8 Assisted Living Communities in Rensselaer County, New York

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $5,050 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 8 Assisted Living Communities in Rensselaer County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Rensselaer County, NY

• Assisted Living: $5,050
• Nursing Home Care: $12,517
• In-home Care: $4,528
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,083

Monthly rates for assisted living vary significantly throughout New York and the nation. At, $5,050 per month, the cost in Rensselaer County is over $1,000 higher than the national average of $4,000 and almost $800 above the state median rate of $4,185. Prices throughout this region of New York span a wide range compared to the local cost. There are higher rates charged in Binghamton ($5,270) and Watertown ($5,509), less costly midrange prices in Syracuse ($4,185) and Kingston ($4,100) and the lowest rates in the state in Utica ($2,625) and Glens Falls ($2,600).

Note: The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care study doesn’t include data for Rensselaer County, so data for the nearest city, Albany, was used instead.

Within a single area such as Rensselaer County, seniors can encounter vastly different prices for care depending on the type and amount of care required and whether food and lodging are provided. Adult day health services that offer limited care only on weekdays average just $1,083 per month, while 24-hour skilled care services in nursing homes are over 10 times more expensive at $12,517. Assisted living ($5,050), homemaker ($4,528) and home health aide ($4,862) services have fairly similar monthly costs. The major difference is that assisted living rates include room and board, whereas seniors receiving care at home pay for care services plus food, utilities, property taxes, maintenance and other household expenses.

Americans of limited means who can’t afford health insurance are offered a safety net through the Medicaid program. This federal and state government-funded program provides basic health care coverage to roughly 65 million people nationwide. In New York, Medicaid serves over 5.9 million residents, including families with children, pregnant women, seniors and blind or disabled adults.

Rensselaer County residents who are American citizens or legal immigrants and meet other eligibility requirements can receive a number of essential health care benefits through the New York State Medicaid plan such as:

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Emergency room treatment
• Physician and specialist services
• Lab work, X-rays and other diagnostic tests
• Preventive care services
• Over-the-counter and prescription medications
• Approved medical appliances and equipment
• Ambulance and nonemergency medical transportation
• Long-term nursing home care

Qualifying for New York State Medicaid

To qualify for Medicaid for long-term care, Rensselaer County residents must be aged 65 or older or blind or disabled if younger, need a nursing-home level of care and either eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits or meet these financial caps:

• A monthly income of $859 and assets of $15,450 or less if single
• A monthly income of $1,267 and assets of $22,800 or less for married couples applying together

If just one spouse of a married couple applies, the non-applicant’s income is excluded. They may also receive up to $3,160.50 of the applicant’s monthly income and retain up to $126,420 in jointly owned assets. These living and resource allowances are mandated by Medicaid to prevent spousal impoverishment.

All sources of income count for Medicaid eligibility purposes, but a number of assets may be excluded, such as an owner-occupied home with a value of $858,000 or less, home furnishings, personal effects and one vehicle.

Applicants who have high medical expenses and an income too large to qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for six months of coverage through the Excess Income program. This requires that applicants put any income above the monthly limit toward approved medical bills or contribute an equal amount to the program.

Seniors residents of Rensselaer County can apply for NYS Medicaid coverage online or call the program’s helpline at (800) 541–2831 for assistance with their application.

Assisted Living Waiver

The New York State Medicaid plan provides nursing home care as an entitlement. Seniors who need long-term care but prefer to stay in the community can apply for the Assisted Living program. This Medicaid waiver program only accepts 4,200 participants statewide at any given time, so there may be a waiting list to receive services.

To qualify for the ALP, seniors must be Medicaid-eligible and at risk of nursing home placement due to homelessness or a lack of a suitable living arrangement. Applicants can’t need constant nursing care, be bedridden or pose any danger to other residents. Rensselaer County seniors approved for the program receive case management services by a professional nurse, room and board and additional support services such as:

• Supervision
• Personal care assistance
• Medical supplies, appliances and equipment
• Nursing care
• Occupational, physical and speech therapy
• Adult day health care
• Housekeeping
• Personal emergency response systems

Seniors and disabled adults can contact the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services at (518) 270-3928 to learn more about the ALP waiver or apply.

Reverse Mortgage

If only one spouse plans to relocate to assisted living, a reverse mortgage may be an option for Rensselaer County senior homeowners who need extra income to cover facility rent and other expenses. Instead of making a monthly payment to a lender, this kind of mortgage gives homeowners a check each month based on their home equity. The full mortgage amount must be repaid when the resident spouse moves out or the home is sold. Applicants must be aged 62 or older and have sufficient equity to qualify.

For more information about reverse mortgages, seniors can contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

New York State Supplement Program

Rensselaer County seniors receiving SSI benefits also qualify for a monthly top-up payment from the New York State Supplement program. This extra cash benefit can be used to pay expenses not covered by NYS Medicaid, such as room-and-board fees for assisted living.

The exact benefit level depends on a recipient’s marital status, living arrangement and income. Single seniors residing in an assisted living community may qualify for up to $405 in addition to the maximum $771 SSI benefit. Married couples may receive up to $1,195 from SSP and $1,157 from SSI for a combined monthly benefit payment of $2,352.

To apply for SSI and New York SSP benefits, seniors and disabled adults can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

The Rensselaer County Department of Aging operates five senior centers where residents aged 60 and older get together to enjoy healthy congregate meals and take part in social, recreational, fitness and arts and crafts programs. The centers also host activities and events organized by the County’s 26 independent senior clubs. DOA staff provide health benefits counseling and referrals for in-home assistance, wellness programs and transportation services. Rensselaer County Department of Aging
1600 Seventh Ave., Troy, NY 12180
(518) 270-2730

The Rensselaer County Veterans Service Agency counsels veterans about available state and VA compensation, benefits and pension programs and provides application assistance. The agency also offers no-cost transportation services to help elderly County veterans access primary care and related services at the Troy VA outpatient clinic. Transportation is also available for appointments at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany.

Rensselaer County Veterans Service Agency
1600 Seventh Ave., 4th Fl., Troy, NY 12180
(518) 270-2760

Troy VA Outpatient Clinic
295 River St., Troy, NY 12180
(518) 274-7707

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