105 Independent Living near Facilities Somerville, MA. Page 3

Independent Living

For seniors who desire to live primarily without personal care assistance but would like the convenience of having chores and housekeeping taken care of by professionalls, an Independent Living Community could be the perfect fit. Frequent needs such as housekeeping and the scheduling of social activities are accounted for, which provides seniors more opportunities to live active lives as they wish. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to be among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and interests. Residents’ quarters consist of private living spaces, each with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering an opportunity to entertain guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies differ between locations, many residences allow pets as well. If medical or nursing support is desired, residents may always utilize the services of private caregivers. There are a variety of expenses and benefits to consider when deciding on an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are covered in your plan: initial assessment fee, transportation, move-in fee, wellness program, private phone, utilities, cable TV, and meals. The amenities that pertain to independent living include security guards, healthcare center, beauty salon & barber shop, private rental hall, restaurant-style dining hall, transportation, game/TV room, and concierge services.

Demographics and Values

In Somerville, 2.4% of the people are veterans of the United States armed forces. Out of the total city population, 50.3% are male and 49.7% are female. The median age of Somerville is 32 years old. Racially, the population of Somerville is 0.2% Native American, 6.6% black, 2.9% other or not specified, 77.2% white, 9.6% Asian, 3.6% mixed race, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, and 9.9% Hispanic. Somerville has a population density of 7,616 people per square mile. The total population of Somerville consists of 81,360 people. Out of the total population of Somerville, 77.8% participate in the labor force, 8.2% have some form of disability, 3.7% do not have health insurance, and 12.4% live in poverty. In terms of education, 29.4% have a graduate degree, 61.2% have a college degree, and 16.6% have a high-school diploma.

Cost of Living

The neighborhood where a care community is based might have a significant influence on the price of care. The total cost of living can be a big influence when choosing which care choice works for your loved one’s needs. Somerville has a median home value of about $558,312 and the median cost of rent is $1,943 per month per month. The rent burden for Somerville is around 21.1% of the average monthly income.

State Information

An overview of Massachusetts

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. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Massachusetts citizen is ranked 8th nation-wide. Additionally, Massachusetts is ranked 2nd by healthcare standards. The natural beauty of Massachusetts is ranked 26th in the nation. The state of Massachusetts has 78 hospitals and 129 health centers, providing care to a population of 6,941,273. The three highest ranked hospitals in Massachusetts are Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and New England Baptist Hospital.

Social demographics of the state

During the latest presidential election, 33% voted for the Republican candidate while 60% voted for the Democratic candidate. The state has a median age of 39 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55. The state of Massachusetts ranks 16th in the country for diversity and the state is considered very LGBTQ friendly. In terms of religion, 23% of Massachusetts residents attend religious services among the 4,200 different congregations that are available in the state. 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

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%. During the winter, the average temperature in Massachusetts drops 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. During the summer, the average temperature in Massachusetts is 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. On average, the state receives 4.04 inches of precipitation a month. The most precipitation occurs in May with an average of 6.10 inches of precipitation a month. The average air quality index rating in Massachusetts is 38.9 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 47.5 AQI. 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, eastern red cedar, American linden, and butterfly weed. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the new england aster, the bobcats, the black bears, or the spotted geranium. The state animal of Massachusetts is the woodchucks.