It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Bancroft Tower in Worcester, MA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Worcester, MA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Green Hill Park in Worcester, MA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local deadhorse hill or visit Salisbury Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Worcester, MA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Worcester, MA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Worcester, MA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) – Gov. Maura Healey joined state transportation officials, Hall of Fame basketball player Bob Cousy, his family and local leaders on Friday to dedicate the “Bob Cousy Pass,” honoring the Boston Celtics legend for his accomplishments on and off the basketball court.The newly named bridge carries Interstate 290 over Southbridge Street in Worcester, creating a permanent tribute to one of the NBA’s most accomplished players and a longtime ambassador for Massachusetts.“Bob Cousy ...
WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) – Gov. Maura Healey joined state transportation officials, Hall of Fame basketball player Bob Cousy, his family and local leaders on Friday to dedicate the “Bob Cousy Pass,” honoring the Boston Celtics legend for his accomplishments on and off the basketball court.
The newly named bridge carries Interstate 290 over Southbridge Street in Worcester, creating a permanent tribute to one of the NBA’s most accomplished players and a longtime ambassador for Massachusetts.
“Bob Cousy changed the game of basketball forever, but his impact reaches far beyond the court,” Healey said. “He has represented Worcester and Massachusetts with integrity, humility and excellence throughout his life. It’s only fitting that this bridge, which connects people and communities every day, will forever carry the name of someone who has inspired generations on and off the court, myself included.”
Nicknamed the “Houdini of the Hardwood,” Cousy helped lead the Boston Celtics to six NBA championships during his career. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star, NBA Most Valuable Player, Olympic gold medalist and member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Although raised in New York City, Cousy attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester before beginning his professional basketball career. State officials said he has remained committed to the city through civic leadership, philanthropy, and mentoring.
“We as a family feel ever so fortunate to have lived in Worcester, a community which is so generously embraced our dad and us,” the Cousy family said in a statement. “Dad’s love for Holy Cross and for Worcester infused all of us in the family. We are grateful that our parents to have chosen this community to make their home.”
Holy Cross Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Kit Hughes called the dedication a fitting honor for one of the school’s most accomplished alumni.
“As the ultimate Crusader Legend, Bob Cousy represents the very best of living for and with others,” Hughes said. “From our campus and the Worcester community to the global stage of basketball, his influence is immeasurable. We are deeply grateful to Governor Healey for permanently anchoring Bob’s impact in our state’s history by naming the Cousy Pass at the gateway of the Holy Cross campus. A truly fitting tribute!”
State officials said Friday’s ceremony celebrated not only Cousy’s achievements on the court, but also his decades of leadership, public service and contributions to communities across Massachusetts.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.
Brick by brickHow the Commonwealth's Gateway Cities can build better futures. Third of a seven-part series from Globe Opinion. Click to read more. WWORCESTER — On a Thursday in March, Jon Weaver, president and CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, had what he calls “success problems.” He was trying to talk to a visitor over construction noise to figure out how many desks he could squeeze into future new office space.The building is one of three sites owned by the nonprofit incubator for life sc...
Brick by brick
How the Commonwealth's Gateway Cities can build better futures. Third of a seven-part series from Globe Opinion. Click to read more.
WWORCESTER — On a Thursday in March, Jon Weaver, president and CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, had what he calls “success problems.” He was trying to talk to a visitor over construction noise to figure out how many desks he could squeeze into future new office space.
The building is one of three sites owned by the nonprofit incubator for life sciences companies in Worcester. The building opened in 2020 with 25,000 square feet of office and lab space for companies starting and scaling up. By 2023, it had opened 15,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Now, the building was nearly full, with 44 companies and more about to move in.
“We can’t grow fast enough to keep up with demand out here,” Weaver said.
Such strong economic growth in the Gateway Cities should be music to state lawmakers’ ears. For decades, policy makers have fretted that the state’s economy was too Boston-centric and too focused on the “eds and meds,” leaving it exposed in the event of a downturn. The real perils of that overreliance are now becoming clear as the Trump administration slashes research and education funding, putting thousands of jobs in Eastern Massachusetts at risk, while demographic changes mean there will be fewer students at the city’s colleges and universities.
