Memory Care Communities in Worcester, Massachusetts

Prices for memory care vary widely throughout Massachusetts. West of Worcester in Springfield, prices drop to $6,310, but prices are far higher in Boston, where seniors can expect to pay $8,524. Pittsfield’s rates are well below the rest of the state, averaging only $2,605. The priciest city for memory care in Massachusetts is Barnstable Town, at $8,750.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The average monthly cost for memory care in Worcester is $7,106. This is much higher than the U.S. average of $5,625 but cheaper than Massachusetts’ overall rate of $8,125.

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.

Seniors in Worcester can get home care for $5,720 per month, which includes personal attendant services, companionship, light housekeeping and help with daily living activities. Home health care, which also provides medical services, is a bit more expensive at $5,911. Adult day care offers part-time supervision for $1,842, and assisted living rates average $5,685. The most expensive option is a semiprivate nursing home room for $11,863.

In Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services regulates Worcester’s memory care facilities. Memory care facilities must follow regulations for cleanliness, resident-staff ratios, medication administration and special training for workers who interact with Alzheimer’s patients.

• Worcester is home to several excellent hospitals, notably Umass Memorial Medical Center and St. Vincent Hospital. Both ranked among the state’s top 10 best hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. These facilities also received high marks in procedures related to cardiology, cancer care, neurology and others.
• The Worcester Regional Transit Authority offers a reduced fare ID that allows residents 60 and over to ride for half the regular rate. WRTA also provides free door-to-door paratransit service for anyone who can’t ride the regular bus due to illness or disability. 
• Worcester has a cost of living index of 102.2, slightly above the national index of 100. Groceries, housing and utilities cost more than average, but residents pay a bit less for health care and transportation.
• Massachusetts is somewhat tax-friendly for retirees. Social Security benefits are tax-exempt, but seniors pay tax on most other kinds of retirement income. Additionally, the estate tax exemption is only $1 million, one of the lowest rates in the U.S.
• Worcester is comfortable for people who don’t like hot weather. Summers are mild, with an average summertime high of just 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters tend to be harsh, however. The city gets an average of 51 inches of snow annually, and the typical low temperature in January is 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Worcester’s crime rates are a little higher than the Massachusetts average, but it’s still safer than 20% of other U.S. cities. The chances of becoming a violent crime victim in Worcester are one in 174, and the odds of being victimized by property crime are one in 54. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Worcester include Clark University, Newton Square, Westwood Hills and others on the city’s outskirts.
• Worcester joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2022. This indicates that Worcester’s local leaders pledged to make the city a comfortable place to live for residents of all ages. AARP Livable Communities aim to provide easy access to senior services, walkable neighborhoods, senior-friendly housing and social engagement opportunities for older adults.