Memory Care in Lexington, Massachusetts
Situated northwest of Boston, Lexington is a beautiful New England town with high-quality residential care facilities and access to outstanding medical facilities, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which specializes in dementia research and care. The town has over 34,000 residents, nearly one in five of whom are seniors. To meet the needs of this community, particularly those living with dementia, Lexington has implemented a broad range of initiatives to provide access to support and information. Due in part to these initiatives, Alzheimer’s-related deaths are decreasing in the Lexington region. According to the CDC, between 2014 and 2018, the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths dropped by 14% even as the total number of deaths went up by 8%.
While there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, residential memory care facilities can be an important part of a multifaceted approach in managing the disease and improving the individual’s quality of life. These facilities have specialized programming to meet the cognitive, social and nutritional needs of those with dementia and are staffed with trained caregivers who provide compassionate care. This guide offers an overview of the benefits of living in Lexington and an analysis of the cost of memory care services here and in other Massachusetts cities. It also lists local programs and agencies that serve seniors living with dementia and their families.
The SeniorScore for Lexington, Massachusetts
The SeniorScore is a livability index that shows how comfortable a community is for older adults. This score provides unbiased insight into a region’s access to health and senior care services, the cost of living, weather and frequency of crime to help seniors make informed decisions regarding retirement planning. The national score is 72, and Massachusetts’ score is several points higher at 77. Lexington has one of the highest SeniorScores in the nation at 88, indicating it offers a broad array of benefits for its older residents.
Lexington scores highest in Health & Safety with an 89, which may suggest that the town is a good option for those managing chronic conditions. There are 46 hospitals in or near the town and a very large network of Medicare-registered doctors and specialists, and over 1,300 pharmacies fill prescriptions and provide basic wellness services. Property and violent crime rates are very low, and the high number of fire stations promotes prompt emergency response times. Seniors who need personal care have over 250 residential care facilities and numerous home health care providers to choose from. Lexington has a similarly strong score of 86 in the Recreation & Leisure category. Among the area’s recreational amenities are four dozen movie theaters, 20 malls and shopping centers, 30 parks and over 160 golf courses.
Lexington scores 67 in the Finances and General Quality of Life categories. As is typical of New England, the local cost of living is very high, but household median incomes are also well above the national average. Year-round temperatures tend to be extreme, with cold winters and warm summers, and the air and water quality are above average. The population density is high, with almost 2,000 people per square mile, but the widely used public transportation system helps control traffic congestion.
Memory Care Costs in Lexington, Massachusetts
In Lexington, memory care services are administered in licensed assisted living facilities. Along with standard services and amenities such as housing, daily meals and snacks, personal care and housekeeping and laundry services, memory care includes specialized programs and activities to meet the social and cognitive needs of those with dementia. This specialized care typically costs 20-30% more than assisted living. Because there's no nationwide data available for memory care, the following cost comparisons are based on assisted living rates in the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey with a 25% increase.
Seniors in Lexington pay approximately $7,625 per month for memory care services. While this is over $2,000 higher than the national average of $5,375, it’s consistent with the statewide median of $7,606.
Memory Care Costs in Lexington, Massachusetts
In Lexington, memory care services are administered in licensed assisted living facilities. Along with standard services and amenities such as housing, daily meals and snacks, personal care and housekeeping and laundry services, memory care includes specialized programs and activities to meet the social and cognitive needs of those with dementia. This specialized care typically costs 20-30% more than assisted living. Because there's no nationwide data available for memory care, the following cost comparisons are based on assisted living rates in the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey with a 25% increase.
Seniors in Lexington pay approximately $7,625 per month for memory care services. While this is over
Across Massachusetts, memory care costs vary considerably. Memory services in Worcester are the most economically priced in the state, with seniors paying below the state median at $6,860 per month. In Springfield, care fees average $7,188 per month, and in Pittsfield, rates are higher but still affordable compared to Lexington at $7,236. The only surveyed city in Massachusetts with higher memory care costs than Lexington is Barnstable Town, where monthly rates average $7,923. Outside of Massachusetts, care costs may be lower. Seniors in Providence, Rhode Island, pay $6,188 per month, and in Hartford, Connecticut, monthly rates average $7,191.
- Lexington: $7,625
- Pittsfield: $7,236
- Springfield: $7,188
- Worcester: $6,860
- Barnstable Town: $7,923
- Providence, RI: $6,188
- Hartford, CT: $7,191
Note: Data for Lexington was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.
$2,000 higher than the national average of $5,375, it’s consistent with the statewide median of $7,606.
Top Memory Care Communities in Lexington, Massachusetts
Located at 30 Watertown St in Lexington, Massachusetts, Pine Knoll Nursing Center is an 81 unit nursing facility. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with approximately 15,000 individuals living in the zip code of 02420. It is ...
Lexington Health Network is located at 178 Lowell St in Lexington, Massachusetts. It is a 211 room nursing care facility. The facility is in a generally upper class area, with an average household income of $139,453. With ...
Located at 7 Oakland St in Lexington, Massachusetts, Douglas House is a 15 room senior housing facility. The facility is in a mostly affluent area, with an average per-family income of $139,453. With about 15,000 individuals living in ...
Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings is a senior housing community located at 126 Smith St in Waltham, Massachusetts. With a median household income of $78,675, the facility is in a largely affluent area. It has an average ...
2 miles away from Lexington, MA
Located at 1395 Massachusetts Ave, Sunrise of Arlington is a senior housing community in Arlington, Massachusetts. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with around 18,000 people residing in the zip code of 02476. It is a ...
