Assisted living provides personalized care in a safe, social environment for seniors who need some help with daily tasks but don't require the full extent of care they'd receive at a nursing home. Planning for senior care is important, as the average cost of assisted living in Buffalo is $4,698 per month. While slightly higher than the national average of $4,459, Buffalo's costs are on par with the New York state median of $4,699.
AssistedLiving.org spent dozens of hours researching the top assisted living communities in the Buffalo area to allow seniors and their families to find the community that’s right for them. Click through the facilities listed below to read in-depth reviews, what residents are saying, and details such as base pricing, room types, and more.
Fredonia Place at Williamsville offers a village-like atmosphere for active seniors, providing support services to help maintain…
5
Average of 1 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Blocher Homes
135 Evans Street, Williamsville, NY 43291
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Hospice
Skilled Nursing
Nestled in a picturesque neighborhood in Williamsville, Blocher Homes provides family care with a difference. The facility…
4.38
Average of 5 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Tennyson Court
49 Tennyson Court, Buffalo, NY 43291
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Respite
Tennyson Court seeks to enhance each resident's optimal independence and quality of life through its personalized senior…
3.89
Average of 45 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
The Bristol Home
1500 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 43279
Assisted Living
Respite
The Bristol Home has been providing women-exclusive senior assisted living services since 1868. Trained staff members help…
3.46
Average of 22 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Emerald Retirement Residence
5200 Chestnut Ridge Rd.,
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Located on 14 acres of land in the country village of Orchard Park, Emerald Retirement Residence is…
3.9
Average of 27 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
ElderWood Assisted Living at Heathwood
815 Hopkins Road, Buffalo, NY 43291
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Heathwood Assisted Living at Williamsville is a family-owned community located just blocks from the Clearfield Recreation Center.…
4.88
Average of 8 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Absolut Care of Orchard Brooke
6060 Armor Duells Rd.,
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Assisted Living
Respite
Skilled Nursing
Absolut Care of Orchard Brooke specializes in assisted living services and since the community shares its campus…
4.4
Average of 8 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
GreenField Court
5951 Broadway,
Lancaster, NY 14086
Assisted Living
GreenField Court provides quality senior assisted living services with an emphasis on spirituality. Weekly worship services with…
3.62
Average of 25 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Eden Heights of West Seneca
3030 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY 43294
Assisted Living
Eden Heights of West Seneca offers senior assisted living services in a welcoming, homey atmosphere. Porch settings…
4.59
Average of 14 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Brompton Heights
275 Brompton Rd.,
Williamsville, NY 14221
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Hospice
Respite
Skilled Nursing
Brompton Heights is a senior assisted living community that promotes aging-in-place by providing ongoing personalized care for…
3.9
Average of 76 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Brothers of Mercy Sacred Heart Home
4520 Ransom Road, Clarence, NY 43096
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Hospice
Respite
Skilled Nursing
Brothers of Mercy Sacred Heart Home is an assisted living community housed within the larger Brothers of…
4.75
Average of 2 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Pilgrim's Landing Senior Living Community
410 Mill Street, Buffalo, NY 43291
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Respite
Park Creek Senior Living Community is nestled in scenic Williamsville, NY, next to Amherst State Park. The…
4.44
Average of 16 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
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In order to find the top assisted living communities in the Buffalo area, our team of researchers sorted through 37 communities using our unique methodology. Our team:
Spent over 28 hours researching assisted living communities in Buffalo
Interviewed 16 facility staff members
Read more than 160 reviews left by residents and their family members
After filtering out facilities that didn’t meet our high standards, we were left with 20 assisted living communities that earned our seal of approval. Through this process we discovered that the average cost of assisted living in the city of Buffalo is $4,443, which is considerably lower than the state average of $6,950 and the slightly higher than the national average of $4,051.
Christina Drumm-Boyd
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)
Christina Drumm-Boyd
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)
Christina is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) who is passionate about seniors and their families. Along with her staff, Christina works hands-on with each client to find the best solutions for the challenges that often come with aging.
