The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Dover, NH for 2024

Dover, NH, is home to about 33,400 residents, with adults aged 65 and older accounting for 16.3% of the population. Located near the Atlantic coastline, seniors may appreciate the city's numerous parks and nature preserves, as well as its relatively low crime rates and cheaper-than-average health care. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is centrally located for timely medical services, and seniors can turn to many local home care agencies for assistance with daily tasks and personal care. This type of senior care costs $5,840 per month on average in Dover. Alternatively, seniors who need ongoing medical support can access home health care for one-on-one skilled nursing services.

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Dover area – 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.

According to Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care in Dover is about 17.8% more expensive than the national norm. However, the city's average care price is 2.8% cheaper than New Hampshire's statewide average. Dover is also more cost-effective than some nearby cities. Home care is more expensive in Manchester at $6,149 per month, and rates in Boston, MA, are about 7.7% higher than those in Dover. On the other hand, some nearby cities are more affordable. Seniors in Worcester, MA, pay 2% less than those in Dover, and prices in Lewiston, ME, are even more economical at $5,339.

Seniors can choose from several care options in Dover at varying price points. Seniors wanting to age in place can opt for nonmedical home care, which averages $5,840, or home health care, which includes professional medical services and averages a bit more at $6,101. Averaging $2,600 monthly, adult day health care is the city's most affordable option, although that rate doesn't include housing. Seniors seeking residential options can consider assisted living, which is costlier than home care, at $6,525. Nursing homes are the most expensive care type because they provide 24/7 skilled nursing, at $11,315 on average.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.