My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket. This was to help him shower and dress. Would this qualify as a med expense?

hide_in_tax — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:23:48 GMT

Re: My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket...

MinhT1 — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 19:19:49 GMT

Yes.

According to IRS Publication 502 page 12, in general, medical services performed by a home care worker can be deducted. Some examples of qualifying services include services connected with caring for the patient's condition, such as giving medication or changing dressings, as well as bathing and grooming the patient.

Re: My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket. This was to help him shower and dress. Would this qualify as a med expense?

Opus 17 — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 15:32:10 GMT

Possibly. His tax return can deduct "nursing services". Nursing services do not have to be provided by a nurse, but they include things typically performed by a nurse, such as assistance with bathing, toileting, dressing, and medication. Companionship, laundry and other housekeeping services and meal prep are not deductible. If the caregiver was not exclusively performing nursing services, you must allocate the cost based on the percentage of time spent doing nursing services.

Under some circumstances, the entire cost of a home aide can be a medical deduction, if he meets all the required tests.

1. the patient has a chronic illness that will last at least 1 year or will lead to death.

2. the patient either (a) requires assistance with two or more activities of daily living (activities of daily living are eating, bathing, transferring, toileting, incontinence, and dressing) or (b) is cognitively impaired and requires assistance to prevent them from becoming a danger to themself or others.
3. the care is provided according to a written care plan that is prepared by a medical professional or a qualified social worker and is reviewed and updated annually.

Without the written care plan, only the nursing care portion of the cost is deductible even if the other two tests are met.

topic My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket. This was to help him shower and dress. Would this qualify as a med expense? in Retirement tax questions

My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket. This was to help him shower and dress. Would this qualify as a med expense?

Re: My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket...

Re: My deceased father had a home support aide for 2 hours per day that he paid for out of pocket. This was to help him shower and dress. Would this qualify as a med expense?