Senior living services at The Waterford at Fitchburg

A senior living community is not a nursing home. The main difference between a senior living community and a nursing home (often called a skilled nursing facility) is the level of medical care provided to residents. 

Senior living communities do not provide medical care or clinical support, whereas nursing homes do. A nursing home provides around-the-clock care and is suitable for those with ongoing medical conditions that need long-term, skilled care. A senior living community is better suited for older adults who may need help with everyday activities but do not require 24/7 clinical care.

Assisted living is a kind of senior living that provides a higher level of care than an independent living community. A senior in an assisted living community likely needs more attention than one who is in independent living. At assisted living communities, residents can get help with everyday activities like help with mobility, incontinence care, support bathing/getting dressed, help with meals and more through personalized care plans.

At our community, staff are on-call 24/7 to respond to resident needs or emergencies. We offer social activities, meals, support with chores like housekeeping and laundry, medication management and help with tasks like bathing and getting dressed. Residents generally have their own apartments, although some communities offer shared apartments to make them more affordable.

There are many factors that affect pricing. This includes the type of apartment, such as a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment. However, the cost of senior living at our community in Fitchburg begins at $2,835 for independent living and $4,660 for assisted living per month.

Moving to an independent and assisted living community can help you save money! Expenses that are usually included as part of the monthly rent include utilities, basic cable and Wi-Fi (in some communities), groceries, meals, dining service, cleaning/housekeeping, maintenance, transportation services, and of course, activities to keep you entertained! 

There are many options available to help pay for independent and assisted living, including long-term care insurance policies, life insurance conversions, bridge loans and more.

Many independent and assisted living communities offer on-site care, like physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, through partnerships with care providers. These communities also have on-site home health, hospice and/or medical providers who can make home visits for residents.

Respite care, also known as temporary care, refers to a short-term stay at a senior living community. The stay ranges from a few days to a few weeks in a furnished apartment with access to community amenities and services. 

We offer this option for seniors in need of temporary residence. That could be due to a caregiver’s absence or a recent illness or injury, or even just for those who want to try out our community before making a permanent move.