Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Gardner, MA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Gardner for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Gardner, MA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Gardner are Wachusett Manor in Gardner (1.1 mi), Gardner Rehabilitation And Nursing Center in Gardner (1.2 mi), Alliance Health At Baldwinville in Baldwinville (4.1 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).
Gardner has about 584 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Gardner compared with Worcester County and Massachusetts
| Census figure | Gardner | Worcester County | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.8% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 34% | 32% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 20% | 17% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 29% | 27% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 10% | 10% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 11% | 8.3% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $45,743 | $61,599 | — |
Older residents in towns around Gardner
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwinville, MA | 4.8 mi | 375 | 36 |
| Winchendon, MA | 7.2 mi | 672 | 36 |
| Fitchburg, MA | 8.9 mi | 5,985 | 745 |
| Leominster, MA | 12 mi | 8,479 | 1,270 |
| Athol, MA | 12 mi | 1,317 | 147 |
| Orange, MA | 15 mi | 568 | 64 |
Nursing homes near Gardner
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wachusett Manor | Gardner, MA | 1.1 mi | 3 of 5 | 96 | (978) 632-5477 |
| Gardner Rehabilitation And Nursing Center | Gardner, MA | 1.2 mi | 2 of 5 | 124 | (978) 632-8776 |
| Alliance Health At Baldwinville | Baldwinville, MA | 4.1 mi | 4 of 5 | 94 | (978) 939-2196 |
| Highlands, The | Fitchburg, MA | 9.2 mi | 3 of 5 | 168 | (978) 343-4411 |
| Fitchburg Healthcare | Fitchburg, MA | 10 mi | 1 of 5 | 160 | (978) 345-0146 |
| Fitchburg Rehabilitation And Nursing Center | Fitchburg, MA | 10 mi | 1 of 5 | 87 | (978) 343-3530 |
Home health agencies serving Gardner
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elara Caring | Braintree, MA | 57 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 969-7517 |
| Care Central Vna & Hospice Inc | Gardner, MA | 0.7 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (978) 632-1230 |
| Health Alliance Home Health And Hospice | Leominster, MA | 13 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (978) 708-6513 |
| Caretenders | Needham Heights, MA | 43 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 332-5015 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Gardner. 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 Gardner
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 45% of the $3,812 monthly median income of Gardner 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 Gardner: common questions
What nursing homes are near Gardner?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Wachusett Manor in Gardner (1.1 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Gardner Rehabilitation And Nursing Center in Gardner (1.2 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Alliance Health At Baldwinville in Baldwinville (4.1 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Gardner?
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 45% of the $3,812 monthly median income of Gardner 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 Gardner
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Baldwinville, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Winchendon, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Fitchburg, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Leominster, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Athol, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Orange, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Jaffrey, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Clinton, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Peterborough, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Ayer, MA
- Nursing Assistants in North Brookfield, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Spencer, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Milford, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Worcester, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Hudson, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Northborough, MA
Other care in Gardner
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.
Find CNAs in Gardner
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