15 Assisted Living Communities in Chautauqua County, New York

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,895 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 15 Assisted Living Communities in Chautauqua County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Chautauqua County, NY

• Assisted Living: $3,895
• Nursing Home Care: $11,285
• In-home Care: $4,385
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,083

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study documents senior care costs throughout the country. According to Genworth, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Chautauqua County is $3,895, which is below the state ($4,185) and national ($4,000) averages.

Prices in nearby areas, such as Erie, PA ($4,588) and Rochester ($4,396), are higher, while further east, prices are significantly higher in Binghamton ($5,270) and New York City ($5,916). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Chautauqua County, so data for the closest city, Buffalo, was used. 

In Chautauqua County, the most expensive senior care option, nursing home care, costs over $10,000 more per month than adult day health services, the least expensive option. The major price difference is due to the fact that nursing facilities provide around-the-clock medical care to residents with complex medical needs who are unable to care for themselves.  At $3,895 per month, assisted living costs less than either a homemaker ($4,385) or home health aide ($4,690). The price difference between assisted living care and in-home care is even greater when ongoing living expenses, such as groceries, rent or mortgage payments and home maintenance costs, are factored in. 

Low-income seniors in Chautauqua County may qualify for health coverage through Medicaid, a government health program. Medicaid is regulated by the federal government and administered by each state. Mandatory benefits include nursing facility care, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, doctor visits and home health services. 

To be eligible for no-cost Medicaid, seniors aged 65 and under must earn no more than $859 per month when applying as an individual, or $1,267 per month in joint income when applying with a spouse. Applicants must also own no more than $15,450 in countable assets or $22,800 in joint assets when both spouses require coverage. 

Seniors who meet the asset limits but have excess income may be eligible for Medicaid enrollment through the Medicaid spend-down program, also called the Excess Income program. This program allows seniors with high ongoing medical expenses to spend a predetermined amount towards their medical costs each month. Once they have reached their monthly spend-down amount, Medicaid benefits are made available for the remainder of that month. 

Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care Program

The Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care Program is a nursing home diversion program for Medicaid-enrolled seniors aged 65 and older who meet the clinical criteria for nursing home placement. The program provides home and community-based services that allow seniors to age in place in a noninstitutional setting, such as assisted living. 

Seniors who have both Medicaid and Medicare or who need home care, adult day health services or another type of long-term care for 120 continuous days or more must join an MMLTC plan. Benefits include in-home health care, specialty health services, adult day programming, transportation and a medical alert system. 

Assisted Living Program 

The Assisted Living Program is another nursing home diversion program that provides enhanced services in a participating assisted living setting for seniors who are medically eligible for nursing home care. 

There are approximately 4,200 spaces available statewide in the ALP, and participants must either have Medicaid coverage or be able to cover the costs on a private-pay basis. 

Note: Seniors cannot receive services through the MMLTC and the ALP.

For more information on Medicaid enrollment and the nursing home diversion programs for assisted living residents, contact the Chautauqua County Medical Assistance Division at (716) 661-8219. 

Elderlife Financial Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors who need to finance a move into an assisted living facility may qualify for an assisted living bridge loan from Elderlife Financial. Set up as an open line of credit with a 12-month term, this loan is designed to give seniors the ability to pay for their care costs while waiting for their home to sell, benefits to begin paying or investments to liquidate. 

To qualify, applicants must have a good credit score as the assisted living bridge loan is unsecured. Up to six applicants can be listed to disperse costs among family members and increase the overall creditworthiness of the application. 

There’s no fee to apply, and in most cases, approval is provided to qualified applicants within 24 hours. Funds from the loan can be sent directly to the assisted living provider, and the loan balance can be paid in full at any time without penalty. 

For more information, contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500. 

New York State Supplement Program

Low-income seniors aged 65 and older may be eligible for monthly cash benefits through the State Supplement Program. To qualify, seniors must either receive Supplemental Security Income benefits or have an income at or below SSI levels.

The SSP benefit amount is based on the claimant’s income, living arrangements and county of residence. The minimum monthly SSP benefit is $87 per individual and $104 per couple. 

For more information contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Outpatient primary care for eligible veterans is available at the Jamestown VA Clinic. Comprehensive hospital and specialty care services are provided at the nearby Buffalo VA Medical Center. 

The Chautauqua County Veterans Services Department helps veterans and their family members access VA benefits and entitlements. The department also provides transportation to the Buffalo VA Medical Center. 

Jamestown VA Clinic
608 W. 3rd St., Jamestown, NY 14701-4705
(716) 338-1511

Chautauqua County Veterans Services Department
610 W. 3rd St., Jamestown, NY 14701
(716) 661-8255

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.