Essex is a small, coastal town in Massachusetts with a population of about 3,800 people. The senior community in Essex and surrounding areas accounts for almost 18% of the population — more than the national rate of 16.8%. Essex is over 200 years old and a hub for the arts and cultural activities. Health care costs are less expensive than the national average. Beverly Hospital is only a few miles away and offers full-service care.
Seniors in the Boston area, including Essex, pay an average of $6,292 per month for home care, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Home care provides nonmedical services while home health care offers light medical services, as well.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Essex– 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.
6 Lynde Street, Salem, MA, 01970
5.0
(20 reviews)
"My mother is a current client of Right At Home-- and we are continually grateful for how well Right At Home serves her needs. The caregivers are kind and caring, and I can't say enough good things about the clear and responsive communication coming ..."
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153 Andover St, Suite 203, Danvers, MA, 01923
4.8
(5 reviews)
"I have Senior Helpers Boston North come into the home. I love when you call somebody and they answer. The girl who came here to evaluate was so nice. She was amazing. She was the coordinator of it all. She laid it all out, and told us what things had..."
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26-28 West St, Suite 108, Peabody, MA, 01960
"Home Instead Senior Care is a non-medical provider of personal care, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminde..."
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638 Adamsville Road, Westport, MA, 02790
"We Provide Stress-Free, Supportive Care Relationships. Professional Care Match Provides CONSISTENCY with Live-In and Hourly Caregiver..."
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560 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA, 01545
"Dedicated to providing the kind of non-medical in-home care Caring starts with people who care. At Care With Care Homehealth Care, we tak..."
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136 Mt Pleasant St, Lowell, MA, 01850
"JandJhomecarellc, exceptional home care services in middlesex MA"
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 200F, Danvers, MA, 01923
4.5
(75 reviews)
"A Google User A Google User just now I give it 1 star just because I have to select 1 but thumbs down is my rating. This place sucks with 24 hr care, hasn't been 2 years I've had their service and had 200+ people come to my house. I've had nurs..."
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275 Grove Street, Suite 2-400 , Newton, MA, 02466
5.0
(10 reviews)
"Foundational Health Home Care is an excellent agency, they assisted my Elderly Father until his recent passing. Their staff was always very caring and compassionate in attending to his needs. He always spoke good about how the caregivers and care man..."
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124 Vernon St. , Newton, MA, 02458
5.0
(6 reviews)
"MeetCaregivers is a fabulous agency. They are responsive and sensitive to the needs of the client and family, and work hard to find the right match(es). For example, my mother was extremely hard of hearing and needed caregivers who could speak slo..."
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841 Main Street, West Newbury, MA, 01985
5.0
(2 reviews)
"I chose them after speaking to the owner. He called me back right away and we spoke on the phone. He was actually the only person that called me back after I had reached out to them. Their care we're phenomenal. They were amazing. The owner was very..."
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330 Lynn Way, #346, Lynn, MA, 01901
5.0
(2 reviews)
"I have been using this for agency for few months now, they’re amazing, very caring, great service, nothing but the best. Caregivers arrive on time to care for my aunty. My Initial call and request for personal care needs were handled quickly. They ab..."
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495 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Associated Home Care is very good. They clean and take me grocery shopping. Each caregiver comes once a week, and each is very friendly and cooperative. I'm happy with the communication from the home office to me. ..."
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346 Turnpike Red, #2307, Westborough, MA, 01581
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Zynab and her team of caregivers provided a valuable support to our family when our Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and Dementia. There attendance was wonderful, caregivers were gentle, professional, helpful and supportive. Their service were b..."
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100 Trade Center, Ste. G700, Woburn, MA, 01801
4.0
(1 reviews)
"A friend recommended Plan B to me. We've been pleased with everything. Esther is good in checking and communicating with me. She's on top of everything. My parents like their caregivers. They're doing a great job. ..."
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129 Dodge Street, Suite One, Beverly, MA, 01915
4.0
(1 reviews)
"Comfort Keepers was just fine. They helped my mother with the chores around the house and with the laundry. They showed up on time, called ahead, and managed appropriately. ..."
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16 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA, 01901
3.0
(7 reviews)
"Prompt and very pleasant Easy to establish a helpful routine after returning home from a hospital stay..."
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1501 Main St Suite 32, Tewksbury, MA, 01876
3.0
(2 reviews)
"The level of service at ALTRANAIS HOME CARE, LLC is fantastic. Having been a customer for many years, I am consistently impressed by the professionalism of every staff member I have come in contact with. Thank you!" Divan Faveau ..."
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10 South Main Street, Suite 208, Topsfield, MA, 01833
"Bring Care Home opened its doors in 2004 with a passion to create positive change for families and loved ones. Our services allow seniors, t..."
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533 Main Street,, Winchester, MA, 01890
" Clark Care, Inc., a private duty nursing registry established in 1988, is owned and operated by Claudia Clark Gay and an exceptional admin..."
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9 Bartlet St., Suite 143, Andover, MA, 01810
"At Griswold Home Care, we understand that selecting a home care provider can be confusing. We aim to provide the best home care services pos..."
READ MOREAccording to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, home care costs per month in Essex and the rest of the Boston area are above the state and national average. Pittsfield is lower in cost, and Gloucester is part of the Boston area and is equivalent in cost. Cities like Worcestor and Springfield to the west are lower by several hundred dollars, with Springfield averaging the lowest. The state average is $381 below Essex’s rates, while the national average comes in at $1,335 lower.
Essex
$6,292
Massachusetts
$5,911
The United States
$4,957
Gloucester
$6,292
Worcester
$5,720
Pittsfield
$5,625
Springfield
$5,339
Home Care in Essex, which focuses on assistance with daily living activities, is one of the less expensive care options, averaging $6,292 per month. That’s just slightly higher than home health care, which includes services like monitoring vital signs and administering medication. Adult day care programs may be a good option for seniors, but travel is required. Home care averages more than $500 less than assisted living and over $6,800 less than nursing 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 Essex was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.
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.
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 Essex:
| Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Door Food Pantry | (978) 283-6776 | 00 Southern Heights, Ipswich, MA 01938 | Open Door provides food and holiday baskets to qualified seniors. Donations from the community enable the organization to help seniors and families in need. Applications for assistance are available at the food pantry. |
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | (978) 825-7300 | 45 Congress Street, Suite 4120, Salem, MA 01970 | Seniors in Essex may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This federal program is administered by the state through the regional Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). SNAP provides a monthly benefit that can be used to buy food. Eligible seniors are low-income and U.S. citizens or legal noncitizen residents. There are financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements. Call the program directly for more information. |
| Action, Inc. | (978) 283-7874 | 180 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 | This agency, located in Gloucester, covers the Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich and Manchester areas and offers low-income seniors home energy services like help paying for heat, heating system maintenance and weatherization. Learn more about the Citgo Free Oil Heat program. |
| Homestead Exemptions for Property Tax | (978) 557-1900 | Northern Essex Registry of Deeds, 354 Merrimack Street. Suite 304 (C), Lawrence, MA 01843 | In Massachusetts, seniors 70 and older may be exempt from some or all of their property tax requirements. Although this is a state mandate that exempts up to $500,000 of the value of a senior-owned primary residence, local governments administer the program and determine eligibility. Check with the local municipality to apply. |
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.
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.
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