Doolittle Home has both men and women as residents. 

Resident World War II veterans Howard, Bob and Will celebrate July 4 as nurse Linda raises a new flag.

To become a resident at Doolittle Home, do you have to turn over all your assets and income to the home?  Do you have to be rich to get in?

There are currently two entry options for residents. Life Care requires one initial payment plus Social Security and/or Pension. The Residency Plan is based on a monthly fee for the duration of the residency. Residents satisfy these costs in a variety of ways.

Under the Life Care Plan, we prepare a customized estimate of the cost of care for the remainder of his/her estimated life span based on actuarial tables for each resident. That is the one-time Life Care fee which assures care for life. That fee is immediately reduced to present day value and further offset by monthly Social Security, Pension or other income.  Many residents have sold their modest homes or converted other assets, paid their admission, and still retain investments of their own.  This fee covers comprehensive Life Care services under which residents are cared for all of their days, regardless of changes in health or finances, assuring peace of mind to residents and their families. There are no additional charges for care.

Under the Doolittle Residency Plan, residents pay a monthly fee that provides a room in the retirement unit, housekeeping services, all meals and medical supervision of medication.  Services are provided as long as health and finances permit. The Residency Plan also includes 14 days per year on the Nursing Unit, non-accumulative. There is a charge for additional time on the Nursing Unit.

As a public charity, Doolittle Home offers services at a lower cost than what is available on the open market.  Therefore, Doolittle Home provides outstanding care for less than other retirement facilities with long-term care options.  Doolittle Home is not for everyone, however, since residents must be ambulatory and able to care for themselves upon admission. Under the Life Care plan, as their health changes, they can enjoy the full amenities of the Nursing Unit at no added cost to the family but there is an accelerated draw against their existing Life Care account.

To explore the option that best meets your needs, please call Doolittle Home. 

 Connie and Dot enjoy wine and cheese with Beth.

Aren’t on-going fees to remain a resident very high?

There are no incremental fees at Doolittle Home with the exception of residents in the retirement section of the Home in need of increased medical services as an alternative to moving to the Nursing Unit. For Life Care residents, this cost would be covered at no additional expense to the resident but the monthly drawdown of Life Care funds would be accelerated. For Residency Plan residents, the contract allows an additional charge.

Under the Life Care option, the admissions fee is comprehensive and provides for services throughout the life of the resident.  The up-front fee covers the resident’s room, 3 meals a day plus snacks, medication management, nursing staff, activities, etc.  If it becomes necessary to move the resident to the nursing unit, that cost is covered as well.  Once an individual is accepted as a life care resident, there is no additional fee, just total peace of mind for the resident and their loved ones.

Under the Residency Plan, there are no incremental fees for service on top of the monthly fee which includes 14 days annually in the Nursing Unit. For increased medical services while still in the retirement unit, there could be an additional cost under the contract.

Are residents "evicted" when their money runs out?

The Life Care contract with residents at Doolittle Home is for life. They are cared for with dignity, compassion and whatever support is necessary until they take their last breath. Even if a resident outlives his/her actuarial life expectancy, all services are provided at no additional cost to the resident or the family. Moving to the Nursing Unit would result in an excellerated drawdown of funds, but no additional charge to the family. Under the Residency Plan, services are provided on a month-to-month basis until finances or health dictate changes.

 Irma enjoys a holiday visit from the cub scouts

To become a resident at Doolittle Home, do you have to belong to a specific religion or church? 

As a public charity, Doolittle Home is non-denominational.  Residents of all faiths are welcome.  Our curent residents represent many different religious backgrounds.  Non-denominational services are held each week at the Home with various members of the local clergy presiding. We strive to have all faiths of our residents reflected in the guest clergy over the course of a year. 

If a resident dies or decides to leave the home after just a few years, what happens to the up-front payment?

If someone dies or leaves the home before his/her life care funds are exhausted, 90% of the unused balance of the Life Care funds are returned minus a $10,000 administrative fee after current expenses for care are deducted. With the Residency Plan, payment is on a month-to-month basis for services.

If a resident’s health deteriorates, must they move to another facility?

Doolittle Home has a fully accredited nursing unit on-site which is staffed with licensed personnel 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Residents may have to go to the hospital when medically necessary and doctors frequently discharge them to a rehab facility temporarily. If Doolittle Home can provide those same services in-house, we opt to bring the resident back here into familiar surroundings for their rehabilitation. All other care is provided at Doolittle Home under the Life Care Plan.  While in the nursing unit, residents are cared for by the staff members they know, continue to eat their meals in the dining room with their friends, and participate in appropriate activities.  Should a resident require skilled nursing or rehabilitation care not available at Doolittle Home, it is the responsibility of Doolittle Home to secure appropriate care at a skilled facility for the resident.  Care is provided for the life of the resident, regardless of their changing medical needs under the Life Care Plan.  Nursing Unit services are available for 14 days each year to Residency Plan residents.

 Activities Director Roz leads a spirited game of Trivia with resident Anne concentrating on the answers

 Isn’t Doolittle Home a highly profitable corporation making lots of money off wealthy old people?

Doolittle Home is a non-profit organization organized under section 501 c (3) of the IRS code.  Residents pay a portion of the actual cost of their care.  Doolittle relies on contributions and investment income to supplement the payment from the residents and to provide care for those who can not afford their own care.

Isn’t Doolittle Home managed by a large company, out of state, which runs many different retirement homes?

No one "owns" the Doolittle Home.  The assets are pledged to the corporation.  Unlike many other retirement homes, Doolittle is privately and independently managed by a volunteer board of local officers and trustees. Prior to each board meeting, trustees participate in a social hour with the residents.

Edna demonstrates the new adjustable diagnostics table purchased with the proceeds of the 2009 auction.

Isn’t Doolittle Home a nursing home?

Doolittle Home is licensed by the State of Massachusetts as a retirement facility which also provides for the medical needs of the residents in a fully accredited nursing unit. If you visit Doolittle, you will quickly see that it is quite unlike any retirement or long term care option on the market today.  Those investigating options for an elderly relative will quickly learn that there are many different types of facilities meant to address different needs.  While there are many different models to choose from, Doolittle Home’s life care approach is unique.  We encourage your visit to compare for yourself.  In the latest state survey of elder care facilities, Doolittle Home ranked #1 in the state for both personal care of residents and the physical facility.  Doolittle Home exceeded state averages in every category reported.