Welcome to a world of possibilities!
At Home Sweet Homeshare, we're excited to educate you to the world of independent living options in Massachusetts. Whether you're considering this option for yourself or a loved one, let's explore how the Bay State can be your perfect backdrop for an enriching, active lifestyle.
Sure, many retirees move to Florida or Arizona when they get older. But the things that make Massachusetts great are:
But what most seniors love the most is their neighborhood and community. That's really what makes seniors stay local.
Both home sharing and independent living communities in Massachusetts offer active seniors a maintenance-free lifestyle.
Independent Living Facilities typically include a calendar full of social activities with other seniors. Home sharing is social too, but it's one-on-one and it's intergenerational. Not better or worse, just different.
Independent Living Facilities commonly come with added perks, such as:
With both options, you maintain your independence while having access to some support when you need it.
While living your best life in the Bay State is priceless, it's important to consider the financials.
The median monthly cost for independent living in Massachusetts is approximately $3,000.
As compared to home sharing where you are PAID about $600 per month on average to share your extra bedroom.
However, remember that this often includes many services that would be separate expenses in a traditional home.
Massachusetts boasts a variety of top-rated independent living communities. Here are a few standouts:
Choosing an independent living community is a big decision. Here are some tips to help you find your perfect match:
At Home Sweet Homeshare, we understand that this transition is about more than just finding a new way to live—it's about embarking on an exciting new chapter of life. Our innovative intergenerational home sharing model offers a unique twist on independent living, allowing you to:
Whether you're interested in traditional independent living communities or our home sharing option, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Let's work together to find a living situation that not only meets your needs but exceeds your expectations.
Independent living facilities in Massachusetts don’t provide any care services to seniors, therefore they don’t need to be licensed by a state facility. Instead, they are treated as standard rentals and must follow Massachusetts rental laws outlined by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). These communities typically have a minimum age requirement, which is typically 62 years.
In Massachusetts, if an independent living facility shares a campus with an assisted living or memory care facility, then those senior care units must be licensed. To learn more about the senior care licensing process and facility regulations, check out the Massachusetts assisted living regulations.
Massachusetts doesn’t offer inspection reports online, but you can request a copy of an assisted living or memory care facility by contacting the Executive Office of Elder Affairs at information.resources@mass.gov or fax them at 617-727-9368.
Like any Massachusetts rental, stand-alone independent living facilities must offer senior residents a safe and habitable living environment. Independent living rentals in Massachusetts must adhere to the following requirements:[01]
If an independent living landlord in Massachusetts fails to provide a safe and habitable environment, tenants have rights to remedies available to them. Some of the most important tenant rights to note include:[01]
Before withholding rent or proceeding with repairs, tenants should get legal advice because it could breach their lease agreement. The Mass.gov website offers several legal services to help tenants in such situations.
If you would like to report a complaint or need help resolving a housing dispute, you can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 617-727-8400.
Fair housing laws prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities and require landlords to offer reasonable accommodations and modifications. Therefore, an independent living facility in Massachusetts cannot refuse to rent due to a senior’s disability.
A reasonable accommodation is a change to policy that will allow a person with a disability to use common areas. Some examples that could help an individual with a disability include:
A reasonable modification is a structural change that is made to existing premises. Some modifications that could help a senior with a disability include:[02]
Independent living facility providers must cover the cost of accommodations or modifications as long as they don’t result in an undue financial and administrative burden, or a fundamental alteration.[02]
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-624-6000
Note: These ranges represent the reported monthly rents for home sharing arrangements in each city.