In-Home Care in Boston, MA

Boston Massachusetts Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask

The city of Boston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the Northeastern United States. With a rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston has something for everyone. There are endless walking tours of neighborhoods and sites. Many venues for performing arts and sports. Boston is full of historic charm in its architecture and its cuisine, with classic seaport views. Boston prides itself on inclusivity and charishes all visitors and residents alike.

Table Of Contents

Boston Massachusetts Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
About In-Home Care in Boston
Considerations when looking for care in Boston
Cities Near Boston
Pricing and to Pay for Home Care
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Boston
What are the different Home care options?
How to pay for Home Care
Questions and inquiries about home care
Local Resources and Links – Massachusetts
Search other areas for Home Care

About In-Home Care in Boston

The summers in Massachusetts are arguably the most beautiful seasons of anywhere in the world. The seafood is world famous, bringing people from all over the country. From the winter-time activities to the exciting and thriving sports scene, Massachusetts has fun for everyone. About 18% of the population of Massachusetts is 65 years and older. There are excellent facilities for healthcare in Massachusetts, with many of them renowned around the country. We all know that as we age some people may require care at some point. Massachusetts Home Care (or In home Care) is designed specifically for aging adults who only require some basic assistance at home without medical help.

Home Care is suited for seniors who may only require some basic non-medical assistance at home. Home aides may support with their activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating, among other helpful tasks. Home Care may be an excellent care option for family members if they must leave town or just need a break from caring for their loved one. The Home Care aides bring a sense of personalization, providing companionship and socialization, and a sense of connection.

What are the different Home care options?

The various care services and options

Personal Care Assistant

Companionship as well as assistance with activities of daily living, (non-medical personal care) toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing.
They can help with grocery shopping and meal preparation.
A personal care assistant can help with family difficulties. If a family caregiver must leave town or be away from the home overnight the caretaker can stay with the individual and monitor and assist as needed.
If a spouse is too heavy, a personal assistant can be a great asset in helping the individual move without risk of injury.
These care assistants cannot perform any medical care.

Companion Care

These companions spend time with older adults. Providing companionship is especially relevant for people who live alone, or do not leave the house due to cognitive impairments or frailty.
These companions are there to look after the person, keep a watchful eye, act as an extension of the person to help with mobility and general physic functions.
They may drive the person to appointments, prepare light meals and snacks. They may even play games or read and listen to music together.
Companion care is a great way to bring social interaction and assistance to a person who may otherwise spend long periods of time alone.

Considerations when looking for care in Boston

The hottest month of the year in Boston is July, with an average high of 82°F and low of 66°F. The cold season lasts from December 4 to March 15, with an average daily high temperature below 45°F. With a population of 654,776, Boston’s surrounding area has over 200 agencies that provide home care.

Home Care Communities near Boston, Massachusetts

Click Here For Full Search Results: Home Care Near Boston, Massachusetts

Cities Near Boston

Salem – 22 miles north of Boston
Quincy – 9 miles south of Boston
Plymouth – 40 miles south of Boston
Lexington – 13 miles west of Boston

Pricing and to Pay for Home Care

Home Care in Massachusetts is $900 more expensive than the national average. In Massachusetts In-Home Care is about $5,925 / month. And in Boston its $6,300 / month

How to pay for Home Care

Private Funds- YES:

Many families pay for care with private funds.
Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care.

Medicare – NO:

Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Medicaid- MAYBE

Medicaid MAY cover home care for seniors who are eligible. Each state has its own Medicaid programs in place. As a result, eligibility and services fluctuate state to state. Funding may also be offered under the Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers.

In-home personal care services (dressing, bathing, eating, etc.) are not federally mandated, and some states do not even regulate these agencies.

Long-term care insurance- MAYBE:

The purpose of long-term care insurance is to cover senior care, which includes home care. Though, be aware that coverage varies depending on the insurance provider, the specific policy, and other factors.
It is common that long-term care insurance will only start to cover care when the person with the policy requires assistance with two or more ADLs.
As a result of the above, individuals who only need companion care may not be covered by their long-term care insurance.
Typically, purchasing long-term care insurance is not an option if you are at the point where you already need care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Private Pay

Many families pay for care with private funds.
Family members may contribute funds toward the care of a loved one.
Private pay may be a combination of personal savings, retirement funds, or pension payments.

Questions and inquiries about home care

Agency Information

Is the agency RN operated?
Is the agency a franchise or locally owned and operated?
Is the agency licensed by WA State Department of Health?
Is the agency licensed for both home care and home health?
Does the agency have liability insurance?
Can the agency respond to you 24/7?

