Norwich is a city in New London County, a short journey down the Thames River from Long Island Sound. The city is home to 40,125 residents, with the 65+ age group making up about 16.9%. Norwich is an affordable city, with costs typically below the state and national averages. It also provides its older residents with numerous free and subsidized transportation options and impressive medical care. The city’s many other attractions include the Slater Memorial Museum, home to an abundance of Greek, Roman and Renaissance sculptures and American and world art. For those who like to gamble, there’s Mohegan Sun, a casino resort on the Mohegan Reservation.
Assisted living communities are homes for seniors who would otherwise struggle with common tasks, such as managing their medications. Seniors are free to use their time as they wish, while staff ensures their rooms are cleaned and meals prepared. The average cost in Norwich is $5,700 per month, about 10% below the state average of $6,300.
This guide reveals the average fees for other types of senior care in Norwich and discusses the pros and cons of living in the city. There’s also a short list of resources for seniors.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Norwich, CT
33 Sachem Street,, Norwich, CT, 06360
Sachem Homes is an assisted living facility. They provide meals and the residents either have their own rooms or shared room. They have 24-hour staff. It caters to smaller community. The meals are pre
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Sachem Homes is an assisted living facility. They provide meals and the residents either have their own rooms or shared room. They have 24-hour staff. It caters to smaller community. The meals are pretty balanced. They have household activities that are available for members that want to do things. The place is small and almost everyone knows each other there.
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Sachem Homes is an assisted living facility. They provide meals and the residents either have their own rooms or shared room. They have 24-hour staff. It caters to smaller community. The meals are pre
… (read more)
Sachem Homes is an assisted living facility. They provide meals and the residents either have their own rooms or shared room. They have 24-hour staff. It caters to smaller community. The meals are pretty balanced. They have household activities that are available for members that want to do things. The place is small and almost everyone knows each other there.
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165 McKinley Avenue, Norwich, CT, 06360
Sheltering Arms just didn’t have the best levels of services. It wasn’t quite on the level of assisted living, and that’s why it just wasn’t working for my mother anymore. I can say that it wa
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Sheltering Arms just didn’t have the best levels of services. It wasn’t quite on the level of assisted living, and that’s why it just wasn’t working for my mother anymore. I can say that it was a good place; she just needed more services. When she first went there almost four years ago, it was fine for her, but by the time she left, it just wasn’t enough for her. It was a good facility. They’re very clean; it’s just not for her at this point. They don’t do that much for people. The staff and I talked about that, and they were the ones who told me I would either have to get more assistance in there or move her, because they could not provide the services that she needed. The staff was very good. They were very nice, but they didn’t have quite enough, so they couldn’t give her the assistance with dressing, changing, bathing and things like that. They weren’t understaffed; it was their level of care. I knew that when she went there. Mom just got a little older and deteriorated a little more, so it just wasn’t right for her toward the end. She would’ve stayed there a few more years, but she couldn’t. It just didn’t have the services that she needed. They had daily activities as well. Because the high school is close by, they have volunteer students that would go over and do things.
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Sheltering Arms just didn’t have the best levels of services. It wasn’t quite on the level of assisted living, and that’s why it just wasn’t working for my mother anymore. I can say that it wa
… (read more)
Sheltering Arms just didn’t have the best levels of services. It wasn’t quite on the level of assisted living, and that’s why it just wasn’t working for my mother anymore. I can say that it was a good place; she just needed more services. When she first went there almost four years ago, it was fine for her, but by the time she left, it just wasn’t enough for her. It was a good facility. They’re very clean; it’s just not for her at this point. They don’t do that much for people. The staff and I talked about that, and they were the ones who told me I would either have to get more assistance in there or move her, because they could not provide the services that she needed. The staff was very good. They were very nice, but they didn’t have quite enough, so they couldn’t give her the assistance with dressing, changing, bathing and things like that. They weren’t understaffed; it was their level of care. I knew that when she went there. Mom just got a little older and deteriorated a little more, so it just wasn’t right for her toward the end. She would’ve stayed there a few more years, but she couldn’t. It just didn’t have the services that she needed. They had daily activities as well. Because the high school is close by, they have volunteer students that would go over and do things.
