The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Essex, 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 Essex, MA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 27 options below.

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.

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.

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.