver — roughly $80,000 per year at 44 hours of care per week. Florida’s median comes in at $32 per hour, in line with what we see locally. The survey also found that labor costs, more than inflation, have been the top factor driving home care price increases. (One note if you compare older surveys: beginning in 2025, homemaker services and home health aide services are reported together as a single “non-medical caregiver” category.)
Those numbers make more sense with context. The same survey puts assisted living at a national median of $6,200 per month — about $74,400 per year — and a private nursing home room at $355 per day, or nearly $130,000 per year. For families whose loved one needs part-time support rather than a facility, in-home care is frequently the most economical option, and it comes with staying home.
Medians also hide the range. The survey breaks results down by metropolitan area, and Cape Coral–Fort Myers is its own region — you can look up our exact market using CareScout’s free cost-of-care tool. Local demand, seasonality, and the factors below all move individual rates.
Abby Services works as a nurse registry, not a traditional home care agency. That distinction matters for cost: the caregivers we refer are self-employed and set their own rates, which you agree to directly with them. Your total invoiced cost is simply the caregiver’s fee plus our referral fee, disclosed up front, with none of the overhead a traditional agency adds to every hour billed. In many cases, that means you pay less overall while the caregiver earns more. Take a look at the full range of caregiver services we help families arrange to see what’s typically included.
Worried about how to cover the cost? You have more options than you might think:
Medicare generally does not cover ongoing, non-medical in-home care, so it’s worth checking your other options early.
These two are often confused, but they’re priced, and structured, differently. Live-in care means a caregiver stays in the home with defined rest and sleep periods. Around-the-clock care means awake caregivers working in shifts, with no one sleeping on the job. The right fit, and the right cost, depends on whether your loved one needs someone simply present overnight or someone awake and alert.
Since 1997, Abby Services has helped families across Fort Myers and Cape Coral find screened, credentialed caregivers at a price that makes sense for their budget. Whether you need a few hours of help each week or full-time support, our team can help you build a plan and find the right person for your family.
Explore our caregiver services or call 239-590-0861 for a free consultation.
How much does a private caregiver cost in Fort Myers and Cape Coral?
As of 2026, families typically see total invoiced costs of roughly $25 to $35 per hour, depending on the level of support, the caregiver’s credentials, and the schedule. Live-in and around-the-clock arrangements are priced differently and depend on the details of the arrangement.
Is a nurse registry cheaper than a home care agency?
Often, yes, in total cost. Independent caregivers referred through a registry set their own rates and don’t carry agency overhead, so families frequently pay less in total while the caregiver earns more. Always compare the complete invoiced amount, not just the hourly rate.
Who sets the caregiver’s rate?
The caregiver. Caregivers referred by Abby Services are self-employed and set their own fees, which the client and caregiver agree on together. Your total invoiced cost is the caregiver’s fee plus Abby Services’ referral fee, disclosed before services begin.
Does insurance cover the cost of a private caregiver?
Many long-term care insurance policies cover in-home caregivers, including homemaker services. Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical in-home care. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit.
Are live-in care and 24-hour care the same thing?
No. Live-in care means a caregiver stays in the home with defined rest and sleep periods. Around-the-clock care means awake caregivers working in shifts. They are distinct arrangements with different costs, and the right choice depends on whether your loved one needs someone present or someone awake.
