The Best Memory Care Communities in Hampden County, MA

In Massachusetts, there are an estimated 6,859,819 residents as of 2017. Of these, approximately 130,000 people have Alzheimer's, and this number is expected to grow to 150,000 by 2025. With numbers like these, it's important for the state to have enough memory care facilities to support this population.

Hampden County, located in the western part of Massachusetts, includes the city of Springfield and has a population of 469,818 people, 16.5 percent of whom are age 65 or older. There are eight memory care facilities in Hampden County to support residents with Alzheimer's or dementia.

In Hampden County as in the rest of Massachusetts, memory care facilities are officially known as Dementia Special Care Units (DSCUs).

• Hampden County has relatively pleasant weather. The area experiences four seasons each year, as does most of New England, including beautiful foliage in the fall and the nearby mountains. The average high in July is around 83 degrees, making for pleasant weather for outdoor walks. Winters tend to be cold and snowy, as the area receives about 45 inches of a snow each year and the average January low is around 17 degrees.
• On a cost of living index where 100 represents the national average, the cost of living in Hampden County is slightly higher than the national average at 101.8  yet lower than the state average of 139. Families may want to keep this in mind as they search for memory care facilities for their loved ones.
• Massachusetts tends to be moderately tax-friendly toward retired seniors. It fully exempts Social Security benefits and public pension income. Other forms of retirement income are taxed at the state rate of 5.1 percent. This includes any income from a 401k, IRA or private pension.
• Hampden County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Western Massachusetts Hospital in Westfield, MA, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Hampden County start around $5,847 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Hampden County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Massachusetts page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Massachusetts page.

Hampden County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Massachusetts are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Massachusetts page for more information about these laws.