The Best Assisted Living Communities in Essex County, MA

"The Current Beverly is a few blocks away from the beach. They had bedroom units, which were large enough that I could get much of the furniture I currently have in storage into those units. Three meals a day are supplied and their menu looked very appetizing. The dining room is very nice. So, I don't think there'll be any problems there. They have a common area where they give talks and concerts and you can watch movies on a large screen TV. They have a wine and beer bar on the top floor. Just beyond this is a full-width promenade area with chairs that goes around the corner. The facility is up on the top of a hill and when you look down from this promenade, you look over the trees right down to the ocean and the beach. It's a beautiful view and I would probably be out there sitting and reading out in the open air. It's a nice full-width balcony that runs the full length of the building. So, it's quite large. The facility has been completely refurbished and everything is brand new. The salesperson was very friendly and nice. He is continuing to communicate with me and keep me up to date. They have periodic get-togethers that he invites me to. I haven't been to any yet, because I pretty much made up my mind. The facility has weekly housekeeping. They have a linen service. Each floor has its own laundry that you can use at no extra cost. It's pretty much a standard kind of business. Of the places I've visited, I haven't found any that are any different there. It was a clean place. They were just starting to fill it in again. There weren't that many residents yet because they had just reopened. As I mentioned, it is up on a hill. It's up on the very pinnacle of a hill and if you don't have a car, if you are walking, you have to go up to get into it. I'm on supplemental oxygen and if I have to walk up a hill, I get tired pretty fast. So, ingress into the place could be a consideration for somebody who is walking, because you have to go uphill to get into it."

"We were directed to Windsor Place by a Care Patrol employee. From my first phone call to Sandra and virtual tour, I got a good feeling about this facility. They were very a ccomodating about a month of respite care while we looked for a permanent home for our relative in NYC. The memory care unit staff were excellent, attentive to each individual's needs, planning varied activities each day and ensuring each resident's safety. The nurses were in regular contact with us. Sandra was always available by phone or e-mail. The owners were on the premises and always willing to speak with you. The front desk staff greeted you warmly every time that you entered. From day one, our family's experience was terrific. I would highly recommend Windsor Place to potential residents."

"The Delaney at the Vale wasn't right for us, but it was a fine facility. The staff was very helpful and spent a lot of time. It really seemed ideal for a certain kind of person, but we wanted to be more urban. We are New Yorkers, and it was like a resort. It's not really what we wanted. We needed it to be closer to town, that kind of thing, but the facility itself was brand new."

"If I had to put my sister somewhere, Wingate Residences at Haverhill is where she will go. First of all, everyone was very friendly. But what I liked most about it was when you went in, you could see from one side of the building to the other. There were no corridors or hallways. The memory care was absolutely beautiful in the sense of the colors. They used bright colors like orange and lime green. Not totally, but with cream colors. And then every person's doorway was painted a different color, so they would know their doorway. You could walk from the very beginning to the end of the building, but you could still see on both sides. It was very open. I loved it. They had a butterfly walk when the butterflies come in the spring and summer. And the courtyards were very nicely done. It's just one white building, and that's it. It had assisted living and memory care all in one building. The staff that I met was fabulous."

"We toured The Gables at Winchester. It was large, open, and spacious. It was perhaps not as modern and updated as the others. When it was done, it was very well done. Everything was nice and big. The residents looked happy. There were a lot of them talking to each other, which I liked. I know how it is at that age; there's a lot of snoozing going on. The mood was a little happier in this one. The staff was great. There was a big pool table in the corner of the room when you walk in. My husband spotted that. I wouldn't have even noticed. I probably would have set up lunch there. It wouldn't matter to me, but that made him happy. They had a nice outdoor area where they have parties and serve lunch sometimes, if it's not too hot. It was very spacious. There were rooms upstairs, including a beauty salon. It was a big one. There were people in the salon. I could see the person doing hair, and there was a lot of talking going on there. It felt alive. There was a little extra kitchen area up there for people that wanted a snack any time of the day. The apartment was nice, new, and clean. The bathroom was well set up, and that's important. It had a TV. They provide the linens. They bring in as much care as he needs. They will charge him for it, but it's available. They're not going to say you need a higher level of care somewhere else; they're just going to add the care. That's number one. They also had the physical therapy room with somebody there that can do physical therapy on a daily basis. It was really important to us."

"Benchmark Senior Living at Billerica Crossings was a quaint and attractive facility. The staff and everybody we encountered seemed fully engaged. One thing I noticed was most of the staff had significant tenure there, which tells me that they're happy and I think this is important to consider as well. Michelle was the lady that did the tour and she was fantastic, very accommodating, and answered all our questions. She just did a great job. As far as amenities offered, they all seemed to be the same. I didn't notice any significant difference. They had full nurse care available until 7:00 every night and then a nurse practitioner onsite for those remaining hours of the day. The dining room was very nice, too. It was attractive and up-to-date. They offer continual service throughout the day, which I thought was very convenient as well. They had a salon and frequent day trips. They had quite an active social calendar for the residents."

