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

Known as the Heart of the Commonwealth, Worcester is located in central Massachusetts between Boston and Springfield. Home to around 206,000 residents, the community offers a peaceful retreat from busy city living, allowing residents to be immersed in New England’s natural beauty. As a designated age-friendly city, Worcester is dedicated to supporting the needs of local seniors who make up 13.6% of the population. Worcester earns a spot in the top 50 of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Retire in the United States based on its affordable housing and health costs, access to quality medical facilities and vibrant cultural offerings. Both UMass Memorial Medical Center and Saint Vincent Hospital offer specialized geriatric care services.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, the average cost of home care services for seniors in Worcester is $5,720 per month. Home health care services are a little more expensive at $5,911 per month. This is because they include the assistance of a skilled nursing aide in addition to household assistance and routine personal care.

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

Seniors living in Worcester can expect to pay $5,720 per month for home care. While it’s a little more expensive than the average American city, Worcester is an affordable option compared to the Massachusetts state median of $5,911. To the west, Springfield and Pittsfield are slightly less expensive than Worcester, with average care costs of $5,339 and $5,625, respectively. Home care in Worcester is over $400 less compared to Boston and nearly $1,000 less than what seniors typically pay in Cape Cod.

Home health care costs $191 more than home care, but includes light medical services in addition to personal care. Those who only require part-time assistance may opt for adult day health care, which is the most affordable option at $1,842. Assisted living is a bit less expensive than home care, though it requires seniors to relocate to a community-based setting. Those in need of focused care and attention may be good candidates for nursing home care, which is the most expensive option; rates at these facilities start at $11,863 for semiprivate rooms.

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.