30 Independent Living near Facilities Northborough, MA. Page 2

Independent Living

Many seniors may be capable of living without assistance, but cost of owning a home and the upkeep of daily tasks and chores might be a deterrent to enjoying an otherwise independent life. Independent Living Communities provide a solid solution to this situation. Basic needs such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and social activities is provided, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they wish, free from daily obligations. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to be among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and interests. Typically comprised of a private living space and a full kitchen, these communities offer homes with many of the amenities of apartment life but with none of 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 tasks out of the way. While policies differ between locations, numerous residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always enlist the services of private caregivers. There are a number of costs and advantages to keep in mind when selecting an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are included in your care plan: internet access, Waiting list deposit, utilities, move-in fee, cable TV, laundry, initial assessment fee, and transportation. The benefits associated with independent living include private rental hall, transportation, game/TV room, concierge services, community activities, healthcare center, golf course, and restaurant-style dining hall.

Cost of Living

The total cost of living is a motivating factor when selecting what destination is the best fit for your loved one. Northborough has a median home value of about $389,885 and the median cost of rent is $2,127 per month. The rent burden for Northborough is around 20.7% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

In Northborough, 4.5% are widowed, 1.0% do not have health insurance, 70.9% participate in the labor force, and 8.5% have some form of disability. Based on gender, 50.5% are female and 49.5% are male. The median age of Northborough is 44 years old. In terms of education, 23.4% have a graduate degree, 55.2% have a college degree, and 18.6% have a high-school diploma. In Northborough, 6.9% of the population are veterans. Demographically, Northborough is 8.7% Asian, 3.1% Hispanic, 1.7% black, 0.8% other or not specified, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 86.5% white, and 2.0% mixed race. Northborough has a population density of 311 people per square mile. The current population of Northborough consists of 14,918 people.

State Information

An overview of Massachusetts

In terms of resources, Massachusetts has a cost of living index of 133.8, a grocery index rating of 113.9, and a housing index rating of 170.3. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything above 100 is considered more expensive than said average. The natural beauty of Massachusetts is ranked 26th in the nation. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Massachusetts citizen is ranked 8th nation-wide. Additionally, Massachusetts is ranked 2nd by healthcare standards. In total, Massachusetts has 78 general hospitals and 129 health centers that provide care for 6,941,273 citizens. The three highest ranked hospitals in Massachusetts are Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and New England Baptist Hospital.

Social demographics of the state

The state of Massachusetts ranks 16th in the country for diversity and the state is considered very LGBTQ friendly. The state has a median age of 39 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55. In the most recent presidential election, 33% of Massachusetts residents voted Republican and 60% voted Democrat. In terms of religious values, 23% of Massachusetts’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 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.

State-wide weather information

The average temperature in the summer rises to around 68F. The average high summer temperature is around 85F in 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. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 45F during the month of January. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 7F during the month of December. On average, the humidity rating for Massachusetts is around 71%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 71%. On average, Massachusetts has an air quality index rating of around 38.9 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 47.5 AQI. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of May at around 6.10 inches. On average, the state receives 4.04 inches of precipitation a month. 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 butterfly weed, eastern red cedar, American beech, and American linden. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the bats, the obedient plant, the spike gayfeather, or the bobcats. The state animal of Massachusetts is the woodchucks.