Braintree, Massachusetts, a small town just outside of Boston, is a top destination for retirees in the Northeast. It’s home to an estimated 39,143 people, of whom around 6,600 are aged 65 or older. With low health care costs and a comfort index that matches the national average, Braintree is an ideal retirement spot for seniors who enjoy all types of weather, including plenty of snow. 

Active seniors who live a mostly independent lifestyle but who need help with a few tasks may prefer retirement in an assisted living facility. Assisted living care includes help with things such as housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation and personal care, along with any other nonmedical assistance that a senior might need to continue living independently. Assisted living facilities fill in the gap for seniors who can’t do it all alone, but who don’t need the constant medical care offered by a nursing home. The average cost of assisted living in Braintree is $6,100 per month, which is comparable to the state median of $6,085, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey

This guide offers an in-depth look at some of the benefits and drawbacks to assisted living in Braintree. It also includes information on costs and a list of free, local resources that seniors may find helpful. 

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Braintree, MA

Sunrise of Braintree

Sunrise of Braintree was lovely. The staff was excellent, very informative, very nice, and answered all our questions. It was very cozy. It was a very grand place, and it was very big. The apartments … (read more)
Sunrise of Braintree was lovely. The staff was excellent, very informative, very nice, and answered all our questions. It was very cozy. It was a very grand place, and it was very big. The apartments … (read more)


2015

Brookdale Quincy Bay

Brookdale Quincy Bay is situated in Quincy, Massachusetts, conveniently located near shops, churches, a hospital and transportation lines. Residents and their loved ones praise the facility’s apartmen … (read more)
Brookdale Quincy Bay is situated in Quincy, Massachusetts, conveniently located near shops, churches, a hospital and transportation lines. Residents and their loved ones praise the facility’s apartmen … (read more)

2013, 2022

Atria Marina Place

The time came for a move for our parent. Not an easy decsion for any of us. We found the location to be right for many family members. The rooms were bright and very clean. The staff was very friendly … (read more)
The time came for a move for our parent. Not an easy decsion for any of us. We found the location to be right for many family members. The rooms were bright and very clean. The staff was very friendly … (read more)

2020

New Pond Village

We visited New Pond Village. The actual facility was not as nice as the other place. The staff was lovely, but she was a little bit scattered. I only met this one woman, and we just went on a quick to … (read more)
We visited New Pond Village. The actual facility was not as nice as the other place. The staff was lovely, but she was a little bit scattered. I only met this one woman, and we just went on a quick to … (read more)


2013

Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle

Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle is tucked into Brighton, Massachusetts, adjacent to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Beacon Street. Visitors are impressed by the spaciousness of the studio apartments … (read more)
Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle is tucked into Brighton, Massachusetts, adjacent to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Beacon Street. Visitors are impressed by the spaciousness of the studio apartments … (read more)

Evans Park at Newton Corner

Evans Park at Newton Corner is located on the northeast end of Newton, Massachusetts, a short distance from the freeway off-ramp. Many guests live in studio apartments that are furnished with sinks, k … (read more)
Evans Park at Newton Corner is located on the northeast end of Newton, Massachusetts, a short distance from the freeway off-ramp. Many guests live in studio apartments that are furnished with sinks, k … (read more)

Wingate Residences at Needham

Wingate Residences at Needham is nestled in Needham, Massachusetts, just west of Charles River Country Club. Favorite activities among guests include literature clubs, cooking classes and stories arou … (read more)
Wingate Residences at Needham is nestled in Needham, Massachusetts, just west of Charles River Country Club. Favorite activities among guests include literature clubs, cooking classes and stories arou … (read more)

The Residence at Watertown Square

My mother was a here for assisted living. The facility is clean and bright, the food is good, and there are lots of activities for the diverse residents — some still very active, others more infirm … (read more)
My mother was a here for assisted living. The facility is clean and bright, the food is good, and there are lots of activities for the diverse residents — some still very active, others more infirm … (read more)

Springhouse Senior Living

We looked at Springhouse Senior Living. It was a lovely facility, and the tour was given by a very experienced person in the field. She did a nice job of explaining what they offered. She helped us se … (read more)
We looked at Springhouse Senior Living. It was a lovely facility, and the tour was given by a very experienced person in the field. She did a nice job of explaining what they offered. She helped us se … (read more)

