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

Gardner is a city in North Central Massachusetts with historical museums, scenic parks and other attractions for seniors. According to the U.S. Census, 18.2% of the 20,902 residents in the city are aged 65 and older. Many of these seniors choose Gardner for its relatively affordable living costs and the high number of physicians per capita, which is better than the U.S. average. Having Heywood Hospital within the city limits is also a plus. Seniors in Gardner who need in-home care pay an average of $5,720 per month. If they need medical care at home, they may pay a bit more for the services of trained and licensed medical professionals.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Gardner 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.

The average cost of home care in Gardner is about $200 less than the state average, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, but it’s $763 more than the national average. Pittsfield and Springfield are the only cities in the state with more affordable rates than Gardner: $95 less and $381 less, respectively. Home care in the eastern part of the state is significantly higher: about $550 more in Boston and nearly $900 more in Barnstable. 

The average cost for assisted living in Gardner is $5,685 per month, which is only $35 less than nonmedical home care and $229 less than home health care provided by licensed medical professionals. Families on a more limited budget may be able to use adult day health care, reducing their senior care expenses by a little over $3,800. This level of care may not be adequate for some seniors, especially those who need around-the-clock medical supervision. That can be where nursing homes play a role, but they have an average price of $11,863 per month for a semiprivate room.

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.