10 Best Nursing Homes in New York, NY
With a beautiful city skyline and an abundance of activities, the New York City (NYC) area is full of endless opportunities and senior living options. If your senior loved one is in need of 24-hour medical assistance, New York City nursing homes that provide skilled nursing services may be the answer.
However, not everyone looking for nursing homes actually needs such a high level of care in their senior living facility. In many cases, memory care or assisted living will provide the care your loved one needs. And while A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone nursing homes, many of our assisted living and memory care facilities also offer skilled nursing care to their current residents for rehabilitation or hospice needs.
A Place for Mom has collected senior care information from all five boroughs — the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens — within a 10-mile radius from New York City Hall in lower Manhattan. While New York City is in the state of New York, some of this radius extends to parts of New Jersey. In this 10-mile radius, A Place for Mom partners with 22 assisted living and memory care facilities.
In this guide you’ll learn more about the ins and outs of nursing homes in New York City with specific information catered to New York and New Jersey. Between ways to pay for senior care to finding your way around the city, this guide can help you make an informed decision. This guide includes local senior care resources, senior care facility laws and regulations, senior-specific highlights of the city, and a complete overview of nursing homes in New York City.
Nursing Homes Facilities near New York, NY
I am so pleased that my mother and our family found our way to Atria Forest Hills at a moment when my mom, now in her 90s, welcomed a change from a lifetime of household responsibilities. At Atria, my mom...
Belvedere is a wonderful Assisted Living that offers Kosher living in a premium setting. This facility is just like a beautiful hotel but has a warm and cozy feeling. The staff are always so helpful and...
The freindliness & helpfulness of the admin staff is excellent who listen and try to resolve any complaints or issues that arise All to often in the case of care givers and in house nursing staff they seem...
We could not be more impressed with the caregivers and nurses at Sunrise. They helped us transition my father to a supportive, caring community that he needed at this stage of his life. Thank you!
My cousin is there, the care has been exceptional, his diabetes which was uncontrolled before he was admitted is much better, the facility is clean and the staff friendly After looking at 4 different...
My mom [name removed] is a resident on the [removed] floor. She recently came down with the flu and has been treated on the 3rd. floor. The staff has been absolutely terrific. They are always there to...
I would definitely recommend this facility. The staff are warm and friendly. Communication is managed well by email or phone call. Staff do their best to personalize care. Staff are approachable during...
The staff is respectful, caring, and responsive to my Aunt's needs. They are open to listen to any of my concerns and take corrective measures where necessary. The facility is well maintained. Each apartment...
My sister was there for a respite stay following surgery. I found the staff to be professional, competent and courteous in all their dealings with me on behalf of my sister (the client), often going above...
At 95, my mother didn’t want to go into assisted living. Then she saw The Apsley, and everything changed. Unlike any senior home, The Apsley is for the young at heart. Gorgeous private apartments with huge...
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Her time at Coterie was too brief but really lovely. They took great care of her and helped us let her go. We couldn't have asked for more attentive and loving care. Even for us... This is a place that...
Problem is they've gone downhill a bit over the year with new management, so done decline on cleanliness, Food, Activities since we joined. They accept Medicaid which was huge for us. It's the first thing...
It's very clean. They are very good. I have had a positive interaction with the staff. There is no complaints about the food. My loved one has enjoyed the activities. They are very responsive, attentive, and...
My mother has been in the Reminiscence (memory care) section for a few months. The staff are wonderful, care has been outstanding, and staff really go out of their way to accommodate individual needs. ...
I would tell others looking into Alaris Health at the Atrium that it is best to visit and take a tour. Helps to get a feel for the atmosphere. The value for the money was the main reason we chose this...
Our loved one is doing very well at Harborview Senior Living community, overall it has been a great fit. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would highly recommend this community to other families...
My loved one was a resident at The Homestead. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this facility to others. The facility needs an upgrade.
The head RN and staff are all wonderful. Hope below will tell you how families love Sutton. Sutton started out as assisted living not full care. But the original families that were there were all very...
Our experience at The Grand is going well. They have been friendly throughout. My loved one is having some difficulties with her appetite but the staff has done a good job of trying to encourage her. There...
I was looking for some place clean and comfortable and that was close by and affordable and this fit the bill. I know that they have a lot of activities provided for the residents, things like arts and...