Benchmark Senior Living on Clapboardtree

My mother moved into Benchmark Senior Living on Clapboardtree. I just came back from there yesterday and they were having a St Patrick’s Day, little party at the Bistro. There’s food, and they had it … (read more)
My mother moved into Benchmark Senior Living on Clapboardtree. I just came back from there yesterday and they were having a St Patrick’s Day, little party at the Bistro. There’s food, and they had it … (read more)

Brookmeadow at Blue Hills

Our family appreciates all that the Arbors had to offer Mom while she was there. Everyone there was so helpful and kind to her and to us. We have nothing but accolades for the Arbors; Very personable, … (read more)
Our family appreciates all that the Arbors had to offer Mom while she was there. Everyone there was so helpful and kind to her and to us. We have nothing but accolades for the Arbors; Very personable, … (read more)

Providence House Assisted Living

Providence House Assisted Living is located in Brighton, Massachusetts, near St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, parks and restaurants. Residents report being impressed with the delicious food. The facili … (read more)
Providence House Assisted Living is located in Brighton, Massachusetts, near St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, parks and restaurants. Residents report being impressed with the delicious food. The facili … (read more)

Sunrise of Norwood

Sunrise of Norwood was very nice. It’s a fairly new facility and it looks like it’s maintained well. I was there near lunchtime and there were residents there that were walking towards the cafeteria. … (read more)
Sunrise of Norwood was very nice. It’s a fairly new facility and it looks like it’s maintained well. I was there near lunchtime and there were residents there that were walking towards the cafeteria. … (read more)

CareOne at Sharon Assisted Living & Memory Care

We have been very happy with the service that Whitney Place at Sharon has been giving, first with my mother and father, and now just my dad. They’ve gone out of their way to help in a variety of situa … (read more)
We have been very happy with the service that Whitney Place at Sharon has been giving, first with my mother and father, and now just my dad. They’ve gone out of their way to help in a variety of situa … (read more)

The Parc at Harbor View

We chose The Parc at Harbor View for my aunt. It’s very warm, cozy, and beautiful; beautiful in architecture, and everything about it. It’s a nice, warm place when you first step in. The staff is very … (read more)
We chose The Parc at Harbor View for my aunt. It’s very warm, cozy, and beautiful; beautiful in architecture, and everything about it. It’s a nice, warm place when you first step in. The staff is very … (read more)

Brigham House

Brigham House is located in a residential neighborhood in historic Watertown, Massachusetts. Visitors love the facility’s grounds, which include a well-landscaped park, patios and gardens, and they re … (read more)
Brigham House is located in a residential neighborhood in historic Watertown, Massachusetts. Visitors love the facility’s grounds, which include a well-landscaped park, patios and gardens, and they re … (read more)

The Residence at Boylston Place

I chose The Residence at Boylston Place because Josh, the CEO, and the staff that I met were very gracious and friendly. I felt comfortable with them. They have lots of interesting, varied, and age-ap … (read more)
I chose The Residence at Boylston Place because Josh, the CEO, and the staff that I met were very gracious and friendly. I felt comfortable with them. They have lots of interesting, varied, and age-ap … (read more)

Sophia Snow Place

Sophia Snow Place is a mid-large sized facility, with 36 supportive living suites and 66 for independent living, tucked away in a beautiful area of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Surrounded on almost al … (read more)
Sophia Snow Place is a mid-large sized facility, with 36 supportive living suites and 66 for independent living, tucked away in a beautiful area of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Surrounded on almost al … (read more)

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Braintree

Assisted living facilities in the Braintree area are licensed and overseen by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, a state-wide agency that monitors all senior residential services. This office conducts initial and continuing inspections and issues all licenses allowing assisted living communities to operate within state laws

