Page 9 of Best Assisted Living in Massachusetts

The Residence at Boylston Place has been open at 615 Heath Street in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts since 2000. Twenty-six years in the same building, offering assisted living, independent living, and respite care across 99 beds. The building is mid-rise, with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts.

Walkability stands out at The Residence at Boylston Place and its surrounding neighborhood. The Walk Score hits 78, very walkable, so a lot of daily errands don’t need a car at all. That’s not typical for a community this size, and its a gret boon for more mobility challenged seniors, as well as any visiting family.

There’s also a nursing home co-located on the same campus, which matters more than it might sound. It means a resident who eventually needs a higher level of care doesn’t have to leave the area they already know to get it.

Between assisted living and independent living, residents have room to shift support levels without relocating, and respite care covers families who need a short-term stay rather than a permanent one.

What this adds up to is a well-established, walkable Chestnut Hill community built for flexibility, offering more than one level of senior living in the same place, with a nursing home nearby for whatever comes next.

Overview of East Village Place

Operating for 26 years, East Village Place provides assisted living and memory care services in East Longmeadow’s quiet Fields at Chestnut neighborhood. The 73-bed community occupies a two-story building where occupants select from studio, one-, or two-bedroom floor plans tailored to different independence levels and preferences.

The car-dependent neighborhood bears a Walk Score of 16, so most errands need a vehicle, and nearby walkable options are limited. This setting fits residents with reliable transportation or family support for errands and outings. The facility is not co-located with a nursing home, focusing entirely on assisted living and memory care without on-site skilled nursing services.

For any future skilled care needs, families and potential residents must plan accordingly.

Nestled within the scenic neighborhood of Newburyport, MA, Atria Merrimack Place is a trusted senior living community that offers excellent assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. Residents are free to idle around with the convenience of having housekeeping and maintenance services, allowing them to focus on more meaningful activities. The community’s care team are trained to be reliable during emergencies and offer an array of supportive and care services, including assistance with daily living activities.

An array of educational, social, cultural, and fitness programs are also offered to keep residents entertained and active. Delicious and nutritious meals with accommodations for special diets and nutritional needs are available to help residents maintain their health. Amenities such as a pub, a library, a fitness center, a salon and spa, a movie theater and a courtyard are also provided to make residents’ living experience more fun and exciting.

Bayberry at Emerald Court aims to transform lives and make them better. Management and staff strive to create a sense of community and belonging where everyone is welcome and included, and the facility maintains top-notch quality. When setting the standard for quality care and going above and beyond to meet the needs of seniors, the retirement home is the place perfect for independent living, assisted living, and memory care. 

As a member of the Northbridge community, Bayberry offers luxury and comfortability in a resort-like setting. Exquisite residential experience is found in the beautiful amenities and services found in the community, such as spacious apartments, healthy dining experiences, and social activities.

Overview of Clifton Assisted Living Community

Set in the harmonious lands of Wilbur Avenue, Somerset, MA, is the astounding senior living community of Clifton Assisted Living Community that offers assisted living. The community doubles its efforts to meet residents’ special needs and aspirations to ensure a better quality of life. Moreover, Clifton Assisted Living Community boasts a team of reliable and highly skilled professionals who provide around-the-clock assistance for seniors to ease their worries.

Maintain an active and well-engaged lifestyle with Clifton Assisted Living Community. Utilize the cozy spaces and immerse yourself within the lively environment of the community. With three healthy and delightful meals prepared daily, residents let go of kitchen hassles and experience the finest dining experience. Clifton Assisted Living Community is great for seniors aiming to maximize their independence while receiving the utmost care for their ever-changing needs.

Stone Rehabilitation and Senior Living, situated in the heart of Newton Upper Falls, MA, provides a peaceful retirement setting within a quiet residential neighborhood. The community features a selection of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, offering choices to fit a range of preferences and budgets. With assisted living services, it provides a warm, enriching environment for residents to call home. Its convenient location near restaurants and shopping centers balances tranquility with easy access to local amenities.

A standout feature of this community is its devotional and wellness programs, which are designed to promote residents’ physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. These programs offer personalized care in a supportive atmosphere. With high-quality services, residents at Stone Rehabilitation and Senior Living can enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle.

Overview of Sunrise of Norwood

Sunrise of Norwood, a 72-bed assisted living and memory care community, sits at 86 Saunders Rd in Norwood, Massachusetts, a 29-year-old for-profit provider.

