Rhode Island is known for its rich Colonial history and charming seaside towns, where seniors can walk miles of beaches and enjoy spectacular ocean views. The state may be small, but it’s packed with things to do. Retirees can tour the historic mansions of Newport, take in arts and culture festivals at WaterFire Providence and see favorite animals up close at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. Winters in Rhode Island can be cold and snowy, but summer weather is generally pleasant, making it easy for residents to enjoy activities outdoors. Seniors have access to excellent health care at Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital. U.S. News rated these as the top two hospitals in the state, ranking them as high-performing in specialties such as cardiology and geriatric care.
Independent living is ideal for seniors who don’t need help with their activities of daily living, but no longer want the responsibility of maintaining their own home. The average cost of independent living in Rhode Island is $3,218 per month, but prices vary depending on the facility and amenities offered.
This guide includes a price comparison of independent living in nearby states, ways to pay for care and free resources for seniors across Rhode Island.
The Cost of Independent Living in Rhode Island
Note: Assisted Living generally costs 30% to 40% more than Independent Living in most markets. Since no source authoritatively documents specific Independent Living costs, we’ve estimated such costs in this guide by subtracting 35% from the Assisted Living cost data in the 2021 Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey.
Rhode Island’s prices for long-term care are significantly higher than those of its New England neighbors. In this state, seniors pay roughly $4,437 per month for Independent Living. That’s over $1,000 more than seniors pay in nearby Connecticut or Vermont ($3,334 and $3,413, respectively) and about $500 more than seniors pay in New Hampshire at $3,934. At $4,225, Massachusetts’ Independent Living costs are the closest in the immediate region to Rhode Island’s.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. As such, specific care cost data is only available for the Providence area, where the estimated cost for Independent Living is $3,941. Over state lines in Connecticut, costs are lower in Hartford at $3,396 and Norwich at $2,795. To the north in Massachusetts, Worcester has lower monthly costs than Providence at $3,695, but Boston is considerably more expensive at $4,432.
In addition to Independent Living, there are a number of other care options for Rhode Island seniors. The most affordable choice is Adult Day Care at $1,798 per month, but such care may not be sufficient for older adults who require ongoing direct medical support. For seniors who wish to age in place, Homemaker or Home Health Aide services may fit the bill; homemaker services cost $5,720 a month and Home Health Aide services $5,958. The next most expensive option is Assisted Living, which carries a bill of $6,826 per month. The highest costs are associated with Nursing Home care. In Rhode Island, seniors pay $9,429 for semiprivate lodging in a nursing home and $10,038 for private quarters.
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home (private room)
Can You Use Medicare or Medicaid to Pay for Independent Living in Rhode Island?
Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assisted Living in Rhode Island.
Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.
Paying for Independent Living in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a Medicaid program that pays for certain long-term services and supports, but it’s typically limited to people who need a high level of care. Additionally, seniors must have limited income and assets to qualify. Many seniors use Social Security benefits and personal funds to pay for independent living. Other ways to pay include long-term care insurance or a reverse mortgage, which is a cash loan that’s taken against the equity in a senior’s primary home. This can be a good option if other family members want to remain in the home after a senior moves to independent living.
Independent Living Resources in Rhode Island
There are many free resources, programs and services aimed at seniors in Rhode Island. Provided by government agencies and nonprofit organizations, these include health and long-term care counseling, legal assistance, transportation services, volunteer opportunities and job training.
(401) 462-3000
The Office of Healthy Aging provides advocacy, education and a range of supportive services for seniors in their golden years. Rhode Island residents can talk to a trained specialist about independent living options, job training opportunities, healthcare planning and public benefits for low-income older adults. Its website has a directory of senior centers, where retirees can find recreational activities and services in their area.
(401) 921-2119
Seniors can contact the Office of Veterans Services to learn about disability compensation, pensions, VA burial allowances and other earned benefits. It has a phone hotline for veterans experiencing a mental health crisis, plus information about support groups for substance abuse and PTSD. Its website also provides information about jobs for veterans, wellness services and financial assistance for seniors in need.