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3 Myrtle Dr, Norwich, CT, 06360
Our tour at St Jude Common was ok. It’s an older facility that they’re trying to update. At the time we were there they were putting in a new heating system and security. I just noticed a lot of thing
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Our tour at St Jude Common was ok. It’s an older facility that they’re trying to update. At the time we were there they were putting in a new heating system and security. I just noticed a lot of things about it being rundown and it needs to be updated, though they’re doing it. We sat there watching the residents interact. There’s a lot of low income there and some that I really wouldn’t feel comfortable around my mother. The apartment we had looked at was empty, but the staff stated that they’re going to replace the carpeting. It has a lot of wear to it including the building. The maintenance guy was walking through with other people as they were trying to update the heating system. The place where they would eat, the chef came out while we were there and handed a menu, said hello, and walked back into the kitchen. I didn’t see anything else wrong. I thought it was a decent place as far as the people who work there.
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Our tour at St Jude Common was ok. It’s an older facility that they’re trying to update. At the time we were there they were putting in a new heating system and security. I just noticed a lot of thing
… (read more)
Our tour at St Jude Common was ok. It’s an older facility that they’re trying to update. At the time we were there they were putting in a new heating system and security. I just noticed a lot of things about it being rundown and it needs to be updated, though they’re doing it. We sat there watching the residents interact. There’s a lot of low income there and some that I really wouldn’t feel comfortable around my mother. The apartment we had looked at was empty, but the staff stated that they’re going to replace the carpeting. It has a lot of wear to it including the building. The maintenance guy was walking through with other people as they were trying to update the heating system. The place where they would eat, the chef came out while we were there and handed a menu, said hello, and walked back into the kitchen. I didn’t see anything else wrong. I thought it was a decent place as far as the people who work there.
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One Beechwood Drive, Waterford, CT, 06385
As a visitor, the tour we had at Atria Crossroads Place was very favorable. The reason we did not choose it is that it was very isolated from other parts of the town in which it is located. My mom did
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As a visitor, the tour we had at Atria Crossroads Place was very favorable. The reason we did not choose it is that it was very isolated from other parts of the town in which it is located. My mom did not like that, and I did not like that either. You can hear the interstate highway. It’s really close to it. I know she would not like that.
The people were very nice though, and the facilities were very nice. It was just primarily not chosen due to its location. We toured the assisted living, and we saw a studio. It’s very spacious, clean, and very thoughtfully organized. The facility was very clean. When we were there, they were having a musical performance. Everybody seemed to be really enjoying it. The entire residents were there.
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As a visitor, the tour we had at Atria Crossroads Place was very favorable. The reason we did not choose it is that it was very isolated from other parts of the town in which it is located. My mom did
… (read more)
As a visitor, the tour we had at Atria Crossroads Place was very favorable. The reason we did not choose it is that it was very isolated from other parts of the town in which it is located. My mom did not like that, and I did not like that either. You can hear the interstate highway. It’s really close to it. I know she would not like that.
The people were very nice though, and the facilities were very nice. It was just primarily not chosen due to its location. We toured the assisted living, and we saw a studio. It’s very spacious, clean, and very thoughtfully organized. The facility was very clean. When we were there, they were having a musical performance. Everybody seemed to be really enjoying it. The entire residents were there.
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20 Academy Lane, Mystic, CT, 06355
My mother moved into Academy Point in Mystic in 2018 after falling several times in her home. Her last fall resulted in a severe leg break which required extensive surgery. She was bedridden in a ‘n
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My mother moved into Academy Point in Mystic in 2018 after falling several times in her home. Her last fall resulted in a severe leg break which required extensive surgery. She was bedridden in a ‘non-load bearing status’ for six months so her leg could heal. My 85-year-old stepfather was unable to care for her needs in their home where she’d likely fall again. So, my spouse and I toured facilities to find them a new home. We decided on Academy Point. The facility is light and clean, staff are friendly and courteous, and my mother has a fabulous view of the mystic seaport from her room. Prices were competitive with other assisted living facilities.
When my mother arrived at Academy Pt, she needed a significant amount of assistance completing her basic daily needs. The staff happily provided that care, albeit for an additional cost. As my mother recuperated, she was able to regain control and taper back on the additional services/costs. During this period, my stepfather passed away. Bonnie and her team were great, helping my mom through this difficult transition both physically and emotionally. We even held a memorial service for my stepfather on the back patio at the Academy Point facility.
Finally, I should add that Bonnie and her team have managed the Covid situation in a balanced and professional way. My mother received both shots in an expeditious manner. Very few residents became sick. And they made every effort to enable family to visit in a safe manner.
Living in the Academy Point community, my mother seems happier than she’s been in years, laughing, telling jokes, arguing about politics. She cares for herself, has friends, attends reading groups, paints in art class, and, prior to Covid, started to play Bridge again. She recently called me to tell me excitedly that she’d been ‘made Dummy’ during her last bridge game. I’m not sure what that means, but I think it’s a good thing!
