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

Boxford, MA, is located within Essex County, and is home to around 8,141 people, according to the 2020 Decennial Census. Approximately 18% of residents are 65 or older, meaning this area has a larger proportion of seniors than the national average of 16.8%. Since the area is near to Boston, it shares home care costs with the larger city. In fact, the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that the median cost of care in the area is $6,292 for home care, which is not the same as home health care, a skilled service with professional medical support. When looking for care, two hospitals near Boxford include Salem Hospital and Merrimack Valley Hospital, both of which provide emergency care.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Boxford– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

In Boxford, MA, home care costs are approximately $381 more than the state median. The cost is also $1,335 more than the national median. The cost of care in Worcester is about $570 less expensive than Boxford. Also to the west, Springfield ($5,339) and Pittsfield ($5,625) are less costly options than in-home care in Boxford, but Barnstable Town, which is located at the tip of Cape Cod, is almost $400 more expensive.

Home care in Boxford is approximately $527 less than assisted living and $6,863 less than skilled nursing. For adults who can go to adult day care, the cost is approximately one-fourth of the cost of home care services at $1,614, compared to $6,292 for home care. Adult day care services may require seniors to travel to a different location. Residents who need skilled medical care may choose home health care rather than home care, which does not provide medical services.

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.