The Best Independent Living Communities in Middlesex County, MA

"My Mom has been a resident of Waterstone at Wellesley for more than two years now and is thriving like never before. She's highly engaged in the community and has made close friends with whom she enjoys meals, activities and shared interests. I can always count on the staff at Waterstone to reach out to me with issues (there are seldom any, but they are both proactive and responsive when needed). And the location on the Charles, and so close to the highway, makes for both an oasis and a convenience. My mom has, happily, gained a bit of weight since moving to Waterstone - she had lost so much during the pandemic we were concerned. She loves the food and the options available at meals. We have no complaints at all. It's hard to get a read on a community unless you are there during meals or Happy Hours, which Waterstone has twice a week for residents of both Independent and Assisted Living communities. It's a lot of fun for residents and gives my mom (and others) something to get dressed up for (mom puts on her best *AND* makeup)! We are extremely happy with Waterstone."

"We toured Kennedy Meadows Gracious Retirement Living. It was very nice. They have a library, a theater, and a dining room. It's a very nice place, and the people I talked to and the people managing it were very nice. It was very neat, well taken care of, and managed well. Managers are doing a good job. The staff were very comfortable, welcoming, and very good. The food was good, and if we wanted anything special, they would try to come up with it. So they were accommodating."

"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."

"My dad has moved into Waterstone at the Circle. It's spacious, light, clean, and friendly. Everyone there has been so outgoing, very accommodating, and so kind. They want to help and reach out. They're doing the best they can. My dad is in a one-bedroom with big windows. It has a full kitchen. There is the bedroom, the closet, and the bath. The closet is so interesting. You walk through the closet to get to the bathroom, so the closet is on both sides. It has this nice corner that you can get straight to the bathroom. They have amazing amenities. They have a beautiful library. They have a bar, and they have a huge dining room with lots of lights. They have a craft room and a community room with a piano. They have a swimming pool, an exercise room, and a theater. They have a lounge on the fifth floor. The activities are great. The residents decide what activities they want, and they set them up. The other people that we talked to are very satisfied with the activities. It's such a welcoming place. It is very expensive, but I feel like they measure up to the expense. I don't feel bad about the expense because they're getting a lot. People stay there; they don't leave."

Located in Brooklines Fisher Hill, a neighborhood designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and full of history, Kiscos first senior living community in Massachusetts combines comfortable elegance and quality care with the authentic service and five-star hospitality for which Kisco Signature is known. Spacious independent and assisted living residences and memory care suites allow for a seamless continuum of care, no matter when you choose to make our community home. Youll enjoy all-inclusive services, including chef-prepared meals that meet an array of dietary needs, a robust calendar of life-enriching programs and personalized concierge services. As with all Kisco communities, your safety, peace of mind and personal needs are paramount. At The Newbury, independent living means award-winning surroundings, a complete array of bespoke amenities and the peace of mind that comes with a full continuum of care. Our residents enjoy: Spacious, maintenance-free residences with multiple floor plan options Chef-prepared dining in upscale and casual settings, with options for take-out and room service delivery 24/7 concierge and valet services Customized health and wellness programming Chauffeured transportation for appointments, personal errands, or group outings Emergency response system, emergency generator, and daily check-ins 24-hour front desk support and on-call maintenance team Assisted Living residents have access to a variety of dedicated common areas and valuable amenities, including: Exclusive dining room with multiple menu selections and everyday entrees three times daily Dedicated library, great room and activity space for Assisted Living residents Assisted Living Terrace, a central gathering space for events and celebrations Weekly housekeeping and basic laundry services Weekly scheduled transportation and planned social outings Signature Art of Living Well programming Concierge services In addition to spacious suites outfitted with a host of convenient features and the latest safety technology, our Memory Care residents enjoy a variety of included amenities and services: 24/7 security and an emergency response system with generator backup Personalized care plan that includes assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and more Secure outdoor terrace for residents Access to a private soaking spa Multiple menu selections and everyday entrees three times daily in a dining room exclusively for Memory Care residents and their guests Weekly housekeeping and laundry services Specialized life skills activity programming daily To learn more about this providers license and review other available state reports, please visit: Massachusetts Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification

"I had moved into Wingate Residences at Needham, but I had to move out again, not that I got sick and nobody around me got sick, but I knew I'd be in lockdown in their senior living and that would defeat the purpose of my living there, so I moved back home. I was there for a couple of weeks. They were very nice. It was a lovely place. They provide excellent service, good food, and things that you would hope for, but I didn't want to be isolated. There's a library, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a theater, but I couldn't take advantage of any of these things because of the Covid lockdown. I had two Covid tests, so I had to stay in quarantine the whole time. The physical appearance was beautiful. I had a little experience with the activities. I heard an excellent lecture on my first day, but then I had to go on quarantine, so I didn't get to experience anything."

"Heatherwood Gracious Retirement Living was completely elegant. It almost looks like a Castleburn over from England implanted in Tewksbury. Everything was beautiful. My downfall with the Heatherwood is there was only a kitchenette and not enough kitchen space because you eat all your meals downstairs. They have a community kitchen down on another level and you can't bring your own pans or use whatever's in the cabinets. I just like my personal space to cook for my friends or whatever, but everything about it, the property, everything was topnotch. The staff was very good. I haven't tried the food, but I've seen the people eating. We were through the dining room. They have 24-hour coffee, tea, water, infused water, snacks, and desserts that you can get at any time. The place was gorgeous."

"I think Summer Place was great. The manager was very pleasant and very informative. He didn't push us around like we have to make a decision now. This place is wonderful. It's like a hotel. It's independent, but it's like community driven because the people are very friendly, and they encourage relationships among their neighbors. It is just beautiful. They have a kitchen in the rooms. The closets are very comfortable. The rooms are wonderful. They have a gym, a library, and an activity room. It is very, very nice."

"Sophia Snow Place is all inclusive, so Mom has assistance with anything she needs. She has meal choices, 3 times a day plus the pastry cart in the morning, help with showering and meds, does yoga and has wonderful caregivers, she loves them all. They are consistent and helpful and pleasant and she feels very secure. The facility itself is immaculately clean, her room is very large and comfortable. The people are organized and helpful, there is someone at the door who knows when people go in and out. They were referred to us by the nurses that do care there, and it was a great decision. There is nothing that she misses from home!"

"Brookdale Cushing Park was wonderful. The person who gave us the tour was very thorough in giving us information. They showed us several different styles of apartments that might work for my parents. We were able to talk with the people, and it was great. My mother is independent, but my father is not, so they would need assisted living. The staff who gave the tour was wonderful."

"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."

"My 2-bedroom apartment is lovely with a scenic view facing east at a wooded area. Other apartments face a reservoir-lake with ducks, egrets, turtles, geese. A gentle waling path with benches at intervals surrounds the building. The staff are wonderful and supportive. The 300 plus residents are friendly but not intrusive, interesting bright and stimulating people. The many activities and programs available on a daily and evening basis provide more than sufficient to keep everyone happy. I came here alone after my partner unexpectedly died the month we were to move, and I was so warmly welcomed and made to feel at home that the grief of my loss was mitigated. This is a wonderful place to be."

"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."

"I toured The Woods at Merrimack. I love the apartments. I like the grounds. I also like the activities. The only concern I had was that 90% of the people are in their 80s and I'm only 62. It's very clean. They have a theater, arts and crafts, a library, and a game room. When I stepped inside the community, I felt very welcome."