(401) 274-2652
Rhode Island Legal Services connects low-income residents with volunteer attorneys who can provide free court representation and other legal aid. The organization handles noncriminal civil cases, including guardianship, wills, bankruptcy and tax disputes with the IRS. Its website has a self-service portal with legal information, plus a directory of other helpful nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
(401) 462-3000
Rhode Island's Health and Human Services Department offers several transportation programs for seniors and the disabled. The Elderly Transportation Program provides curb-to-curb transit for seniors aged 60 and up who are unable to drive themselves. Medicaid recipients can get free nonemergency transportation to medical appointments, and reduced-fare bus passes are available to low-income people over the age of 65.
(401) 456-8000
Several organizations offer volunteer opportunities to retirees in Rhode Island, including Senior Corps, United Way and the AARP. Age-Friendly Rhode Island can help seniors find opportunities near them. Assignments vary, but may include serving food at shelters, providing transportation, making home repairs and tutoring disadvantaged youth.
(401) 462-1469
MaturityWorks is a job training program for low-income, unemployed seniors aged 55 and older. Recipients receive paid training assignments based on their interests and skill levels, plus assistance with finding full-time employment when training ends. The program is open to residents of Washington, Kent, Providence and Newport counties.
COVID-19 Rules for Independent Living in Rhode Island
The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including health.ri.gov. These rules apply to Independent Living Communities and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/13/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.
Visitation Policies
Rules for Rhode Island Communities
Are loved ones allowed to visit to provide emotional support?
Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are relatives allowed to visit for end-of-life care?
Yes
Are residents required to quarantine after visiting with a loved one?
No
Are visitors required to wear PPE (including masks) in order to visit residents?
Yes
Are non-medical contractors (such as hairdressers and entertainers) allowed in senior living facilities?
Yes
Are visitors checked for elevated temperatures?
Yes
Are visitors required to answer questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?
Yes
Outings & Social Activities
Rules for Rhode Island Communities
Are residents allowed to leave (errands, visiting family, etc.) for non-medical reasons?
Yes
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they return?
No (Conditions Apply)
Are senior living communities required to cancel all group outings?
No
Are residents allowed to eat meals together in a common area?
Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents allowed to gather in common areas for group activites?
Yes (Conditions Apply)
COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents
Rules for Rhode Island Communities
Are staff members regularly required to do a temperature check?
Yes
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?
Not Available*
Are staff members members regularly required to do a health and safety screening, including questions about travel, contact with positive cases, etc?
Yes
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?
Not Available*
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?
Not Available*
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?
Not Available*
*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.
Find Independent Living Communities in Rhode Island
Use the tool below to find Independent Living Communities near you – if you’d like to search in a specific city in Rhode Island, simply put that in the search bar below.
Directory of Independent Living Communities in Providence, RI
353 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI, 02906
Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard is located on the historic East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. Visitors have praised the bright and spacious common rooms and courtyards, and the facility
… (read more)
Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard is located on the historic East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. Visitors have praised the bright and spacious common rooms and courtyards, and the facility includes a salon, spa and living room with a large fireplace. Housing options include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and companion suites. Residents and visitors have commented on the daily activities available for residents to engage in, and there is transportation to the local park and hospital. Family members give this facility high marks for the caring and attentive staff who provide care for their loved ones.
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Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard is located on the historic East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. Visitors have praised the bright and spacious common rooms and courtyards, and the facility
… (read more)
Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard is located on the historic East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. Visitors have praised the bright and spacious common rooms and courtyards, and the facility includes a salon, spa and living room with a large fireplace. Housing options include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and companion suites. Residents and visitors have commented on the daily activities available for residents to engage in, and there is transportation to the local park and hospital. Family members give this facility high marks for the caring and attentive staff who provide care for their loved ones.
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One Butler Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906
Wingate Residences on the East Side is situated along the banks of the Seekonk River in lively Providence, Rhode Island. With Brown University and many shopping and cultural attractions close by, resi
… (read more)
Wingate Residences on the East Side is situated along the banks of the Seekonk River in lively Providence, Rhode Island. With Brown University and many shopping and cultural attractions close by, residents enjoy the bustling cityscape and multiple transportation routes. Visitors note the spacious apartments and lovely common areas that include a dining room and report that the Wingate Residences community feels more like an upscale hotel rather than a senior facility. Family members appreciate the caring staff members who are available to assist residents as their health needs progress or change.