Get College Town
A weekly newsletter packed with insights about higher ed from Globe journalist Hilary Burns.
Enter Email
Sign Up
A century ago, the state had what at the time seemed like a diversified economy. Some cities specialized in manufacturing textiles, some focused on shoes, some on toys or firearms. When the Gateway Cities of today carve out their economic niches, they’re not just rebuilding their own local economies — they’re making the whole state more diverse and economically resilient.
Biotech, to be sure, faces headwinds of its own. Still, even amid a glut of empty lab space around Boston, Worcester’s biomedical scene is booming. Weaver said the biggest problem for successful companies is finding places to move when they leave the incubator. Only around 8 percent of companies started at MBI have stayed in Worcester, which Weaver attributes mainly to a dearth of lab buildings. The next goal he and other city leaders have is attracting funding and private developers to build more lab space.
“For a long time, Worcester was trying to sell potential. Now, we have to figure out ways to scale and grow the market that’s here,” Weaver said.
As many Gateway Cities struggle to develop their economies, Worcester offers a model for how a city can pivot from one industry to another to rediscover lost economic vitality. That requires collaboration between city leaders and institutions, with a focus on becoming a global hub for one industry.
Worcester was, historically, a bustling industrial city. In the 1800s and early 1900s, Worcester-made machinery powered the textile industry, and companies manufactured wires and steel. Worcester was home to traditional tool and die manufacturing and early automotive companies. But in the mid- to late 1900s, amid globalization, companies closed their Worcester factories, shifting manufacturing south or overseas. Residents moved to the suburbs. Worcester’s population peaked at over 200,000 in 1950 before steadily declining to 162,000 in 1980.
Yet over the next four decades, Worcester experienced a renaissance. By 2020, the city’s population again exceeded 200,000, and Worcester today has its largest population in history.
That renaissance was powered not by traditional manufacturing but by biotech. Worcester Polytechnic Institute and UMass Chan Medical School, along with the city’s multiple other colleges, pump out skilled workers, creating a talent pipeline that attracts pharmaceutical, medical device, and life science companies, from small startups to multinational industry. The number of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher increased by 22.5 percent over the past decade, with a particular increase in higher-income residents, according to the city’s 2024 housing needs assessment.
Not every Gateway City has the educational institutions Worcester has. But each community has assets that could turn it into a commercial hub. New Bedford has its port, where the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth recently received a state grant to work with private companies on developing a hub for testing and commercializing marine technologies. The University of Massachusetts Lowell is working with city officials to develop the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor, attracting defense and engineering companies. A Pittsfield incubator recently received a state grant to develop an advanced optics manufacturing cluster.
Worcester provides a model for how these efforts can advance.
The seed to Worcester’s success was planted in 1965, when the UMass Board of Trustees shocked the Boston establishment by voting to locate the university’s new medical school in Worcester. Worcester capitalized on that win with decades of investment and collaboration between state government, local government, businesses, and nonprofits.
In the 1980s, the Worcester Business Development Corporation acquired part of the former Worcester State Hospital to build what would become the Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park. In 1984, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce created what would become MBI. In 1985, Governor Michael Dukakis designated Worcester a “center of excellence” in biotechnology, with the goal of using public investment to help create a cluster of biotech businesses around UMass.
In 1989, the 1-million-square-foot research park attracted the German pharmaceutical company that would become AbbVie, the drugmaker that developed Humira and remains a major Worcester employer.
More recently, in 2015, MBI proposed creating a new biomanufacturing park next to AbbVie. The Worcester Business Development Corporation acquired 46 acres of state-owned land, a site now called the Reactory. Chinese company WuXi Biologics is in the process of building a $300 million, nearly 190,000-square-foot biomanufacturing facility there.
“We’re seeing a transformation from a heavy-industrial type base to a more service economy, and the life sciences helped us diversify a lot more,” said Craig Blais, president of the Worcester Business Development Corporation.
