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Lawrence, a northern suburb of Boston that’s just minutes from the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border, reports a population of around 89,000, approximately 10% of whom are 65 years of age or older. The city’s comfortable New England summers and its proximity to Boston’s excellent health care create significant appeal for retirement-age adults. According to annual rankings from U.S. News and World Report, four of Massachusetts’ top six hospitals are based in Boston: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center. U.S. News further ranks Mass General as the No. 5 hospital in the nation.
If you’re ready to move out of a fully independent living environment but don’t need the extensive medical care provided by a nursing home, assisted living might give you the exact level of support you’re looking for. In Lawrence, you can expect to pay an average of $6,819 a month for assisted living care, making the city more expensive than most places in Massachusetts.
In this guide to assisted living care in Lawrence, we’ll compare prices across the state and look at some of the low-cost resources that help the city’s older adults enjoy their retirement years.
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 Massachusetts. 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.
The average monthly cost for assisted living care in Lawrence is $6,819, according to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey.
Average prices for assisted living care are slightly lower statewide and significantly lower nationally. Throughout Massachusetts, the average monthly cost is $6,500. Throughout the United States, the average monthly cost is $4,500.
There’s an exceptionally wide price range for assisted living in Massachusetts. Worcester, at $5,685 a month, and Springfield, at $5,048, are near the middle of that range. Pittsfield, located in the far west of the state, reports a relatively low average monthly price of $2,084, but the cost goes all the way up to $7,000 a month in Barnstable Town. Across the border in Manchester, New Hampshire, the average monthly price of assisted living care goes higher to $8,061.
Note: Data for Lawrence was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Boston, was used instead.
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 Massachusetts.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| AgeSpan | (978) 683-7747 | As the Area Agency on Aging for Essex County, this organization offers a suite of programs for older adults that includes family caregiver support, nutrition counseling, protective services and financial advisement. Its staff can also help you understand your options under Medicare, Medicaid and similar benefit programs. |
| North Essex Elder Transport | (978) 388-7474 | This nonprofit works in conjunction with AgeSpan to connect seniors with volunteer drivers who can help them get to critical medical appointments in and around the Lawrence area. As long as you’re at least 60 years old, you’re eligible to register with NEET. |
| Northeast Legal Aid | (978) 458-1465 | Adults 65 years of age and older can get pro bono legal aid in non-criminal matters from this nonprofit organization’s professional attorneys. Its elder law-specific practice areas can help you defend against eviction proceedings, claim public benefits to which you may be entitled, avoid common senior business scams and more. |
| Framingham State University Continuing Education for Senior Citizens | (508) 620-1220 | If you’re a Massachusetts resident and at least 60 years old, you’re eligible to take for-credit classes at state universities without having to pay tuition. At Framingham and some other universities, you’ll still need to pay program and class fees. Get in touch with a state university’s admissions department for specific rules regarding its treatment of the waiver. |
| REquipment | (508) 713-9690 | This medical equipment reuse nonprofit is based in Methuen, just 2 miles north of Lawrence. REquipment offers open-ended loans of safety and mobility equipment such as walkers, bed rails and shower chairs. There is no cost to participate in the program beyond a $20 delivery fee, which may be waived in certain cases. |
| City of Lawrence Veteran Services | (978) 620-3282 | Veterans of the military, and in some cases their dependents, may contact this office for help with questions regarding VA financial and medical support. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Lawrence 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.
