Assisted Living in Onondaga County, NY

Assisted Living Costs in Onondaga County

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care survey, senior citizens living in Onondaga County pay an average of $4,185 per month for assisted living, which is on par with New York’s state average. Across the country, the average U.S. city’s assisted living costs are a bit lower, at just $4,000 per month. Seniors living in the New York City pay an average of $5,916 per month, which is the highest price in the state, while in Glens Falls, the average cost is the lowest in New York at only $2,600 per month. The Utica area has a much lower cost as well at only $2,625 per month, while other major cities in the state, including Buffalo ($3,896) and Rochester ($4,396), are priced similarly to Onondaga County.

Note: Specific senior care cost data isn’t available for Onondaga County. Data for Syracuse, the largest city in the county, has been used instead.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Although some senior citizens do require the level of care that can only be provided in a nursing home, those who have the flexibility to consider other options should first determine which level of care is best suited to their budget. Just as in many other cities across the United States, the cost of senior care in Onondaga County relies heavily on the type of care provided. While nursing home care is an average of $11,802 per month, assisted living costs less than half of that. Home care services are also considerably less; however, those considering receiving long-term care at home need to be careful to budget for housing costs including rent/mortgage, utilities and homeowners insurance.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Onondaga County

Medicaid in New York

The Medicaid system in New York is designed to cover health care costs that low-income residents of the state would be otherwise unable to access. Some of the expenses covered under the state plan include primary care, hospital services, dental care, mental health services and prescription medications. The state plan also pays for skilled nursing care for those who require it.

To be eligible for Medicaid in New York, senior applicants must be at least 65 years old, permanent residents of New York and meet the following income requirements:

• Monthly income must not exceed $859 per month, or $1,267 for married couples, regardless of whether both spouses are applying or not
• No more than $15,450 in countable assets, or $22,800 for married couples when both spouses are applying

Although Medicaid does consider all income sources when determining an applicant’s eligibility, there are some assets that are excluded including their home, a single vehicle and household furnishings. Applicants who don’t meet eligibility requirements may be able to transfer some assets or income to their spouse in cases where both spouses don’t require Medicaid; however, in these situations, it’s suggested to work with a professional Medicaid planner to ensure all regulations are adhered to. 

Seniors in Onondaga County who wish to apply for Medicaid can contact the Onondaga County Department of Social Services at (315) 435-2700.

Assisted Living Waiver Program

The Assisted Living program is a Medicaid waiver that amends the state plan to provide financial aid for assisted living and personal care costs. Senior citizens can apply to this program to cover the cost of care received when residing in assisted living facilities in Onondaga County and throughout the state. The program covers a variety of costs including personal care, 24-hour supervision, skilled nurse visits, home health services, case management services and room and board. 

Eligibility requirements of the Assisted Living program stipulate that senior citizens must be physically and mentally capable of residing in an assisted living facility instead of a nursing care home. Additionally, applicants must be fully eligible for the state Medicaid plan. This program only accepts 4,200 participants across the state at one time, which means there is often a waiting list.

To submit an application or learn more about this waiver, seniors can contact the Onondaga County Department of Social Services at (315) 435-2700.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

New York State Supplement Program

New York’s State Supplement program helps aged, blind and disabled individuals cover expenses that aren’t covered by other state assistance programs. This program provides its beneficiaries with a monthly cash payment, which may be as much as $694 per month. The amount of the payment is determined by the recipient’s health, income and living situation.

To qualify for the SSP on the basis of age, seniors must be at least 65 years old and eligible for the federal Supplemental Security Income benefit. 

To apply or to learn more, seniors in Onondaga County can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Elderlife Bridge Loan

Seniors who are seeking a temporary financial solution to help pay for the cost of long-term care can apply for a bridge loan from Elderlife Financial Services. These loans work in the same way as a line of credit and can be used to cover relocation costs and upfront expenses when moving into an assisted living facility. In many cases, seniors obtain a bridge loan to temporarily cover their expenses while waiting for funds from the sale of a house or for their veterans’ benefits to begin.

To qualify for a loan, seniors need to have a good credit history and enough income to cover monthly payments. Seniors who don’t qualify on their own are permitted to include up to six cosigners on their application, which may increase the likelihood of approval. 

For more information about bridge loans or to start the application process, seniors can call Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500. 

Assisted Living Resources in Onondaga County

Senior Centers in Onondaga County

Onondaga County is home to 21 senior centers, each of which provide elderly individuals with a safe place to make friends and interact with peers. While each senior center’s activity schedule is different, most provide activities such as group outings, congregate meals and classes on topics such as computers, finance, fitness and health. 

Onondaga County Senior Centers
(various locations)
(315) 435-2362

Onondaga County Aging Services

The Onondaga County Office for Aging provides senior citizens with a range of services including resource referrals, home care services, nutritional and health insurance counseling and caregiver services such as respite care. 

Onondaga County Office for Aging
421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 435-2362

Veterans Services in Onondaga County

Veterans in Onondaga County can access special benefits and services including financial aid, counseling services and health care. Seniors can learn about available assistance programs and apply for benefits at the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency, while health care services including mental health services can be received at any of the county’s VA clinics. 

VA Health Clinics
(various locations) 
(844) 698-2311

Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency
421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 435-3217