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

Rochester is a small town in Massachusetts, located close to the city of Providence, Rhode Island. It is home to an estimated 5,762 residents and around 16.3% of the population are aged 65 and over, just under the national average. Vibra Hospital of Southeastern and Tobey Hospital are both located within a short drive of the town. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average senior in Rochester pays $5,720 per month for home care services. This type of care provides assistance with non-medical tasks and personal care. Seniors requiring limited skilled nursing assistance should consider the slightly more expensive option of home health care services.

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

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, monthly home care costs are high in Rochester when compared to the rest of the nation. The national average is $4,957 per month, while the average senior in Rochester pays $5,720 each month. This is slightly lower than the Massachusetts state average of $5,911. Seniors in nearby Boston pay over $500 more per month, while those in Barnstable Town have the most expensive monthly care rates in the state at $6,673. Springfield offers a more affordable option at $5,339 per month. 

Home care in Rochester costs $343 less than assisted living, making it a slightly more affordable option for those requiring assistance with the tasks of daily living. A semiprivate room in a skilled nursing facility will cost an average of $10,190 each month. The most affordable option available is adult day care, which provides recreational activities at a community center or similar venue during standard working hours. 

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.