Hudson Hills provides comprehensive services for patients, and they have shown great flexibility and understanding. They try their best to do a very hard job. They have not always been as communicative as...
My Uncle is so happy here. When I visit him he just looks so alive and he doesn’t want to leave. The staff members are so nice and are very well mannered. Everyone is so helpful and understanding. If they’re...
- What families are saying about nursing homes in New York
- Costs of nursing homes in the New York City area
- How people pay for a nursing home in New York City
- Understand New York and New Jersey laws and regulations for nursing homes
- Get to know senior living in New York City
- What to expect from nursing homes in New York City
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with New York City? Highlights for seniors
What families are saying about nursing homes in New York
Recent reviews for nursing homes in New York
Arbor Terrace Mountainside
Westchester Center for Independent and Assisted in Yonkers, NY
The Bristal at East Meadow
Costs of nursing homes in the New York City area
Costs vary for nursing homes in New York City depending on what is offered. The average cost for a semi-private room in a skilled nursing home is $12,471 per month in the New York area, according to Genworth Cost of Care Survey in 2021. This cost increases to $13,231 if you choose a completely private room.[01] The cost to reside in a skilled nursing home is generally higher than an assisted living facility due to the nursing home’s higher level of available medical care. The cost of a NYC skilled nursing home typically includes the following:
- Room and board fees
- 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical oversight
- Personal care
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Medication[01]
Assisted living costs
Since assisted living is more affordable, seniors who do not need 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical oversight often look for an assisted living facility instead. Such facilities provide assistance with a senior’s activities of daily living and 24-hour supervision, but not 24-hour medical oversight.
Assisted living facilities in New York City are substantially cheaper than skilled nursing homes, at approximately $6,270 a month at our network communities, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[02] Our proprietary figures include baseline fees for room and board, care, and any add-on fees for extra services or upgraded amenities. Baseline fees at assisted living communities typically include the following services and amenities:
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Personal care, like incontinence care
- Transportation services (sometimes as an add-on fee)
- Dining services
- Medication management or assistance
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- On-site activity schedules
- Indoor and outdoor common areas, like a fitness center, game room, movie theater, salon, arts and crafts center, pool, etc.
If your loved one needs assistance with their activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal care but does not require 24-hour medical assistance, they may benefit from reviewing our guide to assisted living in New York City.
Memory care costs
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia who do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care may benefit from a memory care facility. Our partner New York City memory care communities cost less than assisted living on average at $5,530 monthly, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[02] This cost includes room and board, as well as any additional services available. New York City memory care facilities typically provide the following to their senior residents:
- Specialized memory care staff available 24/7
- Personal care, like incontinence care
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Complimentary transportation
- On-call doctor and on-site nursing care
- Enclosed courtyards for walking and sunning
- Specially designed facilities that accommodate memory loss
- Wander Guard technologies to prevent wandering in unsupervised areas
If your loved one suffers from a memory loss condition and does not require the level of care provided by skilled nursing facilities, they may benefit from reviewing our guide to memory care in New York City (LINK).
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in New York, NY vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in New York, NY vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in New York vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Nursing Homes in New York, NY by room type
Average cost of Nursing Homes in New York over time
How people pay for a nursing home in New York City
There are many ways to pay for nursing homes in New York City. Since there are many private and public assistance options, you’ll want to look at all of your loved one’s resources. While they may have ways to pay privately, your loved one may also qualify for public aid to help cover the expensive costs of skilled nursing care. This section covers some of the private and public ways seniors tend to pay for senior care in New York City.
Start making a payment plan by considering what income sources your loved one has. These may include savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, and investment returns. The following are other popular private pay methods seniors use to pay for their senior living expenses:
- Selling a house. Many seniors sell their family home when making a permanent move to a senior living community. This can help pay for nursing home care and rent while taking away the burden of a mortgage.
- Reverse mortgage. If your loved one doesn’t want to sell their home or isn’t making a permanent move into senior living, a reverse mortgage can help them borrow money from their home’s equity without selling their home.
- Health savings accounts. Health savings accounts (HSAs) are accompanied by high deductible health insurance plans. An HSA can help cover long-term medical care costs.