2 miles away from Lexington, MA
Atria Longmeadow Place is located at 42 Mall Rd in Burlington, Massachusetts. It is a senior care facility for residents 65 and over. The facility is in a generally upper class area, with an average family income of ...
3 miles away from Lexington, MA
Brightview Arlington Assisted Living is a senior care facility situated close to the North Cambridge area of Arlington, Massachusetts. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with around 27,000 individuals residing in the 02474 zip code. With an average ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Brightview Country Club Heights is a senior community located at 3 Rehabilitation Way in Woburn, Massachusetts. With around 40,000 poeple living in the 01801 zip code, the neighboring area is densely populated. It is a mostly middle class ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Dorothy Frances Home is located at 704 Beaver St in Waltham, Massachusetts. It is a 7 room senior housing community. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with a median household income of $67,088. With ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Sunrise of Burlington is a senior community located at 24 Mall Rd in Burlington, Massachusetts. With approximately 25,000 individuals living in the 01803 zip code, the encompassing area is densely populated. It is a generally affluent area, with ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Belmont Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is situated near the Strawberry Hill area of Belmont, Massachusetts. It is a 135 bed skilled nursing facility. The community is in a mostly wealthier area, with an average household income of ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Stonebridge at Burlington is a senior housing facility situated near the Pinehurst area of Burlington, Massachusetts. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 25,000 residents in the 01803 zip code. It is a largely upper class area, ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Carleton-Willard Village is situated close to the Pinehurst neighborhood of Bedford, Massachusetts. It is a 100 unit senior housing facility. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with around 14,000 people residing in the zip code of ...
4 miles away from Lexington, MA
Life Care Centers of America is a senior housing facility located close to the Pinehurst area of Bedford, Massachusetts. The community is in a largely wealthier area, with a median household income of $107,033. With around 14,000 people ...
5 miles away from Lexington, MA
Winchester Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 121 unit nursing facility located in Winchester, Massachusetts. With around 22,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 01890, the encompassing area has a dense population. It is a predominantly upscale ...
5 miles away from Lexington, MA
Aberjona Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 123 bed nursing care facility located in Winchester, Massachusetts. The encompassing area is densely populated, with roughly 22,000 residents in the zip code of 01890. It is a generally affluent area, ...
5 miles away from Lexington, MA
Located at 18 Frances St in Woburn, Massachusetts, Woburn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 140 room nursing facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with about 40,000 poeple living in the 01801 zip code. With a median ...
5 miles away from Lexington, MA
Located in the North Cambridge neighborhood, Cooperative Elder Services is a senior care facility in Arlington, Massachusetts. The community is in a primarily upscale area, with a median per-family income of $82,845. It is heavily populated, with around ...
5 miles away from Lexington, MA
The Residence at Watertown Square is a senior housing community situated near the Strawberry Hill area of Watertown, Massachusetts. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with an average household income of $74,968. With roughly 33,000 ...
6 miles away from Lexington, MA
Free Memory Care Resources in Lexington, Massachusetts
Greater Boston Legal Services Greater Boston Legal Services is staffed with approximately 70 attorneys and 20 paralegals who provide free civil legal services to qualifying individuals in Lexington and the surrounding region. It offers in-person and over-the-phone support for those who need help understanding memory care facility contracts or resolving issues related to intake or discharge processes. The office can also help seniors obtain public benefits that may help pay for memory care, including Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and Social Security. 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 371-1234 https://www.gbls.org/ |
Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter The local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association facilitates a range of programs for those affected by dementia in Lexington and the surrounding area. Through this chapter, individuals can participate in confidential support group meetings and receive care consultations from experts who help families connect with necessary services. The organization also offers free programs and services for those in the early stages of memory loss, along with an early stage advisory group. 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 (617) 868-6718 https://www.alz.org/manh |
Dementia Friendly Massachusetts Dementia Friendly Massachusetts is an initiative of the Massachusetts Councils on Aging that aims to bring a greater understanding of dementia and the resources available to individuals and families affected by this disease. It organizes Memory Cafes throughout the state, including one at the Courtyard at Youville Place in Lexington. It also helps families locate special transportation services for their loved ones, support groups, adult day programs and respite care. 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306, Easthampton, MA 01027 (413) 527-6425 https://dfmassachusetts.org/ |
Lexington Council on Aging The Lexington Council on Aging provides seniors with one-on-one nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian who can help families address dementia-related issues such as weight loss. The council has a nurse who offers services such as home visits, blood pressure checks and medical advocacy, as well as information specialists who provide referrals for community-based programs and services. It also has an emergency financial assistance program for those experiencing unexpected financial crises. 39 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421 (781) 698-4840 https://www.lexingtonma.gov/human-services/senior-services#center |
Veterans' Services Lexington’s Veterans' Services Department helps veterans in the city obtain the services and benefits they’ve earned. Through this department, veterans get help with applying for pension programs and Aid and Attendance, which provide monthly cash payments that can be used to pay for the individual's living expenses, including memory care services. The department also screens seniors for veterans’ home placement, which may be more affordable than private memory care. 39 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421 (781) 698-4848 https://www.lexingtonma.gov/veterans-services |
Minuteman Senior Services Minuteman Senior Services is a local nonprofit organization that provides a broad range of services to seniors in Lexington. The organization provides options counseling for those researching long-term care services, and it has health benefits counselors who help seniors make informed decisions regarding their Medicare coverage and available cost-saving programs. The organization also provides civil legal services, care management and long-term care ombudsman services. 26 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730 (781) 272-7177 https://www.minutemansenior.org/ |