A suburb of the state’s largest city of Manchester, Bedford, New Hampshire is a small town whose population consists of nearly 17% seniors ages 65 and older. With its classic New England feel and proximity to Manchester’s amenities and services, Bedford gives residents the best of small-town America combined with the conveniences of a larger metropolis. In addition to art galleries, museums and award-winning restaurants, Manchester is also home to highly-ranked healthcare including Catholic Medical Center, ranked third in the state by U.S. News and World Report. Bedford itself has a park with walking trails, historic center and a local winery, ideal for those looking for local activities that also include getting out into nature.
Assisted living facilities are for seniors who want to maintain their independence, but need some extra assistance with daily tasks. These communities offer 24-hour care, physical and medical therapies, daily meals and various recreational activities. The cost of care for seniors in Bedford, NH, according to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, is approximately $8,061 per month, which is well above the statewide average of $6,053 and the national average of $4,500.
This guide compares the cost of living for Bedford seniors to determine the best care options available.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in New Hampshire. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Seniors in Bedford pay an average of $8,061 per month for assisted living.
At $8,061 per month, Bedford’s cost of living is almost double that of the national average. It is also significantly higher than the state average.
In the largest cities of New Hampshire, namely Manchester, Nashua, Concord and Derry, the average costs are all reported in the same range as Bedford’s. The nearby city of Portland, OR, sports a lower monthly average at $6,525 per month, while the cost in Boston, MA, is even lower at $6,891. Burlington, VT, comes in at the most affordable of Bedford’s neighboring cities with a monthly average cost of $6,371.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in New Hampshire.
Manchester Senior Services | (603) 624-6533 | Serving older adults in the Manchester area, Senior Services provides a variety of programs and services to help provide a sense of wellbeing and fulfillment. In addition to maintaining an online listing of local resources, Senior Services operates the William B Cashin Senior Activity Center. Here, seniors can gather for fitness, foot clinics and arts and crafts. The Senior Activity Center also organizes trips for those looking to explore surrounding areas with friends. |
Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services | (603) 271-9203 | Under the umbrella of New Hampshire’s DHHS, the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services offers long-term support and services to seniors 60 and older and their family members. Information and counseling are available regarding Medicare and Medicaid as well as caregiver options, and EAS also provides protection against abuse or fraud. |
Southern New Hampshire Services | (603) 668-8010 (local)(800) 322-1073(statewide) | Established in 1965, Southern New Hampshire Services is a community action agency that offers some services and programs for Bedford seniors. Community gardens can be found here, as can volunteer opportunities through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, which pairs up individuals with volunteer opportunities that match their skills, interests and time. |
Catholic Medical Center Wellness and Risk Reduction | (603) 663-8000 | Part of the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, the Wellness Center provides medically-supervised exercise programs, registered dietician services and a Diabetes Resource Institute. The Wellness Center also includes health screenings, risk reduction classes and holistic health programs as part of their community outreach and wellness initiative. |
Manchester VA Medical Center | (603) 624-4366 | Available for senior veterans and their families is the Manchester VA Medical Center, which provides a comprehensive set of healthcare services. VAMC has both primary and specialty care, and senior veterans can also take advantage of their acupuncture therapy, mental health services or Whole Health Center. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Bedford area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.