Merrimac, Massachusetts, is a small town with a population of around 6,700 residents. Of these, 23.8% are senior citizens — well above the national rate of 16.8%. Crime rates in Merrimac are lower than the national average and while the cost of living is higher, so are average household incomes. The Merrimack Valley Hospital in neighboring Haverhill and the Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport both offer easy and fast access to emergency care, primary care and many specialties.
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey lists home care costs in Merrimac at $6,292 per month for personal care services. For additional light medical services, home health care is available.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Merrimac– 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.
350 Main Street, Haverhill, MA, 01830
4.9
(79 reviews)
"My caregiver bring to my house peace on every visit I never Thought about having someone like her. Shes very professional an helpe a lot with my house. I feel like a baby because she doesnt let me do anything when shes here. Thanks..."
READ MORE
231 Sutton St, Suite 2H, North Andover, MA, 01845
5.0
(6 reviews)
"My mom received excellent home care services with Home Instead in North Andover for 8months . The aides were sweet & compassionate . We cannot thank them enough ...."
READ MORE
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..."
READ MORE
638 Adamsville Road, Westport, MA, 02790
"We Provide Stress-Free, Supportive Care Relationships. Professional Care Match Provides CONSISTENCY with Live-In and Hourly Caregiver..."
READ MORE
60 Island St, Lawrence, MA, 01840
"At Senior Helpers Lawrence, MA, our mission is to ensure a better quality of life for our elderly clients and their families by providing de..."
READ MORE
5 Thomas Rd, Methuen, MA, 01844
"Our in-home care services brighten the lives of seniors who can benefit from a helping hand and a friendly smile. Our caregivers, who are se..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
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..."
READ MORE
572 Boston RD , Billerica, MA, 01821
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Home Helpers provided care for my husband who was bed ridden with Parkinson’s disease and a traumatic brain injury. Denise and her team did a wonderful job providing care for my husband. My two primary caregivers were very conscientious and caring...."
READ MORE
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..."
READ MORE
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..."
READ MORE
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..."
READ MORE
305 Whiney St, suite G4, Leominster, MA, 01453
5.0
(2 reviews)
"Truly Cherished was unbelievably helpful and kind when our family was in a time of need. My grandfather needed 24 hour assistance at home, especially when COVID restrictions would not allow family to visit him. The owner was sure to have someone work..."
READ MORE
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. ..."
READ MORE
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..."
READ MORE
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. ..."
READ MORE
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. ..."
READ MORE
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 ..."
READ MORE
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..."
READ MORE
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 MORE
316 MAIN ST Suite 500, Worcester, MA, 01608
" GIA Home Care Services Provide family center care to our clients. Our goal is to keep families together in the comfort of their own home."
READ MOREAccording to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Merrimac’s home care costs run higher than the national and Massachusetts state averages as well as similar costs in other Massachusetts cities. National average costs are over $1,300 lower, while state average costs are around $380 lower. Fall River to the south offers a cost savings of $572, as do Fitchburg and Southbridge, which are in the Worcester area. Westfield is less expensive, coming in at nearly $1,000 below Merrimac’s cost.
Merrimac
$6,292
Massachusetts
$5,911
The United States
$4,957
Fitchburg
$5,720
Westfield
$5,339
Fall River
$5,720
Southbridge
$5,720
In Merrimac, seniors can expect to pay a bit less for home health care than they do for home care services. Home health care includes medical care such as vital signs monitoring and diabetes management as opposed to just help with daily living activities. Assisted living runs $527 higher than home care but does require a move, as does skilled nursing care for several thousand dollars more. Adult day programming is least expensive but does not provide as much 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 Merrimac 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 Merrimac:
| Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Home Care Program | (800) 243-4636 | One Ashburton Place, 5 floor, Boston, MA 02108 | Through this state program, Merrimac seniors can receive in-home services. These can include assistance with activities of daily living such as eating and bathing, housekeeping and meal preparation. Seniors must be at least 60 years old, meet income requirements and pay monthly co-payments based on a sliding income scale. |
| Rebuilding Together Greater Haverhill | (978) 469-0800 | 10 Phoenix Row, Haverhill, MA, 01832 | This nonprofit organization works with volunteers, including highly skilled carpenters, masons and electricians, to provide home improvements and repairs to the residences of low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Rehabilitation projects can improve home accessibility and energy efficiency. Seniors must call the office to request a mailed application. |
| Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Nutrition Services (Meals on Wheels) | (800) 892-0890 | 280 Merrimack Street, Ste. 400, Lawrence, MA 01843 | A federally funded nutrition program, Meals on Wheels uses volunteers to deliver meals directly to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. These well-balanced meals can accommodate specialized, prescription diets. Meals are free with a $2.00 suggested donation, and adults must be at least 60 years old to qualify. |
| Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit | (800) 392-6089 | 100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114 | Merrimac seniors may be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $1,100 through their state income tax return. Credits are based on the property taxes of the rented or owned home serving as the senior’s primary residence. To qualify, seniors must be at least 65 years old and meet certain income criteria. Applications should be submitted as a Schedule CB completed with the senior’s personal tax return. |
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.
.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
