Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Cambridge, MA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Cambridge for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Cambridge, MA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Cambridge are Cambridge Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Cambridge (0.6 mi), Neville Center At Fresh Pond For Nursing & Rehab in Cambridge (1.8 mi), Watertown Rehabilitation And Nursing Center in Watertown (1.8 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Massachusetts earn a median $19.67 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Cambridge has about 1,516 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Cambridge compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts
| Census figure | Cambridge | Middlesex County | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.3% | 2.0% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 24% | 28% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 12% | 16% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 28% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 9.2% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 33% | 10% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $93,540 | $78,342 | — |
Older residents in towns around Cambridge
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerville, MA | 1.3 mi | 8,108 | 826 |
| Watertown, MA | 3.1 mi | 6,506 | 762 |
| Medford, MA | 3.3 mi | 9,028 | 1,442 |
| Belmont, MA | 3.4 mi | 5,235 | 432 |
| Arlington, MA | 3.7 mi | 8,030 | 1,022 |
| Brookline, MA | 3.8 mi | 9,986 | 1,211 |
Nursing homes near Cambridge
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Rehabilitation & Nursing Center | Cambridge, MA | 0.6 mi | 4 of 5 | 83 | (617) 864-4267 |
| Neville Center At Fresh Pond For Nursing & Rehab | Cambridge, MA | 1.8 mi | 4 of 5 | 112 | (617) 497-0600 |
| Watertown Rehabilitation And Nursing Center | Watertown, MA | 1.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 163 | (617) 231-8245 |
| Spaulding Nursing And Therapy Center - Brighton | Boston, MA | 1.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 123 | (617) 726-9701 |
| Sancta Maria Nursing Facility | Cambridge, MA | 2.2 mi | 2 of 5 | 141 | (612) 280-1550 |
| Care One At Brookline | Brookline, MA | 2.5 mi | 2 of 5 | 120 | (617) 901-8365 |
Home health agencies serving Cambridge
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Home Health Care, Inc | Needham, MA | 8.1 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (617) 559-0200 |
| Caring Hearts Homecare Inc | Wilmington, MA | 13 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (978) 658-5104 |
| Elara Caring | Braintree, MA | 13 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 969-7517 |
| Suburban Home Health Care, Inc | Boston, MA | 2.7 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (617) 264-7100 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Cambridge. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Cambridge
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 22% of the $7,795 monthly median income of Cambridge 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Cambridge: common questions
What nursing homes are near Cambridge?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Cambridge Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Cambridge (0.6 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Neville Center At Fresh Pond For Nursing & Rehab in Cambridge (1.8 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Watertown Rehabilitation And Nursing Center in Watertown (1.8 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Cambridge?
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 22% of the $7,795 monthly median income of Cambridge 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 a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Cambridge
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Somerville, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Watertown, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Medford, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Belmont, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Arlington, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Brookline, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Everett, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Chelsea, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Malden, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Winchester, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Newton, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Boston, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Melrose, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Waltham, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Stoneham, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Revere, MA
Other care in Cambridge
- Companion Care in Cambridge
- Dementia Care in Cambridge
- Respite Care in Cambridge
- Live-In Caregivers in Cambridge
- Post-Surgery Care in Cambridge
- Senior Transportation in Cambridge
- Home Health Aides in Cambridge
- Personal Care in Cambridge
- Overnight Caregivers in Cambridge
- 24-Hour Home Care in Cambridge
- Mobility Assistance in Cambridge
- Parkinson’s Care in Cambridge
- Stroke Recovery Support in Cambridge
- Disability Care for Adults in Cambridge
- Hospice Support in Cambridge
- Senior Meal Preparation in Cambridge
- Senior Housekeeping in Cambridge
- Medication Reminders in Cambridge
- Veterans’ Home Care in Cambridge
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.
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