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

With approximately 13,700 residents, seniors aged 65 and older living in Ipswich make up 21.1% of the town’s population — significantly higher than the national average of 16.8%.The coastal town of Ipswich is a vibrant suburb of Boston that attracts older residents due to its many senior citizen programs, cultural and historical interests and low crime rates.  Ipswich is also a 15-minute drive from Beverly Hospital, which offers geriatric care.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that seniors in Ipswich pay an average of $6,292 per month for home care, which provide personal care. For additional light medical services, there’s home health care.

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

On average, seniors in Ipswich pay $6,692 per month for home care, which is in line with average costs in Massachusetts but over $1,700 more than the national average. Home health care, which includes light medical services provided by registered nurses and physical, speech and occupational therapists, costs a little less per month than in-home personal care services in Ipswich. Seniors living in the eastern parts of the state pay more affordable fees for in-home care in Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield, while home care costs on Cape Cod in Barnstable are higher. 

Costs for home care in Ipswich average about $500 less than assisted living costs and over $6,800 less than the expenses for a semiprivate room in a skilled nursing facility. Adult day health care programs are the least expensive option, priced at less than one-third the cost of home care services. Seniors generally need transportation, which some towns can provide, to a community center to take part in these organized recreational activities and programs. 

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.