Adult Disability Care in Melrose, MA: In-Home Support

Local figures

Disability Care for Adults in Melrose, MA: the local picture

7.5%

of residents aged 18 to 64 have a disability (7.2% in Middlesex County)

338

residents aged 18 to 64 have difficulty doing errands alone

10%

of households have no vehicle (10% in Middlesex County)

29

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Melrose ZIP codes in their service area

About 1,313 Melrose residents aged 18 to 64 report a disability (7.5%; 7.2% in Middlesex County).

338 of them have difficulty doing errands such as shopping or visiting a doctor alone, the kind of help a support caregiver gives.

10% of Melrose households have no vehicle (10% in Middlesex County); say in your posting if you need a caregiver who drives.

Melrose compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Melrose	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 18 to 64 with a disability	7.5%	7.2%	9.7%
Residents 18 to 64 with difficulty doing errands alone	1.9%	2.7%	3.7%
Households with no vehicle	10%	10%	12%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	22%	29%	25%
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.6%	9.2%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,929	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Melrose

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Disability (18 to 64)
Malden, MA	1.8 mi	8,581	8.1%
Stoneham, MA	2.3 mi	4,755	6.5%
Saugus, MA	2.5 mi	6,337	11%
Wakefield, MA	3.4 mi	5,268	6.2%
Medford, MA	3.4 mi	9,028	6.0%
Everett, MA	3.4 mi	5,660	8.1%

Home health agencies serving Melrose

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Amedisys Home Health Care	Wakefield, MA	3.2 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 685-2818
Elara Caring	Newburyport, MA	26 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(978) 904-1454
All Care Vna-Greater Lynn Inc	Lynn, MA	5.7 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 598-2454
Alternative Home Health Care, LLC	Methuen, MA	20 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 657-7444
Visiting Nurse And Community Care	Arlington, MA	5.5 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 396-2633

Straight-line miles from the center of Melrose. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a disability support caregiver can help with

Personal care, on the person’s terms
Cooking, shopping and housekeeping
Getting to work, school, appointments and activities
Keeping routines the person sets

Cost

What disability care for adults costs in Melrose

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,994 monthly median income of Melrose households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a disability support caregiver

Many state Medicaid programs let adults with disabilities direct their own care: they, or a representative, hire and supervise the caregiver.

Questions worth asking: Have you supported adults with a disability like mine (or my family member’s)? How do you support someone to do things themselves? Can you drive to work, school or day programs? More in our disability care for adults guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Disability Care for Adults in Melrose: common questions

How much does disability care for adults cost in Melrose?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,994 monthly median income of Melrose households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Can an adult with a disability hire their own caregiver?

Yes. Many state Medicaid programs offer self-direction, where the person or a representative hires and supervises the caregiver. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Massachusetts.

More near Melrose

More senior care near Melrose

Disability Care for Adults in nearby cities

Other care in Melrose

More for Melrose families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Support for Adults With Disabilities in Melrose, MA