The life sciences ecosystem attracts entrepreneurs like Hannah Sheehan Sauve and Jeff Sauve, cofounders of SauveBio, a company that sells flow cytometry services, a technique to measure cell characteristics that can help pharmaceutical companies identify new drug targets and assess a drug’s efficacy. The couple, who are married and in their 30s, were both working near Boston — she in pharmaceuticals, he in sales — when they decided to start their own company. They left Boston and moved to Connecticut to be closer to family and to nature, deciding to open their company in Worcester because of MBI.
The incubator — which charges around $2,500 a month for the smallest startup lab space — offers mentoring, shared equipment, connections to investors, and a community of scientists. The Sauves have gotten referrals for lawyers, advice on financing, and mentoring from experts who themselves started cytometry businesses. Sheehan Sauve said Worcester feels like a “thriving community” with restaurants, concerts, and comedy shows, with less stress than Boston.
It’s a vibe Worcester officials have worked to cultivate, marketing Worcester as its own hub, but one accessible to Boston. Timothy Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, said Bostonians no longer see Worcester as a “far-away place” but as “a complementary hub.”
In 2021, Worcester upped its sports scene by attracting the WooSox, the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, from Rhode Island. Worcester’s Union Station was renovated and reopened in 2000 with a handful of commuter trains running between Worcester and Boston. Now, there are more than 20 round-trips daily, though the trip from Worcester to South Station still takes around one hour and 45 minutes, making a daily commute challenging.
To be sure, Worcester still has the challenges that plague other Gateway Cities — including a lagging median income and difficulty building housing. Between 2020 and 2025, Worcester gained around 1,900 units, representing a 2.3 percent growth in its housing stock, according to The Boston Foundation. But the city’s housing production plan estimates that by 2033, Worcester will need around another 11,600 rental units and 850 owner-occupied units to meet growing demand.
Worcester is also competing for businesses with surrounding communities like Devens, Westborough, and Framingham.
And because rents are lower than in Boston and Cambridge but construction costs are high, developers struggle to make projects pencil out. Worcester chief development officer Peter Dunn said it’s taken a mix of public-private partnerships and subsidies to make new housing and commercial projects viable, as it has in many Gateway Cities. That’s also why Weaver said it’s been hard to attract developers to build more lab space, even though the demand is there. Weaver anticipates that eventually, rents will rise enough to make new projects feasible.
It is well worth the investment for the state to help make those developments viable.
Most Gateway Cities are communities that used to anchor their regional economies but fell into disrepair as industries changed. If more of them can regain that status, hosting clusters of the industries of today, it won’t just be those cities that will prosper. The whole state will be better prepared for the future.
Discover how Worcester colleges are training the next generation of leaders through targeted programs and real-world experience.In Worcester, higher education institutions are helping shape the region’s economic future. Ten colleges and universities in the region work with local employers in many different ways—all serving as a critical anchor to meeting the region’s workforce needs. Through targeted workforce training, industry partnerships and cutting-edge research, they create direct pathways from the classroom to...
Discover how Worcester colleges are training the next generation of leaders through targeted programs and real-world experience.
In Worcester, higher education institutions are helping shape the region’s economic future. Ten colleges and universities in the region work with local employers in many different ways—all serving as a critical anchor to meeting the region’s workforce needs. Through targeted workforce training, industry partnerships and cutting-edge research, they create direct pathways from the classroom to high-impact careers.
WPI is playing an increasingly important role in strengthening the workforce pipeline across the Northeast by aligning academic programs with rapidly evolving industry needs, says Kwamie Dunbar, interim dean of The Business School, professor of finance and director of fintech programs at WPI.
The university’s approach is deeply interdisciplinary, combining technology, business, engineering and applied problem-solving to prepare graduates for high-demand careers in an economy shaped by AI, data analytics, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
In 2026, WPI added a new Bachelor of Science degree in artificial intelligence, building on the success of the institute’s Master of Science in AI, launched in December 2023. Within The Business School, WPI has embedded emerging technologies directly into the undergraduate curriculum so that students graduate with both business expertise and technological fluency.
