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Memory Care in Massachusetts

Overview of Memory Care in Massachusetts

The most populous state in New England, Massachusetts features a distinctive blend of natural beauty and treasures of U.S. history. The Berkshire Mountains in the western region are a convenient getaway for coastal residents around Cape Cod Bay, and the famously upscale islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard sit just off the state’s southern shores. As one of the country’s original Thirteen Colonies, Massachusetts is rich with early American historic sites like Plymouth and Salem. Within Boston there’s the timeless North End neighborhood, along with popular tourist spots like the USS Constitution and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. The amount of variety within reach to those who call Massachusetts home makes the Bay State an exemplary retirement destination.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 220 senior living communities in Massachusetts that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Massachusetts is about $7,300.

Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Massachusetts

11
11 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Atria Draper Place

25 Hopedale Street, Hopedale, MA 01747
9.9
Review Score
75 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Dean H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Dad was a bit hesitant at first, but as soon as we talked him in to a trial run, he immediately couldn't say enough good things about it. He enjoys having people around to interact with, raves about the...

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18
18 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

Atria Longmeadow Place

42 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803
9.9
Review Score
63 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Karen M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mom stayed at Atria as a respite visitor for 3 months. She was trying to decide if she would make the move to living there long-term. She loved the food, activities and the fact that there were people...

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20
20 Photos available

Artisan at Hudson

253 Washington St, Hudson, MA 01749
9.8
Review Score
34 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jim B - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I visited a friend in her modern and well arranged apartment. There were several windows and the natural light added to the setting. I found the numerous Common areas were inviting as well and people were...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Boston

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16
16 Photos available

Standish Village

1190 Adams Street, Boston, MA 02124
8.6
Review Score
23 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

the staff is caring, and engaging with the residents. The chef and wait staff understand allergies and go out of their way to accommodate. However, the weekly cleaning isn't always as hoped

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5
5 Photos available

Sophia Snow House

1215 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
8.5
Review Score
4 reviews
MP - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is wonderful. Sophia Snow House is a small lovely, simple community. There are just enough activities for the residents, and the accommodations are very clean and comfortable. My mother enjoys the...

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12
12 Photos available

The Charlestown

9 West School Street, Charlestown, MA 02129
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We like the care that is received. The staff are nice and caring to her needs. We like the menu and the good variety that is offered and they will help with any special needs if required. I like knowing that...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Danvers

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12
12 Photos available

Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm

9 Summer Street, Danvers, MA 01923
8.4
Review Score
33 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What I saw of the meals and dining - seemed ok. Gramps did not participate in any of the activities. It is expensive with rental furniture. We felt [fee removed] for 30 days was rather high. However, I...

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18
18 Photos available

Charter Senior Living of Danvers

220 Conant St, Danvers, MA 01923
9.2
Review Score
61 reviews
AS - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mother has lived at Charter for a year. All of the staff, including the administration, front desk, dining room, caregivers, cleaning and maintenance are incredibly kind and helpful. My mother enjoys the...

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14
14 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

The Atrium at Veronica Drive

1 Veronica Drive, Danvers, MA 01923
8.9
Review Score
32 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My family member did not get along with one patient. He was young, car accident victim. They would read each other.[name removed] was forced to hire an aid 12 hours a day, private pay, to stay at the...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Worcester

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7
7 Photos available

The Oasis at Dodge Park

102 Randolph Rd, Worcester, MA 01606
9.5
Review Score
32 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

5 for all. I love the staff there !!! They're friendly compassionate and hard working. Yes I would recommend this facility to others. they're like family to my Mom there.

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2
2 Photos available

Christopher Heights of Worcester

20 Mary Scano Dr, Worcester, MA 01605
8.6
Review Score
9 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a current/former resident or client

Staff is good but has to be more proactive in helping clients who are having issues of mobility this is a serious flaw. Food is very good and the activities are consistent.