- Life insurance. Some seniors sell their life insurance policies to help pay for long-term care costs or rent at a senior living facility. Depending on the type of insurance your loved one has, they may be able to receive cash benefits.
- Long-term care insurance. Long-term care insurance is specifically used to help seniors pay for long-term health care. Depending on the type of insurance your loved one has, this could include nursing home stays.
Number of veterans who live in New York City, per the U.S. Census Bureau
About 33 percent of New York City veterans are 75+, per the U.S. Census Bureau.
With over 133,000 veterans living in New York City, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the area is home to many who have served.[03] If senior veterans are in need of 24-hour skilled nursing care, there are many veterans benefits that can be used toward nursing home or assisted living costs. To qualify for VA benefits, senior veterans must meet certain service-connected status, income, and disability guidelines.
Veterans Pension benefits
Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible to receive a pension and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or VA). Many senior veterans use monthly payments from a Veterans Pension to help pay for their senior living costs. To qualify, a senior must meet certain income limits and at least one of the following:
- Be aged 65 or older
- Have a permanent disability
- Be a patient in a nursing home due to a disability
- Receive Social Security Disability Insurance
- Receive Supplemental Security Income
VA Aid and Attendance benefit
In addition to a veterans pension, seniors may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. This beneficial monthly payment can be added on top of the veterans pension stipend. To qualify for VA Aid and Attendance Benefits, a veteran must meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Need assistance with some activities of daily living, like meal prep
- Reside in a nursing home due to a disability
- Have an illness that causes them to stay in bed the majority of the day
- Have very limited eyesight
Housebound allowance
If your loved one has a disability due to the natural aging process and requires nursing care inside their place of residence, they may qualify for the Housebound allowance. This addition to the VA pension helps cover in-home health care costs equivalent to nursing home care. While VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowances are both additions to a veterans pension, they cannot be received together.
Nursing homes for veterans
There are five New York state veterans nursing homes. These are facilities owned and operated by the New York State Department of Health and State University of New York. Eligible veterans who need 24/7 skilled nursing can receive this care at these facilities with no out-of-pocket costs.
How to find veterans benefits assistance in NYC
Understanding and applying for veterans benefits can be a long and difficult process, which is why the New York City Department of Veterans Services (NYC DVS) offers help through VetConnectNYC. This service helps connect senior veterans to DVS Care Coordinators who help senior veterans, family members, and caregivers find the services they are eligible for. Additionally, seniors may benefit from contacting the local Department of Veterans’ Services office to fully understand local veteran resources and apply for their benefits.
There are also local nonprofit organizations like Disabled American Veterans or Veterans of Foreign Wars with local veterans service officers (VSOs) who can help seniors apply for VA benefits and can even help dispute denied claims. Likewise, New York veterans can receive additional assistance through other local nonprofit organizations like American Legion and Paralyzed Veterans of American for additional support and advocacy.
Resources for New York City veterans
Manhattan Veteran Resource Center
519 8th Ave., Suite 2401
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-951-6866
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Bronx Veteran Resource Center
2471 Morris Ave., Suite 1A
Bronx, NY 10468
Phone: 718-367-3500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
.
Bronx Veteran Resource Center
2471 Morris Ave., Suite 1A
Bronx, NY 10468
Phone: 718-367-3500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Veteran Resource Center
25 Chapel St., Suite 604
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-630-2830
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Queens Veteran Resource Center
75-10B 91 Ave.
Woodhaven, NY 11421
Phone: 718-296-2871
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Staten Island Vet Center
60 Bay St.
Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone: 718-816-4499
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Bergen County
Contact: Joseph Restivo
125 State St., Suite #109
Hackensack, NJ 07601-5435
Phone: 201-996-8050
201-996-8051
Fax: 201-996-8009
Email: Joseph.Restivo@dmava.nj.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Essex/Union Counties
Contact: DeAndre Gurley
20 Washington Place, Room #431
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973-297-3336
Fax: 973-642-0830
Email: DeAndre.Gurley@dmava.nj.gov
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hudson County
Contact: Esther Chucaralao
Jersey City Armory
678 Montgomery St., 2nd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201-536-3401
Fax: 201-536-3404
Email: Esther.Chucaralao@dmava.nj.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Closed alternate Fridays
New York State Medicaid covers a variety of medical expenses:
- Home care
- Personal care aides
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medical equipment[04]
Whether your loved one is eligible for New York Medicaid varies depending on the requirements. The following may affect their eligibility status:
Additionally, eligibility for programs like Medicaid Savings Program, COBRA, AIDS Health Insurance Program, and Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working People with Disabilities, may affect your eligibility for New York Medicaid.[05]
New York has other Medicaid related programs that help cover in-home care or in-nursing home care. These programs include the following:
- Long Term Home Health Care Program: Eligible adults who qualify for nursing home care, but prefer to stay at home can receive in-home nursing home care services.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE): Seniors aged 55 and older who qualify for nursing home care can receive help arranging long-term care services.
