The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Braintree, MA for 2024
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.Â
Assisted Living Facilities in Braintree, Massachusetts
Filters
60 Results
What you can do with Caring
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.Â
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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
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.Â
Braintree
$6,100
Massachusetts
$6,085
The United States
$4,300
Barnstable Town
$6,388
Springfield
$5,750
Worcester
$5,488
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.Â
Homemaker Services
$5,720
Home Health Aide
$5,720
Adult Day Health Care
$1,782
Assisted Living Facility
$6,100
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
$13,383
Nursing Home (private room)
$14,509
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.
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.Â
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Braintree Department of Elder Affairs | (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. |
Braintree Senior Citizen Municipal Service Program | (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. |
Veterans Services Officer | (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.