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Braintree

  • Braintree is a great choice for seniors who avoid very hot weather, with summer temperatures that rarely exceed 84 degrees. While the winter months can be quite cold with January lows of 19 degrees, assisted living facilities keep the temperature set to cozy, year-round, and take on all the hassle of shoveling snow. 
  • While Braintree is on the high side for the cost of living, at 17.1 points higher than the state average, low costs for health care can help keep this area affordable, particularly for seniors that don’t own property in the region. Housing is the single highest demographic when comparing the cost of living, so seniors in an assisted living facility may avoid some of the increased expense. 
  • A low crime rate is one of the reasons seniors may be drawn to Braintree. Both property and violent crime rates are well below the national average here, while violent crime is well below state and regional averages. Boston and the state as a whole do have a slightly lower property crime rate, but seniors in an assisted living community can enjoy added peace of mind by discussing security features such as alarm systems, secured entry, and video surveillance at doors to address any concerns. 
  • Massachusetts allows seniors to keep all of their Social Security benefits tax-free, and some pension plans may also be exempt from income tax. Other forms of retirement income do have taxes assessed, but typically at a reduced rate compared to standard income tax. These retirement-friendly tax policies help make it more affordable to consider retirement in Braintree. 
  • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority extends service to the Braintree area. With public transit readily available, seniors can easily get out and about to run errands or make it to medical appointments. In addition, the Department of Elder Affairs offers van rides for seniors to and from medical appointments, senior center activities and shopping trips for a nominal suggested donation. 

Paying for Assisted Living in Braintree

The average cost per month for assisted living in Braintree is $6,100 per month, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey. While the nationwide median is substantially less expensive at $4,300, Braintree costs are similar to the statewide norm of $6,085.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

At $6,100 per month, Braintree is fairly middle of the road for assisted living in Massachusetts. Areas such as Springfield ($5,750) and Worcester ($5,488) are more affordable but much further from a major population center. In Barnstable, a coastal tourist region, costs are much higher at $6,338 per month. 

$6100

Braintree

$6085

Massachusetts

$4300

The United States

$6388

Barnstable Town

$5750

Springfield

$5488

Worcester

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living is just one of the options available to Braintree seniors for long-term care. Adult day health care is the most affordable choice at $1,782 per month, but it’s not ideal for seniors that need help seven days a week or outside of normal business hours. In-home care options average $5,720 per month but don’t include room and board, which makes this one of the more expensive options. Nursing home care is the most expensive long-term care option at $13,383 per month for a shared room or $14,509 for a private room. 

$5720

Homemaker Services

$5720

Home Health Aide

$1782

Adult Day Health Care

$6100

Assisted Living Facility

$13383

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

$14509

Nursing Home (private room)

Note: Care cost data for Braintree was not available, so data for the closest city, Boston, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Braintree

MassHealth, the Medicaid program of the state of Massachusetts, covers the cost of assisted living services through the Moving Forward Plan – Residential Supports (MFP-RS) waiver for eligible seniors in Braintree or through the Supportive Senior Housing Initiative for residents of state-funded assisted living residences.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page.

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Braintree

Seniors considering retirement to a Braintree assisted living facility have many options for support in the local community. Public and nonprofit organizations offer assistance with locating facilities and obtaining financial support to help with some of the costs associated with assisted living. 

Resource

Contact 

Service

(781) 848-1963

The Braintree Department of Elder Affairs acts as a one-stop service center for seniors who need assistance. This department links seniors with local service providers for everything from in-home care to assisted living advocacy. Transportation, nutrition, referral and companion services are all available to Braintree seniors who qualify for assistance. 

(781) 848-1963

Active seniors who enjoy giving back to their communities may want to volunteer through the Braintree Senior Citizen Municipal Service Program. This program matches seniors with various vacancies in the town, allowing seniors to earn tax rebates on property tax bills. A set reimbursement amount allows seniors to earn a rebate of up to $750 off of their annual real estate tax in exchange for 69 volunteer hours. 

(781) 794-8217

Every community in Massachusetts, including Braintree, has a Veterans Services Officer available to provide information and assistance. Veterans and their immediate family can find out about benefit programs for which they may qualify and get help with the application process. The Aid & Attendance benefit may be of particular interest since seniors who qualify may receive a cash stipend that can be used toward the cost of assisted living room and board.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Braintree

Braintree-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Massachusetts are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Massachusetts