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Because of the specialized staff training and resources required to provide high-quality memory care, memory care typically costs more than other types of residential care. On average, memory care will cost 20-30% more than assisted living.
In New York, the average price of assisted living is $4,630 per month. This is almost $600 above the U.S. median cost of $4,051 and over $700 higher than the $3,913 average rate paid in Pennsylvania. The cost in New Jersey is significantly higher at $6,400 per month, and the average price in Connecticut is moderately more expensive at $4,880. When an increase of 25% above the statewide assisted living rate is factored in, residents of New York can expect to pay an average of $5,800 per month for residential memory care.
The price paid for assisted living in New York differs based on the facility chosen and its location within the state. Seniors in the New York City area face the highest average rate at $6,950, and those in Syracuse pay just $4,033 per month. Prices in other major cities throughout the state fall in between. For example, rates average $4,748 in Rochester, $4,525 in Albany and $4,443 in Buffalo. These prices are for assisted living, as well, so memory care may cost an additional $1,000 to $2,000 per month.
New York Medicaid offers the Managed Long-Term Care program to help eligible individuals with chronic illnesses remain in an adult care facility as an alternative to nursing home placement. The program includes three plans, all of which provide medical services through either Medicaid or Medicare. The MLTC program provides additional services for participants including care management, medical social services, dental care, nutritional counseling and assisted living personal care. Physical, occupational, rehabilitative and speech therapies are also covered, as well as personal emergency response systems, vision and hearing services, prosthetics and orthotics.
The Assisted Living waiver program is designed to allow New York residents who qualify for nursing home placement receive care in a less restrictive assisted living setting. The program covers a wide range of services including:
The ALP also covers the cost of room and board in state-licensed ACFs, including those that provide specialized memory care. Enrollment in the program is capped at 4,200 participants statewide, so applicants may be placed on a waiting list depending on availability.
New York provides financial assistance to eligible aged, blind and disabled residents through the SSP. This state-funded benefit is paid monthly and may be put toward the cost of residential memory care services. The amount of SSP assistance a person receives depends on a number of factors including their income, county of residence and housing situation.
New York residents enrolled in Original Medicare have the option of signing up for one of several Medicare Advantage plans. Commonly known as Part C coverage, MA plans are offered through approved private insurance companies as an alternative to Original Medicare Parts A and B coverage. Additionally, these plans may offer Part D drug coverage and a number of extra benefits such as vision, dental and hearing care, transportation to medical appointments, health and wellness programs and personal care services.
Medicare recently updated its definition of an enrollee’s home to include an adult care facility, allowing for the reimbursement of some related costs through an MA plan.
In addition to the programs mentioned above, those looking for resources to finance memory care may consider:
In New York, the State Department of Health regulates and licenses adult care facilities to provide care for five or more residents, including those who suffer from cognitive impairment. Facilities licensed as adult homes, enriched housing programs and assisted living residences offer advancing levels of care.
ACFs certified as assisted living residences provide the highest level of care, and may be certified as special needs ALRs that serve those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The DOH requires operators of SNALRs to demonstrate how the care needs of residents will be met, and stipulates specific staffing and training criteria for these facilities.
To ensure that facilities stay in compliance with state regulations, the DOH conducts inspections of licensed ACFs every 18 months and in response to filed complaints.
The DOH mandates that adult care facility operators in New York ensure that each resident receives considerate, respectful care that aligns with their needs in a non-restrictive, homelike atmosphere that promotes autonomy and independence. The scope of care differs depending on the type of facility:
Adult care facilities in New York may accept individuals who are no longer able to live independently due to age or various physical and mental limitations or conditions. However, ACFs are not licensed to provide full-time nursing or medical care. The chart that follows provides a general guide on who may be admitted to an ACF:
Residents Who May Be Admitted | Adults and seniors who have:
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Residents Who May NOT Be Admitted | Those who:
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All adult care facilities licensed by the state of New York must develop an individualized service plan for each resident on move-in, based on assessments of the person’s physical, cognitive and mental status. These assessments should include:
The ISP should be developed with the participation of the resident or their representative and the facility’s administrator, in consultation with the individual’s primary care provider. The plan must address the person’s medical, cognitive, functional, nutritional, rehabilitative and other needs.
Functional, medical and mental health assessments should be performed and the service plan updated whenever a change occurs in a resident’s care needs. Reassessments must be performed every six months for ALR residents and every 12 months for residents of AHs and EHPs, at minimum.
All types of ACFs may assist residents with self-administration of medications, which may include storing, identifying and opening medication bottles and prompting residents. In ALRs and SNALRs, only trained staff and licensed nurses may administer medication to residents.
There are specific requirements for different types of adult care facilities in New York:
Adult care facilities must employ an administrator who oversees daily operations, a case manager who evaluates residents’ needs, an activities director who organizes and implements social and recreational programming and personal care staff who provide direct care to residents.
ALRs and SNALRs must also employ RNs, licensed practical nurses and home health aides. There are no minimum staff-to-resident ratios required for ALR facilities that provide specialized memory care. However, these facilities must have sufficient nursing and home health aide staff on duty 24/7 to meet each resident’s care needs based on medical assessments by the resident’s physician or service plan.
The DOH requires that all employees of an ACF receive orientation training on the facility’s procedures and policies, resident characteristics, emergency evacuation protocols and its disaster plan. Staff who provide direct dementia care must receive training on the needs and characteristics of memory-impaired individuals, including behavioral symptoms, emotional/mental changes and methods of meeting residents’ needs.
Administrators who do not have a current New York nursing home administrator license are required to complete 60 hours of continuing education over a two-year period. Direct care staff must have 40 hours of initial training and 12 hours of relevant in-service education annually.
New York Medicaid’s MLTC program provides eligible individuals who apply with financial assistance to cover some costs associated with residential memory care, but it does not pay for room and board. Another Medicaid program, the ALP, does pay the housing and meal costs for qualified residents of licensed ACFs and pays for numerous other care-related services. However, the ALP is a waiver program rather than an entitlement, and the program is limited to 4,200 concurrent participants.
Complaints and concerns about conditions or the mistreatment of residents in New York ACFs are handled through the Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake program. To file a confidential complaint, concerned parties may call the program’s hotline at 866-893-6772 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, or leave a detailed voicemail message after hours.
Resource | Contact | Description |
Alzheimer’s Disease Regional Caregiver Support Initiative | Search the NYS list for a support initiative program in your area | Ten regional organizations partner with local community agencies across the state of New York to provide a wide range of supportive services for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s. The available services include family and care consultations, education and training, support groups, wellness programs, technology-based services and respite care financial assistance. |
Alzheimer’s Association New York State Coalition | 518-867-4999 | The New York State Coalition of the Alzheimer’s Association represents seven organization chapters located across the state. The coalition supports research endeavors within New York and nationwide and provides dementia patients and their caregivers with access to educational resources and support services. |
Centers of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease | For information and referrals, contact the nearest CEAD | CEADs are a statewide network of 10 medical facilities and teaching hospitals with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The centers make screening tools available, enhance knowledge in the healthcare workforce, provide support to dementia patients and their caregivers and offer access to the most up-to-date research and clinical trials. |