“I’m ready for my breakfast, Michael.”

These are the words I hear each morning when my mother stays with us. I start the day by preparing her oatmeal, buttered toast and exactly half a glass of milk — not three-eighths, not five-eighths, exactly half. Otherwise, I’d hear about it. After I present the tray of food and tune the TV to the Hallmark channel, I head to my desk to begin work, but I’m usually called back within minutes to help again. It’s a rhythm I know well.

Most of the year, my 85-year-old mother lives with my sister in Virginia. She coordinates care, manages appointments and serves nearly every meal. While my wife, daughters and I look forward to visits from my mother, we also know it will always be all-hands-on-deck. The truth is, my mom needs help with carrying out ordinary activities throughout the course of each and every day.

Many families take on these responsibilities themselves because the financial strain of paying a professional caregiver would be too much to bear.

The national median cost for a home health aide now tops $77,000 annually. For homemaker services, historically a more affordable........

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