- Managed Long-Term Care Program: This program helps cover costs for case management, nursing, home health aides, home attendant services, and physical therapists.
New York Medicaid for assisted living
Besides skilled nursing coverage, New York Medicaid offers an Assisted Living Program (ALP), which covers assisted living costs for qualified recipients. To qualify for the program, residents cannot require 24-hour nursing care or be bedbound. Medicaid may cover the following costs through the Assisted Living Program at a Medicaid-contracted assisted living provider:
- Room and board
- Personal care
- Supervision
- Housekeeping
- Home health aides
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Adult day health care
- Home health services
- Personal emergency response systems
- Case management services provided by a registered nurse
New Jersey Medicaid for nursing homes
New Jersey Medicaid offers a variety of mandatory and optional services, depending on the specific programs a resident enrolls in. New Jersey Medicaid includes nursing facilities for people over 21 in their mandatory services; therefore, nursing home care is covered for all Medicaid recipients.
Seniors aged 65 and older and adults who are disabled may qualify for the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD) Program. This New Jersey Medicaid program is for adults who are not receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) but meet the income SSI standards. ABD covers many medical and care services:
- Long-term services and supports
- Rehabilitative care
- Lab tests and X-rays
- Doctor visits
- Specialist visits
How to understand and apply for local Medicaid benefits
Understanding and applying for Medicaid benefits can be a long and confusing process. Contact a local Medicaid office so they can help clarify what your loved one qualifies for and how to apply for those benefits. Additionally, at least one NYC Medicaid office in every borough has Certified Application Counselors (CAC) available to help your loved one apply for benefits. Low-income New York seniors aged 65 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, can utilize the Aged, Disabled and Blind in New York City (ABD) program, which helps find programs that help pay for Medicare and apply for Medicaid.
New York City resident Medicaid resources
Rider Community
305 Rider Ave., 4th Floor
Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: 718-585-7872
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fordham
2541-2549 Bainbridge Ave.
Bronx, NY 10458
Phone: 929-252-3230
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Coney Island
1912 Mermaid Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: 929-221-3790
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
East New York
404 Pine St., 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Phone: 929-221-8204
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kings County Hospital
441 Clarkson Ave.
“T” Building, Nurses’ Residence, 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-2300, Ext. #2301
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Brooklyn South
785 Atlantic Ave., 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 929-221-3502
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chinatown
115 Chrystie St., 5th Floor
New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-334-6114
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dyckman Community
4055 10th Ave., Lower Level
New York, NY 10034
Phone: 212-939-0207, Ext. #0208
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Queens Community
32-20 Northern Blvd., 3rd Floor
Queens, NY 11101
Phone: 718-784-6729
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Jamaica Community
165-08 88th Ave., 8th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11432
Phone: 929-252-3193
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Staten Island
215 Bay St.
Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone: 929-221-8823
929-221-8824
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
NY Medicaid helpline: 800-541-2831
Essex/Hudson Counties
153 Halsey St., 4th Floor
Newark, NJ 01702
Phone: 973-648-3700
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bergen County
100 Hamilton Plaza, 5th Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: 973-977-4077
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Union County
100 Daniels Way, 1st Floor
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: 732-863-4400
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
While Medicare does not cover custodial care in nursing homes, assisted living, or memory care, it does cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility and other medical care costs. This coverage for short-term skilled nursing stays changes throughout the course of the stay. Medicare skilled nursing coverage is explained below:
- A stay of up to 20 days has a $0 copay.
- A stay of 21-100 days has up to a $200 copay per day.
