Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Portsmouth, NH
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Portsmouth for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Portsmouth, NH: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Portsmouth are Edgewood Centre (The) in Portsmouth (0.9 mi), Cedar Healthcare Center in Portsmouth (1.1 mi), Webster At Rye in Rye (3.8 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in New Hampshire earn a median $18.64 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). New Hampshire's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Portsmouth has about 592 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Portsmouth compared with Rockingham County and New Hampshire
| Census figure | Portsmouth | Rockingham County | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 1.8% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 29% | 26% | 28% |
| Residents 65 or older | 22% | 20% | 20% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 24% | 27% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 5.8% | 6.0% | 7.7% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.9% | 3.1% | 4.6% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $73,426 | $75,258 | — |
Older residents in towns around Portsmouth
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kittery, ME | 2.9 mi | 1,402 | 427 |
| South Eliot, ME | 5.2 mi | 1,380 | 95 |
| Newmarket, NH | 8.2 mi | 756 | 59 |
| Hampton, NH | 8.4 mi | 2,720 | 289 |
| York Harbor, ME | 8.8 mi | 981 | 228 |
| Durham, NH | 9.2 mi | 802 | 133 |
Nursing homes near Portsmouth
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgewood Centre (The) | Portsmouth, NH | 0.9 mi | 3 of 5 | 156 | (603) 436-0099 |
| Cedar Healthcare Center | Portsmouth, NH | 1.1 mi | 5 of 5 | 102 | (603) 431-2530 |
| Webster At Rye | Rye, NH | 3.8 mi | 4 of 5 | 61 | (603) 964-8144 |
| Durgin Pines | Kittery, ME | 5.4 mi | 5 of 5 | 81 | (207) 439-9800 |
| Saint Ann Rehabilitation And Nursing Center | Dover, NH | 7.0 mi | 4 of 5 | 54 | (603) 742-2612 |
| Oceanside Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation | Hampton, NH | 8.2 mi | 1 of 5 | 117 | (603) 926-4551 |
Home health agencies serving Portsmouth
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amedisys Home Health | Portsmouth, NH | 1.5 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (603) 436-0815 |
| Tufts Medicine Care At Home - Home Health NH | North Hampton, NH | 6.2 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (603) 854-5757 |
| Cornerstone Vna | Rochester, NH | 20 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (603) 332-1133 |
| Interim Healthcare | Manchester, NH | 34 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (603) 668-6956 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth
At the New Hampshire median aide wage of $18.64 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,615 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $6,119 monthly median income of Portsmouth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Hampshire's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Portsmouth: common questions
What nursing homes are near Portsmouth?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Edgewood Centre (The) in Portsmouth (0.9 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Cedar Healthcare Center in Portsmouth (1.1 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Webster At Rye in Rye (3.8 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Portsmouth?
At the New Hampshire median aide wage of $18.64 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,615 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $6,119 monthly median income of Portsmouth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Hampshire's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Portsmouth
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Kittery, ME
- Nursing Assistants in South Eliot, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Newmarket, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Hampton, NH
- Nursing Assistants in York Harbor, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Durham, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Dover, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Exeter, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Hampton Beach, NH
- Nursing Assistants in South Berwick, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Somersworth, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Epping, NH
- Nursing Assistants in Salisbury, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Amesbury, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Newburyport, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Rochester, NH
Other care in Portsmouth
- Companion Care in Portsmouth
- Dementia Care in Portsmouth
- Respite Care in Portsmouth
- Live-In Caregivers in Portsmouth
- Post-Surgery Care in Portsmouth
- Senior Transportation in Portsmouth
- Home Health Aides in Portsmouth
- Personal Care in Portsmouth
- Overnight Caregivers in Portsmouth
- 24-Hour Home Care in Portsmouth
- Mobility Assistance in Portsmouth
- Parkinson’s Care in Portsmouth
- Stroke Recovery Support in Portsmouth
- Disability Care for Adults in Portsmouth
- Hospice Support in Portsmouth
- Senior Meal Preparation in Portsmouth
- Senior Housekeeping in Portsmouth
- Medication Reminders in Portsmouth
- Veterans’ Home Care in Portsmouth
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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