“AI is not simply creating demand for software engineers or data scientists. Nearly every profession is being transformed by AI-enabled systems,” Dunbar says. “As a result, graduates across disciplines will need a foundational understanding of AI tools, data interpretation, automation systems and responsible technology use.”
Clark University has also enhanced its program offerings to incorporate the study and research of AI. The university’s School of Professional Studies has offered a master of science degree in applied artificial intelligence since fall 2024. The university also offers a major in business analytics and applied AI, which prepares students to collect, analyze and translate data into actionable, strategic insight.
“These degree programs are designed to prepare students for AI careers through a curriculum focused on machine learning, deep learning and ethical AI. The master’s program emphasizes hands-on, real-world application, featuring a capstone practicum and core courses in data mining and AI ethics,” says Angela Bazydlo, media relations manager at Clark University.
As the use of data and automation rises exponentially, organizations are searching for students fluent in the language of data and business.
“Clark provides rigorous training and faculty guidance to prepare students to leverage AI critically and ethically,” Bazydlo says.
Like WPI and Clark, Quinsigamond Community College plays a critical role in the region’s workforce and economic development efforts, offering a wide range of programs.
“Community colleges, including QCC, are designed to align with regional workforce and economic development efforts. At QCC, this is reflected in both our academic programs and short-term workforce skills training,” says Kathy Rentsch, vice president of academic affairs at QCC.
Programs either prepare students directly for the workforce with associate degrees or set them on a path to transfer to four-year institutions to complete their professional training, she says.
QCC’s apprenticeships bridge the gap between education and employment, allowing students to apply classroom learning in the real world while building significant professional networks.
About 76% of QCC students attend part time, taking fewer than 12 credits, often while juggling work and family obligations – whether caring for young children, older parents or both.
“Many of them hold multiple jobs, making it incredibly difficult to launch into their desired career paths without sacrifices that are often impossible to make,” says Krista Piazza, project manager of Apprenticeship Degree Initiatives for QCC. “Apprenticeship degrees offer a solution, allowing students to earn a wage while pursuing their education. Although we’re still in the early stages of rolling these programs out, they represent a crucial step forward.”
One homeowner in Worcester, Massachusetts, has spent weeks decorating for Halloween with nearly 200 inflatables and a garage full of animatronics, but it's more than just a love of spooky season -- he goes big for a good reason.So while some people throw a few pumpkins on their front porch and call it a day, Alex Cornwell starts decorating on Sept. 1 in order to get his massive display ready for October.When costumed revelers enter the garage, a motion sensor triggers animatronics one at a time sequentially.There's even ...
One homeowner in Worcester, Massachusetts, has spent weeks decorating for Halloween with nearly 200 inflatables and a garage full of animatronics, but it's more than just a love of spooky season -- he goes big for a good reason.
So while some people throw a few pumpkins on their front porch and call it a day, Alex Cornwell starts decorating on Sept. 1 in order to get his massive display ready for October.
When costumed revelers enter the garage, a motion sensor triggers animatronics one at a time sequentially.
There's even a werewolf that tries to give you a hug -- one of Cornwell's favorites.
"I love to see the smiles on the kids faces when they point and say, 'oh my God! Look at that one, that one's huge!"
The display is so big that Cornwell uses his driveway, the garage and now a whole section on the side of his house that extends into the backyard.
Skeletons that used to be on his front windows are now hanging from the deck, because when it was windy they'd bang on the windows and keep up his kids, 4 and 6 years old.
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston and New England area.
But what's it all for? It's for "Why Me" -- a local nonprofit that's helping families affected by childhood cancer.
"When I was six months old, I was diagnosed with cancer and they helped me and my family tremendously so I just want to give back to them as much as I can," Cornwell said of why he raises money for "Why Me."
There is no entrance fee to see Cornwell's decorations -- it's all voluntary donations. The money raised does not help Cornwell buy the inflatables, and it does not help him with the electricity bill, which he says is "crazy high."
"All of it goes directly to the charity."
You can see the display off Dawson Road on any night that the weather is nice, not too windy. Cornwell says his holiday Christmas time display is even bigger than this if you can believe it.
(508) 304-8556
