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Taunton is a smaller city in the southern part of Massachusetts, about 30 miles south of Boston and 18 miles west of Providence, Rhode Island. Seniors aged 65 and older comprise 15% of its population of 59,408. While its cost of living is eight points above the national average, its cost of health care is 18 points below. Taunton’s climate is more temperate than many places in Massachusetts. It scores 7/10 on the Best Places Comfort Index, which makes it one of the more comfortable places to live in the Bay State. Financially, seniors aged 65 and older are allowed a $700 tax exemption on state income taxes. Since it is close to Boston and Providence, residents of Taunton have numerous opportunities to visit great museums, attend professional sports games and enjoy fine dining experiences.
The Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020 puts the cost of assisted living in Taunton at $4,950. This average is only an estimate that may fluctuate based on the facility chosen and the services offered.
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 >
Taunton’s monthly average assisted living cost of $4,950 is the lowest in Massachusetts. It’s more than $1,100 lower than the state average of $6,085 but $650 higher than the national monthly average of $4,300. Regionally, Massachusetts has one of the higher costs of assisted living. Only New Hampshire, at $6,650 a month, is more expensive. Assisted living in Vermont costs $5,310, while in Rhode Island, it averages $4,950 a month. New York has the lowest regional cost, at $4,800 a month.
In Massachusetts, Barnstable on Cape Cod has the most expensive cost of assisted living, averaging $6,338 a month. Boston is $1,150 more expensive than Taunton at $6,100 a month. Worcester, just to the west of Boston, is $538 more expensive, averaging $5,488 a month. Springfield, home to the basketball Hall of Fame, costs an additional $800, averaging $5,750 a month. Pittsfield, close to the northern border with New York, is $839 a month more expensive at $5,789.
Note: Data for Taunton was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Providence, RI, was used instead.
If a senior qualifies for Medicaid, known in Massachusetts as MassHealth, and requires help with at least one activity of daily living, such as grooming, bathing, eating or mobility, they could qualify for Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC). This benefit helps pay for personal care services for seniors who reside in a GAFC-certified facility.
For more information about programs that offer financial assistance for seniors in assisted living facilities, visit our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page.
| Resource | Contact | Description |
| Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) | (617) 210-5480 | Veterans and their dependents can look to the DMV for help with issues related to education, housing, employment, mental health and benefits. For senior veterans, their spouses or their survivors, DMV operates two veterans’ homes, in Chelsea and in Holyoke, that provide assisted living facilities, memory care units and skilled nursing care. |
| Massachusetts Optional State Supplement | (877) 863-1128 | Seniors who receive federal Social Security Income (SSI) may also qualify to receive the Massachusetts Optional State Supplement. This provides financial assistance to help with the cost of residing in an assisted living facility approved by the Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) plan. To qualify to receive the funds, the facility must be eligible for the program. |
| Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) | (800) 243-4636 | Seniors who qualify for Medicare and their caregivers can get help understanding the different plans available. The trained volunteer counselors at SHINE provide confidential and free guidance about issues concerning Medicare, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Programs, prescription plans, Medigap and Long-Term Care Insurance. None of the counselors is employed by a health care company, so they are unbiased. |
| Legal Help For Elders | (800) 342-5297 | Seniors aged 60 and above can get free information on matters of civil law from this program, which is operated by the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Boston. Seniors can receive free legal advice or referrals on issues such as veterans’ benefits, unemployment, nursing home care, wills, advanced directives, family law and bankruptcy. If the project can’t help a senior, it will refer them to a reduced fee attorney who will charge for their services based on a sliding scale. |
| Executive Office of Elder Affairs | (617) 727-7750 | The Executive Office of Elder Affairs maintains an entire resource section on assisted living in Massachusetts. This includes a directory of assisted living facilities in the state as well as information on programs that can reduce the cost of staying in an assisted living facility. Seniors will find information on eligibility for these programs and how to apply. |
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs maintains rules and regulations about assisted living in Massachusetts, as well as information on the rights of every assisted living resident.
To learn more about the rules and regulations about assisted living in Massachusetts, visit our Assisted Living In Massachusetts page.