- A senior is responsible for all costs starting on day 101.
To qualify, the facility must be Medicare-certified, a doctor must recommend the patient needs daily skilled nursing supervision, and they must have a medical condition that was either treated during a three-day hospital stay or developed while they were already receiving skilled nursing care.
These care services may be covered by Medicare in a skilled nursing facility:
- Skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medication
- Food
- Semi-private rooms[06]
Both New Jersey and New York have a State Health Insurance Program (also known as SHIP), which offers counselors who assist seniors in applying for Medicare benefits. These counselors also offer information on local financial assistance programs for low-income seniors. Some of these financial assistance programs for the New York City area are as follows:
- New York City’s Medicare Savings Program (MSP) helps cover Medicare premium costs. Once an individual signs up for MSP, they are automatically enrolled into Extra Help — a federal program that helps pay for prescription drugs.
- New York’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program helps seniors age 65+ with their out-of-pocket costs from Medicare Part D plan.
- New Jersey’s Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD) may help seniors with prescription drug costs.
- If your loved one does not qualify for PAAD, consider enrolling in New Jersey’s Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program. This is another prescription drug program with a higher annual income requirement and a different copay option than PAAD.
- NJ Save is a financial assistance program for low-income or disabled New Jersey seniors. This program helps cover Medicare premiums, prescription costs, and other medical costs.
A local Social Security office can help provide more information on local programs and benefits. Additionally, both New York City and New Jersey have a long-term care ombudsman who will help advocate for your loved one’s rights if an issue occurs.
New York City resident Medicare resources
NYC Ombudsman: Paula Goolcharan
Center for Independence of the Disabled
1010 Ave. of the Americas, Suite 301
New York, NY 10018
Email: pgoolcharan@cidny.org
For Bronx, New York and Richmond counties:
Phone: 212-812-2901
For Kings and Queens counties:
Phone: 212-812-2911
New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Laurie Facciarossa Brewer
Visit the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman website
P.O. Box 852
Trenton, NJ 08625-0852
Phone: 877-582-6995
Email: ombudsman@ltco.nj.gov
Phone: 800-792-8820
Understand New York and New Jersey laws and regulations for nursing homes
Nursing homes are federally regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS). This is so nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities can be Medicare- and/or Medicaid-certified. CMS conducts nursing home reports with the help of a state surveyor who visits the nursing homes to complete a Life Safety Code and standard survey.
Besides the federal regulations, New York and New Jersey have their own state guidelines, regulations, and licensing requirements for nursing homes and senior living facilities.
New York senior living licensing requirements
Administrators of nursing homes in New York must have a nursing home administrator’s license.[07] However, other senior living facilities that provide residential care services must have an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) License issued by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
A senior care facility must also have an Enhanced Assisted Living Residence (EALR) Certification if they go beyond the normal assisted living services. Here are some of the services that go beyond the normal assisted living services:
- A continuum of care (or multiple care types on one campus)
- Licensed nurses on staff
- Access to hire a third-party home health care agency
Assisted living facilities that offer memory care services must also become certified as Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR).
New Jersey senior living licensing requirements
New Jersey nursing home administrators are required to have a nursing home administrator’s license.{{citation: 8}} However, assisted living facilities are licensed differently. Assisted living communities and programs must have a certificate of need from the New Jersey Department of Health to be licensed. Licensed assisted living facilities can also offer memory care services if they meet provisions established for that care type.
Staffing requirements
New York: Nursing homes must provide an average of 3.5 hours of care per resident daily. Within those hours, a specific amount of care time must be provided by certified nurse aids, registered nurses, and practical nurses. Below are specific requirements for who needs to provide a certain amount of allotted time:
- At least 2.2 hours of care must be provided by a certified nurse aid.
