8 Best Independent Living Communities in Harwich, MA

Independent Living

For those who would wish to live primarily without assistance but wish for the convenience of having housekeeping taken care of by professionalls, an Independent Living Community might be the perfect choice. Basic chores such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and leisure activities is maintained, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they choose, free from daily obligations. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to be among peers, in a community with others of similar age groups and interests. Typically consisting of a private living area and a full kitchen, these communities offer homes with many of the amenities of apartment life but without the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and there will be more time to spend with them with the basic maintenance of daily chores out of the way. While policies differ between locations, many residences allow pets as well. If residents decide they would like to utilize the services of independent health care providers, they may always do so. There are a number of expenses and advantages to consider when determining an independent living community. It is important to learn if these services are covered in your care plan: private phone, utilities, field trips, internet access, cable TV, initial assessment fee, wellness program, and housekeeping. The benefits and amenities that pertain to independent living include concierge services, laundry service, transportation, healthcare center, beauty salon & barber shop, community activities, security guards, and restaurant-style dining hall.

Demographics and Values

Demographically, Harwich is 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.7% Hispanic, 0.1% Native American, 2.0% black, 94.1% white, 1.2% mixed race, and 1.4% other or not specified. In Harwich, 10.8% of the population are veterans of the United States military. Out of the total population of Harwich, 9.7% are widows, 14.1% have some form of disability, 3.1% do not have health insurance, and 57.0% participate in the labor force. Based on gender, 48.0% are male and 52.0% are female. The median age of Harwich is 56 years old. Harwich has a population density of 224 people per square mile. The current population of Harwich consists of 12,143 people. Of the population of Harwich 20.4% have a high-school diploma, 48.0% have a college degree, and 21.3% have a graduate degree.

Cost of Living

Senior living community price is influenced by the community where it is located. The rent burden for Harwich is around 21.1% of the average person’s monthly income. Harwich has a median home value of around $378,868 and the median cost of rent is about $1,337 per month per month.

State Information

An overview of Massachusetts

There are 78 general hospitals and 129 health centers that provide care for 6,941,273 Massachusetts residents. The top three hospitals in the state are considered to be Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and New England Baptist Hospital. The natural beauty of Massachusetts is ranked 26th in the nation. Out of a national average of 100, Massachusetts has a cost of living index rating of 134, a grocery index rating of 114, and a housing index rating of 170. In terms of personal well-being, Massachusetts ranks 2nd in healthcare and 8th in quality of life compared to other states.

Social demographics of the state

In the most recent presidential election, 33% of Massachusetts residents voted Republican and 60% voted Democrat. In Massachusetts, 23% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 4,200 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-9%, Mainline Protestant-10%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-3%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Massachusetts there are 27 masonic lodges. In terms of diversity, Massachusetts ranks 16th in the nation and is considered very LGBTQ friendly. The median age in the state is 39, and 30% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

On average, Massachusetts has an air quality index rating of around 38.9 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 47.5 AQI. During the summer, the average temperature in Massachusetts is around 68F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 85F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 50F in the month of June. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 28F. The average high winter temperature is around 45F in the month of January. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 7F during the month of December. The most precipitation occurs in May with an average of 6.10 inches of precipitation a month. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Massachusetts is around 4.04 inches. Massachusetts experiences an average humidity rating of about 71%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 71% in the month of December. While residents of Massachusetts mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Massachusetts can include hurricanes, earthquakes (moderate), and and tornadoes.

Wildlife to be found in Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of eastern hemlock, white spruce, flowering dogwood, and flowering dogwood. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the new england aster, the cut leaf coneflower, the obedient plant, or the black bears. The state animal of Massachusetts is the woodchucks.