The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Portsmouth, NH for 2024

Portsmouth is a mid-sized city in New Hampshire, with a population of just over 22,000. It has a relatively high proportion of older residents, with 19.4% of the population being aged 65 or older, compared to 16.8% of the U.S. population. The city has a rich history, and this is reflected in its thriving arts and culture scene. However, the cost of living is above average compared to both the state and national cost of living figures. The Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021 lists the cost of home care in Portsmouth as being around $6,292 per month. Home health care services, which include similar personal care assistance plus basic nursing care, have a similar average fee. Seniors can also take advantage of living close to Portsmouth Hospital, which provides a variety of primary care services.

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

Portsmouth’s home care fees are above average for New Hampshire ($6,006) and the United States as a whole ($4,957).  In Manchester, seniors pay $143 less per month for home care fees. Meanwhile, across the eastern border in Portland, ME, fees are lower than Portsmouth, at an average of $5,840 per month. To the south, in Springfield, MA, seniors pay even less, at $5,339 per month.

Seniors in Portsmouth have the option of several different types of long-term care. Home health care costs slightly less than home care, averaging $6,244 per month. Active, mobile seniors can attend adult day health care centers for just $1,614 per month, which is almost four times less expensive than home care. Assisted living services provide room and board, plus help with the activities of daily living, for just $527 more per month than home care. Skilled nursing services in a nursing home average $6,911 less per month than home health 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.