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Wingate Residences on the East Side is situated along the banks of the Seekonk River in lively Providence, Rhode Island. With Brown University and many shopping and cultural attractions close by, resi
… (read more)
Wingate Residences on the East Side is situated along the banks of the Seekonk River in lively Providence, Rhode Island. With Brown University and many shopping and cultural attractions close by, residents enjoy the bustling cityscape and multiple transportation routes. Visitors note the spacious apartments and lovely common areas that include a dining room and report that the Wingate Residences community feels more like an upscale hotel rather than a senior facility. Family members appreciate the caring staff members who are available to assist residents as their health needs progress or change.
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355 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI, 02906
We liked everything about Laurelmead. The people were wonderful. The hospitality was great. The rooms looked nice. The prices seemed fair for what you got. They had a lot of services. We liked it a lo
… (read more)
We liked everything about Laurelmead. The people were wonderful. The hospitality was great. The rooms looked nice. The prices seemed fair for what you got. They had a lot of services. We liked it a lot. It was affordable for us, but we don’t think we need to pay that much at this time, so it wasn’t a bargain for us. Nevertheless, the food was excellent. It was wonderful. I had something off their menu. Everything was good. The desserts were good, the main meal was good, and the service was good. The people were very friendly. Not only the residents but all the people that worked there. They were terrific.
We had dinner with a couple that lived there. After dinner, they said they were going to a program that was a lecture and they invited us to come with them. We went, and it was a terrific lecture. It was an attorney, and he gave a history of Providence, and it was very interesting. I was impressed by the questions that everybody in the audience raised. It’s a very intelligent group. I do not doubt that we would fit in right there. But, as independent as we are, we don’t want to give up that now if we can help it. After the lecture was over, we met several other people. One of whom invited us to see her apartment. So we got to see three different places before the tour even took place the next day. It was nice. We saw some empty places that were available to purchase, but we also saw two that were being lived in and how they looked when they were furnished and all. The facilities are well-maintained and it’s a beautiful property. It’s the only one we had seen, but we were very impressed.
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We liked everything about Laurelmead. The people were wonderful. The hospitality was great. The rooms looked nice. The prices seemed fair for what you got. They had a lot of services. We liked it a lo
… (read more)
We liked everything about Laurelmead. The people were wonderful. The hospitality was great. The rooms looked nice. The prices seemed fair for what you got. They had a lot of services. We liked it a lot. It was affordable for us, but we don’t think we need to pay that much at this time, so it wasn’t a bargain for us. Nevertheless, the food was excellent. It was wonderful. I had something off their menu. Everything was good. The desserts were good, the main meal was good, and the service was good. The people were very friendly. Not only the residents but all the people that worked there. They were terrific.
We had dinner with a couple that lived there. After dinner, they said they were going to a program that was a lecture and they invited us to come with them. We went, and it was a terrific lecture. It was an attorney, and he gave a history of Providence, and it was very interesting. I was impressed by the questions that everybody in the audience raised. It’s a very intelligent group. I do not doubt that we would fit in right there. But, as independent as we are, we don’t want to give up that now if we can help it. After the lecture was over, we met several other people. One of whom invited us to see her apartment. So we got to see three different places before the tour even took place the next day. It was nice. We saw some empty places that were available to purchase, but we also saw two that were being lived in and how they looked when they were furnished and all. The facilities are well-maintained and it’s a beautiful property. It’s the only one we had seen, but we were very impressed.
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100 Mathewson St, Providence, RI, 02903
147 Bay Spring Avenue, Barrington, RI, 02806
Atria Bay Spring Village is located in Barrington, Rhode Island near Bay Spring Community Center and Haines Memorial State Park. Visitors compliment the facility on the clean and homelike amenities, b
… (read more)
Atria Bay Spring Village is located in Barrington, Rhode Island near Bay Spring Community Center and Haines Memorial State Park. Visitors compliment the facility on the clean and homelike amenities, beautiful dining area and delicious food. Activities such as billiards, cards, parties and music events keep residents socializing, and trips to shopping centers and doctor appointments ensure residents have access to necessities. The on-site library is a quiet place to enjoy a book, and the patio offers fresh air and a conducive place to socialize. One-bedroom, two-bedroom, studio and companion suites are available to suit many living preferences.
