Skip Navigation
Top

Health Care

Home Health Care

Home health care consists of medical services an individual may require at home following an illness or hospitalization. Home health care providers may include nurses, social workers, home health aides, physical, occupational and/or speech therapists.

A primary care physician must order home health services for you. Medicare will usually cover home health services if you are homebound. However, your home health agency must be Medicare Certified in order to bill Medicare for services provided. If you do not quality for Medicare covered home care services, there are some agencies that will allow you to pay privately for nursing and home health aide services at home.

More

The following organization is the designated Area Agency on Aging.

Springwell (617-926-4100) offers home health aide and homemaking services. This organization contracts with home health care agencies for services, so minimum hours and services may vary. Cost of services is dependent on income level. Proof of income is required.

The following agencies require out-of-pocket payments.

Beacon InHome (617-484-8000) Beacon InHome is a private agency providing in-home services and home care support. We also offer professional care assessments and help for families who cannot provide all the assistance needed by their relative. Everything we do is highly personalized for your unique situation and preferences. When we come into your home, you can count on our competence, integrity, and dedication. We do this work because we love helping people.

For whatever support you may need – a few hours a week to round-the-clock care – we provide reliable, flexible services. Professional clinical expertise and thoughtful consideration for your comfort, security, and well-being guide everything we do. We look forward to meeting you! (discount for BrooklineCAN members)

Care Solutions (617-964-5470) offers companionship, personal care assistance, nursing, social work, rehabilitation services and health management. A two-hour minimum is required for services.

  • Companionship/homemaker service are $19 per hour; $45 for two hour minimum service.
  • Home health aide service rates are $55 for two hours minimum service; $22 per hour for more than two hours service.

ComForcare Senior Services (866-433-0080) offers companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, grocery shopping, errands, transportation and personal care assistance. Companionship service is $19.75 per hour. Home health aide/CNA is $22.75 per hour for a 40-hour week; $23.75 per hour for 39 or fewer hours per week. The cost for 12-hour overnight care is $198 to $225 per 24-hour day plus room and board for caregiver. Live-in caregivers charge $265 per 24-hour day plus room and board for caregiver.

Comfort Keepers (617-965-5200) offers companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, grocery shopping, errands, transportation and personal care assistance. All services are private pay. Call for information on rates.

Ebenezer Homecare (781-274-0860) offers certified nursing assistants, home health aides and homemaking services. Service is available on short-term, long-term or live in basis and 24 hour care is available.

Home Care Assistance (866-454-8346) offers companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, assistance with personal care and medical escort. All services are private pay. There is a four-hour minimum, three times per week. Private pay rate is $28 per hour; $275 per day.

Houseworks (627-928-1010) offers homemaking and personal care services. Rates vary from $23.50 per hour to $36 per hour, with higher rates for weekends. Live-in care is $255 per day on weekdays and $290 per day on weekend days. A heavy chore service is offered at $60 an hour, with a two-hour minimum. Handyman services are also available at $70 an hour, with a two-hour minimum. (discount for BrooklineCAN members)

Partners Private Care (800-698-2628) offers private duty nursing, home health aide services and homemaker/companionship services. Private pay rates varying from $23.75 per hour to $25 per hour.

Rewarding Work is a Web-based, self-directed registry for elders, people with disabilities, and their families to connect with qualified personal assistants, also known as PCAs. Click here for more information.

Senior Homecare Solutions (617-431-1165) offers companionship services, meal preparation, errands, light housekeeping, transportation to appointments and personal care assistance. Private pay rates ranging from $23 to $25 per hour; live-in care $270 per day.

VNA Private Care (781-431-1484; ) offers private duty nursing, personal care and homemaking services. Also offers special services, including music therapy, Alzheimer’s care coaching, geriatric care management and cultural arts companions. Private pay rates vary from $21 per hour to $26 for companion and homemaking services. Hands-on personal care services cost between $23.50 per hour to $28.50 per hour. LPN services are $55 per hour; RN services are $70 per hour. Live-in care is $245 per day.

The following agencies are Medicare-certified.

Caregroup Home Care, Watertown, 617-673-1700

Caretenders of Boston, Newton, 617-332 -5015

Caritas Home Care, Norwood, 781-551-5700

Hebrew Senior Life Home Health Care, 781-821-3213

Jewish Family & Children’s Service 617-224-4137 (discount for BrooklineCAN members)

Partners Home Care, Waltham 781-290-4000

Suburban Home Health Care, Inc. 617-264 -7100

VNA of Boston, Charlestown 617-426-5555

The Medicare website, has a more comprehensive list of Medicare-certified home health care agencies servicing Brookline.

Caregiver Parking on Brookline Streets

In April 2012, the Brookline Transportation Board revised its regulations for temporary on-street parking to improve options for providers of in-home care. The revised regulations reflect recommendations from BrooklineCAN's Livable Community Advocacy Committee. Click here for key features of the regulations.

Medical Escorts

Medical escorts are volunteers or paid workers that accompany frail seniors to medical appointments when they are unable to travel independently and/or family members are unavailable to accompany them. Some escorts may be able to provide transportation and can otherwise assist and support seniors.

The HELP Program (617-730-2752 or offers a medical escort program.

The American Cancer Society’s (800-227-2345) Road to Recovery program provides transportation for cancer patients to their treatments and home again according to the needs and available resources in the community. Contact ACS at least 48 hours in advance of need.

FriendshipWorks (formerly Match-Up Interfaith Volunteers) (617-482- 1510) matches seniors with volunteers to accompany them to medical appointments. Transportation may be available, but in most cases seniors must arrange their own transportation. Contact FriendshipWorks two weeks or more in advance of appointment.

Springwell Senior Medical Escort Program (617-926-4100) matches frail seniors with volunteers to drive or accompany them to medical appointments. A donation or $4 each way is requested and you are asked to pay for any tolls or parking fees. Contact program at least one week before medical appointment.

   

Support Disclaimer: Inclusion of services on this website does not represent a recommendation from the Brookline Council on Aging, the Brookline Senior Center, or the Brookline Community Aging Network.

Disclaimer: Inclusion of services through this program does not represent a recommendation or guarantee of work performance from the Brookline Council on Aging, the Brookline Senior Center, or the Brookline Community Aging Network. The user of this program therefore agrees to release the above named from any and all liability. The user should make whatever investigation or other resources that they deem necessary or appropriate before hiring or engaging Service Providers.