Assisted Living in New York

Historically, New York has been a hub for culture, art, and nature. It’s also a wonderful place to grow older, with retiree perks like tax breaks and a free state parks program for seniors, as well as a strong dedication to further improve aging services. New York became the first state to join the AARP Age-Friendly Communities in 2017, and NYC was one of the first communities to join when the project began in 2012.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in New York

There are many types of adult care homes in New York, and finding the right home can be a challenge. See our directory of 523 assisted living facilities in the state of New York to start that process. Locate information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, health insurance, and more using the tool below.

Paying For Assisted Living in New York

The Cost of Assisted Living in New York

The monthly median cost of assisted living in New York is $4,185, which is only slightly more expensive than the national average of $4,000. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living on the East coast is typically much higher priced than the national median, and Pennsylvania is the only neighboring state that’s less expensive than New York.

 

Average costs for assisted living vary drastically across New York. Some more rural areas, such as Utica at $2,167, are far cheaper than the national average, but most areas are slightly to significantly more expensive, such as the New York City at $5,916 a month.

 

The state median cost of assisted living is much more than independent living. However, assisted living costs far less than memory care and under half the cost of living in a semi-private room in a nursing home.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in New York

Social Security

For elders that qualify for Social Security benefits, there are special assisted living programs that may assist in the cost of assisted living. Many facilities accept SSI payments and offer reduced rents for residents who meet income guidelines. The New York State Supplement Program (SSP) provides additional benefits to qualifying participants in the monthly benefits as well as an additional $25 personal needs allowance for residents.

Who Is Eligible?

To receive social security benefits or SSP benefits, one must meet age and low-income requirements. The program is available for citizens aged 65 or older. Income must not exceed certain limitations and assets cannot be larger than $2,000 or $3,000 for couples.

How to Apply

Contact your nearest Area Agency on Aging or Social Security Office, or call 1-800-772-1213 to reach the Social Security Administration.

Medicaid Assisted Living Programs

New York has created a hybrid payment system to try to meet the increasing needs of the aging population that require assistance in daily life but not at a nursing home level of care. Assisted Living Programs, or ALPs, are licensed assisted living facilities that house five or more residents that qualify for Medicaid payment assistance in New York State. While a facility must have a special license to participate, the services and care offered are typically no different than any other assisted living facility in the state..

ALPs are subsidized assisted living rooms offered at a lower rate for low-income residents. Payment for the Assisted Living Program is split between the Medicaid program and the resident. Because the ALP is funded only partially by Medicaid, the program operator can only take in a limited amount of residents with the program. The state is continuing to expand the ALP program and each year more rooms are available, but there is usually a long waiting list for this program.

Because the expense of assisted living is so high, residents usually have no income once the ALF bill has been paid. For this reason, residents on this program receive a Personal Needs Allowance, or PNA. A PNA is taken from a resident’s income before payment is sent to the facility to be used as the resident desires. This payment is provided to the resident every month.

PNA is protected by NYS law and ALP administrators may not request any portion of a resident’s PNA, regardless of debts owed. Residents may use a portion of their PNA for medication co-pay if they choose, and they may revoke this choice at any time. This practice is now heavily regulated and PNA accounts must be reconciled monthly to maintain state compliance. As of 2018, the PNA is $144-$198, depending on care level.

Who Is Eligible?

The program has limited enrollment due to low budgets. Applicants to this program must meet age, income, and disability requirements. For a single applicant in 2018 over age 65, monthly income cannot exceed $842 ($1,233 for a couple), and net annual income cannot exceed $10,100 ($14,800 for a couple). Applicants may still have a house and a vehicle and possibly qualify. Other resources may not exceed $15,150 ($22,200 for a couple).

How to Apply

Contact your nearest Area Agency on Aging, Social Security Office, visit the Medicaid website, or reach out to the ALP facility that you would like directly. The ALP will conduct an initial screening to determine eligibility with a registered nurse.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in New York State

NYS Aging App

New York has created the first statewide comprehensive services directory app for seniors. The app is designed for seniors who want to remain as independent as possible and use community services to age healthily. Search for senior centers, areas on aging, and senior service agencies in your area with GPS.

This app is free to all and is available for iOS and android devices. Services available provided by New York are generally available to residents aged 60 and older.

NY Connects

NY Connects is a social service agency that has partnered with the State of New York to expand access to the vast network of senior service agencies in the state. Their website contains a searchable directory of all senior services available throughout the state.

NY Connects is a free service for all residents. Service eligibility varies by the program, please make sure to check specific program guidelines or call to ask about eligibility. Call 718-559-4400 or visit the NY Connects website to find programs near you.