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Atria Bay Spring Village is located in Barrington, Rhode Island near Bay Spring Community Center and Haines Memorial State Park. Visitors compliment the facility on the clean and homelike amenities, b
… (read more)
Atria Bay Spring Village is located in Barrington, Rhode Island near Bay Spring Community Center and Haines Memorial State Park. Visitors compliment the facility on the clean and homelike amenities, beautiful dining area and delicious food. Activities such as billiards, cards, parties and music events keep residents socializing, and trips to shopping centers and doctor appointments ensure residents have access to necessities. The on-site library is a quiet place to enjoy a book, and the patio offers fresh air and a conducive place to socialize. One-bedroom, two-bedroom, studio and companion suites are available to suit many living preferences.
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12 Old Pocasset Lane, Johnston, RI, 02919
Anchor Bay at Pocasset was very nice from what we saw. The person that we spoke with was very helpful and very congenial. They have walking paths and places to sit outside. They took us to different o
… (read more)
Anchor Bay at Pocasset was very nice from what we saw. The person that we spoke with was very helpful and very congenial. They have walking paths and places to sit outside. They took us to different one-bedroom and single-room units to see how they were. They’ve kept in contact with us for quite a while after we had looked there. We didn’t check or taste the meals. They include three meals a day. They had shuttle busses that took you to wherever you wanted to go as far as doctors, stores, and stuff like that. It was all included.
The staff members were very, very good and answered all our questions. The facility was well maintained. Everything was clean inside. The person that we spoke with was very helpful, followed through on a lot of things, and gave us a lot of information.
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Anchor Bay at Pocasset was very nice from what we saw. The person that we spoke with was very helpful and very congenial. They have walking paths and places to sit outside. They took us to different o
… (read more)
Anchor Bay at Pocasset was very nice from what we saw. The person that we spoke with was very helpful and very congenial. They have walking paths and places to sit outside. They took us to different one-bedroom and single-room units to see how they were. They’ve kept in contact with us for quite a while after we had looked there. We didn’t check or taste the meals. They include three meals a day. They had shuttle busses that took you to wherever you wanted to go as far as doctors, stores, and stuff like that. It was all included.
The staff members were very, very good and answered all our questions. The facility was well maintained. Everything was clean inside. The person that we spoke with was very helpful, followed through on a lot of things, and gave us a lot of information.
(read less)
1440 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI, 02915
Anchor Bay at East Providence was very clean, very well-kept, and very well-maintained. They seemed to have good activities and medical programs. The staff who assisted me was very pleasant and knew a
… (read more)
Anchor Bay at East Providence was very clean, very well-kept, and very well-maintained. They seemed to have good activities and medical programs. The staff who assisted me was very pleasant and knew all the people there, it was a very good, positive environment. I thought that the upkeep was excellent, and it’s in close proximity to other amenities.
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Anchor Bay at East Providence was very clean, very well-kept, and very well-maintained. They seemed to have good activities and medical programs. The staff who assisted me was very pleasant and knew a
… (read more)
Anchor Bay at East Providence was very clean, very well-kept, and very well-maintained. They seemed to have good activities and medical programs. The staff who assisted me was very pleasant and knew all the people there, it was a very good, positive environment. I thought that the upkeep was excellent, and it’s in close proximity to other amenities.
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957 Post Road, Warwick, RI, 02888
For what I had seen at Cranberry Pond Apartments, I am quite impressed and satisfied. You could have a two-bedroom or a one-bedroom apartment. It had a small balcony and they had a main parking area.
For what I had seen at Cranberry Pond Apartments, I am quite impressed and satisfied. You could have a two-bedroom or a one-bedroom apartment. It had a small balcony and they had a main parking area.
Independent Living Facilities in Rhode Island (3)
