Assisted Living in Cambridge, Massachusetts: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, Questions to Ask, Links and Resources
Residential assisted living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers seniors a vibrant and supportive environment in a historic and culturally rich city. Massachusetts ranks highly for assisted living, placing 9th in the nation, ensuring quality care and services for residents. Cambridge’s assisted living communities provide personalized care, comfortable living spaces, and easy access to local amenities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a balanced lifestyle in their later years.
Some communities are available for private pay, and others for Medicaid-paid residents. Assisted Living provides protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.
Home Care Communities near Cambridge, Massachusetts
Above And Beyond Nursing Services
Lawrence, Massachusetts 01840
Alliberty Services Inc
Boston, Massachusetts 02121
Home Health Services
Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
Caridad Independent Living
Randolph, Massachusetts 02368
Brockton Home Health Care Agency
Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
Creations Health Care, Inc
Randolph, Massachusetts 02368
Dependable Healthcare Services Inc
Saugus, Massachusetts 01906
Edge Life Healthcare Inc
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
Dominion Healthcare, Llc
Stoughton, Massachusetts 02072
Massachusetts Care Services Inc
Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
About Assisted Living in Cambridge, MA
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, residential assisted living is defined as a housing option designed for seniors who require some assistance with daily activities but do not need the intensive care provided by a nursing home. These communities offer a blend of independence and support, providing services such as personal care assistance, medication management, and housekeeping. Residents also benefit from social and recreational activities, transportation services, and meals tailored to their dietary needs. The goal of residential assisted living in Cambridge is to enhance the quality of life for seniors by offering a safe, supportive environment that encourages autonomy while ensuring that help is available when needed.
Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Cambridge, MA
There are 6 assisted living facilities within 5 miles of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The estimated population of Cambridge is 118,214 with 11.9% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Cambridge, 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 22°F to 82°F and is rarely below 8°F or above 91°F.
Cities near Cambridge, MA
- Somerville, MA – Northwest, 2 miles
- Boston, MA – Southeast, 3 miles
- Medford, MA – North, 4 miles
- Arlington, MA – Northwest, 5 miles
- Brookline, MA – South, 5 miles
Pricing and How to Pay for Assisted Living
Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $6,750 per month for senior living 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.
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Cambridge, MA
Cambridge Health Alliance – Cambridge Hospital
- Address: 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Phone: (617) 665-1000
Mount Auburn Hospital
- Address: 330 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Phone: (617) 492-3500
CHA Somerville Campus
- Address: 33 Tower St, Somerville, MA 02143
- Phone: (617) 591-4500
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Cambridge
- Address: 1611 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Phone: (617) 661-5500
Massachusetts General Hospital
- Address: 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
- Phone: (617) 726-2000
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 Resources and Links – Massachusetts
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.