Fitch Home

Fitch Home in Melrose, Massachusetts, has served seniors since 1919 as a private non-profit retirement home with a long history and strong ties to the community, and you'll find a place that really feels like home, not just an institution, offering independent senior living, assisted care, and short-term senior living including respite stays for visitors, caretakers on leave, or those needing temporary care. The building sits on spacious grounds by Ell Pond with welcoming porches, patios, and inviting common areas where people tend to gather, and there's always a warm, friendly atmosphere that comes from both the staff and other residents. Rooms can be private with their own baths or suites, and folks are encouraged to bring their own furnishings so it feels familiar, plus every room comes with its own temperature control, cable and internet, and some have mini refrigerators, so it's geared toward comfort and privacy. There's 24-hour staff and nurses on site, and the staff are trained to help with daily chores, wellness, appointments, and medicine, along with daily wellness checks and personal assistance as needed, and residents can join exercise programs, morning stretches, and a full activities calendar that encourages hobbies, socializing, and staying active. All meals are home-cooked and served with care, with options for guest dining if family wants to visit, and laundry and housekeeping are included so there's less to worry about. There's also an emergency call system in every unit for peace of mind. Residents get to enjoy the beauty of the grounds with off-street parking, spacious lawns, and plenty of places to relax outside, and the Home keeps up with building codes, has fire escapes, and policies that have hardly changed since the early days. Fitch Home has a minimum age requirement of 65 and was created as a charitable trust, so it's always tried to keep a welcoming approach and a sense of stability for everyone, letting residents live with as much comfort and independence as possible, and the staff work hard to make sure everyone feels seen and cared for without forcing a lot of rules or restrictions. The community also offers various informational resources on their website, like history overviews, a gallery, FAQs, tools for booking tours, and ways to get involved or donate, and with regular activities, wellness consultations, and the ability for family to drop in during weekday hours, there's a steady flow of support and involvement to round out the experience.