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The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Merrimac, 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 Merrimac, MA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 30 options below.

Home Care Services in Merrimac, Massachusetts

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On this page:

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

The Cost of Home Care in Merrimac, MA

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Merrimac’s home care costs run higher than the national and Massachusetts state averages as well as similar costs in other Massachusetts cities. National average costs are over $1,300 lower, while state average costs are around $380 lower. Fall River to the south offers a cost savings of $572, as do Fitchburg and Southbridge, which are in the Worcester area. Westfield is less expensive, coming in at nearly $1,000 below Merrimac’s cost.

Merrimac

$6,292

Massachusetts

$5,911

The United States

$4,957

Fitchburg

$5,720

Westfield

$5,339

Fall River

$5,720

Southbridge

$5,720

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

In Merrimac, seniors can expect to pay a bit less for home health care than they do for home care services. Home health care includes medical care such as vital signs monitoring and diabetes management as opposed to just help with daily living activities. Assisted living runs $527 higher than home care but does require a move, as does skilled nursing care for several thousand dollars more. Adult day programming is least expensive but does not provide as much 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 Merrimac was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Merrimac, 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.

Merrimac 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 Merrimac:

ResourceContactAddressService
Massachusetts Home Care Program(800) 243-4636One Ashburton Place, 5 floor, Boston, MA 02108Through this state program, Merrimac seniors can receive in-home services. These can include assistance with activities of daily living such as eating and bathing, housekeeping and meal preparation. Seniors must be at least 60 years old, meet income requirements and pay monthly co-payments based on a sliding income scale.
Rebuilding Together Greater Haverhill(978) 469-080010 Phoenix Row, Haverhill, MA, 01832This nonprofit organization works with volunteers, including highly skilled carpenters, masons and electricians, to provide home improvements and repairs to the residences of low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Rehabilitation projects can improve home accessibility and energy efficiency. Seniors must call the office to request a mailed application. 
Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Nutrition Services (Meals on Wheels)(800) 892-0890280 Merrimack Street, Ste. 400, Lawrence, MA 01843A federally funded nutrition program, Meals on Wheels uses volunteers to deliver meals directly to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. These well-balanced meals can accommodate specialized, prescription diets. Meals are free with a $2.00 suggested donation, and adults must be at least 60 years old to qualify.
Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit(800) 392-6089100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114Merrimac seniors may be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $1,100 through their state income tax return. Credits are based on the property taxes of the rented or owned home serving as the senior’s primary residence. To qualify, seniors must be at least 65 years old and meet certain income criteria. Applications should be submitted as a Schedule CB completed with the senior’s personal tax return. 

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.

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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 Merrimac, 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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