.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Methuen, 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 Methuen, MA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 41 options below.
What you can do with Caring
Paying for Home Care in Methuen, MA
The Cost of Home Care in Methuen, MA
Just like the rest of the Boston metro, Methuen’s average cost for in-home care is $6,292 per month, according to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. This amount is nearly $400 above the Massachusetts average, and higher by over $1,300 compared to the national average. Barnstable in the southeast is even more expensive by almost $400. Less expensive options include Worcester in Central Massachusetts and Providence in Rhode Island, both saving seniors about $600 monthly. Nearby Manchester in New Hampshire is also less costly by almost $150.
Methuen
$6,292
Massachusetts
$5,911
The United States
$4,957
Worcester
$5,720
Barnstable
$6,673
Manchester, NH
$6,149
Providence, RI
$5,720
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Methuen, MA
In Methuen, home care and home health care cost almost the same within the $6,200 range. Assisted living costs around $500 more per month, and it covers monthly apartment rental and meals. Adult day health care at $1,614 is the cheapest option and may be suitable for those who are able to remain at home and receive care in a nonresidential setting. Seniors requiring 24-hour nursing home care can expect to spend more than twice the cost of 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 Methuen was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Methuen, 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.
Methuen 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 Methuen:
| Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. | (978) 683-7747 | 280 Merrimack Street, Suite 400, Lawrence, MA 01843 | This non-profit organization is a designated federal Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that serves seniors and persons with disabilities in Northeast Massachusetts. Some of the program’s services offered by ESMV are: |
| Methuen Assessor’s Office | (978) 983-8530 | Searles Building, Room 103, 41 Pleasant Street, Methuen, MA 01844 | The City of Methuen Office of the City Assessor provides information on property tax exemption for elderly residents. Different qualifications are granted to seniors 60+ and 70+, widows, disabled veterans and the legally blind. Other criteria for eligibility are income and property ownership status as specified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. |
| Northern Essex Elder Transport, Inc. | (978) 388-7474 | 100 Main Street, Amesbury, MA 01913 | This non-profit volunteer driver program provides affordable curb-to-curb transportation for seniors going to local and out-of-town medical appointments, as well as shopping destinations and other places for errands. NEET serves 14 communities in the Merrimack Valley area, which includes Methuen. Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles, and they receive supplemental automobile insurance and mileage reimbursement. |
| GLCAC LIHEAP and Fuel Assistance | (978) 681-4950 | 305 Essex Street, 2nd Floor, Lawrence, MA 01840 | The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council provides assistance to Methuen seniors 65 years and older in need of support in paying their energy bills. Eligibility is based on the federal guidelines for a household’s gross income, and payments are made directly to the fuel provider. Home visits are available to homebound elderly applicants who are handicapped, and supplemental benefits may be provided. |
| GLCAC Project SENIOR | (978) 681-4950 | 305 Essex Street, 2nd Floor, Lawrence, MA 01840 | This free home safety repair program by the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council and Lawrence Community Development Department is funded by Wells Fargo and has been serving seniors, including those in Methuen, since 2005. Some of the home safety services covered include the installation and repair handrails, grab bars, steps, ramps and bathroom fans, as well as the removal of hazardous components. |
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.
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.