Read on for in-depth information about the top assisted living facilities in Buffalo, a brief dive into our methodology for determining the best assisted living communities, and a searchable directory of 37 communities in the Buffalo area.
How to Pay for Assisted Living in Buffalo, NY
Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Buffalo and 70 additional cities within New York.
How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Buffalo, NY
Assisted living costs in Buffalo have seen a steady rise. Between 2022 and 2023, rates increased by 10%, jumping from $4,288 to $4,698. Costs in Buffalo were once higher than the state median. However, inflation impacted New York state significantly as a whole, causing rates to skyrocket by 15%. Currently, Buffalo is on par with the state average.
By 2024, costs in Buffalo are estimated to hit $5,059, which is much higher than the estimated rates for Rochester ($2,252), Syracuse ($4,401) and New York City ($4,764). Advanced planning for senior living is crucial to combat these high costs.
Location
2022 Cost (Historical)
2023 Cost (Current)
2024 Cost (Estimated)
Buffalo
$4,288
$4,698
$5,059
U.S. Average
$4,070
$4,459
$4,802
New York
$4,091
$4,699
$5,431
Rochester
$1,909
$2,091
$2,252
Syracuse
$3,730
$4,087
$4,401
New York
$4,038
$4,424
$4,764
Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care in Buffalo, NY
Care costs typically vary between different types of senior living. At $3,333 per month, independent living is less expensive than assisted living ($4,698). Memory care, on the other hand, sees slightly higher costs, averaging $4,832. The scope of support services provided at each level of care is one of the largest factors in the variance between these costs. Amenities, living arrangements and specialized programming also play a role in the overall cost of senior care.
Care Type
Cost
Assisted Living
$4,698
Memory Care
$4,832
Independent Living
$3,333
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Buffalo, NY
Other Ways to Pay for Assisted Living in Buffalo, NY
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
Veterans Benefits
Life Insurance Policy
Long-Term Care Insurance
Reverse Mortgage
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in New York.
Free and Low-Cost Assisted Living Resources for Seniors in Buffalo, NY
Numerous resources are available in Buffalo, NY to support seniors during their retirement. AssistedLiving.org has gathered data on local groups, initiatives, and agencies, and organized them according to care categories for convenient access.
For details about resources across the state and in neighboring cities, please visit the New York state page on assistedliving.org.
Area Agency on Aging
Your local Buffalo Area Agency on Aging is a valuable resource for retirees, offering guidance on financial aid, in-home care, and long-term care planning. They also link seniors and caregivers to community resources.
New York State is home to 59 Area Agencies on Aging, providing a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of seniors. These services encompass legal assistance, convenient home-delivered meals, reliable transportation options, engaging social adult day services, and comprehensive case management. In addition, seniors can explore various volunteer opportunities, receive expert guidance on insurance matters, and gain valuable advice on maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. Caregivers can also find the support they need, with access to helpful information and resources.
Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living
Seniors in Buffalo, whether residing independently or in a senior living facility, have access to various local financial aid options. These entities assist in offsetting certain in-home or long-term care expenses and link them to beneficial community resources.
The PACE provider oversees both medical and non-medical services for seniors, whether they reside at home, in an adult day care facility, or a nursing home. PACE integrates Medicaid and Medicare services, with the organization assuming responsibility for all aspects of care, including the selection of physicians.
NY Connects is a comprehensive online resource provided by the state government of New York. It serves as a valuable platform for New Yorkers to easily access a wide range of beneficial services within their local communities. By utilizing the user-friendly search features on the website, visitors can effortlessly locate nearby providers who offer durable medical equipment at no cost.
Food Assistance Programs
In Buffalo, various local initiatives are dedicated to promoting senior health through balanced nutrition. They offer services like meal delivery, communal dining, and food banks, ensuring elderly residents have access to affordable, nutritious food.
FeedMore WNY provides a wide array of food assistance programs to combat hunger and food insecurity in the Western New York region. Its primary focus is on meeting the needs of vulnerable populations, such as seniors and children, across Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. The organization offers various programs, including food pantries, a mobile food distribution service, a home-delivered meals program, and collaborations with local hunger-relief agencies.
