Springfield Massachusetts Assisted Living: How to pay for, Licensing and Questions to ask…
Springfield is a city in western Massachusetts. Beside the Connecticut River, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame commemorates the sport in a striking building. Collections at the Springfield Museums include American paintings and sculpture, scientific exhibits and Asian art. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss celebrates the beloved children’s author. Springfield Armory documents 2 centuries of military history.
The diverse economy of Massachusetts makes it a desirable location for seniors and retirees. The economy of the state is the third best in the country. The summers in Massachusetts are arguably the most beautiful seasons of anywhere in the world. The seafood is world famous, bringing people from all over the country.
- Springfield Massachusetts Assisted Living: How to pay for, Licensing and Questions to ask…
- About Assisted Living in Springfield
- Considerations when looking for care in Springfield
- Cities near Springfield
- Pricing and How to Pay for Assisted Living
- Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Springfield
- Questions to Ask
- Local Resources and Links – Massachusetts
- Search Other Areas Assisted Living
About Assisted Living in Springfield
An advantage to being an aging adult in Massachusetts is the top-tier hospitals and medical facilities. Massachusetts ranks first in the United States for healthcare access. About 18% of the population of Massachusetts is 65 years and older. We all know that as we age some people may require care at some point. When the time comes to move into a new housing situation, assisted living communities offer your loved one the benefit of security and peace of mind. These communities are a specific level of care in a community setting.
A personalized service plan is required for all residents before admission. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs states that a Service Coordinator and a nurse are required to coordinate the service plan and to assess and adjust it as needed. Aside from evaluating a resident’s needs, service plans must include all services that will be provided to the resident ( bathing, dressing, medication management, mobility, grooming, meals), and the type of unit(s) allotted to the resident. Assisted living communities and facilities must provide a single or double unit. There must be a lockable door at the entry to each unit. There must be a kitchenette (access to a refrigerator, sink, heating element). Resident units must have a private bathroom with a toilet and bathtub.
The Department of Elder Affairs in Massachusetts requires that all staff be qualified for the level of care they provide. All communities and facilities must have a qualified manager to oversee operations. In Massachusetts, assisted living communities must hire a service coordinator with a Bachelor’s degree or experience in human services.
Considerations when looking for care in Springfield
If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Springfield, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 86.8°F with temperatures rarely dropping below 62°F. The cold season lasts from December 1 to March 11, with the coldest month of the year being January, with an average low of 19°F and high of 34°F.
There are 154,789 people who call Springfield home and there are 7 assisted living communities to choose from to find your next home.
Assisted Living Communities near Springfield, Massachusetts
St Luke's Home
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105
Rockridge At Laurel Park
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
River Valley Rest Home
Northampton, Massachusetts 01062
Lathrop Home
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Ellen Rice Rest Home, Inc.
Springfield, Massachusetts 01108
Brook Haven Assisted Living, Llc
West Brookfield, Massachusetts 01585
Beaven Kelly Home
Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040
Cities near Springfield
- Hartford (CT) – 26 miles south of Springfield
- Holyoke – 9 miles north of Springfield
- Westfield – 10 miles west of Springfield
- Palmer – 19 miles east of Springfield
Pricing and How to Pay for Assisted Living
The expected monthly cost of assisted living in Massachusetts is $6,100 / month and in Springfield its $5,000 / month. Across the country, the average cost of assisted living is $4,500 / month. When comparing national costs, the northeast region of the United States is among the most expensive in the country for senior care and housing.
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:
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Springfield
Caring Health Center
1049 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103
Mercy Medical Center: Emergency Department
271 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104
Baystate Medical Practices Main St
3500 Main St, Springfield, MA 01107
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.
