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

In the Boston suburb of Georgetown, Massachusetts, 17.3% of the population are seniors aged 65 and older, higher than the national average of 16.8%. This town of 8,400 has high living costs, but it has low crime rates, proximity to Boston’s historical and cultural attractions and affordable health care. Top-ranking Holy Family Hospital is only 12 minutes away in Haverhill, and Anna Jaques Hospital is easily accessible in nearby Newburyport. Home care, which involves personal assistance and companionship, costs an average of $6,292 per month here, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Home health aide services, which include light medical help from skilled nurses or therapists, are more appropriate for seniors who need minor skilled nursing.

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

Monthly home care rates in Georgetown are $381 higher than the state average and $1,335 above the national median. Fees here are $572 pricier than in Worcester, about 60 miles southwest in the heart of Massachusetts. Another 55 miles west in Springfield, seniors pay $953 less than those in Georgetown. However, in-home care in Barnstable Town, 99 miles southeast, costs $381 more.

Home care in Georgetown costs about $50 less per month than home health aide services, although the latter may include skilled nursing or professional therapy. In-home care rates are less than half those of nursing home care in this area, and adult day care programs cost roughly one-quarter of the price of home care here. However, seniors must be able to leave home and travel to a senior center to participate.

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.