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

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Home Care Services in Essex, Massachusetts

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On this page:

  • Home Care Services in Essex, Massachusetts
  • Paying for Home Care in Essex, MA
  • Financial Assistance for Home Care in Essex, MA
  • Essex 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 Essex, MA

The Cost of Home Care in Essex, MA

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, home care costs per month in Essex and the rest of the Boston area are above the state and national average. Pittsfield is lower in cost, and Gloucester is part of the Boston area and is equivalent in cost. Cities like Worcestor and Springfield to the west are lower by several hundred dollars, with Springfield averaging the lowest. The state average is $381 below Essex’s rates, while the national average comes in at $1,335 lower.

Essex

$6,292

Massachusetts

$5,911

The United States

$4,957

Gloucester

$6,292

Worcester

$5,720

Pittsfield

$5,625

Springfield

$5,339

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

Home Care in Essex, which focuses on assistance with daily living activities, is one of the less expensive care options, averaging $6,292 per month. That’s just slightly higher than home health care, which includes services like monitoring vital signs and administering medication.  Adult day care programs may be a good option for seniors, but travel is required. Home care averages more than $500 less than assisted living and over $6,800 less than nursing home care.

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 Essex was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Essex, 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.

Essex 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 Essex:

ResourceContactAddressService
Open Door Food Pantry(978) 283-677600 Southern Heights, Ipswich, MA 01938Open Door provides food and holiday baskets to qualified seniors. Donations from the community enable the organization to help seniors and families in need. Applications for assistance are available at the food pantry.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)(978) 825-730045 Congress Street, Suite 4120, Salem, MA 01970Seniors in Essex may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This federal program is administered by the state through the regional Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). SNAP provides a monthly benefit that can be used to buy food. Eligible seniors are low-income and U.S. citizens or legal noncitizen residents. There are financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements. Call the program directly for more information.
Action, Inc.(978) 283-7874180 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930This agency, located in Gloucester, covers the Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich and Manchester areas and offers low-income seniors home energy services like help paying for heat, heating system maintenance and weatherization. Learn more about the Citgo Free Oil Heat program
Homestead Exemptions for Property Tax(978) 557-1900Northern Essex Registry of Deeds, 354 Merrimack Street. Suite 304 (C), Lawrence, MA 01843In Massachusetts, seniors 70 and older may be exempt from some or all of their property tax requirements. Although this is a state mandate that exempts up to $500,000 of the value of a senior-owned primary residence, local governments administer the program and determine eligibility. Check with the local municipality to apply.

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 – often times 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

In Home Care near Essex, MA

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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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