Massachusetts Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in Massachusetts for couples

Assisted living facilities offer senior adults a complete retirement solution, consisting of room and board, personal assistance, services, and amenities. They accept retirees who are over the age of 60, whose income is high enough to cover the monthly fees. Couples can live together and their income is generally calculated as a whole.

How many ALFs are there in MA? In the state of Massachusetts, there are over 250 assisted living facilities. These senior living communities can be found in the following locations: Barnstable Town, Boston, Springfield, Pittsfield, and Worcester. All the facilities are regulated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Before admission, individualized service plans are created for every resident. The plan is reviewed on a regular basis, and especially once a major health event has occurred.

Usually, the respective plans contain information on the services provided to the resident, including assistance with ADLs, healthcare, medication management, mobility assistance, and amenities. The plan might also include details on the type of living unit, resident's needs (medical, physical, emotional, social), medical assessment findings, duration and diversity of services.

It is worth mentioning that ALFs do not accept residents who require 24/7 skilled nursing care, those with complex healthcare needs, or are mentally unstable, posing a treat to themselves or others. Some facilities refuse residents who require insulin shots or other treatments administered regularly.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Massachusetts

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Massachusetts is around $5,400. As it is clear, this is higher than the national median, which is around $4,000. Compared to all the neighboring states – Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont – Massachusetts has the highest fees for assisted living.

Within the state of Massachusetts, the average monthly fees vary between $4,200 and $6,400. The most affordable rates can be found in Pittsfield, while the ALFs in the Boston area seem to demand the highest costs. Assisted living, however, is cheaper than other long-term care solutions, such as memory care or skilled nursing care. Independent living is the only option that is more affordable.

Assisted living costs in Massachusetts

Assisted living facilities provide seniors with access to adapted housing and specialized healthcare. The latter might be available to a limited extent, depending on each community. Residents also benefit from assistance with daily living activities, in accordance with their level of independence. They might only have limited access to certain services, such as skilled nursing care, or the respective service might not be available at all. In the state of Massachusetts, there are different types of assisted living communities seniors can choose from, with care packages that have corresponding costs. Keep on reading and discover additional information on the costs of assisted living in this state.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care

How much does assisted living cost in MA? In the state of Massachusetts, the average cost of assisted living is $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year. This is considerably higher than the national median of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living communities are found in Barnstable, averaging at $7,000 per month or $84,000 per year. On the other hand, Pittsfield has the most affordable facilities of this kind, with an average cost of $2,000 per month or $24,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in MA? When it comes to memory care, the average cost is $8,100 per month or $97,000 per year. This is significantly lower than the national median of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities are located in Boston, averaging at $8,500 per month or $102,000 per year. Pittsfield also has the most affordable communities of this kind, averaging at $2,600 per month or $31,000 per year.

Assisted living costs more than home care and home health care, but it is definitely more affordable than nursing home care. Memory care costs more than adult day health care and home care, but it is more affordable than nursing home care. The latter averages at $12,000 per month or $144,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

A deposit fee must be covered by seniors who desired to move into a specific assisted living community. This fee is usually returned when the residential stay begins and the contract concludes. These communities do not have entrance fees, seniors are only expected to cover the monthly fees. Several factors influence the overall costs, including the available healthcare and assistance, services and amenities, marital status, living unit type and size, etc. All assisted living residents have access to utilities, as well as meal plans, laundry and linen service, housekeeping, and general maintenance. Should additional services be offered, the residents will have to cover the associated costs.

Care fees are covered by all residents who receive assistance with daily living activities, such as eating, dressing, or bathing. Naturally, care packages will also include emergency response systems, daily activities, physical and occupational therapy, scheduled transportation, and medication management. If spouses want to live together in the respective community, they will have to cover a second occupancy fee. Some communities also require additional payment for certain utilities, such as the Internet and cable access. Healthcare is often covered by third-party providers and made available at extra cost.

What goes into memory care costs?

