I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Manchester, NH
Manchester is a historically and culturally rich city situated on the Merrimack River in the southern region of New Hampshire. The city is listed on the AARP Age-Friendly Network, meaning that local officials have put measures in place to make it comfortable for residents of all ages. About half of homes in this city feature zero-step entrances, making them accessible for those with mobility aids, and there are numerous multifamily units, which are more affordable and easier to maintain for many older adults. The city’s overall cost of living is consistent with the state norm, but housing costs are comparatively low, making it financially feasible for many seniors with fixed incomes to remain in their homes.
Manchester offers high access to medical care with two local hospitals, including Catholic Medical Center, which is home to the New England Heart Institute, and Elliot Hospital, which has the only Level II Trauma Center in New Hampshire. Seniors make up about 14% of the city’s 115,000 residents, creating the need for flexible long-term care options such as home care.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Manchester, NH
The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Manchester pay approximately $6,149 per month for in-home care. This exceeds the state norm of $6,006 by about $140, and it’s nearly $1,200 higher than the national average of $4,957. Home health care, which includes skilled nursing services, is costlier at $6,178 in Manchester. This is roughly the same as the state’s median rate of $6,197, but it’s over $1,000 higher than the national average of $5,148.
The monthly rate for home care assumes 44 hours of weekly care and an hourly rate of $32.25. Your monthly costs may vary depending on whether you qualify for subsidized care or access community-based services.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Manchester is a relatively expensive city for home-based care, with seniors paying $6,149 for nonmedical home care and $6,178 for skilled home health care. This is hundreds of dollars higher than costs in Burlington, VT, where seniors pay $5,720 for both levels of care. In Glens Falls, NY, monthly fees come in at $5,863 for home care and $6,006 for home health care. In Boston, MA, monthly rates are higher at $6,292 for home care and $6,244 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care agencies in Manchester pay $6,149 for services. Home health care agencies, which provide skilled nursing services, have slightly higher monthly rates of $6,178. This is affordable compared to assisted living, which costs $8,061 for housing and care. Nursing homes are even more expensive, with rates starting at $11,285. Adult day health care may be a budget-friendly alternative for seniors who live at home, with centers charging $1,625 per month for daytime services in a community setting.
III. How to Find Home Care in Manchester, NH
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Manchester, NH.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Manchester, NH
Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County provides you with freshly prepared meals daily to your door. This nonprofit program is staffed with trained volunteers, all who have completed background checks, who conduct daily wellness checks and can tell you about social service programs you may qualify for. Along with home-delivered meals, the program provides transportation services, the Dine Out Club voucher program and congregate meal services throughout the region.
Who Is Eligible?
Meals on Wheels is available to all seniors in Manchester, regardless of their income. To be eligible for Meals on Wheels, you must be at least 60 years of age and be unable to otherwise obtain or prepare meals yourself. You must be home and available to answer the door at the time of your meal delivery. Those enrolled in the Dine Out Club program are ineligible for Meals on Wheels.
How to Apply
You can schedule home-delivered meals by calling the main office at (603) 424-9967. You can also apply for meals online by filling out the referral form.
City of Manchester Senior Services
What You Should Know
The city’s Senior Services program provides educational resources and services to those aged 60 and over in Manchester. It facilitates a range of recreational programs and classes to help older adults who live alone to avoid boredom and isolation and maintain as much mobility as possible, including table games, art classes, age-friendly fitness classes and line dancing. Most of these programs are available in the senior center, which has free membership for those living in Manchester. The city also publishes a monthly newsletter with information on topics relevant to older adults.
Who Is Eligible?
The city’s senior programs are open to all Manchester residents aged 60 and over. Seniors outside Manchester proper can participate in recreational programs, but they may need to pay a nonresident fee.
How to Apply
To contact the Senior Services Department, you can call the William B. Cashin Activity Center at (603) 624-6533. You can also visit the center in person at 151 Douglas Street.
ServiceLink of Hillsborough County
What You Should Know
ServiceLink of Hillsborough County is an independent nonprofit organization that provides free services and confidential options counseling to Manchester seniors. Through this agency, which contracts with local providers to offer free and subsidized services, you can arrange transportation for errands and medical appointments, obtain home-delivered or congregate meals and find financial assistance. It has options counselors who can help you identify programs and services in the region you’re eligible for, which can help you save money on private home care services and maintain your independence at home. The office also provides support for family caregivers through education, counseling and respite services.
Who Is Eligible?
These services are available to everyone in Manchester aged 60 and over. Some programs may have additional eligibility requirements regarding income or functional limitations.
How to Apply
You can learn more about the programs and services available through ServiceLink by contacting the main office at (603) 644-2240. You may also email any questions to the agency at [email protected].
Southern New Hampshire Services
What You Should Know
Southern New Hampshire Services is the Community Action Partnership for the Manchester region. This nonprofit organization oversees and administers various programs that support financial stability, which may help you remain in your home. It operates the Senior Food Program, which delivers monthly supplementary food packages canned meats, fruit and vegetables; bottled juices; powdered milk; pastas; peanut butter; cheese; and fresh produce through the optional Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program. It operates an affordable senior housing community and has a rural transportation program for weekly scheduled trips and demand-response services. It also has assistance programs to meet the needs of income-qualified individuals, which include the energy bill assistance program, the fuel assistance program and weatherization assistance program.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility requirements depend on the program you’re applying for. In general, these programs are open to those aged 60 and over who meet income guidelines.
How to Apply
To get more information on eligibility or to apply for services, seniors can call the Manchester office at (800) 256-9880.
Property Tax Exemption
What You Should Know
Manchester seniors have access to several programs that may reduce what they owe in property taxes for their homes, making it financially feasible for many older adults to avoid residential care placement. Seniors in the city are eligible for the Elderly Exemption, which lets you deduct between $156,000 and $280,000 from your home’s total assessed value, depending on your age. The city also offers the Veterans and Disabled Veterans Credit and the Surviving Spouse Credit, which can help older veterans reduce living expenses and afford in-home care.
Who Is Eligible?
The Elderly Exemption is available to those aged 65 and over, with the amount of the exemption increasing by age. To qualify for the Veterans and Disabled Veterans Credit, you must have served at least 90 days during a qualifying war, and the Surviving Spouse Credit is available to spouses of those killed while on active duty in the U.S. armed forces.
How to Apply
To learn more about these programs or to apply for services, you can call the Assessor’s Office at City Hall at (603) 624-6520. The office is open every weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.