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Senior Assisted Living FAQs

Transitioning to senior living can be difficult for the senior, as well as for their family members. There are lots of questions about the future, and answers can be tricky to find. We’ve compiled a list of senior living FAQs as a resource for your family.

If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, we’re here to help. Contact us anytime and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Financial Planning

How much does assisted living cost? And what’s included?

Costs vary depending on the level of care and the apartment style selected. Our monthly fees typically include a private apartment, three daily meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, activities, and access to care services.

Learn more about our pricing and what’s included.

There are several ways to pay for assisted living, including private funds, long-term care insurance, veteran benefits, and other programs. Our team can walk you through your options and help identify the best plan for your family.

Explore payment options here.

Medicare does not typically cover the cost of assisted living, but it may cover certain healthcare services residents receive while living in our communities. 

Learn more about what Medicare may or may not cover.

All of our residents sign an initial one-year lease to create a sense of stability. After that time, the lease will automatically transition to a month-to-month agreement. You and your family can decide to terminate residency at any time with a 30-day written notice.

Assisted Living FAQs for Family

When can I visit my parent or loved one? Are there any visitation restrictions?
We welcome visitors any time of the day or night. These are our residents’ homes. If they want you here, we want you here too! Overnight stays by family members can be arranged; please connect with the executive director of the community in advance.

Yes. We offer respite care for short-term stays, which can range from a few days to several weeks. Respite care is temporary care provided for older adults who need support while their primary caregiver is unavailable. This is a great option if a caregiver is away, if your loved one wants to try out community life before making a longer commitment, or if you need a break to prevent caregiver burnout.

Yes, we do. Reflections is a community here at The Arbors and The Ivy dedicated to senior residents with memory concerns, including Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our staff are specially trained to provide compassionate, personalized care in a secure and supportive environment.

Learn more about Reflections memory care.

Resident safety is a top priority in all our communities. Depending on the location, residents may have access to emergency call systems, such as pull cords in bedrooms and bathrooms, or wearable pendants. In our memory care neighborhoods, we focus on proactive safety measures—such as regular wellness checks, overnight hourly rounds, and thoughtfully designed programs that keep residents engaged, supervised, and supported throughout the day.

We offer tiered levels of care to meet changing health needs. Whether your loved one needs more support with daily tasks or additional healthcare coordination, we’re here to help.

Find out more about our senior living options.

Family involvement is a core part of life at The Arbors and The Ivy. We maintain regular communication with families and encourage loved ones to reach out directly to our care teams at any time. Some communities also offer family events and service plan meetings to stay connected and informed.

Life at The Arbors and The Ivy

What are your dining services like? Can you accommodate specific dietary needs?

Yes! We offer a variety of options at each meal to accommodate dietary needs. Meals can also be adjusted in consideration of allergies or modified due to medical needs. Meals are served three times a day in a restaurant-style dining room, and all of our communities have a pub open 24/7 for snacks and drinks.

Learn more about dining at The Arbors and The Ivy.

Yes. Each community has:

  • Medication management support, including assistance with self-administered and limited administration medications
  • Nursing staff on-site seven days a week and available after hours
  • 24/7 staffing and emergency call systems
  • On-site and third-party healthcare visits, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and podiatry
We allow all emotional support and service animals. Residents are required to provide documentation confirming that their pet falls into one of these categories. During your stay with us, you’ll be responsible for providing care for your pet, including food, grooming, and exercising. The Arbors and The Ivy do not provide these services. Your pet must also be well-trained and not a danger to anyone in our community, including staff and residents.

Absolutely! We want our residents to feel comfortable and at home, and we encourage everyone to personalize their apartment with their own furnishings and décor. Each apartment comes with standard features, including a kitchenette with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and sink, as well as large, easy-to-access bathrooms with walk-in showers. You’re welcome to make the space your own and create a home that reflects your personal style.

Each resident has their own private apartment with a locking door and individual climate control. While care and support are always available, residents enjoy privacy, independence, and the freedom to live comfortably on their own terms.

Yes. Our Watertown, Ellington, and Dracut centers provide scheduled weekly transportation for activities and medical appointments. Each of these locations also offers transportation to local healthcare visits by appointment, using a dedicated van and driver. Appointments can be scheduled through the front desk.

All of our communities have a larger van available for regular shopping trips, grocery runs, and group outings.

At our other locations, residents can access transportation through local services such as PVTA, MBTA (with senior cards), or town-specific programs like “The Ride.” We’re happy to help coordinate and provide more information about these options.

Explore other amenities and services here.

Touring Our Communities

How do I schedule a tour? Do you offer virtual tours?

Scheduling a tour is easy. You can book an in-person or virtual tour online or by calling your preferred community.

Schedule your tour here.

During your visit, you’ll meet with a member of our team, explore the community, see apartment options, and get your questions answered. You’ll have the chance to experience the energy and warmth of our residents and staff—and understand why so many families choose The Arbors and The Ivy.

Reach Out to Us Today and Get Your Senior Living Questions Answered

As you’re determining where your loved one should spend their golden years, these are the questions you should ask the senior living communities you may be considering.

For more information reach out to us at 860.698.8613. It’s our pleasure to discuss any additional questions you may have.

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