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The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,850 per month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city as well as financing options to pay for it. You'll find in-depth information on 5 assisted living facilities in the Boston area and 30 in surrounding areas.
The Cost of Senior Care in Boston, MA
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Nestled in a walker’s paradise Susan Bailis House is a vibrant assisted living community that has been serving seniors since 2003.
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Situated on the New England Baptist Medical Campus, Landmark at Longwood offers our residents direct access to numerous religious, cultural, medical, and historical endeavors.
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The Zelma Lacey House of Charlestown is a beautiful assisted living community that offers all the conveniences and comforts of home without the responsibilities of home ownership.
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Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-705-4148 or Request a call
Landmark at Longwood and the staff are good. I liked that it's a special historical building.
Read more Landmark at Longwood reviewsThe only assisted living community in Boston. Located 1 block from symphony hall, it is warm, friendly and ethnically diverse. Recommended for anyone that loves Boston and wants to remain in the city. However, they do not have a memory program and should be avoided if you or your loved one is suffering from any form of...
Read more Susan Bailis Assisted Living reviewsAs shown in Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Boston is the costliest in the state with an average monthly price of $5,850. Local rates are well above the $4,000 national average and over $300 more per month than the Massachusetts median of $5,495.
Pittsfield seniors enjoy the lowest cost of care at $4,200 per month, while rates in Barnstable Town ($5,490) and Worcester ($5,735) are in line with Boston. In nearby states, assisted living costs are lower in the Providence, RI, area ($4,900) and the Manchester, NH, area ($4,598).
The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas
Senior care costs in Boston vary greatly depending on the type of care received. Nursing home rates are more than double those of assisted living at an average of $12,471 per month for a semiprivate room. For active Boston seniors who are able to live at home and travel to and from a senior center, adult day health services are the least costly type of care at $1,603 per month.
Home health care providers, which include homemakers and home health aides, cost less upfront than assisted living at $5,148 and $5,339 per month respectively. However, these costs don’t factor in major expenses often included with assisted living, such as room and board, maintenance and utilities.
Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart
Massachusetts Medicaid, known as MassHealth, provides health care services to qualified low-income seniors, people with disabilities and families throughout the state. Covered services may include doctor and hospital visits, long-term care and prescription medications.
To qualify for MassHealth, seniors must meet certain financial requirements. The following income and asset limits apply to seniors who are at least 65 years old and live at home or in a nursing home or are blind or disabled:
Seniors who prefer to receive long-term services in an assisted living home must adhere to the following financial limits:
For married couples in both of the above financial criteria categories, non-applicant partners may retain up to $126,420 in assets. Limits don’t include one’s home, personal belongings, furnishings or primary vehicle.
To apply for MassHealth, Boston seniors can complete a paper form and deliver it in person to the MassHealth Enrollment Center in Chelsea or mail it to:
MassHealth Enrollment Center
Central Processing Unit
P.O. Box 290794
Charlestown, MA 02129
Seniors may also call (800) 841-2900 for assistance completing the application.
Moving Forward Plan Residential Supports Waiver
MassHealth includes a waiver program called MFP-RS for seniors who would like to move out of a nursing facility and into an assisted living home.
To qualify, a senior must have lived in a nursing home or rehabilitation center for at least 90 days, be aged 65 or older and meet MassHealth financial requirements.
MFP-RS benefits include:
Interested Boston residents should complete the application and mail it to:
UMass MFP Waiver Unit
333 South St.
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Senior Care Options
Along with the MFP-RS waiver, a comprehensive health plan program exists called Senior Care Options, which provides care coordination and social services to seniors in addition to traditional health care services.
To qualify, seniors must be eligible for MassHealth, be 65 years or older and live at home or in a long-term care facility, such as an assisted living home. Additionally, seniors must:
To apply, Boston residents enrolled in MassHealth can call Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan Senior Care Options at (855) 833-8124.
Optional State Supplementation
Boston residents are eligible for the Massachusetts state supplementation if they’re eligible for SSI and live in an assisted living home.
To qualify, a senior must:
Seniors living in an assisted living facility who qualify for SSI can receive up to $454 per month toward their room and board. Married couples can receive up to $681.
To apply for SSI, seniors should call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.
Senior centers in and around Boston offer various activities, including exercise classes, healthy living programs, low-cost meals and community rooms for social events or card games.
BCYF Golden Age Senior Center
382 Main St., Boston, MA 02129
(617) 635-5175
Chelsea Senior Center
10 Riley Way, Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 466-4370
Peterborough Senior Center
42 Peterborough St., Boston, MA 02215
(617) 536-7154
Veronica Smith Senior Center
20 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 635-6120
Boston area veterans agencies plan commemorative events and assist vets and their loved ones with benefits claims. The Department of Veterans Services also provides support services and operates an emergency financial assistance program.
Veterans Services
43 Hawkins St., 3rd Fl., Boston, MA 02114
(617) 241-8387
Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services
600 Washington St., 7th Fl., Boston, MA 02111
(617) 210-5480
VA Boston Regional Office
JFK Federal Bldg., 15 Sudbury St., Ste. 15, Boston, MA 02203
(800) 827-1000
As Boston’s area agency on aging, the Age Strong Commission offers local seniors aged 55 and older resource information and referrals. It connects residents with legal assistance, city programs, caregiver support groups and access to $2 meals. Central Boston Elder Services provides ombudsman and elder protection services to those aged 60 and older.
Age Strong Commission
1 City Hall Sq., Rm. 271, Boston, MA 02201
(617) 635-4366
Central Boston Elder Services
2315 Washington St., Boston, MA 02119
(617) 277-7416
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