There comes a time when older adults may need a little extra support, whether that’s with home maintenance or personal care. Of U.S. adults aged 85 and older, 20% report needing or currently receiving help with daily living activities, such as eating, bathing, and taking medication.
At RiverWoods, we understand that this transition to assisted living is a big one, and we want to make the process as seamless as possible. Before we discuss what RiverWoods has to offer and pricing, let’s review what assisted living is and our approach to it.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of residential senior living for individuals who require assistance with daily care and everyday activities, but do not require ongoing medical treatment. This allows them to live as independently as possible while still receiving the care they need.
RiverWoods has three locations in northeast New Hampshire. We’re here to help you or your loved one with this transition, regardless of whether they are already a part of our community or not. Our community is filled with dynamic, engaged older adults who can enjoy life without the stress of having to take care of themselves fully.
“You know, we’ve seen people wait too long, and when you come to some place like this, there’s so much available that you want to be healthy enough and astute enough to take advantage of everything that’s available.” – Catherine and Chuck, current residents of RiverWoods Durham
Life at RiverWoods: What Our Assisted Living Residents Love Most
Assisted living is designed to preserve autonomy while providing the necessary support. At RiverWoods, we design a person-centered plan to help each resident reach their highest level ofautonomy
We empower residents to continue enjoying what they love while receiving the care they need. Person centered care is designed to support you as an individual, on your schedule, allowing you to live the life you want based on your needs and desires. Quality care is provided by compassionate professionals that you can trust seven days a week.
Daily Life and Community in Assisted Living
Moving to RiverWoods doesn’t mean you have to leave your lifestyle and hobbies behind. While you’re here, you are encouraged to:
- Participate in the wide array of activities and groups
- Attend RiverWoods events
- Build new friendships
- Experience continued learning
- Volunteer within the local community
- Enjoy the beautiful natural environment
“I reinvented myself when I came here. You have a whole new opportunity to try all kinds of different things.” – Tina Morris, resident of 4 Years at RiverWoods Exeter
Dining and Wellness Programs
We offer restaurant-style dining that residents love, along with nutritional or dietary support to help you achieve your goals.
Fitness programs offer something for everyone. No matter your current level, our Fitness Manager and staff make it easy to stay in shape and active. Go at your own pace in our gym, take an organized yoga class, or join a wellness workshop.
“It’s transformational. It brought me from the life I had before – into this life, which is different but so enjoyable that I can’t think of being anywhere else.” – Pamela Marks, resident of 9 Years at RiverWoods Exeter
Helping Couples Stay Together
RiverWoods Assisted Living helps couples navigate aging together. We recognize that one spouse may require more care than the other, which can put a strain on the relationship. At RiverWoods, one spouse can receive support and care through assisted living while allowing the other to continue being a spouse.
Assisted Living By Location: Finding the Right Fit For Me
Riverwoods has three senior living communities in northeast New Hampshire with varying levels of care, including assisted living.
- RiverWoods Exeter: Exeter is a charming town located in the heart of New Hampshire’s Seacoast region. It’s only 15 minutes from the coast and 20 minutes from the historic city of Portsmouth.
- RiverWoods Manchester: Our 29-acre wooded campus is located approximately 10 minutes from downtown Manchester and 20 minutes from Concord, New Hampshire. It’s adjacent to a 640-acre nature conservancy just minutes from downtown.
- RiverWoods Durham: The lively college town of Durham is a short drive from many cultural opportunities and scenic vistas. Our campus is a few minutes walk from the University of New Hampshire’s campus.
Looking for more reasons to come and visit? In 2025, RiverWoods was recognized as “Best of NH” for Assisted Living by readers of New Hampshire Magazine. Schedule a trip to see one of our communities now.
Understanding Your Investment: How Much Does Senior Living Cost?
Retirees are living longer and more vibrant lives than ever before, which makes Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) a smart financial decision. These communities, also known as Lifecare communities, offer contracts that provide financial protection to residents and their families.
These “age in place” models give residents the freedom to enjoy retirement without worrying about where to go if their care needs change.
How Does Payment Work?
Transparency is a crucial aspect of assisted living pricing at RiverWoods. When entering our community, you or your loved one will pay a one-time fee to secure the residence. From there, you or your loved one will pay a monthly service fee.
What’s Included in Assisted Living Monthly Fees?
Within the monthly fee for assisted living services, residents receive the following benefits and so much more:
- Personalized care plan for each resident
- 24/7 professional care
- Three meals per day
- Access to cultural events and entertainment
- Educational opportunities through speakers and classes, in addition to lifelong learning
- Ability to bring pets
- Transportation services to outings and nearby locations
- Fitness center and exercise programs
- Healthcare and medication management
- Round-the-clock emergency response team
Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?
No. Medicare does not cover costs associated with assisted living, such as the entrance fee or monthly fees, as it’s considered long-term care. Medicare does not cover expenses for daily personal care, such as bathing, dressing, eating, or assistance with using the bathroom. It also will not cover the entrance fee that pays for your residence.
Medicare might cover some shorter-term services, such as skilled nursing or other medical services provided in an assisted living community. These could include medication management or on-site physical therapy.
Assisted Living in New Hampshire and Tax Advantages
New Hampshire is a popular state for retirement due to its tax benefits, with the lowest tax burden of any New England state. It is among the Top 10 Lowest-Tax States in the United States.
Tax breaks include:
- No general sales tax
- No state income tax
- No state estate tax.
- No capital gains tax.
The non-refundable part of the one-time entrance fee may be eligible as a medical tax deduction on your federal tax return. A portion of the monthly service fee may also be deducted.
“Living here in the community has been very good. It helps you just to enjoy life. You can relax. You can do things that you want to do. Being at RiverWoods, I have more time to snowshoe, walk, and I’m the resident bartender.” – Valorie, current resident at RiverWoods Manchester
Interested in learning more about RiverWoods Assisted Living?
Now that you have a better understanding of RiverWoods’ Assisted Living communities, we invite you to tour our campuses. This will allow you to gain a better perspective of what we offer at RiverWoods and how we can help you navigate this next step.
“Since we’ve moved to RiverWoods Durham, I don’t think either one of us has felt older. We’ve felt like it’s been a freeing experience.” – Judy and Patrick, current residents of RiverWoods Durham
If you or your loved one is looking for a better understanding of whether RiverWoods Lifecare plan would be a good financial fit or not, answer a few questions and go to our calculator.
To learn more about each of our communities, please review the links below:
We can’t wait to meet you and see how you plan to shape this next chapter.