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In-Home Care in New Hampshire

More than 1.3 million residents call New Hampshire home and of those who live here, an estimated 18.7% are seniors aged 65 and older. While those living in the state enjoy proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Canada’s border, a cost of housing that’s 20.5% above the national median reflects that luxury. Thankfully, health care services in New Hampshire are relatively affordable, with costs that are more than 12% below the U.S. average.

Those who require long-term care may consider home care, which includes personal care and help with chores, or home health care, which offers in-home nursing care and light medical support. The average cost of home care in New Hampshire is $6,006 per month.

This guide compares the cost of home care in New Hampshire to what seniors pay in surrounding states. It also provides information about financial assistance programs and other resources that are available to New Hampshire seniors.

The Cost of In-Home Care in New Hampshire

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, New Hampshire seniors pay an average of $6,006 per month for home care services. This is $1,049 more than the U.S. median ($4,957), and when compared with nearby states, it’s the highest average cost in the region. Seniors in both Vermont and Maine pay $5,720, while those in Massachusetts pay $5,911 per month.

New Hampshire

$6006

The United States

$4957

Massachusetts

$5911

Vermont

$5720

Maine

$5720

The cost of senior care can vary depending on the city it’s provided in. Manchester’s average cost is $6,149 per month, which is $429 more than the $5,720 per month that seniors in Burlington, Vermont, and Worcester, Massachusetts, pay. To the east of New Hampshire in Portland, Maine, seniors pay $5,840 per month, while to the south in Boston, one of the largest cities in the area, the average cost is higher at $6,292.

Manchester

$6149

Burlington, VT

$5720

Portland, ME

$5840

Boston, MA

$6292

Worcester, MA

$5720

In New Hampshire, home care is more affordable than most other available types of long-term care, including home health care services, which cost an average of $6,197 per month. Other options are assisted living, which provides residential care along with housekeeping and assistance with ADLs, and nursing home care, which offers 24-hour medical supervision in a residential setting. At $6,053 per month, assisted living is just slightly more expensive than home care, while nursing home care is priced much higher at $10,950 per month. Those who don’t need residential care and aren’t housebound might consider adult day health care, which has the lowest average cost at $1,842 per month.

In-Home Care

$6006

Home Health Care

$6197

Nursing Home Care

$10950

Assisted Living

$6053

Adult Day Health Care

$1842

Does Medicaid Cover Home Care in New Hampshire?

Although New Hampshire Medicaid is limited in what it covers those who are aging in place, it does offer two programs that expand coverage to include everything required for in-home care. These programs are known as Personal Care Attendant Services and The Choices for Independence Program.

Home Care Waiver Programs in New Hampshire

Personal Care Attendant Services

Personal Care Attendant Services are available to Medicaid-enrolled seniors and disabled adults who live in noninstitutional care settings. The program provides help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), as well as health maintenance support services such as ostomy care, medication administration, and bowel and bladder care.

To qualify for this program, seniors must be their own legal guardians, require at least 2 hours of care per day and need assistance with at least two of the following:

  • Bathing/grooming
  • Dressing/undressing
  • Eating
  • Mobility
  • Passive range of motion exercise
  • Taking medication
  • Toileting

You must also be able to self-direct your care and participate in ADLs with assistance.

To apply, you should speak with your doctor or managed care organization to obtain a referral or call (800) 826-3700. 

The Choices for Independence Program

The Choices for Independence Program helps seniors living with chronic illness access in-home services when they’d otherwise require a nursing home level of care. The program exists to promote independence among seniors by providing in-home personal care, chore services, home-delivered meals and homemaker support.

To qualify for this program, you must be at least 60 years of age, financially eligible for Medicaid and meet the program’s functional requirements.

Seniors can begin the application process by contacting NH ServiceLink at (866) 634-9412.

How to Know if You’re Eligible for Medicaid in New Hampshire

To qualify for Medicaid coverage in New Hampshire, you must meet the program’s income requirements. Single applicants are limited to an annual income of $18,075, while couples can have up to $24,353 in yearly income. Countable assets are limited to $2,500 per applicant in both scenarios.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in New Hampshire

Income limits*Asset limits
$18,075$2,500
$24,353$5,000

* per year

  • At least 65 years old or blind/disabled
  • A full-time resident of New Hampshire
  • A permanent resident, legal alien or U.S. citizen
  • In need of health insurance

How to Apply for Medicaid in New Hampshire

You can apply for New Hampshire Medicaid online at NHEasy. Alternatively, you can print out and complete an application and mail it to your local Department of Health and Human Services’ District Office. You can also call (800) 852-3345 to apply by phone.