Golden Park Program

New York offers a free and reduced fare park admission program to seniors in the state. The program provides a pass that allows for free entrance (barring holidays, weekends, and a few areas) to state parks, arboretums, and boat launches. The pass also reduces fares to New York run golf courses and historical landmarks.

This program is for residents of New York state ages 62 or older. Participants must hold a NYS drivers license or ID card. Additional benefits are available for veterans. Call or visit your local NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation office to find local attractions, operating hours, and available discounts.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or LTCO, is the guiding office for assisted living facility code compliance and resident rights such as access to care and dignity in life. Volunteers for the LTCO Program regularly:

• Visit long-term care facilities
• Respond to resident complaints
• Educate the community

To reach your New York State LTCO, call 1-855-582-6769.

Area Agencies on Aging

New York has an Area Agency On Aging Office in most counties. These organizations are a combination of governmental and nonprofit groups dedicated to providing information about aging in the area. Find the nearest office to find resources pertaining to affordable housing, medical issues, and mental health.

These are also hubs for social programs in the community such as transportation by taxis or a senior bus pass, exercise groups, senior centers, local activities, and community meals. Most services are for citizens aged 60 and older.

Veterans Affairs

Veterans in New York can receive various services through the VA. There are housing programs, veterans and survivors benefits, health care and mental health resources available for qualifying veterans and survivors.

Social Security Offices

Some retirees qualify for Social Security benefits, as well as health care coverage and other forms of assistance. In New York, ALFs are able to use social security income to help pay for some of the cost of assisted living. To see if you or your loved ones qualify, visit your nearest office or call 1-800-772-1213.

New York Senior Centers

There are many government and non-profit groups that operate centers for seniors to access resources in the community. Communal meals, exercise programs, art lessons, and community events can be found in these centers. Seniors in need may also qualify for other services that a senior center can refer them to, such as Meals On Wheels and transportation to appointments.

Below are a few of the senior centers operating in New York. Not all senior centers have a website at this time, see the local Area Agency on Aging Office or NY Connects directory to find one of the over 600 senior centers and over 1,000 senior communal meal sites in New York that aren’t on this list. Most senior centers are free of charge for elders but have suggested donations, and some have a low annual membership fee.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in New York

Assisted Living Definitions in New York

The state of New York licenses adult homes to provide personal services such as light housekeeping and meals to residents. An assisted living facility (ALF) for the elderly can house from 5-200 residents unrelated to the operator. There are many types of ALFs in New York, and three specifically for seniors without significant cognitive impairments or ongoing medical issues that require 24-hour skilled nursing.

• Assisted Living Residence (ALR): These New York licensed assisted living facilities provide on-site monitoring, housekeeping, 24-hour personal care, all meals and snacks, medication management, and care plan management. All ALRs must have an operator responsible for managing staff and residents and coordinating services, both in-house and 3rd party provided.
• Enriched Assisted Living Residence (EALR): These are ALRs that provide more skilled care for elderly residents with mobility issues and/or incontinence problems, that aren’t typically provided by an ALR, in order to keep residents out of nursing homes longer. There is also a Special Needs program for residents needing memory care.
• Assisted Living Program (ALP): Adult homes are able to subsidize fees for a portion of their residencies with the Medicaid-funded Assisted Living Program. Most policies and regulations for ALPs are identical to ALRs. Not all facilities participate in this program, make sure to ask when inquiring about a facility.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

An assisted living operator is to perform a pre-admission evaluation on any prospective resident to make sure they are an appropriate match for the facility. There are limitations on the level of care that can be provided in an assisted living facility (ALF). Residents must require a high level of care, which is defined as requiring assistance 60% of the time with one or more of three ADLs (assistance with eating, using the restroom, or transferring from sitting/laying to standing), but not be in need of skilled nursing care.

It is the duty of the facility operator to ensure the safety and comfort for all residents, so facilities are only able to admit residents that pose no threat to the existing population. An ALR is not able to provide care for the seriously mentally ill, and those with minor mental disorders, such as clinical depression, may make up no more than 25% of the resident population of the facility.

Admissions Process

To be admitted to an ALF in New York, potential residents need to provide a variety of information to the facility. These are the 4 forms of that are completed by staff with the resident and their care team.

