The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Worcester, MA for 2023

Worcester is a dynamic mid-sized city in central Massachusetts with over 200,000 residents, about 30,000 of whom are aged 65 and older. This livable community is listed on the AARP Age-Friendly Network for the quality of life it provides for its older residents. Seniors have high access to affordable health care, discounted public transportation services and nonprofit organizations, such as the senior center. Worcester is also among the more affordable places to live in the state, which may enable older adults to maintain their standard of living, even on a fixed income.

Assisted living facilities in Worcester house older adults who are mainly active and independent but need help with some daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing or meal preparation. These facilities typically have studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and offer convenient services and amenities, such as restaurant-style dining, housekeeping and transportation for local errands and medical appointments. On average, seniors in Worcester pay $5,685 for this type of care, which is high compared to the national average but considerably lower than the state median.

This guide provides more information on assisted living rates in Worcester, financial assistance options and agencies and programs that serve seniors in the region.

Assisted living facilities in Worcester are required to obtain certification from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. This agency enforces rules regarding care planning, facility amenities and recreation, nutrition services and intake and discharge procedures. It conducts regularly scheduled and unannounced visits to ensure ongoing compliance with these rules.  

• Worcester has a comparatively low cost of living, which may impact assisted living costs and benefit older adults with limited incomes. Overall, living costs come in roughly on par with national averages and about 25% lower than Massachusetts as a whole. 
• The Worcester Regional Transit Authority, which provides public transportation for the city, has special services for older adults. Through its Elderly & Disabled Program, those aged 60 and over can ride the bus for half the regular fare. To ride for the discounted rate, seniors must present their WRTA Senior Pass, which they get by presenting their photo ID at the WRTA Customer Service Center on Foster Street. This can help to supplement paid transportation services seniors have access to through assisted living. 
• Worcester is listed on the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating that its officials have taken steps to make the community a safe and enjoyable place for people of all ages. The city is in the top half of communities in the United States and has a livability score of 55. Factors that positively affect this score include its accessible transportation, clean environment and well-designed neighborhoods.  
• The American Lung Association gives the Worcester region a C for ozone pollution, an A for 24-hour particle pollution and a passing grade for annual particle pollution. This indicates that the air is generally clean and suitable for those with breathing and heart conditions. 
• Seniors in Worcester don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits or government pensions, but they pay income taxes at the full amount on all other types of retirement income. To help older adults use the deductions and exemptions available to them, local agencies, such as the Area Agency on Aging, provide free tax filing assistance. 
• Health care costs in Worcester run about 15% lower than the national average, and the city has approximately 246 doctors per capita versus the national rate of 210, ensuring high access to affordable medical care. Three hospitals are located within the city limits, including UMASS Memorial Medical Center, and assisted living facilities typically have visiting physicians who provide primary care services. 

Assisted living facilities in Worcester charge $5,685 per month for housing and services. 

Seniors in Worcester pay $5,685 per month for assisted living, which is over $1,000 higher than the national median of $4,500 but considerably lower than Massachusetts’ average rate of $6,500. Local rates are about $3,600 higher than care costs in Pittsfield, where rates are the lowest in the state at $2,084. Monthly care costs in Springfield are closer to Worcester’s median at $5,048. In Boston, seniors pay over $1,000 more per month for assisted living than their counterparts in Worcester, with rates averaging $6,819, and in Barnstable Town, fees are the highest in the state at $7,000. 

Assisted living costs $5,685 per month in Worcester, making it among the more affordable long-term care options in the city. Only adult day health care, which provides daytime services in a community environment, is cheaper at $1,842. Seniors who arrange for home-based care pay more than assisted living residents, with fees averaging $5,720 for in-home care and $5,911 for home health care. Assisted living is also an affordable alternative to nursing home care, which costs $11,863 per month for a semiprivate room.

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.