What Information You Will Need

To complete the application process, you’ll need to provide:

  • Photo identification
  • Proof of address and residency/citizenship
  • Proof of all income, including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

If you have difficulty understanding the eligibility requirements  or need help with the Medicaid application process, you can reach out to the resources listed below.

ProgramContactAreaServedServices provided
NHEasy Customer Service(844) 275-3447Entire StateSeniors can contact this customer service hotline to ask questions about eligibility, learn more about coverage options or obtain support throughout the application process.
NH Bureau of Family Assistance(800) 852-3345 ext. 9700Entire StateRepresentatives of the BFA are available to provide applicants with answers to questions about coverage, eligibility and the application process.
ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource CenterContact Your Local OfficeEntire StateAs New Hampshire's ADRC, ServiceLink works with seniors and their caregivers to provide resource referrals and other important services, including help with Medicaid planning and applications.

Does Medicare Cover In-Home Care in New Hampshire?

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

  • Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
  • Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
  • Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
  • Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

Other Financial Assistance Options for In-Home Care in New Hampshire

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in New Hampshire

As a senior living independently, it’s important to have access to resources and services that promote a good quality of life and that help keep costs down. The following resources are available to seniors throughout New Hampshire.

ResourceContactAreaServedService
New Hampshire Emergency Rental AssistanceContact your nearest Community Action AgencyEntire StateThe Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps those facing the risk of homelessness to cover the cost of their unpaid past-due rent, as well as future rent payments. It can also provide funds for utilities, internet and other housing-related costs.
603 Legal Aid(800) 639-5290Entire State603 Legal Aid offers free legal assistance in civil matters including evictions and foreclosures, landlord-tenant disputes, Medicaid appeals and problems with other public benefit programs.
Weatherization Assistance Program(603) 271-6359Entire StateThe Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households by funding upgrades that reduce energy consumption. This may include repairing or replacing heating equipment, installing insulation or weatherstripping windows and doors.
Fuel Assistance ProgramContact your local Community Action AgencyEntire StateSeniors struggling to pay their heating bills during the winter months can apply for help from the state's Fuel Assistance Program, which provides up to $1,575 in funding per beneficiary to cover the cost of winter energy bills.
Adult Protection(800) 949-0470Entire StateOperating under the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Adult Protection is committed to protecting vulnerable adults, including seniors and those with disabilities. The department investigates complaints of abuse, caregiver neglect, self-neglect and exploitation, ensuring that victims have access to the necessary resources to overcome such incidents and return to a safe and enjoyable lifestyle.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration oversees the licensing and regulation of home care providers in the state. The HFA inspects and enforces standards that ensure people receive safe and appropriate care.

TopicRule
Scope of CareHome health care providers can accommodate personal care services, transfer and mobility assistance, assistance with personal appliances, such as hearing aids and dentures, and assistance with nutrition, hydration and meal preparation. In addition, agencies can provide homemaker services, nursing services and some therapeutic services, such as occupational therapy.
Care Plan RequirementsBefore initiating care, providers must assess patients and develop a care plan that outlines any relevant diagnoses, equipment required, goals of the service and the frequency and duration of the service. The assessment must be repeated at least every 90 days or when there's a significant change in the patient's condition. People only receiving homemaker services don't require a care plan. For those only receiving personal care services, assessments need to be performed every six months.
Medication Management RequirementsMedications can be administered by licensed practitioners or those under the supervision of nurses. Unlicensed caregivers can also assist patients with self-administration by performing limited tasks, such as reading labels or giving reminders.
Staff Screening RequirementsAll staff must undergo a criminal background check. Those who will have direct contact with patients must also be screened for tuberculosis.
Staff Training RequirementsCaregivers providing home health care services must be licensed professionals. Unlicensed caregivers must complete training in the performance of their duties that's conducted by a licensed professional.
Medicaid CoveragePersonal Care Attendant Services and the Choices for Independence programs cover some or all of the cost of in-home care for eligible residents.
Reporting AbuseAbuse should be reported to the office of the long-term care ombudsman at 800-442-5640 or OLTCO@dhhs.nh.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Find an In-Home Care Provider in New Hampshire

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. When you hire an in-home care aide you’re placing a lot of trust in the hands of the person by inviting them into your home, so you’ll want to be diligent in your search. At Caring.com, we’re here to help – we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs and finding a home care agency that will provide the best care possible.

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Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist
Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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