4 Assisted Living Communities in Niagara Falls, New York

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,895 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 4 Assisted Living Communities in Niagara Falls and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Niagara Falls, NY

• Assisted Living: $3,895
• Nursing Home Care: $11,285
• In-Home Care: $4,385
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,083

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, assisted living in Niagara Falls is relatively affordable at $3,895 per month. This is lower than both the state ($4,185) and national ($4,000) averages.

The cost of assisted living varies significantly throughout New York State. Unsurprisingly, the New York City area is home to the most expensive care, at $5,916 per month. Elmira is only slightly more affordable at $5,710 per month. The least expensive assisted living in the state is found in Glens Falls, where seniors pay just $2,600 per month.

Note: Senior care cost data was not available for Niagara Falls. Data for Buffalo, the closest city, has been used.

Senior care costs vary depending on many factors, including the type of care. Assisted living in Niagara Falls costs an average of $3,895 per month, while seniors who require a nursing home level of care can expect to pay nearly three times this amount. Seniors who wish to remain in their own homes may consider homemaker services or home health aides, at $4,385 and $4,690, respectively. Both are more expensive than assisted living, and it’s important to remember that these prices only include care. Other costs involved with staying at home may include rent, mortgage payments, maintenance or food, depending on a senior’s situation.

 

Medicaid is a government-sponsored program that helps low-income people access the healthcare they need. Seniors, children and pregnant women are some of the groups that Medicaid assists. While the federal government contributes to the cost of Medicaid, each state runs its own program. New York Medicaid covers many services, including:

• Doctor visits
• Medical supplies
• Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs
• Emergency care
• Nursing home care
• Hospital stays

New York Medicaid may also help pay for assisted living care through two programs: the Assisted Living Program and the Managed Long-Term Care Program.

Niagara Falls residents may qualify for New York Medicaid if they are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or people with an approved immigration status. Household income is also considered when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Single seniors may qualify if they earn less than $15,800 per year before taxes. For two-person households, the yearly income limit is $21,307.

For seniors, there is also a resource test. To be eligible for Medicaid, a senior needs to have less than $2,000 in resources ($3,000 for couples). A home, car and personal property aren’t counted as resources. Some of the assets that are counted toward these limits include:

• Cash
• Bank account balances
• Stock portfolios
• Vacation homes
• Life insurance policies

People who don’t have a low income and limited resources may qualify for the Medicaid Excess Income Program. This program, also known as a spend-down, can be helpful for people with high medical bills. Participants use their surplus income to pay for their own medical bills, and if they spend enough to reach the Medicaid income limit, Medicaid kicks in and pays for the rest. Participants who need medical care but don’t have any medical bills can pay their surplus income directly to the Department of Social Services.

To apply for Medicaid online, visit the New York State of Health website. To apply over the phone, call the Medicaid helpline at (800) 541-2831.

Assisted Living Program

New York’s Assisted Living Program provides a variety of services to participants. These services include personal care, supervision, housekeeping, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Seniors may also receive assistance paying for room and board.

To participate in the ALP, seniors need to be medically eligible to live in a nursing home. They must be able to live safely in an assisted living facility and not be bedbound or in need of continuous nursing care. While the majority of participants in this program are Medicaid recipients, private payers are also eligible.

Seniors who are interested in these services can contact the ALP directly. Participants receiving Medicaid must also contact Niagara County Social Services to have ALP services approved. This department can be reached at (716) 278-8400.

Managed Long-Term Care

The Managed Long-Term Care program may help seniors pay for assisted living and other long-term care options. There are three different plans: MLTC Medicaid Plus, Medicaid Advantage Plus and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. The first plan only provides Medicaid services while Medicaid Advantage Plus and PACE provide both Medicaid and Medicare services. Some of the services provided by these plans include:

• Home health services
• Personal care
• Adult day health care
• Nursing home care
• Transportation to medical appointments

Membership in the MLTC program is mandatory for seniors who are dual-eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and will receive long-term care for at least four months. Seniors who are enrolled in the ALP, which was described in detail above, cannot join the MLTC.

To learn more about MLTC or to join, call New York Medicaid Choice at (888) 401-6582.

New York State Supplement Program

Niagara Falls seniors may be eligible to receive monthly cash assistance through the New York State Supplement Program. The maximum monthly SPP allowance for seniors in assisted living is $405. Those who earn other income receive a lower monthly benefit amount.

To be eligible for this monthly funding, Niagara Falls seniors must be 65 or older and either citizens or qualified aliens. In addition, they need to have limited income and resources.

To receive SSP, contact the Social Security Administration to apply for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. This application is shared with New York State, which determines eligibility for SSP. You can apply for SSI by contacting your local Social Security Office or by phoning (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Some seniors may only need short-term funding to pay for assisted living. These people may want to consider Elderlife Financial bridge loans. These loans have terms of up to 18 months, and they are usually offered as a line of credit. Each month, seniors choose how much money to withdraw, and Elderlife Financial sends that money directly to the assisted living facility. The loan may also be provided as a lump sum.

Seniors who are interested in this funding source can complete an online bridge loan application. To complete the application, seniors need to provide the name of the assisted living facility where they plan to live as well as the monthly cost of care. Elderlife Financial also asks seniors how they will pay back the bridge loan. Seniors may plan to repay the loan through a home sale or financial asset liquidation.

To learn more about assisted living bridge loans or to apply over the phone, call (888) 228-4500.

The AAA provides information and assistance to seniors who live in Niagara County. Seniors can visit the AAA to receive counseling on financial, health insurance or housing matters. They can also receive referrals to community resources through the AAA. The Niagara County Office for the Aging 
111 Main St, Ste 101, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 438-4020

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