• The Resident Personal Data Form details information like name, insurance company, healthcare providers as well as personal info like background, preferences and current network of friends and family.
• The Resident Evaluation includes info like medical equipment such as hearing aids or glasses needed, physical functionality such as the ability to feed oneself, and resident preferences like daily activities and language spoken.
• Patient Review Instrument, or PRI, and SCREEN. The PRI is used to determine the level of care a resident will need, medically and psychosocially. The SCREEN is used to determine cognitive status and check for advanced behavioral concerns that would require a higher level of care. These assessments can be done by two different staff members but they must both be licensed. These documents need to be completed within 30 days prior to admission and are valid for 90 days, except after a hospitalization when it must be completed again.
• Individual Service Plan, or ISP. This plan outlines the scope of services that the facility will provide to the resident, as well as any third party service providers. This document acts as an assessment and a service guarantee and is to be updated every 6 months with updated physician’s approvals for service.

No later than 3 days after admission, a resident must meet with their doctor and submit their written report to the facility. This is to prove the need for service and provide an outline of recommendations for the resident’s lifestyle like diet and exercise. Assessments and updated reports must be completed at least annually.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

While ALRs don’t provide 24-hour skilled nursing and can’t care for those who have serious medical needs, they do offer assistance with activities of daily living, such as:

• ALRs must provide 3 daily meals and all snacks to residents.
• They must help with personal hygiene, such as shaving, bathing, and grooming.
• Mobility assistance is provided by ensuring that there is sufficient care staff to help residents sit, stand, and walk when needed, like going up or down a set of stairs or getting out of bed.

In the event of a sudden change in a resident’s condition, such as a hospitalization for injury or unexpected illness, he or she may need temporary care from a hospital. As long as the resident is appropriately discharged with written documentation, they may immediately return to their assisted living residence.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Medicaid may assist with the costs of an ALF in New York. The Assisted Living Program, or ALP, is a state-subsidized system that allows assisted living facilities to offer lower priced rooms to residents that qualify based on income. Residents may also use Medicaid to pay for services provided by the facility and 3rd party providers such as physical therapists.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Assisted living residents in New York can have their own rooms, or share a room if the roommate is deemed appropriate by the facility. There must be at least one toilet and sink for every resident, as well as one bathtub or shower for every 10 residents, and there must also be plenty of space to conduct activities like games and watching TV.

There are strict safety policies, such as the number of fire alarms, sprinklers, and co2 detectors that must be in each facility. Restrooms are where most slip and fall incidents happen in the home, so in New York restrooms must be equipped with handrails and non-slip floor mats. Every private area, like a bedroom or restroom, must be equipped with an emergency call system.

Medication Management Regulations

Medication management is an aspect of every individual service plan. Activities such as opening bottles, reminding residents to take medications, and writing down when the medication was taken can be done by any staff member. In order to physically administer medication (such as a tablet taken by mouth or any injections), one must be a licensed health professional.

Staffing Requirements

New York ALRs are required to have care staff available at a facility whenever there are residents present. ALRs must hire a facility administrator, a case manager to oversee ISPs and resident needs, an activities director, and personal care staff. In larger facilities with more than 25 residents, the administrator must be on site 40 hours a week, and additional care staff and activity directing is required as facility sizes increase.

Personal care staff must be provided to every resident individually for 6 hours a week, to take care of personal needs like housekeeping, medication management, and meals. Each resident is required to have at minimum of 3.75 hours of personal services time with a staff member each week, in addition to the services outlined in the resident’s ISP, and a case manager must be able to meet with each resident for 30 minutes a week. There is no minimum number of resident aides needed, but the administrator must ensure all residents needs are met at all times.

Staff Training Requirements

Administrators of adult homes must meet educational and professional licensure requirements. Every adult home and enriched housing program facility is required to provide initial and in-service training to employees and volunteers on topics such as patients rights, health in aging, care coordination, emergency plans, and identifying and reporting incidents. All ALR personnel must also receive training on the facility’s policies, including evacuation plans.

Administrators of ALRs need to have at least 60 hours of formal education, while resident aides need 40 hours of education and 12 hours of continuing education a year. In Medicaid subsidized ALPs, administrators need at least an AA, or to be a licensed RN. If a home is not required to have an administrator, the on-site manager must meet those educational and professional requirements instead.

Background Checks for Assisted Living

All staff of any medical facility in NYS, including ALFs, are investigated prior to hiring at any facility. Most staff must meet background check and medical requirements, such as a negative TB test. Everyone working in an adult care home is subject to Statewide Central Database Checks, the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) check, and a criminal history record check (CHRC).

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Elder abuse in New York is defined as any physical, sexual, emotional, financial, neglectful, or self-neglectful crime against a person aged 60 or older. To report any suspected or witnessed abuse of an elder, please contact your local Area Agency of Aging, or call 1-844-697-3505.

New York COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/13/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Rules in New York
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit?	No
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities?	Yes
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community?	Yes
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?	Yes
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

 

Sources: coronavirus.health.ny.gov www.cms.gov