Residential Care Homes in Boston, MA

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Residential care homes in Boston, Massachusetts, offer a warm, home-like environment where seniors receive personalized care and support in a smaller, more intimate setting. With Massachusetts ranking 12th in the nation for assisted living, these care homes reflect the state’s commitment to quality senior care, providing assistance with daily activities, medication management, and social engagement. Boston’s residential care homes are ideal for those seeking a close-knit community with compassionate, individualized attention.

Most care homes are available for private pay, and others for Medicaid-paid residents. Residential Care Homes provide protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.

find rest homes in boston

Residential Care Homes in Massachusetts are not specified on CareAvailability.com because they are similarly licensed and managed under the service of Assisted Living. Search our Assisted Living section for care homes near you and make sure to check for capacity as that is a defining feature of these services.

Adult Care Home and other terms

It is good to know the other terms/names of services you may hear when searching for certain senior housing: 

Many states actually designate adult care homes as assisted living/residential care facilities because they all fall under the same license. Be sure to check if your state designates care homes under the same license as other housing options.

  • Other related terminology:
  • Board and care home
  • Care home
  • Adult family home 
  • Residential care home 
  • Adult foster home
  • Personal care Home
  • Community Residential Care Facilities
  • Rest Homes

About Residential Care Homes in Boston, MA

Massachusetts’ adult care homes are titled and licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Health, Office of Elder Affairs. These residential care homes are called Rest Homes in the state of MA. They may be ideal for a senior who can no longer manage their health and safety in their own home, and may need care. Massachusetts adult care homes are an excellent housing option for aging adults because they offer private residencies in a home-like environment and some care, though typically medical care. Rest homes provide housing, meals, activities, and administration of medications for individuals who need a supportive living arrangement. A rest home is not merely a temporary residence but a permanent home. Therefore, good care includes not only providing care with dignity and respect, but also dietary services that provide appetizing and nutritious meals, housekeeping services that keep physical surroundings pleasant and planned activities that foster social interaction.

Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Boston, MA

The estimated population of Boston, Massachusetts is 653,833 with 12.3% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Boston, the summers are warm, the winters are very cold and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 23°F to 82°F and is rarely below 9°F or above 91°F.

Cities near Boston, MA

  • Cambridge, MA – Northwest, 3 miles
  • Somerville, MA – North, 3 miles
  • Brookline, MA – Southwest, 4 miles
  • Quincy, MA – Southeast, 10 miles
  • Newton, MA – West, 8 miles

Pricing and How to Pay for Adult Care Homes

Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $5,000 per month for residential care home services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.

You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.

The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.

Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.

Medicare – NO:

  • Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
  • People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
  • Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

  • Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
  • Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
  • Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

  • Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
  • Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
  • Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
  • National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
  • The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
  • If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

  • Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
  • Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

  • There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
  • A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
  • If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Questions to Ask

Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

  • Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
  • Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
  • Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
  • Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
  • Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
  • And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Boston, MA

Massachusetts General Hospital

  • Address: 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
  • Phone Number: (617) 726-2000

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

  • Address: 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115
  • Phone Number: (617) 732-5500

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

  • Address: 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
  • Phone Number: (617) 667-7000

Tufts Medical Center

  • Address: 800 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
  • Phone Number: (617) 636-5000

Boston Medical Center

  • Address: 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA 02118
  • Phone Number: (617) 638-8000

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging seeks to outreach to older persons and their caregivers, hoping to educate them on services and programs that are meant to serve and assist them to remain safely and securely in our communities.

Age Strong Commission As an AAA, the Commission provides funding to community partners to provide services to seniors in the neighborhoods. The Commission also provides direct services to seniors such as advocacy, information and referral, transportation, volunteer opportunities and cultural and social events.

Executive Office of Elder Affairs State Agency that contracts with local service providers.

Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. is an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) providing services to help preserve the independence, and quality of life of elders and disabled persons desiring to remain within their own.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

Search other states for Adult Care Homes

Not finding what you’re looking for? Take a look below.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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