Compass on the Bay

Assisted living and memory care community in South Boston, Suffolk County, near the waterfront. Special Care Unit meets the Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure requirements under 651 CMR 12.00.

Massachusetts regulatory information

Compass on the Bay is located in the Greater Boston area and is regulated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), which certifies Assisted Living Residences under M.G.L. Chapter 19D and 651 CMR 12.00, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), which licenses nursing homes under M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 71. Assisted Living Residence (ALR) certified at Level II (enhanced/SCU) by EOEA under M.G.L. Chapter 19D and 651 CMR 12.00 — Massachusetts has no separate memory-care license, so dementia care is delivered within a Level II Special Care Unit (SCU) meeting the Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure requirements.

Verify this facility's certification/license, inspection history, and any deficiency citations on the Mass.gov DPH/EOEA facility search →

MassHealth: Massachusetts residents who qualify for facility level of care may be eligible for MassHealth's Frail Elder Waiver and Senior Care Options (SCO) integrated Medicare-Medicaid plans. The MassHealth Frail Elder Waiver, administered through regional Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs), can cover personal care and supports usable in some community settings or at home, but it does not pay for ALR room and board. Not all facilities accept MassHealth — confirm directly with the provider.

South Boston location & hospital context

Compass on the Bay is located in South Boston, Suffolk County, MA. Nearby hospitals include Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Greater Boston veterans are served by the VA Boston Healthcare System (West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Brockton campuses), along with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans' Services and the Massachusetts Veterans Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke. Veterans and surviving spouses may be eligible for VA Aid & Attendance toward care costs.

Typical cost of memory care in South Boston

In 2026, Memory Care in Greater Boston typically runs $7,200–$10,000/mo. Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge communities tend to run toward the higher end, while Dorchester, Mattapan, Everett, Malden, Lynn, and Revere run comparatively lower (still above the national average). The exact rate at Compass on the Bay depends on room type and care level — request a written rate schedule before comparing options.

How to evaluate Compass on the Bay

Staffing and transparency are the most important signals at any certified community. Find out the awake-overnight staffing level, caregiver turnover, and the tenure of the administrator. Ask for an itemized, all-in monthly rate for your parent's specific care level, and what triggers a move to a higher-cost care tier. Visit more than once, unannounced, and check the certification and inspection record with the Mass.gov DPH/EOEA facility search.

Questions to ask on your tour

• What is the overnight caregiver-to-resident ratio?
• How long have the administrator and head caregiver been in their roles?
• What care needs would require a resident to transfer to a higher level of care?
• How are medications managed, and how are errors tracked?
• Are you certified as ALR Level I or Level II/SCU by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), and do you have dementia-trained staff on every shift?
• What activities are offered seven days a week?
• How do you handle a resident fall or medical emergency at 2 a.m.?
• Can I visit unannounced after we've signed the residency agreement?
• Do you have any current DPH/EOEA citations or enforcement actions on the facility search?
• Do you accept the MassHealth Frail Elder Waiver, Senior Care Options (SCO), or VA Aid & Attendance?
• If my parent needs dementia care, is your staff training current under Massachusetts's Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure standards?

Other memory care communities in Greater Boston

• Sherrill House — Jamaica Plain, MA
• NewBridge on the Charles — Dedham, MA
• Hebrew Rehabilitation Center — Roslindale, MA
• EPOCH Senior Living at Chestnut Hill — Chestnut Hill, MA