How Much Does Carina Cost in Seattle? [2025 Pricing Guide]

Jul 3, 2025

When you're exploring in-home care options for a loved one, knowing how much it will cost is one of the most critical steps. Carina, a nonprofit care matching platform in Washington, helps connect individuals with unionized home care aides—but how does its pricing compare with other options in the Seattle area?

This 2025 pricing guide breaks down Carina's home care costs, how it compares to regional and national averages, and introduces a flexible, affordable alternative in Caringene that serves families across King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.

Services Offered by Carina

Carina is not a traditional home care agency—instead, it’s a nonprofit online platform designed to connect individuals with qualified home care aides who are members of the SEIU 775 union. The caregivers listed on Carina work independently but are state-certified and trained to meet Washington’s caregiving standards.

Typical Services Provided:

Personal Care – Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and hygiene tasks.
Medication Reminders – Help staying on schedule with prescribed medications.
Light Housekeeping – Chores such as dishes, vacuuming, and laundry.
Meal Prep – Simple, healthy meals tailored to client preferences.
Mobility Support – Help moving around safely in the home, including transfers and walking assistance.
Companionship – Social engagement and presence to help combat loneliness and isolation.

Because Carina connects users directly with individual caregivers (rather than managing care as an agency), the service is ideal for families who want to take a more hands-on role in managing and coordinating in-home care. This model allows for greater autonomy and lower hourly rates but requires families to handle scheduling, communication, and sometimes problem-solving on their own.

Carina is especially popular among Medicaid-eligible individuals in Washington, as the platform is integrated with state systems to match clients with caregivers who accept DSHS-funded clients.

2025 Pricing Overview for Carina

Because Carina is a matching service for union caregivers, pricing is set by state Medicaid contracts and individual private-pay arrangements. Here's a general breakdown:

Note: Carina does not manage payroll, scheduling, or ongoing oversight. You hire and coordinate directly with the caregiver.

Seattle vs. National Home Care Costs (2025)

Carina offers some of the lowest hourly rates in the Seattle area—but with the caveat that families are responsible for handling direct coordination, which may not be ideal for those who need around-the-clock support, supervision, or backup caregivers.

This model can be cost-effective for families with part-time needs or consistent care routines, but it may pose challenges in urgent or complex situations.

Key Factors That Affect Home Care Costs in Seattle

Several variables can influence the actual cost of in-home care when working with a direct-hire platform like Carina:

Care Needs – The more complex the care (e.g., dementia support, mobility transfers), the more experience (and potentially higher cost) required from a caregiver.
Caregiver Certification & Availability – All Carina caregivers are union-certified, but specialization or preferred caregiver demand can affect pricing.
Shift Frequency – Daily or long-hour shifts may offer better pricing per hour than sporadic or short visits.
Hours Per Visit – Most caregivers prefer longer shifts (4+ hours), and very short visits may not be accepted.
Family Involvement – Because Carina is a direct-matching platform, the family must manage the schedule, backup plan, and communication.
Location – Some neighborhoods may have fewer available caregivers, affecting pricing or wait times.

While pricing is typically lower through Carina, it’s important to weigh the trade-off in administrative convenience and oversight.

Payment & Assistance Options for Carina

Carina is particularly suitable for Medicaid-eligible individuals in Washington State and has integrated systems to support publicly funded care arrangements. Here are the common ways families pay for care through the platform:

WA Medicaid (DSHS) – Most users on Carina are covered through Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), which pays the caregiver directly.
Private Pay – Some families pay out of pocket, especially if they don’t qualify for Medicaid. In these cases, clients handle payment directly with the caregiver.
Long-Term Care Insurance – If a family has a long-term care policy, some costs may be reimbursed depending on the terms. However, since Carina is not an agency, getting approval may be more difficult.

⚠️ Important Note: Carina does not assist with billing, payroll, insurance paperwork, or care coordination. Families are expected to manage all logistics.

A More Hands-Off, Affordable Alternative: Caringene

For families looking for in-home care without the hassle of managing a caregiver themselves, Caringene is a top-tier alternative:

With Caringene, everything is handled: hiring, payroll, caregiver replacement, and oversight.

What Families Are Saying

"I tried to manage a caregiver myself through Carina and it became overwhelming. Caringene took over and we finally got peace of mind." — Leah P., Shoreline

"Caringene gave us vetted help right away. We didn’t have to do any interviews or navigate contracts. They made it simple." — Mike B., Tacoma

Carina vs Caringene: Side-by-Side Comparison

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