- At least 1.1 hours must be provided by a registered nurse or practical nurse.[07]
New Jersey: Nursing facilities in New Jersey must provide 2.5 hours of care per resident daily, and it must be provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aids. The amount of time increases for every specialty service offered. Specialty services may include but are not limited to the following:
- Wound care
- Tube feeing
- Oxygen therapy
- Orthopedic care
- Intravenous therapy
In addition to nursing requirements, nursing facilities are required to staff a New Jersey licensed physician who acts as the facility’s medical director.[09]
Care planning
New York: Residents must undergo a personalized care assessment within the first 14 days of their stay. This care plan is then updated every three months.[07]
New Jersey: Residents must undergo an initial comprehensive assessment within the first 14 days of their stay to help develop their care plan.[09]
Quality of life
New York: Nursing homes in New York are required to provide residents the necessary care to meet complete well-being. This includes meeting their needs in the following areas:
- Assistance with activities of daily living (or ADLs)
- Vision
- Hearing
- Pressure sores
- Incontinence
- Range of motion
- Mental and psychosocial functioning
- Feeding tubes
- Hydration
- Special needs[07]
New Jersey: Additional services that have specific regulations to follow include but are not limited to the following:
- Rehabilitative services
- Dental services
- Podiatry services
- Chiropractic services
- Vision care services
- Laboratory and other diagnostic services
- Transportation services
- Housekeeping and maintenance services
Required inspections
New York: Nursing homes in New York undergo regular certification surveys and post-survey revisits conducted by a team of professionals like nurses, pharmacists, and life safety inspectors. Some of the required investigations include interviews with family members, residents, and staff members in addition to observing all aspects of the facility, including but not limited to the following:
- Fire protection
- Resident care
- Staff and resident interactions
- Medical records[10]
New Jersey: Licensed and certified health care facilities in New Jersey undergo inspections or surveys conducted by the Department of Health. These inspections assess compliance of New Jersey and federal standards, which includes evaluating the following:
- Resident care and access to care
- Procedures and practices
- Access to care
- Resident rights
- Staffing
- Dietary services
- Housekeeping[11]
Learn more about New Jersey nursing home laws and regulations.
Learn more about New York nursing home laws and regulations.
New York State Department of Health contact information
Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Homes
Phone: 866-893-6772
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Request a facility’s inspection survey results: NYS Department of Health Records
New Jersey Department of Health contact information
Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing
Find inspection reports
Phone: 609-633-9706
COVID-19 regulations for New York City
While COVID-19 still poses a threat to seniors, many regulations have relaxed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, New York City does not have any specific COVID-19 regulations. However, in December 2022, the New York City Department of Health issued a COVID-19 advisory, where masks are strongly recommended in crowded public transportation systems or outdoor places, and in indoor spaces.
While masks are not required by the city or state, private businesses can require masks and proof of vaccination. For seniors aged 65 and older, the advisory recommends taking extra precautions due to the increased risk of contracting COVID-19:
- Wearing a mask
- Limiting the amount of people allowed at indoor gatherings
- Having people around them wear masks
- Asking visitors to take a COVID-19 test before they visit[12]
COVID-19 regulations for New York nursing homes
While there are no definitive regulations for the city itself, New York nursing homes follow strict COVID-19 regulations to help protect all resident seniors. Nursing homes typically follow COVID-19 safety guidelines set forth by the CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In addition to these regulations, the state of New York implemented the following guidelines for nursing homes:
- Vaccinations. Nursing home staff members must have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Within the first 14 days of admission to the nursing home, a resident must be given a chance to receive the first or next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Masking. Nursing home staff and visitors are required to wear masks.[13]
COVID-19 regulations for New Jersey nursing homes
Other than following CDC and CMS COVID-19 regulations, New Jersey also has their own state guidelines for nursing homes:
- Vaccinations. Long-term care facilities are required to provide COVID-19 vaccination information to staff members. The facility must also report the staff member’s vaccination status. Staff members who are not fully vaccinated must take a COVID-19 test once or twice a week until they become fully vaccinated.
- Testing. Staff members and residents who experience symptoms of COVID-19 must be tested. If a staff member or resident tests positive for COVID-19, all residents and staff members must be tested. All staff members are routinely tested at least once or twice a week.
- Staff safety. Facilities must follow the Respiratory Protection Program (RPP), which follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.[14]
Learn more about CDC COVID-19 regulations.
Learn more about CMS COVID-19 regulations.
Learn more about New York City COVID-19 regulations.
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Get to know senior living in New York City
What to expect from nursing homes in New York City
Whether your loved one is in need of 24-hour medical assistance or on-site nursing services, New York City offers a variety of senior care options. To help you further understand your loved one’s options, below is a breakdown of three senior living care types that may be applicable to your loved one’s needs.
