METHUEN, Mass. — Two Massachusetts-based nonprofits have partnered to bring a new model of senior care to the Merrimack Valley, combining affordable housing with comprehensive healthcare services for older adults in Methuen and surrounding communities.
Element Care’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and the YWCA Greater Newburyport have opened a new PACE center at 14 Ingalls Court in Methuen, offering coordinated medical care, social services, and housing under one roof. The initiative aims to address both the growing demand for senior healthcare and the critical shortage of affordable housing for low-income older adults in Massachusetts.
The first-floor PACE center will provide an array of healthcare services, including primary and specialty care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, dental and vision care, transportation, meals, and social activities. Located in the same building, the YWCA Residences at Ingalls Court offer 48 affordable apartments designed to help seniors live independently while receiving onsite care and support.
“This model integrates housing with personalized, wraparound healthcare to help older adults age safely and comfortably in their communities,” said Douglas Thompson, CEO of Element Care. “We’re proud to launch this innovative center in Methuen to meet the growing needs of seniors across the region.”
PACE programs have been shown to reduce hospitalizations and improve overall quality of life for participants. The Methuen site is designed specifically to support low-income seniors, many of whom face barriers to accessing consistent, quality care.
The demand for services like these is only expected to grow. By 2035, nearly one in four Massachusetts residents will be 65 or older, increasing pressure on the state’s healthcare and housing systems.
John Feehan, executive director of YWCA Greater Newburyport, emphasized the thoughtful design of the housing units, which meet Passive Housing Standards for energy efficiency and include features like roll-in showers, wheelchair-accessible kitchens, and shared community spaces to encourage social engagement.
“We believe this is a transformative model for senior care—one that could be replicated across the Commonwealth and beyond,” Feehan said.
Thompson echoed that sentiment, calling the new center “a meaningful step toward improving the lives of older adults in Methuen, Lawrence, and the surrounding communities.”
