Boston 24/7 Home Care Costs Live-In vs 24-Hour Shift
Boston Northwest

See real-world costs for live-in vs. 24-hour shift care in Boston. Transparent rates: $40–$50/hr, no weekly minimums, dementia-trained caregivers.

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Boston 24/7 Care Cost: Live-In vs 24-Hour Shift

Comparing live-in vs 24-hour shift care in Boston? It’s hard to budget when every website looks the same and your loved one needs help now. Worrying about falls at night or missed meds adds stress on top of uncertainty.

Here’s relief: At FirstLight Home Care of Boston Northwest, our pricing is clear and flexible—typical hourly rates range $40–$50, with no weekly minimums and 24/7 availability. We’ll help you choose the right model and start services fast.

Understanding the pricing models

Live-In Care (single primary caregiver): Families usually provide a private room and meals. For apples-to-apples budgeting, many families plan for billed a daily flat rate while the caregiver has designated sleep time.
24-Hour Shift Care (team-based): 2–3 caregivers rotate and remain awake. At $40–$50/hr, a full day is about $960–$1,200 (24 × hourly rate).

Day-in-the-life example: Your caregiver arrives at 8 a.m., prepares a warm breakfast, supports a safe shower, organizes morning meds, and later enjoys a short walk along the Minuteman Bikeway in Lexington. In the evening, they prepare tea, set out tomorrow’s pills, and offer calm overnight reassurance for better sleep.

Ways to save: Long-term care insurance or VA benefits may reimburse a portion of care. We’ll verify benefits during your consult.

Helpful next steps: Learn about our Live-In Care option, explore specialized Dementia Care, and see how our pricing works. For personal support tasks, review our Personal Care services.

Talk to a Boston Care Advisor Today

Call (781) 874-9901 for a next-day cost consult. Transparent $40–$50/hr rates, dementia-trained caregivers, and no weekly minimums.

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An elderly couple enjoys coffee and conversation with their caregiver in a comfortable living room setting, highlighting the social and companionship aspects of quality care.

Transparent, Local Pricing—What Families Can Expect

Most families comparing 24/7 home care in Boston want straight answers. Here’s a quick guide we use during your consultation.

Quick cost snapshot

24-hour shift care (awake team): 24 × $40–$50/hr = $960–$1,200/day. Best for constant supervision (e.g., wandering risk).
Pricing for live-in care is tailored to individual needs. Please contact us for a personalized quote.

How our pricing works

Step 1: Care discovery – A fast phone consult outlines needs, budget, and timing.
Step 2: In-home visit – We build a custom plan and caregiver match.
Step 3: Start confidently – Your team is set, with proactive check-ins and 24/7 support.

Local insights (2025)

Arlington: ~16.9% of 46,111 residents are 65+ (~7,800 neighbors).
Cambridge: ~12.2% of 118,214 are 65+ (~14,400 residents).
Lexington: ~21.0% of 33,882 are 65+ (~7,100 residents).
Winchester: ~17.8% of 22,837 are 65+ (~4,100 residents).
Belmont: ~17.6% of 26,886 are 65+ (~4,700 residents).

Smart ways to pay

Tips to stretch your budget

Blend Respite Care with scheduled family time to reduce total paid hours.
Use consistent schedules to minimize shift changes and enhance continuity—especially for Dementia Care.
Start with priority hours (mornings/evenings) and scale up as needs evolve.

Ready when you are: See how our process works, explore Live-In Care, or contact us for personalized guidance for neighborhoods across Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, Belmont, Winchester, and beyond.