The 3-story building houses 45 traditional assisted living units and 27 memory care beds. Room options range from studio to two-bedroom configurations. The community does not participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Monthly rates begin at $7,965.

Assisted living residents receive help with daily activities and medication management in a community-based setting. The 27-bed memory care wing offers specialized care for individuals with cognitive impairment. Both care tracks offer suites with custom finishes and emergency response systems. Pets are welcome on-site.

Staff provide 24-hour community support. Residents can select private accommodations or opt to share a suite with a spouse or companion. The dining program features restaurant-quality meals.

Recreation and fitness programming are available, along with transportation services. Norwood Hospital lies less than a mile away, ensuring quick access to hospital-level care when needed.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 60, meaning some daily errands are walkable.

The facility has operated continuously since 1997, offering an established presence in the local senior living market for nearly three decades.

Sunrise of Norwood fits residents seeking assisted living or memory care in a mid-sized, long-established community setting in Norwood.

Overview of Bertram House of Swampscott

Bertram House of Swampscott is a premier senior living community located in Swampscott, Massachusetts, just one block from the beach. The community offers a maintenance-free lifestyle, allowing residents to enjoy friends, hobbies, seasonal cuisine, and the local area as they please. Bertram House of Swampscott is considered the gold standard in senior living, with a reputation on the North Shore that’s second to none. The community is housed in a beautiful historic building, previously the New Ocean House Hotel, and offers a gracious living experience with services tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of each resident.

Bertram House of Swampscott provides a range of living options, including assisted living, memory care, short-term stays, and hospice coordination. The community offers a specialized area dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss. Residents can enjoy a variety of daily activities, such as physical fitness, creative pursuits, social events, learning opportunities, and spiritual programs. The community also offers scheduled group trips and resident-sponsored clubs catering to various interests. Bertram House of Swampscott serves up to three delicious, well-balanced meals daily, featuring a variety of menu choices with snacks available throughout the day. The community is located just 14 miles from downtown Boston, close to the historic New England towns of Marblehead and Salem, and near Salem Hospital and North Shore Medical Center.

Overview of Cohen Florence Levine Estates

Quietly nestled in Chelsea, MA, Cohen Florence Levine Estates is a trusted community, offering an ideal environment for assisted living and memory care. Their dedicated care team is available on-site 24/7 to support residents with their daily living activities, emergencies, and other care needs for a comfortable living experience. Relax in cozy and spacious accommodations with quick access to main services and amenities, such as a library, full-service salon, and cozy common areas.

Those living with the challenges of memory loss are guaranteed a safe and secure living environment with daily life enrichment programs tailored to their abilities and interests. They also prioritize mealtimes by ensuring residents are served fresh, balanced meals tailored to their individual dietary needs and preferences. Here, they help residents achieve a high quality of life amidst a comfortable and supportive environment, brimming with engaging experiences.

Hampton Suites at Shrewsbury operates a multi-level facility in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, with 99 beds across nursing home, assisted living, and independent living care. Owned by Shrewsbury Operations Holdings LLC, the community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents in studio, one-, and two-bedroom units that welcome pets.

The current resident census of 90 is 82.2% private-pay, reflecting an affluent population; admissions lean toward private-pay short-term stays (62%, average 2–3 months) and shorter Medicare stays (12%, average 3–4 months), with a small Medicaid long-term segment (26%, average 1–2 years).

Regulatory compliance is strong: health inspections 40.5% above state average, zero penalties or payment denials in three years, and quality measure ratings 25.8% above state.

Yet staffing levels present a stark concern. At 3 hours 43 minutes per resident per day, nursing hours run 66.7% below the Massachusetts average and sit just above the national red-flag threshold of 3.0 hours. Two-thirds of RNs (17 of 26) and nearly half of LPNs (27 of 55) are contractors, signaling turnover and care continuity issues despite adequate head counts.

Resident outcomes paint a divided picture: falls with major injury are exceptional (0.4% versus 3.6% state), vaccine rates are near-universal, and infection control is strong. But depressive symptoms affect 16.1% of long-stay residents (50% worse than state), weight loss rates are 40% worse than average, and functional decline metrics are measurably poor. The facility operates at a financial loss of $769,700 (2023), a -6.7% margin, despite recovering occupancy from pandemic lows to 81.4%.

Hampton Suites at Shrewsbury fits private-pay long-term residents seeking a Massachusetts nursing home with strong compliance records and regulatory oversight.

The staffing model and persistent operating losses suggest operational constraints that families should explore directly with the facility’s administration.