15 Assisted Living Communities in Saratoga County, New York

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $2,600 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 15 Assisted Living Communities in Saratoga County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Saratoga County, NY

• Assisted Living: $2,600
• Nursing Home Care: $11,045
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,833

At $2,600 per month, the average cost of assisted living in Saratoga County is well below the national ($4,000) and state ($4,185) averages. Prices are nearly double in nearby Albany ($5,050). 

Prices throughout New York State start at $2,600 per month in the Saratoga County/Glens Falls area and go as high as $5,916 in New York City. Prices in Watertown ($5,509), Elmira ($5,710) and Binghamton ($5,270) are also over $5,000 per month, while prices are lower in Rochester ($4,396) and Buffalo ($3,895). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Saratoga County, so data for the closest city, Glens Falls, was used. 

In Saratoga County, assisted living is the lowest priced senior care service at $2,600 per month. Nursing home care costs more than four times what assisted living does at $11,045 for a semiprivate room. Although both services include meals and accommodations, nursing home care also covers 24/7 skilled nursing care in a specialized medical facility.  Hiring either a homemaker or home health aide costs an average of $4,576 per month based on 44 hours of service weekly, while adult day health services cost $2,833 for weekday care in a group center. Neither option includes home upkeep expenses or groceries. 

Approximately one in four New York State residents are covered under Medicaid, a government program that provides low-income people with basic health insurance. 

Medicaid is administered by each state, and by law, certain benefits, such as hospital, primary physician, nursing facility and home health services, must be included in every plan. Optional benefits, including eyeglasses and vision care, rehabilitation, case management and nursing home diversion programs, may be offered through state-specific waivers. 

To qualify for long-term Medicaid coverage in Saratoga County, seniors aged 65 and older may earn up to $859 per month and own up to $15,450 in countable assets. Married couples applying together may earn up to $1,267 per month and own up to $22,800 in joint countable assets. 

Medicaid Community Spouse Resource Allowance

If only one spouse in a married couple requires Medicaid, any income earned by the community spouse is disregarded and the single income limits apply. The community spouse can also keep up to half of the couple’s joint assets, worth up to a maximum value of $126,420. 

Some assets are classified as Medicaid-exempt, meaning the value of these assets aren’t included in the asset limit. An owner-occupied residence worth up to $858,000, one vehicle, an irrevocable burial trust and personal effects are all exempt. 

Medicaid Excess Income Program

Seniors aged 65 and older and adults who are blind or otherwise disabled with income that exceeds Medicaid enrollment limits may qualify for coverage through the  Medicaid Excess Income program. 

Also called Medicaid spend-down, MEI works like a deductible on an insurance policy. Each month participants must spend a predetermined portion of their excess income on medical expenses. Once that limit is reached, participants are provided with Medicaid coverage for the remainder of the month. 

For more information on New York Medicaid and the MEI program, contact the NY Medicaid Helpline at (800) 541-2831.

Assisted Living Program

Low-income seniors who meet the Medicaid criteria for nursing home placement but don’t require around-the-clock medical care may qualify for the Assisted Living Program. This nursing home diversion program provides a wide range of services that enable seniors to reside in a participating assisted living facility, such as: 

• Adult day health care
• Physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy
• Homemaker services
• Personal care services
• Skilled nursing
• Access to an emergency response system
• Medical supplies
• Mobility devices
• Case management by a registered nurse

To enroll in the ALP, seniors either need to be Medicaid recipients or be able to cover the program costs on a private-pay basis. Statewide, ALP enrollment is capped at 4,200 participants and about 85% are covered by Medicaid.  

For more information on the ALP, contact the Saratoga County Department of Social Services at (518) 884-4140. 

New York State Supplement Program

Seniors aged 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income may be eligible for additional cash benefits through the New York State Supplemental program. 

The SSP tops up the federal SSI benefit to help recipients pay the room-and-board portion of their monthly living costs. The SSP benefit level is based on where the senior resides and varies from $87 up to $694 per month in SSP benefits. 

To apply for SSP benefits, call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

VA Special Monthly Pension

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers two special monthly pension programs that eligible vets and survivors can use towards assisted living costs. To qualify for either program, claimants must first qualify for the regular VA pension. 

For Aid and Attendance, claimants must either be bedridden, live in a nursing home or need help to perform activities of daily living due to a permanent disability or chronic illness. Claimants may also qualify for this benefit if they are legally blind. 

For Housebound, claimants must have a permanent disability that’s rated at 100% and renders them confined to their home. Claimants may also qualify if they have one permanent disability rated at 100% and at least one additional disability rated at 60% or greater. 

Note: Successful claimants may be granted benefits from only one of these two pension programs. 

For more information and assistance with the claims process, contact the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency at (518) 742-0863.

The Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency helps veterans and their families file VA benefit claims, obtain military service records and schedule free van transportation to the VA medical center in Albany. 

Outpatient veterans health services are provided at the Clifton Park VA Outpatient Clinic, and comprehensive hospital care is available at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany. 

Veterans can also join the Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420 that hosts regular communal dinners and social events for vets and their families. 

Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency
2144 Doubleday Ave., Ballston Spa, N.Y. 12020
(518) 742-0863

Clifton Park VA Outpatient Clinic
963 Rt. 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065
(518) 383-8506

Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420
190 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 584-9686

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