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Nestled on the shore of Lake Champlain in Northwestern Vermont, Burlington is the state’s largest city with a population of just over 42,800. This small city was recently named one of top 100 best places to live by Livability.
Assisted living facilities are designed to serve, house and support people who need some help with personal care or activities of daily living. They’re often an ideal option for seniors who do not need skilled nursing-level care but would benefit from a community setting. While prices are high in Burlington, with an average monthly cost of $6,371, the average rates in neighboring Massachusetts are higher.
For seniors interested in assisted living here, we’ve put together more detailed cost comparisons, a list of financial resources and information on local assisted living laws and regulations.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Vermont. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, Burlington area seniors pay approximately $6,371 per month for assisted living.
With the Burlington area’s monthly assisted living costs averaging $6,371, seniors here pay approximately $1,100 more per month than Vermont’s average. Additionally, Vermont’s average price is $750 more than the overall monthly national average of $4,500.
While Burlington is the only area of Vermont specifically shown in the survey, it’s the most expensive compared to the surrounding major cities. Assisted living prices are $4,287 less expensive per month in Pittsfield, MA, than Burlington. The closest expense for this type of care compared to Burlington is $6,053 in Manchester, NH. Average prices in other cities nearby include the $5,269 rate in Albany, NY, $5,048 in Springfield, MA, and $4,250 in Glen Falls, NY.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Vermont.
| Contact | Description | |
| Age Well | (800) 642-5119 | As the Area Agency on Aging for Northwestern Vermont, Age Well provides information and assistance to seniors in Burlington. Seniors can call Age Well’s helpline to learn about long-term care services, Medicaid waivers, legal services and other resources. It also offers exercise classes for seniors with osteoarthritis, including tai chi. |
| Vermont Center for Independent Living | (800) 639-1522 | The Vermont Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities. Some of its programs may benefit seniors who live in assisted living communities. Through the Vermont Equipment Distribution Program, the organization provides adaptive technology equipment to seniors. This may include text telephones and voice-activated equipment. It also offers the Vermont Interpreter Referral Service, which can help seniors find sign language interpreters for medical appointments and other situations. |
| Vermont Legal Aid | (800) 889-2047 | A nonprofit law firm, Vermont Legal Aid provides free legal services to people over 60. These services range from brief advice to full legal representation. It can assist with a broad range of civil legal issues, including appeals for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other public benefits. Seniors who have legal issues are asked to call or fill out the online help request form. Individuals who want to represent themselves can take advantage of the free tools and information on the firm’s VTLawHelp.org website. |
| Champlain Senior Center | (802) 316-1510 | Champlain Senior Center offers many activities and programs for Burlington’s older adults. Its fun activities include bingo, chair yoga and painting classes. The center also has flu shot clinics, fall prevention classes and other health programming. Every Tuesday and Thursday, seniors can visit the center to enjoy a bagged lunch. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. Seniors are required to sign up for classes, programs and lunches in advance. |
| United Way of Northwest Vermont | (802) 864-7541 | United Way of Northwest Vermont is a nonprofit organization that offers several programs for seniors. It sponsors the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a national program that helps people aged 55 and older find volunteering opportunities. Seniors can choose where and how often they volunteer. United Way also sponsors the Foster Grandparent program. Seniors who participate in this program get the opportunity to help children in schools, youth facilities or one-on-one settings. |
| Vermont Assistive Technology Program | (800) 750-6355 | The Vermont Assistive Technology Program helps seniors find assistive technologies that suit their needs. These technologies include utensil grips, smart pens and speech-generating devices. Seniors can visit the Tryout Center in Burlington to explore the many technologies available to them. The program offers free 30-day loans so seniors can test equipment. In addition, the program can direct seniors toward funding resources. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Burlington area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
