The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Keene, NH for 2024

Keene is a small town in the southwestern corner of New Hampshire with a relatively large population of seniors. As of 2022, people aged 65 and over comprise 18.1% of Keene’s 22,774 residents, which is somewhat high compared to the national average of 16.8%. The city boasts numerous health advantages for older residents, including excellent air and water quality, relatively affordable medical care and a low violent crime rate. Keene’s cost of living is 19.5% below the state’s average, with greater savings in housing and transportation. However, the cost of home care is relatively high at $6,149 per month. Home health care is priced $29 higher while offering additional light medical services administered by licensed or certified providers.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Keene area – 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 Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, in-home care for seniors costs an average of $6,149 in Keene. New Hampshire as a whole is priced lower by $143 per month, and the average American pays $1,192 less than those in Keene. The survey found insufficient data for other cities in New Hampshire, so this analysis considers relatively close cities in bordering states. Costs are around $800 lower in Springfield, MA. Worcester, MA, and Portland, ME, offer savings of around $400 and $300, respectively.

Home health care offers an additional layer of light medical services in the home while only adding an average of $29 to the monthly bill for seniors in Keene. Adult day health care programs are significantly less expensive, averaging $1,625 per month, although they provide the most limited level of care available. The monthly bill for placement in an assisted living community in Keene is higher by $1,912 per month on average, whereas a semiprivate room in a nursing facility adds more than $5,000 to the monthly bill when compared to home care.

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.