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My mother moved into Academy Point in Mystic in 2018 after falling several times in her home. Her last fall resulted in a severe leg break which required extensive surgery. She was bedridden in a ‘n
… (read more)
My mother moved into Academy Point in Mystic in 2018 after falling several times in her home. Her last fall resulted in a severe leg break which required extensive surgery. She was bedridden in a ‘non-load bearing status’ for six months so her leg could heal. My 85-year-old stepfather was unable to care for her needs in their home where she’d likely fall again. So, my spouse and I toured facilities to find them a new home. We decided on Academy Point. The facility is light and clean, staff are friendly and courteous, and my mother has a fabulous view of the mystic seaport from her room. Prices were competitive with other assisted living facilities.
When my mother arrived at Academy Pt, she needed a significant amount of assistance completing her basic daily needs. The staff happily provided that care, albeit for an additional cost. As my mother recuperated, she was able to regain control and taper back on the additional services/costs. During this period, my stepfather passed away. Bonnie and her team were great, helping my mom through this difficult transition both physically and emotionally. We even held a memorial service for my stepfather on the back patio at the Academy Point facility.
Finally, I should add that Bonnie and her team have managed the Covid situation in a balanced and professional way. My mother received both shots in an expeditious manner. Very few residents became sick. And they made every effort to enable family to visit in a safe manner.
Living in the Academy Point community, my mother seems happier than she’s been in years, laughing, telling jokes, arguing about politics. She cares for herself, has friends, attends reading groups, paints in art class, and, prior to Covid, started to play Bridge again. She recently called me to tell me excitedly that she’d been ‘made Dummy’ during her last bridge game. I’m not sure what that means, but I think it’s a good thing!
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380 Salem Turnpike, Bozrah, CT, 06334
My mom is already at Elmbrook Village At Bozrah. It’s been very good. It’s really friendly. The staff and also the clientele, the people that are living there, are very friendly. The place is only two
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My mom is already at Elmbrook Village At Bozrah. It’s been very good. It’s really friendly. The staff and also the clientele, the people that are living there, are very friendly. The place is only two years old, so everything is brand new. It’s clean and it’s very nice. From the tour up until the move-in process was very smooth. The person who wrote off her assisted care plan came to the house, and it was very smooth, very nice, and very informative. The food is delicious; I ate lunch and dinner with her on the first day. They have many activities going on there. From 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening, they have activities going on of all different kinds. My mom’s room is set up very nicely. It’s one large room that has a kitchenette, a dining area, and a living space. Some of the apartments have a balcony. They show a movie every night, and they have taped concerts like Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett. They have what that age group would relate to. Value for money is a 4 because it’s expensive.
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My mom is already at Elmbrook Village At Bozrah. It’s been very good. It’s really friendly. The staff and also the clientele, the people that are living there, are very friendly. The place is only two
… (read more)
My mom is already at Elmbrook Village At Bozrah. It’s been very good. It’s really friendly. The staff and also the clientele, the people that are living there, are very friendly. The place is only two years old, so everything is brand new. It’s clean and it’s very nice. From the tour up until the move-in process was very smooth. The person who wrote off her assisted care plan came to the house, and it was very smooth, very nice, and very informative. The food is delicious; I ate lunch and dinner with her on the first day. They have many activities going on there. From 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening, they have activities going on of all different kinds. My mom’s room is set up very nicely. It’s one large room that has a kitchenette, a dining area, and a living space. Some of the apartments have a balcony. They show a movie every night, and they have taped concerts like Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett. They have what that age group would relate to. Value for money is a 4 because it’s expensive.
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45 Clara Drive, Mystic, CT, 06355
We toured Masonicare at Mystic. To us, their common areas were large, but they had more like an institution kind of feel to them, not a homey feel. And so for somebody with memory care, there’s someth
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We toured Masonicare at Mystic. To us, their common areas were large, but they had more like an institution kind of feel to them, not a homey feel. And so for somebody with memory care, there’s something about it that’s not a right fit, at least for our mom. We weren’t too thrilled with the staff. We didn’t see that many of them, but they weren’t that out there. We didn’t get to try the food there, but we were there at lunch and it looked OK. The cleanliness and maintenance of the facility itself looked OK. Everything’s brand new there, it’s just that the rooms were more like a common hospital room and not homey. Their memory area was like a circle, so the residents didn’t get lost, and that was nice. It isn’t what we were looking for, but for somebody that’s looking for something that’s on a larger scale. One thing that was nice about it was that the lighting is very bright. So that’s kind of nice, especially when you’re looking for somebody that has dementia.