Skilled nursing in New York City
Skilled nursing provides the highest level of care to seniors in need of 24-hour medical assistance. Additionally, most skilled nursing facilities have on-site rehabilitative services like physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Depending on your loved one’s needs, skilled nursing can be a short-term or long-term service. Choosing between rehab or a skilled nursing center can be difficult, but seniors experiencing one of the following may benefit more from a skilled nursing home:
- The senior is bedbound.
- The senior requires feeding assistance.
- The senior frequently falls.
- The senior has a complex and chronic medical condition.
- The senior requires 24-hour medical care and oversight.
- The senior is recovering from a hospital stay, illness, or injury.
A Place for Mom does not partner with stand-alone skilled nursing facilities. However, some of our assisted living and memory care facilities have a skilled nursing facility located on the same campus, or they offer access to on-site nursing care services to their current residents.
Assisted living in New York City
All of A Place for Mom’s assisted living partners in New York City have a 24-hour awake staff. Therefore, if your loved one prefers round-the-clock supervision but does not require 24-hour nursing care, assisted living in New York City may be a more affordable option. Additionally, our New York City assisted living partners also provide on-site nursing care services to current residents. On-site nursing care can mean any of the following:
- The facility has nurses on staff.
- The facility has a third-party skilled nursing agency available.
- The facility offers hospice care.
- The facility offers rehabilitative care.
A handful of assisted living communities have a skilled nursing facility available on the same campus. However, assisted living communities will not take seniors who already need 24-hour skilled nursing care. But if a senior ends up needing skilled nursing care during their stay at an assisted living facility, they will not be evicted but will instead have access to the facility’s nursing care services.
Memory care in New York City
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia and they do not require 24-hour medical assistance, they may benefit from a memory care facility. A Place for Mom’s memory care partners in New York City offer 24-hour awake staff and on-site nursing services. These services could be round-the-clock nursing supervision, hospice care, rehabilitative care, or access to a third-party skilled nursing agency. Memory care facilities will not accept a senior who needs 24-hour skilled nursing care. However, a senior will not be evicted if they need those services later on and will instead gain access to those on-site nursing services.
A few of our memory care partners in New York City offer multiple care types — including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing — on the same campus.
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Unfamiliar with New York City? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in New York City, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the New York City population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Mean retirement income of seniors 65+ in New York City, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Health care for seniors in New York City
Your loved one will have access to quality care thanks to New York’s reputable hospitals. Multiple hospitals in New York have received national recognition in different adult specialties. Below are some of the highly ranked hospitals near the New York City region:
New York-Presbyterian
New York-Presbyterian offers exceptional care with a regional ranking of No. 2 and national ranking of No. 7, according to U.S. News and World Report. This hospital is highly rated for 14 adult specialties, with a national ranking of number six for geriatrics.
NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone Health is top-notch in New York with a regional ranking of first place and a national ranking of third place. This hospital system is nationally ranked for 14 different adult specialties, including ranking No. 3 in the nation for geriatrics, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital provides remarkable care ranking No. 3 in New York and No. 16 nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report. The hospital is nationally recognized for 11 adult specialties, with a first place ranking for geriatrics.
Jersey City Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center is one of the hospitals provided by RWJ Barnabas Health System and is located in Hudson County. This hospital is highly rated for nursing excellence and leadership in LGBTQ healthcare equality. The facility is also known for being an advanced life support provider, regional trauma center, and regional heart hospital.
Transportation for seniors in New York City
Approximately 82% of our assisted living partners in New York City offer on-site transportation services, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[02] This may be safer for seniors, since it’s typically a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and is provided on-site with a staff chaperone. However, if your loved one or their visitor needs additional transportation, the large metropolitan area of New York City has plenty of options. Since the area offers easy access to buses, subways, rail roads, and taxis, many New York City residents don’t own a vehicle.
Seniors aged 65 and older with a disability can apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard. This can be used at any time for subways and local buses. However, there are limited hours for express buses, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North. If you’re unable to use the local buses or subway due to a disability, you may qualify to use Access-A-Ride. This is a paratransit service located in all five boroughs and is available any time of day year-round.
Visit the local Office of Aging’s Transportation page to learn more about senior-friendly transportation near your loved one’s area.
