Home Care in Cambridge, MA
Relief for you, safety and comfort for them.
Because you deserve to know your loved one is truly safe and cared for at home.
Caring for someone you love should feel manageable, not overwhelming. Cottage Caregivers provides in-home support that helps older adults stay safe, connected, and comfortable.
We routinely support families near Harvard, Porter, Kendall, Inman and Central Squares. Quick starts, consistent schedules, clear updates after every visit.
Call or request a callback. Most assessments are scheduled within 24 to 48 hours.
Start Care in 24 to 48 Hours: How It Works
Step 1: Quick phone consult
Share routines, goals, and concerns. We confirm needs and next steps in minutes.
Step 2: In-home assessment in Cambridge
A care coordinator or nurse will visit. We review safety, mobility, and the home setup.
Step 3: Custom plan and caregiver match
We match skills and personality with a caregiver who fits your schedule and preferences.
Step 4: First shift and safety walkthrough
We review transfers, reminders, meals, and daily structure for a calm start and fewer surprises.
Step 5: Ongoing check-ins and easy adjustments
Your coordinator checks in and updates the plan as needs change to stay aligned with your family.
You can adjust schedules anytime through your care coordinator.
Hear From Cambridge Families About Our Trusted Caregivers
Why Families Across Boston Rely on Cottage Caregivers
| 24-Hour Care (Awake Shifts) | Live-In Care | Hourly Care | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight coverage | Someone is awake all night | Caregiver sleeps at night | Day or evening hours only |
| Caregiver sleep at night | No | Yes | N/A unless scheduled late |
| Schedule structure | Two or three rotating shifts | One caregiver on site most of the day | Flexible blocks you choose |
| Total hours per day | 24 | About 16 waking hours on site | Commonly 4 to 12 per visit |
| Best for | Night needs, fall risk, wandering | Ongoing daytime help without night needs | Meals, rides, companionship, respite |
| Family involvement | Minimal | A family contact or alert system at night is helpful | Family covers off hours |
| Pros | Constant, awake supervision | High continuity with one familiar caregiver | Flexible, scales up or down |
| Considerations | Highest overall time commitment | Not suited to frequent night needs | Limited overnight support |
Not sure which model fits? Tell us about nights, mobility, and family coverage. We will recommend a safe option in minutes.
Care Options That Fit Your Family
Every plan starts with your routines, goals, and safety needs. We adjust support as things change.
Personal Care and Safe Transfers
- Bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting with dignity
- Safe shower setup and steady assists using a gait belt
- Bed, chair, and toilet transfers; support with mobility devices
- Fall-prevention habits like clearing pathways and securing rugs
- Scope: medication reminders only
Respite for Family Caregivers
- Short-term or recurring coverage so you can rest or run errands
- Common blocks: 4 to 8 hours, mornings, afternoons, or evenings
- Flexible scheduling for appointments, travel, or busy weeks
- Smooth handoffs with simple notes for continuity
- Option to scale hours up or down as needs change
Companionship and Meaningful Activities
- Conversation, check-ins, and light cognitive activities
- Music, photo albums, puzzles, and simple games
- Short walks or fresh-air time when appropriate
- Local touch: visits to the Cambridge Senior Center or a nearby café
- Tech help for video calls with family
Health and Home Support
- Meal planning and prep that matches doctor guidance
- Light housekeeping: dishes, fresh bedding, trash removal
- Laundry and tidy-ups to keep high-traffic areas clear
- Grocery or pharmacy pick-ups when needed
- Simple routines that make the day feel calm and organized
Condition Support: Dementia, Parkinson’s, Stroke Recovery
- Calm cueing, routine building, and safety strategies
- Redirection during sundowning and reassurance techniques
- Support during freezing episodes; steady, mindful movement
- Simple range-of-motion prompts as recommended
- Clear notes so families and providers stay aligned
Post-Hospital Transition and Follow-Ups
- Review written discharge instructions and prepare the home
- Medication and appointment reminders with an easy checklist
- Focus on the first 72 hours when risks are highest
- Coordination with providers; updates to family after visits
- Help getting to follow-ups at Mount Auburn or CHA Cambridge Hospital
Why Families Choose Cottage Caregivers
- Vetted people in your home. Background checks, skills assessments, and reference verification for every caregiver.
- Care that actually fits. Plans reflect goals like fall prevention, meal support, or memory care. We update as needs change.
- Consistency you can count on. We build steady schedules and minimize last-minute changes.
- Rapid coverage when life happens. Same-day replacement when available if a caregiver is out.
- Local coordination. Familiar with the Cambridge Council on Aging, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, and MBTA The RIDE options.
- Active oversight. Coordinator check-ins and plan reviews every 30 to 60 days, or sooner if needed.
Where We Provide Home Care Services
Abington
Andover
Bedford
Belmont
Bolton
Boston
Braintree
Bridgewater
Brookline
Burlington
Cambridge
Canton
Carlisle
Carver
Chatham
Clinton
Cohasset
Concord
Dedham
Dover
Dukes County
Duxbury
East Bridgewater
East Walpole
Easton
Falmouth
Foxboro
Halifax
Hanover
Hanson
Hingham
Holbrook
Hopkinton
Hull
Kingston
Lexington
Lincoln
Marion
Marshfield
Marshfield Hills
Mattapoisett
Medfield
Mendon
Middleborough
Millis
Milton
Nantucket County
Natick
Needham
Newburyport
Newton
Norfolk
Norwell
Norwood
Osterville
Peabody
Pembroke
Pepperell
Plymouth
Plympton
Quincy
Randolph
Rockland
Rockport
Scituate
Sharon
Sherborn
Stoughton
Sudbury
Swansea
Walpole
Wayland
Wellesley
West Bridgewater
West Newbury
Weston
Westport
Weymouth
Whitman
Winchester
Questions Families Ask
How is live-in care different from true 24-hour coverage?
Live-in care places one caregiver in the home who sleeps at night. True 24-hour care uses rotating awake shifts for active night support.
What are your minimum hours and how quickly can we start?
Most families begin with a 4 to 8 hour block, several days a week. After the assessment, care typically starts within 24 to 48 hours.
Does Medicare cover non-medical home care?
Original Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical help with daily activities. Families often use private pay or long-term care insurance. We provide a clear quote after the assessment.
Can you coordinate after a hospital stay?
Yes. We help follow discharge instructions, prepare the home, and attend early follow-ups to support recovery.
What happens if our caregiver is sick or it is not a good fit?
Call us. We handle coverage and can provide a new match quickly. Your comfort and safety come first.
Can you support couples care in the same home?
Yes. Tell us each person’s routines. We build one plan that respects both.
How do we get a clear quote for care?
After the in-home assessment, we provide a written plan and rate. No obligation.
Worried About a Loved One’s Safety at Home? Let’s Make a Plan
A short call can ease a lot of worry. We will listen, outline options, and schedule an in-home assessment in Cambridge.
- No obligation
- Clear plan and rate after the assessment
- Start care in 24 to 48 hours
Locally owned. Serving all 13 Cambridge neighborhoods.
Cottage Caregivers was truly a blessing at a very difficult time. We live out of state and needed 24 hour support for my elderly parents who didn't want to leave their home. Cottage Caregivers came in immediately to assess the situation and were able to quickly provide live-in care and support. Their staff was professional, genuinely thoughtful and attentive to my parents' needs and communication with Karen and Sean was easy. I'd strongly recommend Cottage Caregivers.
Dan Camardo