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

Douglas is a small rural town in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It’s in a tree-covered area that experiences a humid continental climate of hot summers, a mild fall climate and cold, snowy winters. It’s an ideal place for seniors looking for a peaceful small-town environment. It has a population of about 9,049 people, with 11.2% of them aged 65 years and above. That’s below the national average, which stands at 16.5%. The town hosts amenities such as retail stores, restaurants, culture, parks and places of worship. Residents can also access quality primary and specialized health care services from nearby medical facilities such as Milford Regional Health Center, Saint Vincent Hospital Emergency Room and Umass Memorial Medical Center.

Home care cost in Douglas is similar to that of Worcester County, with the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey showing that home care services in the region average at $5,720 per month. Home care is assistance with daily living activities such as dressing, whereas home health care involves light medical support from licensed professionals.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Douglas– 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.

The cost of home care in Douglas is slightly lower than the Massachusetts state average of  $5,911 by $191. That’s higher than the national average, which stands at $4,957. Compared to other counties in the state, home care costs in Douglas are lower than in state cities such as Plymouth, whose costs average $6,673 per month. It has similar home care fees to that of Norfolk due, as they all fall under the Providence area. Douglas has higher monthly home care costs than Hampden by $381. 

Monthly home care costs in Douglas average about $200 more than home health care services. The latter includes light medical services such as medication management and physical or occupational therapies provided by health professionals. The cost of assisted living is around $35 lower than home care services in Douglas. Skilled nursing services average $11,863 per month, or $6,143 more than the average home care costs. Adult daycare is another senior care option in Douglas and costs $1,842 per month. 

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.