Senior activities in New York City
As a large metropolitan area, New York City is bustling with entertainment, tourist attractions, and local hot spots. Your loved one can experience most of New York City areas, since accessibility in NYC parks is commonplace with wheelchair-accessible facilities, activities, and programs.
From chair-assisted tap classes to sit and stretch classes, seniors in NYC can experience plenty of accessible activities at a local recreation center — with at least one located in all five boroughs. These local recreation centers offer a discounted membership available for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Restaurants
From hot dog carts on the street to New York Style pizza, New York is well-known for a substantial amount of food options. In fact, New York City is the No. 4 ranked Best Foodie Cities in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report. This hot spot for food lovers has bars, coffee shops, bakeries, fine dining, and more.
To fully embrace foodie culture, the metropolitan area has food tours, including but not limited to the following:
Museums
New York City offers a combination of art, history, and science museums, including the following:
- Staten Island Museum
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Rubin Museum of Art
- The American Museum of Natural History
Ask about possible senior discounts, since some of these museums offer discounted or free admission for adults who are age 65 or older.
Entertainment and gaming
New York City goes beyond museums, with stimulating activities and entertainment all around. Whether you’re a local senior or a visiting family member, seeing a Broadway show is a common pastime for anyone in New York City. And for seniors that enjoy gaming — from slot machines to electronic table games — seniors can win big at New York City’s only casino, Resorts World New York City.
Outdoor areas
While New York City is known as a large metropolitan area, the city has many local outdoor areas, including bird watching areas, botanical gardens, and multiple parks. Your loved one can start a new bird watching hobby, as the city houses an abundance of parks with noted bird-spotting areas. Other outdoor areas consist of multiple local parks, New York City’s botanical garden, and waterfront views at the local marinas. Seniors can also visit the biggest outdoor attraction, Central Park. New York residents who are age 62 or older can receive free vehicle access to state parks, arboretums, and discounts to certain historic sites and golf courses during the weekdays, thanks to the New York State Golden Program.
New Jersey also offers an abundance of outdoor areas. Seniors may be eligible for federal access to recreation sites through the Lifetime Senior Pass or an Annual Senior Pass. This pass also offers a 50% discount for facilities and services at these sites.
New York senior centers and programs
New York seniors aged 60 and older receive a free membership to local older adult centers (OAC), also known as senior centers. At these OACs, seniors can enjoy nutritious meals, learn about healthy cooking, attend classes, participate in stimulating activities, receive help with local benefits, participate in fitness classes, and more. Some OACs are specifically for LGBTQ+ elders.
New York also has recreation centers with accessible options available. Seniors may qualify for a discounted membership to local centers. Find a local older adult center or senior program near you.
New Jersey senior centers and programs
New Jersey also has local senior centers that can be found by visiting the local City Hall. Besides senior centers, New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services partners with the online platform GetSetUp. This provides hundreds of online courses to seniors aged 60 and older. Additionally, seniors have access to local programs that promote health education:
- A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is a program that helps seniors aged 60 and older who have fallen or who have a concern about falling.
- HealthEase is a program for seniors that helps promote physical activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Split Rock Nursing Home, Plattduetsche Home Society and Atria Forest Hills are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near New York, NY. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in New York is $7,033 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2022-2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
New York State Department of Health. (2023, January). How to apply for NY Medicaid.
New York State Department of Health. (2020, October). Consumer Guide to Community-Based Long Term Care.
Medicare. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care.
Nursing Home – Minimum Standards, N.Y. Comp. Codes Rules & Regulations. Title 10 § 415.1 (2023).
New Jersey Department of Health. Nursing Home Administrators.
Long-Term Care Services, New Jersey Administrative Code § 8:85 (2018).
New York State Department of Health. (2021, May). About nursing home reports.
New Jersey Department of Health. License surveys/inspections.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2022, Dec. 9). Advisory from the Commissioner of Health & Mental Hygiene.
New York Department of Health. (2022, September 7). Commissioner’s Determination on Masking in Certain Indoor Settings Pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.60.
New Jersey Department of Health. (2021, October 7). Executive Directive No. 21-011.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023, January 13). Hospital Search.
U.S. News and World Report. Best Foodie Cities in the U.S.
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