Home Care in Newton, MA

Newton is a charming city comprised of 13 villages, each of which features a town square, several public transportation options and locally owned businesses. It’s been ranked the best place to live in Massachusetts and among the top cities in the nation for its natural beauty, public services and access to social and recreational amenities. Crime is highly uncommon here, lending to its welcoming environment, and its relatively comfortable weather appeals to older adults who enjoy relaxing outdoors. It’s among the most expensive places to live in Massachusetts, mainly due to high housing costs, which may be a concern for some retirees. However, public assistance and emergency bill pay programs provide a safety net for seniors.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital is located within the city, and there are over 70 more major medical facilities within driving distance. Despite the city’s high cost of living, health care services are very affordable, coming in nearly 20% lower than national norms. Additionally, there are 371 doctors per capita, 75% more than the national average, which may shorten wait times to see specialists. The city also has numerous agencies that provide in-home care to the senior community, which makes up over 18% of the 90,000 residents.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that Newton seniors pay an estimated $6,292 per month for home care, which includes nonmedical services. Home health care costs a little less, with seniors paying $6,244 despite receiving skilled nursing services. Statewide, monthly fees for both care options come in at $5,911, about $350 less than in Newton, and nationally, rates are lower at $4,957 for home care and $5,148 for home health care.

The hourly median rate for home care in Newton is $33, and the monthly rate is based on 44 hours of weekly services. You may pay more if you need care outside of normal business hours, but you may save money by accessing subsidized services.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

In Newton, home care and home health care costs $6,292 and $6,244 per month, respectively. In Springfield, care costs are nearly $1,000 lower at $5,339 for home care and $5,529 for home health care, and in Worcester, respective care costs are $5,720 and $5,911. Barnstable Town has considerably higher monthly fees of $6,673 for both levels of care, surpassing the average in Newton by about $400.

Department of Senior Services

What You Should Know
Newton’s Department of Senior Services operates a range of supportive services to promote the independence and quality of life of older adults in the city. The department provides information and referral services for in-home care, fuel assistance, supplemental nutrition programs and affordable housing. It has an on-demand shared-ride service that provides door-to-door transportation for local medical appointments. The department also publishes resources for caregivers and facilitates monthly support group meetings for family caregivers.

Who Is Eligible?
Services through the city are available to Newton residents aged 60 and over. For financial assistance programs, you may have to meet income qualifications.

How to Apply
To learn more about the services available through the city or to register for assistance programs or the caregiver support group, you can contact the Newton Senior Center at (617) 796-1672.

BayPath Elder Services

What You Should Know
BayPath Elder Services is the Area Agency on Aging for the Newton region. This nonprofit organization features the Home Care Program with customized in-home services to help older adults age in place, as well as information and referral services to connect you with free and low-cost programs in the community. It has an on-site coordinator who helps individuals connect with affordable housing, and it has a family caregiver support program for family caregivers. The agency is also the Meals on Wheels provider, which delivers healthy, hot meals to individuals unable to obtain and prepare meals themselves.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services through BayPath Elder Services, you must be at least 60 years old. Some programs, such as Meals on Wheels, have additional eligibility requirements related to income and functional abilities.

How to Apply
You can contact an Information and Referral Specialist by calling the main office at (508) 573-7200. You can also submit an online contact form and wait for a specialist to call you. Depending on the program you’re seeking, you may undergo a comprehensive needs assessment.

South Middlesex Opportunity Council

What You Should Know
The South Middlesex Opportunity Council is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of supportive services and financial assistance programs to those in the Newton region. Through its fuel assistance program, eligible individuals can get bill assistance, with payments sent directly to their service provider, and its Heating System Repair/Replacement Program helps older adults improve their homes’ comfort and safety during the winter months. The organization also has a loan program for home modifications. Through this program, you can obtain a loan with very little or no interest, and payments are typically deferred until you’re no longer living in your home.

Who Is Eligible?
Services through SMOC are available to Newton residents who meet income and need-based guidelines. Exact eligibility requirements vary by program.

How to Apply
You can learn more about the services available through SMOC by calling the administrative office at (508) 620-2300. To speak with someone regarding the energy and financial assistance programs, you can call (508) 620-1230 or (800) 286-6776, and for help with applying for rental assistance, call (508) 620-2335.

Property Tax Assistance Program

What You Should Know
Seniors in Newton may be able to lower their property tax bill through the Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program. This program lets you donate your time and skills to government agencies in exchange for money taken off what you owe in property taxes. If you are housebound or otherwise unable to work, you can have a proxy work in your place.

Who Is Eligible?
The Property Tax Assistance Program is open to Newton residents aged 60 and over as of July 1. You must own and live in the property you’re applying for the tax work-off credit to be applied to. You must also have a pretax annual income of no more than $50,000; no more than $60,000 if you file as head of household; and no more than $70,000 if you and your spouse file jointly.

How to Apply
During the application process, you may be asked to provide a range of supporting documents, including a government-issued form of identification, proof of income and proof of residence. If a proxy is performing the work on your behalf, you must report their hours to the IRS as income.

Springwell

What You Should Know
Springwell is a regional nonprofit organization that coordinates a range of free and subsidized services to those in Newton and the surrounding region. It operates a program that provides home-delivered meals to qualified individuals, and it has information and referral specialists who evaluate your needs and connect you to services in the community. It also has a friendly visitor program with vetted volunteers who provide regular check-ins, helping you avoid isolation and loneliness.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services through Springwell, you must live in the Newton region. All seniors and individuals with disabilities are eligible for free in-home assessments and informational resources tailored to their needs. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the programs and services you’re seeking and may be related to your age, financial resources and functional needs.

How to Apply
To apply for services, you can call the main office on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and request to speak with the Information and Consultation Department. Alternatively, you can submit an online contact form.