GIA Home Care Services LLC
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 MOREMerrimac, 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.
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 MORE630 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA, 01845
"Assurance Homecare LLC is a leading In-Homecare service provider that covers Massachusetts. It is our goal to improve the well-being of our ..."
READ MORE1 Canal Street, Suite 101A, Lawrence, MA, 01840
56 Central Ave, Suite 308, Lynn, MA, 01901
According 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.