Memory care communities welcome those who have been diagnosed with different forms of dementia, offering access to adapted housing, healthcare, and assistance with ADLs. Residents also benefit from 24/7 monitoring and support, as well as adapted services and amenities. Regardless of the form of dementia they are suffering from, it is guaranteed they will benefit from the highest possible quality of life. Care packages are designed with consideration to the diagnosis and the illness stage. Safety features are chosen with care to minimize the confusion experienced and eliminate the risk of self-harm or wandering.

Therapy is offered on a daily basis to all dementia seniors, with the purpose of helping them preserve their memory, cognitive, and speech skills for as long as it is possible. Residents have access to various services, including housekeeping, laundry and linen service, scheduled transportation, meal planning and preparation, general maintenance, etc. Care-related services might include but are not limited to wound care, diabetes care, mobility assistance, and incontinence care.

Senior living in Massachusetts - cost comparison with other states

The monthly cost of assisted living in Massachusetts is well above the national average, as previously mentioned. Massachusetts is more expensive than New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut, but more affordable than Rhode Island. The overall costs are as follows: New Hampshire - $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year; Vermont - $5,250 per month or $63,000 per year; Connecticut - $5,100 per month or $61,000 per year; Rhode Island - $6,800 per month or $81,000 per year.

As for memory care, once again the cost is well above the national average. Massachusetts is more expensive than New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont, but more affordable than Rode Island. The overall costs are as follows: New Hampshire - $7,500 per month or $90,000 per year; Vermont - $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year; Connecticut - $6,400 per month or $76,000 per year; Rhode Island - $8,500 per month or $102,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility in Massachusetts for your needs

Massachusetts has a wide range of long-term care communities available for seniors. Whether you are looking for assisted living or memory care, please remember that the costs will vary from one facility to the other, in accordance with the available care. To save precious time and energy, we recommend comparing the benefits of each community, and discussing the options with your loved one.

We might also be able to guide you through the decision-making process. Just give us a call and we will offer detailed information on the costs demanded by each senior living facility. It is our pleasure to help seniors and caregivers find the best long-term care communities, taking into consideration both their needs and the available budget. We will take all the necessary time to explain to you the overall costs and the factors influencing them, along other useful details.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Massachusetts

All residents, whether we are talking about married couples or single senior adults, have access to a general range of services. Trained staff handles their housekeeping and maintenance needs, including shopping, errand running, and meal preparation. Other services are provided, including 24/7 security, scheduled transportation, Internet and telephone, laundry and linen service.

Assistance with daily living activities is available, but residents are encouraged to remain as independent as possible. They will receive minimal assistance with ADLs, such as eating, dressing, toileting, bathing, and grooming. All of these services are mentioned in the individualized service plan.

Residents of assisted living centers in MA can receive assistance when it comes to managing their medication. On the one hand, the staff might monitor the resident while taking the treatment, offering reminders and opening bottles/blisters. Second, if the resident is unable to handle the self-administration, the staff will engage in this task. Only registered nurses are allowed to handle the medication management.

Some senior living facilities have integrated memory care units for those with special needs. These are known as special care units and they often cater to the complex needs of those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Sometimes, they also accept senior adults who suffer from Huntington's disease or other similar conditions. The services offered are the same, but these residents might benefit from more assistance and supervision.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Massachusetts

Assisted living facilities must provide both couples and single adults with living units that meet certain requirements. All units should have lockable doors, a private bathroom with accessibility features, fully-functional kitchen, thermostat controlled by the resident, etc. The units should comply with all the existent codes, including for fire safety and disability. Also, the facility should mention whether they accept pets or not.

There are countless possibilities for spending one's time in an assisted living facility. From heated swimming pools to state-of-the-art fitness centers, senior adults can work on their physical fitness as they please. ALF residents can pursue various passions, including woodworking, painting, or reading. Social clubs are organized on a weekly basis, and many facilities have religious services available. Dementia residents might benefit from specific amenities, including learning courses, special painting classes, and guided walks.