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We toured Masonicare at Mystic. To us, their common areas were large, but they had more like an institution kind of feel to them, not a homey feel. And so for somebody with memory care, there’s someth
… (read more)
We toured Masonicare at Mystic. To us, their common areas were large, but they had more like an institution kind of feel to them, not a homey feel. And so for somebody with memory care, there’s something about it that’s not a right fit, at least for our mom. We weren’t too thrilled with the staff. We didn’t see that many of them, but they weren’t that out there. We didn’t get to try the food there, but we were there at lunch and it looked OK. The cleanliness and maintenance of the facility itself looked OK. Everything’s brand new there, it’s just that the rooms were more like a common hospital room and not homey. Their memory area was like a circle, so the residents didn’t get lost, and that was nice. It isn’t what we were looking for, but for somebody that’s looking for something that’s on a larger scale. One thing that was nice about it was that the lighting is very bright. So that’s kind of nice, especially when you’re looking for somebody that has dementia.
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1145 Poquonock Road, Groton, CT, 06340
I have a friend in the Groton Regency Center. It has quite a few levels of care. It reminds me of what you’d think of an old nursing home, although it does have some nice outdoor areas to sit or a pla
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I have a friend in the Groton Regency Center. It has quite a few levels of care. It reminds me of what you’d think of an old nursing home, although it does have some nice outdoor areas to sit or a place to watch TV. You know, you can. It has its own laundry room and patients can do their laundry, at least in the area where my friend is, and she has quite a bit of freedom. You know, she just checks. She can go out for a walk. She can go shopping, not necessarily with everybody, but she goes by herself, she likes to walk, although I don’t know that there’s sidewalks. I ate there with her once, it was good. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was good, they had a couple of choices. It didn’t seem like a lot of people in her area went to eat in the kitchen or the dining room. I think the staff is plentiful and I think they’re nice to the residents. The room seemed nice, it’s like a hospital room.
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I have a friend in the Groton Regency Center. It has quite a few levels of care. It reminds me of what you’d think of an old nursing home, although it does have some nice outdoor areas to sit or a pla
… (read more)
I have a friend in the Groton Regency Center. It has quite a few levels of care. It reminds me of what you’d think of an old nursing home, although it does have some nice outdoor areas to sit or a place to watch TV. You know, you can. It has its own laundry room and patients can do their laundry, at least in the area where my friend is, and she has quite a bit of freedom. You know, she just checks. She can go out for a walk. She can go shopping, not necessarily with everybody, but she goes by herself, she likes to walk, although I don’t know that there’s sidewalks. I ate there with her once, it was good. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was good, they had a couple of choices. It didn’t seem like a lot of people in her area went to eat in the kitchen or the dining room. I think the staff is plentiful and I think they’re nice to the residents. The room seemed nice, it’s like a hospital room.
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88 Clark Lane, Waterford, CT, 06385
84 Linwood Avenue, Colchester, CT, 06415
The staff did seem under-trained, plain old people, most were impolite and moody. The facilities themselves are just houses/condos that are poorly reconfigured for the needs of their occupants. The am
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The staff did seem under-trained, plain old people, most were impolite and moody. The facilities themselves are just houses/condos that are poorly reconfigured for the needs of their occupants. The amenities seemed basic too, it gave the impression of a daycare where only basics were handed out to the occupants like medications and food. The facilities weren’t as clean as you would expect either, many seemed dirty, with stains on carpets and dust/hair accumulating on floors.
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The staff did seem under-trained, plain old people, most were impolite and moody. The facilities themselves are just houses/condos that are poorly reconfigured for the needs of their occupants. The am
… (read more)
The staff did seem under-trained, plain old people, most were impolite and moody. The facilities themselves are just houses/condos that are poorly reconfigured for the needs of their occupants. The amenities seemed basic too, it gave the impression of a daycare where only basics were handed out to the occupants like medications and food. The facilities weren’t as clean as you would expect either, many seemed dirty, with stains on carpets and dust/hair accumulating on floors.
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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Norwich
The Connecticut Department of Public Health doesn’t license individual assisted living facilities, issuing licenses to the agencies that provide assisted living services in managed residential communities instead. The department is authorized to conduct unannounced inspections to ensure agencies are abiding by the terms of the assisted living regulations and revoking licenses from those that continually underperform.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Norwich
- According to Sperling’s Best Places, Norwich offers an affordable alternative to other cities in Connecticut and many across the country. Its average cost of living index is 93.5, which is below the national average of 100 and substantially below the state average of 107.8. Although not the only category outperforming other cities, Norwich’s below-average health care costs may be of particular interest to seniors considering assisted living placements in the city.
