Veterans' Home Care in Gardner, MA: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Gardner, MA: the local picture

650

veterans aged 65 or older (16% of residents 65+)

4,135

residents 65 or older (20% of Gardner)

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Worcester County)

29%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Worcester County)

About 650 Gardner residents aged 65 or older are veterans (16% of that age group; 12% in Worcester County), out of 1,211 veterans of all adult ages in town.

34% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (32% in Worcester County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Gardner compared with Worcester County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Gardner	Worcester County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ who are veterans	16%	12%	11%
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+ with serious difficulty walking	19%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	10%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,743	$61,599	—

Older residents in towns around Gardner

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Baldwinville, MA	4.8 mi	375	8.3%
Winchendon, MA	7.2 mi	672	19%
Fitchburg, MA	8.9 mi	5,985	10%
Leominster, MA	12 mi	8,479	12%
Athol, MA	12 mi	1,317	20%
Orange, MA	15 mi	568	18%

Hospitals near Gardner

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Heywood Hospital -	Gardner, MA	0.7 mi	2 of 5	(978) 632-3420
Athol Memorial Hospital	Athol, MA	12 mi	2 of 5	(978) 249-3511
Umass Memorial Healthalliance Hospitals	Leominster, MA	13 mi	3 of 5	(978) 466-2000

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 it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

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

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Gardner: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care 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).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Gardner

More senior care near Gardner

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Gardner

More for Gardner 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 Care for Veterans in Gardner, MA