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The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Cambridge, MA for 2024

Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Cambridge, MA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 5.0 out of 5 stars across the 79 options below.

Home Care Services in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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On this page:

  • Home Care Services in Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Paying for Home Care in Cambridge, MA
  • Financial Assistance for Home Care in Cambridge, MA
  • Cambridge Home Care Resources
  • Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
  • Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

Paying for Home Care in Cambridge, MA

The Cost of Home Care in Cambridge, MA

Based on care costs in nearby Boston, average home care rates in Cambridge are estimated at $6,292 per month. This is about $1,300 more than the national average and a couple hundred more than the state average. The only surveyed city with higher monthly home care rates is Barnstable, where agencies charge nearly $400 more. In Worcester and Pittsfield, care costs are roughly $600 less. In Springfield, rates are nearly $1,000 lower than in Cambridge. 

Cambridge

$6,292

Massachusetts

$5,911

The United States

$4,957

Barnstable

$6,673

Worcester

$5,720

Springfield

$5,339

Pittsfield

$5,625

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Cambridge, MA

Home care agencies in Cambridge charge $6,292 monthly for nonmedical services such as light housekeeping, meal preparation and help with personal care activities. Home health care agencies provide these services along with skilled nursing services such as wound care and vitals monitoring. Despite this, average home health care costs trend about $50 lower per month. Adult day care is about $4,700 less per month than home care, while assisted living and nursing home care are both more expensive. 

Home Care

$6,292

Home Health Care

$6,244

Adult Day Care

$1,614

Assisted Living

$6,819

Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)

$13,155

Note: Data for Cambridge was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Cambridge, MA

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

  • Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
  • Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
  • Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
  • Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.

Cambridge Home Care Resources

Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Cambridge:

ResourceContactAddressService
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Meals and Nutrition(617) 628-260161 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 02143-3429Cambridge seniors aged 60 and older who need help maintaining a healthy diet can access a range of free and low-cost nutritional supports through Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services. The agency operates the local Meals on Wheels program and congregate meal sites throughout Cambridge, provides nutritional counseling, distributes farmer’s market coupons and offers low-cost Ensure drinks to those who struggle to eat solid foods. 
Citywide Senior Center(617) 349-6060806 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139Operated by Cambridge’s Department of Human Services, the Citywide Senior Center is a one-stop community center for older adults. Seniors can sign up for a variety of free and low-cost fitness classes and workshops, participate in health and wellness lectures, join an escorted day trip to nearby attractions and learn about local volunteer opportunities and senior services. 
MBTA The RIDE Paratransit Service(617) 337-272710 Park Plaza, Room 3910, Boston, MA 02116The RIDE is the regional ADA-compliant paratransit service operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This service provides low-cost, door-to-door transportation for those who are unable to use the regular fixed-route public transit system due to temporary or permanent disability. The RIDE can be used to travel throughout the MBTA’s service area, which includes all 58 cities and towns within the greater Boston area. 
Department of Veterans’ Services(617) 349-476051 Inman Street, 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139Veterans, as well as their survivors and dependents, can contact the Department of Veterans’ Services for help with accessing VA benefits that can be used to help cover home care costs, such as the Aid and Attendance and Housebound enhanced pension programs. Staff at the DVS can also assist with VA medical services and life insurance benefits, help vets obtain their service records, and apply for VA disability and death benefits. 
Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services(617) 371-1234197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114Low-income seniors aged 60 and older can access free legal information and assistance for non-criminal matters through Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services. The organization can help seniors secure federal benefits, access MassHealth services and deal with issues related to aging such as guardianship and elder abuse. 

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

Download
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

Download
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs

Reviews of Care Providers Nearby

Home Care

Harriet Roberts

I am a past client of this provider

Review of Purple Nurse Home Care

I needed to find companion for my Mom who has Alzheimers before she deteriorated and passed. Purple Nurse sent the right person. Mom was happier and her mood completely changed. I will always be...

Read more

In Home Care near Cambridge, MA

HarvardNew TownSomervilleAllstonBrightonCharlestown

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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