Assisted Living in Westchester County, NY

Assisted Living Costs in Westchester County

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study reveals that the monthly average cost for assisted living in Westchester County ($5,916) is significantly more expensive than the national average of $4,000 and the state average of $4,185. Cities in northern New York, including Utica ($2,625) and Glens Falls ($2,600), tend to be less expensive, falling below the state and national averages. Westchester County is on par with costlier cities, such as Elmira ($5,710), Binghamton ($5,270) and Albany ($5,050).

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Westchester County: $5,916
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,185
• Elmira: $5,710
• Binghamton: $5,270
• Albany: $5,050
• Kingston: $4,100
• Utica: $2,625
• Glens Falls: $2,600

Care Cost Comparison

Compared to home health care services in Westchester County, assisted living is $1,149 more and includes monthly rent, meals, personal care, social activities and other amenities with additional fees based on the level of care a resident requires. A semiprivate room in a nursing care facility ($12,091) in Westchester County is more than double the cost of assisted living ($5,916). Additionally, those in need of part-time care services can look into adult day care options at a much lower cost of $1,950 per month.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,916
• Homemaker services: $4,576
• Home health aide: $4,767
• Adult day health: $1,950
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $12,091

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Westchester County

Medicaid in New York

The NYS Medicaid State Plan provides low-cost or free medical services to low-income seniors in Westchester County and the rest of the state. Medicaid can help pay for long-term care, home health assistance and an assisted living facility. It also provides seniors with the medical equipment, transportation, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services and laboratory and X-ray services.

To be eligible for Medicaid, applicants must be age 65 or older, a resident of the state of New York and a U.S. citizen (or have satisfactory immigration status).

To meet financial requirements:

• Single seniors’ income must be $842 per month or less
• Couples must have an income of less than $1,233 per month
• Non-exempt assets cannot exceed $15,150 for a single candidate and $22,200 for couples.

Seniors whose income exceeds the set limits may still be eligible for the Medicaid Excess Income program, also known as the spend-down or surplus-income program. This program pays for medical bills once a senior’s monthly out-of-pocket spending reaches a specific threshold.

The NY Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a waiver that pays for services of a licensed assisted living residence for individuals who require care but don’t need the all-inclusive services of a nursing home. To be eligible for this waiver, individuals must be age 21 and over, have a degree of self-mobility to function in an assisted living environment and meet the income limits of Medicaid recipients. Services paid by ALP include room and board, skilled nursing, medical equipment, adult day care, occupational and physical therapy and home health services. This program is open to Medicaid-eligible and ineligible individuals.

The ALP is regulated by the State Department of Health and has limited enrollment. To apply for Medicaid, call (855) 355-5777, apply online or visit the local office in your area.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

The Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program

The Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) helps individuals who can no longer perform everyday tasks due to a chronic illness, injury, disability or naturally aging. Long-term care can be provided at home, adult day care or in assisted living facilities. The FLTCIP covers Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives. This program reimburses 100 percent of charges incurred for services, including assisted living, home and adult day care and formal and informal caregiver services. FLTCIP has four prepackaged and customized plans to choose from depending on your long-term care plans.

For more information, call (800) 582-3337 or apply online.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is intended for seniors who wish to stay at home instead of an institutionalized setting. The program also pays for services in a nursing facility when an individual can no longer safely remain at home.

Residents at assisted living facilities can use the PACE program. It doesn’t contribute toward room and board fees, but it does provide services that would otherwise be an added expense. To qualify, participants must be at least 55 years old, require skilled nursing and be enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid. For those who don’t have Medicare or Medicaid, seniors and their family members can pay for PACE privately. Benefits are determined on a case-by-case basis and are specified only for medical and care services.

For more information on the Westchester County PACE program, call (833) 252-2737.

Assisted Living Resources in Westchester County

Area Agency on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging are local programs that provide information and services for older adults and their caregivers. Services include mobility assistance programs, meal plans, housing, individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training.

Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services
9 South First Avenue, 10th Floor, Mount Vernon, NY 10550-3414
(914) 813-6300

Westchester County Senior Citizen Centers

Senior centers provide folks age 55 and older a place to socialize and enjoy a wide range of activities, including art, bridge games, exercise classes, educational lectures and courses, assorted health screenings and day trips.

Bronxville Senior Citizens
180 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 793-2222

Town of Mamaroneck Senior Center
VFW Post 1156, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Larchmont, NY 10538
(914) 834-8840

WJCS Senior Center
550 N Columbus Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY 10552
(914) 668-4350

Veterans Affairs

Seniors may be eligible for additional assistance with financial and medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Call or go to the regional benefits office or local Veterans Affairs office to apply.

Westchester County Veterans Service Agency
112 East Post Road, 4th Floor, Rm. 442, White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 995-2145/2146