Assisted Living in Dutchess County, NY

Assisted Living Costs in Dutchess County

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, Dutchess County’s average monthly cost for assisted living is $100 above the national average ($4,000) and $85 less than New York’s state average of $4,185. Dutchess County is significantly higher in costs than the less expensive areas in the state, such as Glens Falls ($2,600) and the Utica area ($2,625). The most expensive area in the entire state is New York City at $5,916. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Dutchess County, so data for the closest Metro area, Kingston, was used.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Dutchess County/Kingston area: $4,100
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,185
• New York area: $5,916
• Albany area: $5,050
• Glens Falls: $2,600
• Binghamton: $5,270
• Utica area: $2,625
• Ithaca: $5,000

Care Cost Comparison

The most significant factor when considering senior-care costs is the level of care an individual needs. Nursing home care in a semiprivate room ($12,507) averages more than three times the cost of assisted living ($4,100). Seniors receiving homemaker or home health aide services pay, on average, $4,767 per month, which is over $600 higher than assisted living. In-home services don’t include the expense of remaining at home, such as rent, utilities, maintenance and groceries, which assisted living fees typically include.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,100
• Homemaker services: $4,767
• Home health aide: $4,767
• Adult day health: $2,600
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $12,507

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Dutchess County

Medicaid in New York

Medicaid Managed Care in New York provides free or low-cost health coverage for low-income individuals. Seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for Medicaid. 

Benefits include:

• Primary care physician visits
• Blood tests and X-rays
• Emergency care
• Yearly exams
• Hearing, vision and dental
• Durable medical equipment
• Nursing home care

To qualify for Medicaid benefits, individuals must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien
• Be a permanent resident of New York
• Be blind, disabled or at least 65 years old
• Have a monthly net income below $859 and resources totaling $15,450 or less (single) or a monthly net income below $1,267 and resources totaling $22,800 or less (couple)

Medicaid doesn’t pay for assisted living, but waivers are provided by the program to help with services that may otherwise be an out-of-pocket expense. The Assisted Living Program (ALP) provides a broad range of services to Medicaid recipients who are medically eligible for nursing home placement but have a degree of mobility to function in an approved assisted living facility. 

Benefits and services paid for by the ALP program include:

• Room and board
• Personal care assistance
• Housekeeping
• Personal emergency response services
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Medical supplies and equipment

To qualify for this program, individuals must:

• Be over 21
• Not require continuous nursing care
• Be medically eligible for nursing home care
• Meet Medicaid income requirements

The ALP program has a limited enrollment of 4,200 residents, and it’s not unusual to be placed on a waiting list. 

New York has three other Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) programs for individuals who prefer to receive services at home or in an assisted living residence rather than a nursing home facility. Seniors may apply to one of the following: 

• MLTC Medicaid Plan: Manages Medicaid services only

• Medicaid Advantage Plus: Manages both Medicaid and Medicare services

• Program for All–Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Manages both Medicaid and Medicare services

Benefits and services provided by all three plans include:

• Adult day health care
• Care management
• Congregate and home delivered meals
• Nutrition counseling
• Personal care services
• Personal emergency response service
• Prostheses and orthodontics
• Rehabilitation therapies

Eligibility guidelines include:

• Must be age 65 or older (or 55 for PACE)
• Must be medically eligible for nursing home care
• Income and assets must fall within New York’s Medicaid limits

Applicants who are interested in Medicaid, the ALP or the MLTC programs can contact their local social services district at Dutchess County DSS or call (845) 486-3000.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal income supplement program for aged, blind or disabled individuals who have little or no income. SSI evaluates the senior’s income and brings their current income up to a fixed amount, which provides cash to help meet basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter. 

To be eligible for SSI, an individual must meet these requirements:

• Blind, disabled or age 65 or older
• A U.S. citizen or qualified alien
• Has limited income and resources

Income is considered any cash or resource that can be used to meet an individuals food and shelter needs. The more countable income seniors have, the less SSI benefit will be received. The monthly maximum benefit amount is $771 (individual) or $1,157 (couple). Income that is excluded includes the first $20 of most income received in a month, food stamps, home energy assistance, loans to be repaid, money someone else spends for a senior’s utilities or medical bills and income tax refunds. 

State Supplement Program (SSP)

The State Supplement Program (SSP) provides financial assistance on top of SSI payments for help with the room-and-board costs of assisted living. An individual can receive up to $694, and couples can receive up to $1,773 towards assisted living costs. 

Seniors are eligible for SSP if they meet these requirements:

• Blind, disabled or age 65 or older
• Reside in New York
• Have limited income and resources
• A U.S. citizen or qualified alien

To apply or request more information for either SSI and/or SSP, please visit your local Social Security office or call (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in Dutchess County

Senior Centers in Dutchess County

Senior centers provide places in the community for seniors to get together, enjoy meals and join in social activities. Transportation is provided in most of these settings. 

Fishkill Senior Center
793 Route 52, Fishkill, NY 12524
(845) 831-3371

Town of Poughkeepsie Senior Center 
14 Abe’s Way, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 462-0265

The Pleasant Valley/LaGrange Senior Center
1554 Main Street, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
(845) 489-1386

Town of Wappinger Senior Citizen Center
20 Middlebush Rd., Wappinger Falls, NY 12590
(845) 297-3670 or (845 297-0720

Veterans Affairs

The Division of Veterans Services helps veterans find and apply for benefits that suit their needs. Veterans Affairs also provides educational programs, health care services, mental health assistance and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) programs.

Dutchess County Veterans Affairs
85 Civic Center Plaza #105, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 486-2060

VA Hudson Valley Health Care System
Poughkeepsie Community Clinic
488 Freedom Plains Road, Suite 120, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
(845) 452-5151

Area Agency on Aging

The Dutchess County Office for the Aging provides helpful information and resources to seniors and caregivers of the community, which includes help at home, nutrition services and transportation. Programs offered promote socialization, recreation and fitness opportunities that help seniors stay active and healthy. 

Dutchess County Office for the Aging
27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 486-2555

Friends of Seniors of Dutchess County
9 Vassar St., #24, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 485-1277 or (518) 789-4259