You know they need help. But what kind?
Most families come to this moment the same way — something happened, or something is slowly happening, and you've accepted that help is needed. The harder question is figuring out what kind.
Care isn't one-size-fits-all. The right fit depends on what your loved one can and can't do, how much help they need each day, and what you can realistically manage as a family.
This page breaks it down in plain terms.
Companion Care
Best for: A loved one who is mostly independent but shouldn't be alone.
Companion care is non-medical support — conversation, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation to appointments, and a reassuring presence. No hands-on personal care.
This is often the first step families take, and the easiest one to start with.
Personal Care
Best for: A loved one who needs help with daily physical tasks.
Personal care adds hands-on assistance — bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. A personal care aide helps your loved one with the tasks they can no longer safely do alone.
This level of care can often be covered by KanCare or MO HealthNet for families who qualify.
Skilled Nursing Care at Home
Best for: Someone recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization — or managing a complex medical condition.
Skilled nursing brings a licensed nurse or therapist into the home. This includes wound care, medication management, physical therapy, and post-hospital recovery support.
Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing at home after a qualifying hospital stay. It does not cover long-term personal care.
Memory Care Support
Best for: A loved one with Alzheimer's, dementia, or significant cognitive decline.
Memory care requires specialized training and approach. Some home care agencies specialize in dementia care — routines, redirection, safety, and patience. If your loved one is still at home but has memory issues, ask specifically about dementia-trained caregivers.
When home care is no longer enough, dedicated memory care facilities provide 24-hour supervised support.
Respite Care
Best for: Family caregivers — including spouses — who need a break.
If you are the primary caregiver, respite care brings in temporary relief — for a few hours, a day, or longer. This is not a luxury. Caregiver burnout is real and it affects the quality of care your loved one receives.
Some respite care is covered under KanCare and MO HealthNet waivers. Ask about it by name.
Hospice and Palliative Care
Best for: Families navigating serious illness or end-of-life care.
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life at any stage of illness. Hospice is specifically for the final stages, when the goal shifts from treatment to comfort and dignity.
Both can be provided at home or in a facility. Medicare covers hospice for qualifying patients.
Not sure which level fits?
Start with the 10 Questions Guide — it helps you think through what your loved one actually needs before you talk to any provider.
Ready to find a provider?
Browse Kansas City care providers by category — home care agencies, memory care specialists, hospice services, and more.