"I checked out Prospect House. It was great, but the price was very high. The people were great. I made an appointment, I was there, and they were waiting for me. I didn't wait, and they did the tour for me. They gave me very good information, and they gave me their business card. They were nice people. I visited the leader of the memory care, Cheryl, and she was great. Nicole was my tour guide. They were great, but the prices for me were way too much. However, the customer service was awesome. The common area was excellent. The room was excellent. There was one studio available, and it was $9,000. It was the memory section, but it's too much."

"The Giving Tree Senior Living is an amazing place. My grandpa moved there in October 2024, and it has been a wonderful experience for him and our family. From day one, everyone who works there has been friendly, supportive, and helpful. My grandpa absolutely loves his apartment. It’s spacious enough to give him his independence while still being a part of a community. He raves about the food— says the portions are generous and there is great variety to choose from. He’s always talking about how friendly and accommodating the staff is, which has made a huge difference in his experience. He enjoys spending time in the Pub, where he can play pool and socialize with friends. The community also has a movie room and an area for games. A nice touch is the piano in the lobby, for residents to play. From the moment you walk in, you feel welcomed. The activities offered at The Giving Tree are fantastic, and they post the daily events in the elevator, so everyone knows what’s happening. The staff is amazing, and my grandpa has no complaints—he’s very happy there. If you’re looking for a place that truly cares for its residents and offers a wonderful community, The Giving Tree is the place. We couldn’t be more grateful for everything they do."

"Our family was at a standstill when our elderly mom was living on her own and experiencing more and more health issues than we could provide assistance for her privately. It took a while to convince her she needed help after living an independent life for so long. We contacted The Parc @ Harborview and within days we toured, she loved it, we moved her in. She immediately adapted to her new surroundings. The best thing is that the care she receives at the Parc is top notch. Aids check on her throughout the day and night. They are sure she gets to her meals in their elegant dining area and eating healthy choices with companions. She is greatly encouraged to join the other residents in their activities and social gatherings (which are many). She made friends with residents and staff and her loneliness and health have taken a complete turnaround. I thank the great staff at the Parc from Anita and Burt at the front desk, health care professionals, and all employees who help in sharing their time and care for the residents. I would highly suggest taking a look if you or your family member is feeling alone or unsafe living alone. This is the place to be. Super plus plus plus, the facility is spotless with lots of gathering areas throughout for family to meet with their loved one. Thanks to all for being there, I can sleep at night knowing Mom is in the best hands."

"We are thinking of choosing Windham Terrace for my aunt, it's an excellent facility. The staff has been very helpful and was a pleasure to deal with. The facility is clean, they've got activities, they've got hairdressing, and dining facilities and the place was very nicely laid out. They also have a gym, and salon, the place was immaculate and the hallways were very nice."

"My mother has been a resident at Pine Hill for a year. During that time, I have experienced the staff as caring, involved, and sensitive to her needs. Mom's room is spacious and has a nice view. She enjoys playing games and the visits from entertainers and regular exercise. The atmosphere is cozy and down to earth. Because it is a small community, the staff and residents create meaningful relationships. Your loved ones do not fall through the cracks here, the way they might in a large, less personal community. "

"My father has been in Brigham House for about a week now. It's just perfect, and they are incredibly helpful. I was looking for an economical alternative in Massachusetts, and Brigham House accepts assistance on some of their residents, which some places don't. It's very clean. They've had no COVID outbreaks, and the staff seems very professional and fabulous. I looked at their Facebook page and it had a lot of positive pictures and positive comments on it, and it's only a mile from where I live. His room is a studio, and it's relatively small. It's 440 square feet, but it's laid out nicely. He has a small kitchenette and they allow their residents to have a cook service, which is fine. He's 98 and he really shouldn't be cooking for himself anyway. The bathroom is very nicely sized and he can get his walker in it very easily. It has a shower stall and they're assisting him with bathing as well. It's an old school and they had it rehabilitated. His room has very large windows, so it's very bright and sunny, which is nice. It's incredibly clean, and it really was a good fit. He'll be getting all of his meals, and they'll change his sheets and wash his towels weekly, which is a big help. At this point in time, he doesn't need help with his medications, but that's available, and I think that's gonna be coming down the road. The food is very good, and they have quite a few activities there. My father is new, so he hasn't been able to participate yet because he's been in quarantine for the first few days there, but they do memory games, bingo, and some movement classes for people. They have a nice variety of activities, and they sponsor movies in the common rooms in the evenings. "

"I visited Susan Bailis. That place was to die for with a cute setup. The room was a one-bedroom with a living room. The people were very nice. The sitting area was very quaint, and it smelled good in there. It’s a fairly new place. The staff was excellent, especially the woman at the front door. They had underground parking, so visitors could stay as long as we want. I love it."

"I liked Providence House Assisted Living. It was bright, and it was accessible. There was parking there. The staff was very nice. It's very clean. I was surprised by how bright it was. It didn't feel like a nursing home. They had things for the people to participate in. They have transportation if you don't have a car to go shopping three times a week. There are studios and apartments. They have a hair salon. They were playing Wheel of Fortune. They have tons of puzzles, and they have a library. Providence House is my favorite."