Before a resident signs a residency agreement and moves in, the state says the residence must arrange an in-person assessment by a nurse. Read the agreement closely, because fees and service plans can change and the state's cover sheet says an assisted living residence is not a nursing home.
Key points
- A nurse must do an in-person initial assessment before the resident signs and moves in.
- The state's cover sheet says an assisted living residence is not a nursing home, and nurses are not always on site.
- If you are comparing residences, compare their residency agreements line by line.
- Monthly fees can change with advance notice, and the service plan can be reassessed.
- Residents can file a complaint at any time with the Assisted Living Ombudsman or the state's certification unit.
- Plan the move around the new room's size, and ask the residence about move-in rules.
What the state requires first
Assisted living residences in Massachusetts are certified under state regulations at 651 CMR 12.00. The agency that oversees them is the Executive Office of Aging & Independence. Before the resident signs a residency agreement and moves in, the residence must arrange an in-person initial assessment by a nurse. That conversation should cover services, what they cost, and services that might be needed later.
Read the residency agreement
The state publishes an informational cover sheet that goes with the agreement. It says an assisted living residence is not a nursing home, and that nurses are not always in the building, so ask how often and when they are. If needs grow past what the residence provides, the resident may have to arrange and pay for private care.
Agreements are expected to cover services, fees and refund policies, admission and discharge criteria, resident rights, and staffing and emergency procedures. If you are looking at more than one residence, put the documents side by side.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before move-in | The residence must arrange an in-person initial assessment by a nurse before the agreement is signed and the resident moves in.Source: Mass.gov, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Mass.gov retrieved 2026-10-26 |
| Level of care | The state's cover sheet says an assisted living residence is not a nursing home. Nurses are not always on site.Source: Mass.gov, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Mass.gov retrieved 2026-10-26 |
| Fees and service plans | Monthly fees can be updated with advance notice, and the service plan can be reassessed, which can raise monthly costs.Source: Mass.gov, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Mass.gov retrieved 2026-10-26 |
| Complaints | Residents can file a complaint at any time with the Assisted Living Ombudsman or the state's Assisted Living Certification Unit.Source: Mass.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29 | Mass.gov retrieved 2026-10-29 |
Questions to ask the residence
- What is included in the monthly fee, and what is billed separately?
- How much notice do you give before fees or the service plan change?
- How often are nurses on site, and who covers overnight?
- What happens if care needs grow? Under what conditions can the residence end the residency?
- Is a trial or respite stay available before signing a long-term agreement?
- What are the move-in rules: elevator reservations, hours, parking, and where the movers can unload?
Planning the move itself
A room is much smaller than a house, so the hard part is deciding what comes. Measure the room, ask the residence what furniture is allowed, and lay out a floor plan before sorting. Plan the rest of the house in a second pass: items for family, for donation, and for a later cleanout. Large leftovers can go through an estate cleanout once the move is done. If the residence is in Mashpee, our notes on senior living and memory care moves in Mashpee cover what to tell a mover before the day.
- Move the bed, a favorite chair, medications, glasses and important papers first, so the room feels set up on day one.
- Label every box by room, and keep a short list of what is where.
- Confirm the elevator or loading dock reservation in writing.
- Tell the residence what time the movers will arrive.
Next step
See our page on senior and assisted living moves, or read the overview on our moving page. To ask about a date, request a quote or call (508) 400-5788 any time, 24 hours a day. After the move, our checklist covers what to update after you move. For a residence in Falmouth, see senior moves and downsizing in Falmouth.
Common questions
Is assisted living the same as a nursing home?
No. The state's cover sheet says an assisted living residence is not a nursing home, and nurses are not always on site. Ask how often and when nurses are in the building.
Does a nurse assess the resident before move-in?
Yes. Before the resident signs a residency agreement and moves in, the residence must arrange an in-person initial assessment by a nurse.
Can the monthly fee change?
It can. The state's cover sheet says fees can be updated with advance notice and that a reassessed service plan can raise monthly costs. Read the notice terms in the agreement.
Where can a resident file a complaint?
Residents can file a complaint at any time with the Assisted Living Ombudsman or the state's Assisted Living Certification Unit, according to the state's cover sheet for residency agreements.
Planning a move or a cleanout?
Sources
- Mass.gov, Assisted Living Residences, retrieved 2026-10-26, https://www.mass.gov/assisted-living-residences
- Mass.gov, 651 CMR 12.00: Certification procedures and standards for assisted living residences, retrieved 2026-10-26, https://www.mass.gov/doc/651-cmr-12-certification-procedures-and-standards-for-assisted-living-residences/download
- Mass.gov, Residency Agreement Informational Cover Sheet, retrieved 2026-10-26, https://www.mass.gov/doc/resident-agreement-informational-cover-sheet/download
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm details with the agency linked above.