Caregiver Information

Are employees licensed, bonded & insured? Or are they independent contractors?
Does the agency test skills, conduct behavioral interviews and verify caregiver credentials?
Are caregivers required to have current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and TB?
Are caregivers provided continuing education/training?
Can authorized individuals monitor care and make requests online in real time?
Does the agency offer caregiver replacement when the “fit” may not be right?

Documentation and Supervision

Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager conduct a free home care assessment?
Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager create a home care plan?
Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager supervise the caregivers?
Do caregivers receive client orientation before arriving at a client’s home?

Policies and Cost

Can services be cancelled with a 4-hour notification?
Does the agency offer flexible scheduling, custom care plans, and a continuum of care?
Does the agency have weekly or monthly minimums?
What is the hourly minimum per shift?
Does the agency offer home care discounts?
What is the required deposit?
Will the agency accept long-term care insurance?

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Boston

Massachusetts General Hospital

55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114

Boston Medical Center

Shapiro Center, 725 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118

New England Baptist Hospital

125 Parker Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02120

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center

10 Gove St, Boston, MA 02128

Local Resources and Links – Massachusetts

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging seeks to outreach to older persons and their caregivers, hoping to educate them on services and programs that are meant to serve and assist them to remain safely and securely in our communities.

Age Strong Commission As an AAA, the Commission provides funding to community partners to provide services to seniors in the neighborhoods. The Commission also provides direct services to seniors such as advocacy, information and referral, transportation, volunteer opportunities and cultural and social events.

Executive Office of Elder Affairs State Agency that contracts with local service providers.

Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. is an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) providing services to help preserve the independence, and quality of life of elders and disabled persons desiring to remain within their own.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

Search other areas for Home Care

Not finding what you’re looking for? Take a look below.

In-Home Care in Boston, MA

Boston Massachusetts Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask

About In-Home Care in Boston

What are the different Home care options?

The various care services and options

Personal Care Assistant

Companion Care

Considerations when looking for care in Boston

Home Care Communities near Boston, Massachusetts

Platinum Care +

Zem Health Systems Llc

Vna Of Eastern Massachusetts

Vine Homecare And Staffing

Vfc Health Care Solutions

Traditions Home Health Services Llc

Uniting With You Home Care Llc

Sully Home Care Services Inc

Stonewell Care Llc

South Shore Visiting Nurse Association

Standards Care Staffing Inc

Solace Healthcare Solutions Llc

Seraphic Springs Healthcare

Select Health Informatics Consulting Services Inc

Royal Comfort Home Care Inc

Rite Time Homecare Services Inc

Pinnacle Home Healthcare Services

Progress Healthcare Llc

Peace And Harmony Home Care Llc

Patient Care Solutions Llc

Paramount Healthcare Services

Patriotic Home Health Care

Optimum Healthcare Services Llc

Omega Homecare Systems Inc

Norwell Visiting Nurse Association And Hospice

Nurta Hhc Staffing

Neighborhood Home Care Llc

New England Professional Healthcare And Staffing A

New Generation Health Care Llc

Ndi Health Care Llc

Msm Group Inc

Multicultural Home Care Inc

Moonhill Home Care

Namaste Home Care Llc

Massachusetts Care Services Inc

Mindful Healthcare Agency Inc

Mindful Healthcare Agency

M & L Prodigy Healthcare Inc

Maestro-connections Vna

Lumen Christi Health Care Inc

Love And Mercy Home Healthcare Llc

Lifewatch Home Care Llc

Joy At Home Care Inc

Lifod Home Health Care Llc

International Health Solutions

Jordan Home Care Services Llc

Intrakey Nursing Service

Independent At Home Llc

Home Health Services

Infusion Plus Llc

Homily Care Agency Inc

Hebrew Seniorlife – Home Health Care

Highly Visioned Llc

Greater Horizon Healthcare Llc

Guardian Healthcare

Hallmark Health Vna And Hospice Inc

Health Star Home Care Llc

Guardian Health Network

Greater Boston Home Health Care Llc

Global Home Care Services Llc

Global Care Llc

Focus Home Healthcare Llc

Gifted Hands Home Care

Gentle Home Care Services

Esk Home Care

Edge Life Healthcare Inc

Divine Mercy Caregivers Llc

Divine Watch Healthcare Llc

Deriviere Medical Corporation

Creations Health Care Inc

Crown Home Healthcare Ma Inc