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

Melrose is a beautiful suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. This city has approximately 29,312 residents. Melrose’s population consists of diverse groups, 18.9% being persons aged 65 and over. The city’s residents enjoy relatively low crime rates, reasonable cost of living and quality health care. Numerous health facilities are located in Melrose, including MelroseWakefield Hospital, which offers same-day surgery and is ranked as one of the best U.S. hospitals for stroke care.

According to the Genworth Cost Care Survey 2021, the city’s proximity to the larger Boston area makes the cost of home care in both regions similar, at $6,292. Conversely, home health care is a better option for seniors who require professional medical assistance.

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

Home Care Agencies in Melrose, MA

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Paying for Home Care in Melrose, MA

The Cost of Home Care in Melrose, MA

According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the monthly median cost of home care in Melrose is $6,292. That is $381 above the state average and $1,335 more than the national monthly median costs. Seniors in Melrose also pay more for home care than residents in cities such as Worcester in central Massachusetts, Springfield and Pittsfield. However, the rates are higher in areas like Barnstable in the southeast.

Melrose

$6,292

Massachusetts

$5,911

The United States

$4,957

Worcester

$5,720

Springfield

$5,339

Pittsfield

$5,625

Barnstable

$6,673

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

The home care cost in Melrose, Massachusetts, is $48 higher than the average home health care rate and $527 lower than assisted living facility costs. Assisted living is costlier than home care at $6,819. Adult day health care is the cheapest option in Melrose and $4,678 less expensive than home care, but it requires seniors to travel to adult daycare centers — which can be challenging for individuals with mobility issues. Finally, Melrose residents pay around $6,863 more for nursing home care than in-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 Melrose was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Melrose, 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.

Melrose 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 Melrose:

ResourceContactAddressService
Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)(617) 204-3600600 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111Adults with disabilities may be eligible for a no-interest loan from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to help with the cost of handicap modifications for their home. Applications are approved based on income, with a sliding scale for household size, although each client is only eligible for one loan in their lifetime. The amount lent ranges from $1,000 up to $50,000 (inclusive of all costs). 
Massachusetts Department of Revenue (800) 392-6089100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114Massachusetts is informally known as “Tax-achusetts,” but there are a few exemptions for seniors who own property. Those 65 and older with an income less than $23,718 per year may have a $1,000 tax exemption on state property tax. This same age bracket is also eligible for a deduction of their total water and sewer bills if their property taxes exceed 10% of their income. Exemptions for veterans and the legally blind are also available. 
Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Massachusetts(413) 253-4300451 West St., Amherst, MA 01002Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this program offers loans or grants to the poor and elderly. It’s available to those with both low income and those who are unable to obtain credit elsewhere to remove safety and health hazards in the house where they live. It’s intended to help families keep their homes in good repair and remain in their communities and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 
Massachusetts LIHEAP and HEARTWAP programs(978) 373-1971 3 Washington Sq., 2nd Floor, Haverhill, MA 01830The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development offers a program to help cover the costs of heating and electricity for seniors and those who meet certain income thresholds. It’s based on household size, although eligibility requirements may vary year to year. In addition to offsetting the costs of heating the home, these programs also offer select winterization home improvement services. 
Meals on Wheels & Senior Dining (781) 324-7705300 Commercial St., #19, Malden, MA 02148Seniors in Malden are welcome to enjoy community lunches at several different senior centers in the Melrose area Monday through Wednesday. These are free meals, although a reservation is required, and a small donation is appreciated to offset costs. In addition to these hot meals, those in need also have access to 14 different food pantries sponsored by the Mystic Valley Elder Services agency. Home delivery of nutritional supplements like Ensure is also available. 

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.

Download
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs
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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

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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