- Instances of property and violent crime happen less often in Norwich than the average U.S. city, although in both cases, they also happen more often than the Connecticut average. However, crimes occur more often in specific areas, which in Norwich tends to be the city center and the neighborhoods east of it. Also, many of the city’s assisted living communities provide 24/7 security in addition to care services.
- Considering its location in the north, Norwich has a generally good climate, although winter’s snow and ice may be a concern for some seniors. The city gets 200 sunny days per year, only five below the average, and in summer, temperatures of 81 degrees are normal. At 51 inches per year, rainfall is more frequent than usual, but without it, residents wouldn’t be able to enjoy the numerous dense forests and green parks that circle Norwich.
- Eastern Connecticut Transportation Consortium, Inc. is a private nonprofit that brokers low-cost or free transportation services for Norwich’s seniors. It can connect the city’s residents with the appropriate service for their needs, such as ADA Paratransit, a curb-to-curb service for seniors unable to use fixed-route buses, and the Eastern CT Travel Voucher Program, which subsidizes taxi costs for qualifying seniors.
- The William W. Backus Hospital is the primary medical facility in Norwich. It’s rated as high-performing by U.S. News & World Report, particularly in treating heart and kidney conditions. There are also 86 internal medicine physicians in the city registered to treat seniors with Medicare.
Paying for Assisted Living in Norwich
The average monthly fee for an assisted living placement in Norwich is $5,700. The findings of the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey also reveal that the city is one of the most affordable in Connecticut, although still more costly than the $4,300 average paid in the typical American city. Since Connecticut is in the top 10 most expensive states in the country, this shouldn’t be a surprise.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
In New Haven, a senior can expect to pay around $6,445 for assisted living, making the city the most affordable in the state. Hartford’s seniors pay a little less than Norwich’s, at $5,753, while Bridgeport’s seniors are loaded with the most expensive fees in Connecticut, at $7,838.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Nursing homes charge the highest fees, typically $13,688 for a private room, reduced to $12,463 if the room is shared. Assisted living comes next at $5,700, although it should be remembered this is for care and accommodation. Housebound seniors who can remain at home without 24-hour supervision can get home care and home health care services for $4,767, even though the latter includes basic medical support. Seniors able to attend adult day care centers can get professional care for $1,907 per month.
Nursing home (semiprivate room)
Nursing home (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Norwich
Any resident that qualifies for Medicaid can use the program to pay for assisted living facilities. Low-income individuals who prefer to live in an ALF rather than a nursing home may also receive help through the Assisted Living Waiver Program.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Connecticut page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Connecticut page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Norwich
Seniors in Norwich can benefit from a wide range of low or no-cost resources. The following examples can help seniors productively use their free time to help their communities, get support in a dispute with their care provider and assistance with identifying and applying for benefits they’re entitled to.
The Norwich Vet Center provides help to U.S. military vets and their families. It operates a number of support groups for people dealing with bereavement, struggling with addiction and needing counseling because of past traumas. It can also refer vets to Veterans Services, where they can get help with applying for benefits, such as VA Aid and Attendance, which covers some assisted living costs.
Seniors who can't resolve disputes with their care providers can call on the free support of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who defends them while pursuing reasonable solutions with the owners and managers of their facilities. Anyone can register a complaint with the ombudsman, including the families of residents and third parties. Additional services include providing seniors with inspection reports relating to facilities they may be considering for their long-term health care needs.
Rose City Senior Center is a hub for Norwich's older citizens. It operates a wide range of activities to help seniors tone up and develop their stamina while simultaneously providing a mental boost. There is also a range of more relaxing activities, such as games of pitch and filling in coloring books. Frequent trips to local events, such as The Big E, provide seniors with fun days out with their friends and educational classes, such as the AARP Driver Safety class, helps them improve their driving skills.
Seniors with spare time who want to help their communities can contact RSVP, a nonprofit organization specializing in connecting seniors with government agencies and charities that rely on the support of volunteers. Those with special skills and experience can use them to mentor and tutor younger residents of Norwich. Alternatively, seniors can assist their housebound peers, collecting groceries and making wellness checks while delivering hot meals.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Norwich
Norwich-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Connecticut are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Connecticut page for more information about these laws.
