History of Welch Senior Living

Our History

Members of the Welch family
L to R, standing: Richard Welch, Paul Casale;
seated: Rita Welch, Thomas F. Welch, and Michael Welch (1991)

The Welch family’s dedication and commitment to helping others began in 1949 when the late Rita and Thomas (Frank) Welch founded the John Scott House in their home in Braintree. At that time, their vision was to provide care and health services to frail elders. Rita was following in the footsteps of her mother, a nurse who cared for frail elders in the city of Quincy.

Under the leadership of third- and fourth-generation family members, Welch Healthcare & Retirement Group, now Welch Senior Living, grew to employ more than 2,000 caregivers and staff to serve the needs of older adults and their families in 19 healthcare and senior housing locations.

As the senior housing and healthcare industry evolved, Welch Senior Living has stayed at the forefront. The company pioneered the design of the integrated campus continuum of care and distinguished itself in the development of other healthcare and housing solutions for seniors. In addition, Welch was one of the first companies to establish adult day health and child day care programs and home care services to complement its residential and skilled nursing care.