The Willows Retirement Community - SALMON Health and Retirement is a senior living community at 1 Lyman Street in Westborough, Massachusetts, and people have been describing it as a warm place where older adults can pick between independent living cottages, apartments, and assisted living, with skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care also on campus, making it a full-service, continuing care retirement community that's been open since 1995. The Willows offers many types of help, so if someone wants to keep their independence, they can, but if they need extra care, they'll find support for daily routines, medication, special nursing, and even hospice. There are specialized services, like Tapestry Memory Care for folks with memory challenges, and plenty of home care options, whether it's for short-term recovery, long-term nursing, or respite care, with staff like nurses, Alzheimer's professionals, and aides working throughout the many buildings, though there have been some periods where finding enough staff was tough, but most visitors still give high marks to the people working there.
Residents live in apartments or cottages that are spacious and maintenance-free, with floor plans to pick from, kitchenettes in some places, and a choice of private or shared setups, all with cable TV, Wi-Fi, and phone, and they can change things like cabinets and flooring to suit their taste. Meals are a highlight, with an award-winning chef and meal planners making food in two dining rooms, and folks also have options for meal delivery, homemaker help, and companion services as needed. There's a bank, library, barbershop/salon, and even a day spa on-site; older adults spend time in book clubs, cooking groups, gardening in the rose and flower beds, or working in a woodworking shop, and people often mention the variety of activities, from fitness and exercise classes to trips, gardening, movie nights, and day trips out to the museums or stores.
Transportation, therapy, and home health care are available, and the community has adult day care and home care services through SALMON, so it's possible for residents to age in place. Some people still drive and are very active, like joining in on the gardening club, running the small convenience store, or leading groups. Outdoor areas, including a plant room and lots of flower beds, give residents open-air spaces, and there are accessible features throughout for people who have trouble getting around. Housekeeping and maintenance are all included, and there's a sense that most people can stay as independent as they like but also get personal care, exercise, or even just someone to spend time with if they're lonely.
Facilities like The Willows at Westborough are part of the wider SALMON Health and Retirement network, which aims to personalize care, and while no place is perfect or without its challenges, the reviews, including a recent 9.2 out of 10 for satisfaction, show many are glad to call it home.