Legal Resources
In Buffalo, numerous agencies provide affordable or complimentary legal assistance to the elderly. They offer counsel on matters like estate management, living wills, and power of attorney. Some even serve as advocates for seniors’ rights in long-term care facilities.
The Center for Elder Law and Justice provides complimentary legal assistance to seniors residing in Buffalo. Seniors have the option to contact the helpline for free legal advice on concise legal matters or visit the office for guidance on more intricate inquiries. The organization addresses a range of issues including elder abuse, healthcare advocacy, and prevention of scams.
Senior Centers
In Buffalo, senior centers serve as a hub for older adults, providing recreational activities, events, and valuable resources. These centers also offer wellness programs, nutritional guidance, and assistance with senior-related concerns.
Catholic Charities offers a range of services tailored to meet the needs of seniors. One such program is the Telephone Assurance Program, where dedicated volunteers make regular wellness-checkup calls to homebound adults who may be at risk of isolation. Another program, called Project HOPE, focuses on assisting seniors with mental health diagnoses in accessing entitlements. Additionally, Project HOPE provides guidance and support to family members and caregivers. To qualify for these services, individuals must be 60 years of age or older.
People Inc. offers a range of services to support seniors and caregivers with diverse needs. Certain applicants can benefit from our respite services at no cost. Moreover, our dedicated team of volunteer Senior Companions is available to assist with household tasks and errands. For long-term care residents, we provide problem resolution and advocacy services without any charges.
Erie County’s Department of Senior Services is responsible for managing a variety of programs designed to support the well-being of older adults in the county. These programs encompass a wide range of services, including wellness programs, senior transportation, and nutrition services. Additionally, the department offers complimentary assistance with benefits applications, ensuring that seniors have access to the support they need.
Social Security Offices
In Buffalo, Social Security offices provide essential services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. They offer guidance on retirement benefits, disability allowances, and Supplemental Security Income.
Social Security serves as a financial resource for individuals who have reached retirement age or are unable to work due to a disability. The funding for Social Security is generated through a payroll tax imposed on employers, employees, and self-employed individuals. Upon retirement, beneficiaries receive monthly payments determined by their previous earnings.
Veteran’s Services
Veteran services in Buffalo offer invaluable assistance to retired military personnel. These local entities guide veterans in utilizing their rightful benefits and provide counsel on diverse matters.
The VA Western New York Healthcare System in Batavia is a comprehensive healthcare facility that caters to the needs of veterans. Our Batavia location offers a wide range of primary and specialty healthcare services, including cardiology, audiology, dermatology, geriatrics, physical therapy, and podiatry. In addition, we have an on-site pharmacy, imaging care, dietary services, and mental health care, which includes therapy for PTSD, depression, and grief. We also provide telehealth services for the convenience of our patients.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Buffalo, NY
Assisted Living Communities in Buffalo are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined by the state. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
Our Methodology
It’s not what we research, but the way we research that makes AssistedLiving.org stand out. We start by identifying problems and challenges in the senior care industry by gaining insight from conversations with industry professionals, older adults, and those that care for them. Next, our research team led by industry experts apply our data-driven research techniques to understand the magnitude of the challenge and how to overcome it. Finally, we present our findings in easy-to-understand guides and studies and share our actionable results with influencers and caregivers, as well as the general public.
Facility Features (40%)
Facility Health Services Graded on health services provided on the facility including, but not limited to, on-site nursing, pharmacy, skilled nursing, medicine administration, etc
Facility Amenities Graded on the available amenities.
Affordability Financial assistance acceptance and overall costs and value.
Residential Quality (40%)
Resident Satisfaction Polling & survey of overall facility satisfaction.
Facility Complaint and Violations Number of complaints and violations the facility had. Taking into account improvement over time.
Location-Based Benefits Including, but not limited to, proximity to hospitals, ambulance response times, senior resources available, and state and city financial assistance.
Location Quality Local crime rates, incidents against older adults, air quality, climate.
