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

Situated in Essex County, Massachusetts,, Newbury is a coastal community steeped in old school charm with a rich maritime history. Attesting to its popularity as a retirement destination, approximately 20.7% of Newbury’s population of a little more than 6,700 are aged 65 and over — higher than the national rate of 16.8%. Residents can access emergency and primary care in Newburyport at Anna Jaques Hospital, and travel to Boston for advanced services.

Home care services in Newbury cost $6,292 per month, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Seniors requiring clinical services, such as those provided by licensed nurses and physical therapists, can opt for home health care.

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

At a monthly average of $6,292 per month, home care in Newbury is higher than both the national average of $4,957 and the Massachusetts average of $5,911. The highest home care costs within Massachusetts are found in Cape Cod at $6,673 in Barnstable Town, while residents of Springfield pay the least at a monthly average of $5,339. Costs in Pittsfield near the border with Pennsylvania are $5,625, and they rise slightly to $5,720 in Worcester.

Home care in Newbury comes with a slightly higher price tag than home health care, which averages $6,244 per month. Unlike home health care, which involves limited skilled nursing services, home care involves housekeeping and other nonmedical tasks. Nursing homes offer the least affordable senior care in Newbury at a monthly average of $13,155 for shared accommodations. Adult day health care is the least expensive choice at $1,614. The average cost of assisted living in Newbury is $6,819 per month.

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.