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6
6 Photos available

Dodge Park Rest Home

101 Randolph Rd, Worcester, MA 01606
8.6
Review Score
37 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Denise G - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

First thing I would say, is when your loved one arrives at Dodge Park or The Oasis, it will probably take a few months for them to adjust, so be patient. For my dad, it took about four months. There was a...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Springfield

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6
6 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

The Wellington at Springfield

942 Grayson Dr, Springfield, MA 01119
8.8
Review Score
172 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sean L - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Staying at the Wellington has greatly improved my father's life. The staff is caring and diligent with all of the residents. The facility is well kept and pleasantly appointed. Living there are residents...

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64
64 Photos available

Southwick Village

802 College Hwy, Southwick, MA 01077
9.5
Review Score
52 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My client is very happy at Southwick Village. The happiest I've ever seen him. The people who live there are very friendly and the staff is awesome..im glad I gave them a second look. [name removed] was very...

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13
13 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Cedarbrook Village at Ware

73 South St, Ware, MA 01082
9.8
Review Score
46 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Lisa T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I visit my mom at Cedarbrook several days a week. The receptionist always greets me and several staff and/or residents ask to pet my dog (yes, my dog has always been welcomed.) As we walk through the...

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Massachusetts laws and regulations for memory care facilities

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) licenses and regulates memory care facilities in Massachusetts. Stand-alone memory care facilities are referred to as Special Care Residences while memory care units that share a campus with Assisted Living Residences are referred to as Special Care Units.[01]

To remain a licensed memory care facility in Massachusetts, Special Care Residences and Units must maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment and meet the following requirements.[01]

Resident admission requirements

  • Have a nurse conduct an initial screening to assess and determine residents’ service needs and preferences based on their functional abilities and cognitive status.
  • Use the initial screening and a recent physician evaluation outlining the resident’s physical, cognitive, functional, and psychosocial condition to develop individualized service plans.
  • Have a nurse evaluate the personal care services outlined in each resident’s service plan every 6 months to make updates if necessary.

Staff requirements

  • Maintain a sufficient staff-to-resident ratio at all times.
  • Have on-site, awake staff 24 hours a day.
  • Provide all staff a 7-hour orientation prior to active employment and at least 10 hours of ongoing education and training on an annual basis.
  • Provide all memory care staff an additional 7 hours of dementia-specific training prior to active employment and at least 4 hours of continued dementia care education on an annual basis.
  • Provide 54 hours of training to on-site caregiving staff, with at least 20 hours of personal care training conducted by a qualified registered nurse.

Services and amenities requirements

  • Offer one to three scheduled, dietitian-approved meals per day.
  • Implement safety measures like secured entrances and emergency plans.
  • Provide a multipurpose activity space and a planned activity program including gross motor, self-care, social, sensory, and memory enhancement activities.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health contact information

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-624-6000
Submit a contact form

Why do licensure and inspection reports matter to families?

State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.

Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Search for memory care facility compliance reviews

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) conducts an initial compliance review before licensing a memory care facility and every two years thereafter.[01]

The EOEA may also conduct a compliance review at any time if there is cause to believe that a memory care facility has violated any regulations. If any violations are found, the facility must respond within 10 days of the notice with a corrective action plan. If the plan is deemed acceptable, the EOEA will then conduct a timely review to ensure corrections are made.[01]

In Massachusetts, compliance reviews of a memory care facility include:[02]

  • A review of the operating plan
  • Inspection of common areas
  • Inspection of residents’ rooms (with residents’ consent)
  • Examination of resident records (with residents’ consent)

The EOEA doesn’t publicly publish any facility inspections. To access inspection reports, the general public can request a digital copy via email at information.resources@mass.gov or a physical copy through fax at 617-727-9368.

References

  1. Executive Office of Elder Affairs. (2024, March 29). 651 CMR 12.00: Certification procedures and standards for assisted living residencesMass.gov.

  2. Executive Office of Elder Affairs. (2019, January 25). Compliance reviews of assisted living residencesMass.gov.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.