Buffalo New York Adult Care Homes: Common Terms, How to pay, Licensing and Questions to ask
Buffalo is the second-largest city in the state of New York and the seat of Erie county. It lies at the eastern end of Lake Erie on the U.S. border with Canada. Buffalo is home to over 20 theater companies, with many centered in the downtown theater district. In 2015, the National Geographic Society ranked Buffalo third on its “World’s Top Ten Food Cities” list and locals enjoy famous buffalo wings.
Assisted Living Communities near Buffalo, New York
Wheatfield Commons
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
The Meadows
Buffalo, New York 14228
The Courtyards Llc
Hamburg, New York 14075
Tennyson Court
Buffalo, New York 14221
Symphony Manor At Lancaster
Lancaster, New York 14086
St. Francis Park
Hamburg, New York 14075
Peregrine's Landing At Orchard Park
Orchard Park, New York 14127
Peregrine's Landing Senior Community
Buffalo, New York 14227
Park Creek Senior Living Community
Buffalo, New York 14221
Mount View Assisted Living
Lockport, New York 14094
Adult Care Home and other terms
It is good to know the other terms/names you may hear:
Nursing Home (although this is an outdated and not accurate term for this level of care)
- Board and care home
- Care home
- Adult family home
- Residential care home
- Adult foster home
- Personal care Home
- Community Residential Care Facilities
- Rest Homes
About Adult Care Homes in Buffalo
There are benefits for seniors in New York, which may add to the appeal. Social security, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, and the Senior rent increase exemption are all added benefits of being an aging adult in New York. New York’s population is over 8 million, about 15% of which are seniors and retirees. An adult care home may be ideal for a senior who can no longer manage their health and safety in their own home, and may need care. These are private residences that provide a home-like setting, and typically care for 5 residents, depending on the licensing requirements. The adult care home provider will typically provide meals, housekeeping, and limited activities. Unlike a nursing home, residents may require very light assistance or may be dependent with several care needs. It is best to ask individual locations for their specific policies and licenses. Similar to a nursing home, residents receive 24-hour care all in a single-family environment. And in addition each home has an operator who may employ additional caregivers to support the care of residents. They are licensed to house a smaller number of adults as opposed to larger assisted living communities, so they make ideal homes for loved ones who require individualized care while allowing residents the preferences and choices to honor their independence. Your loved one may require minimum assistance, in which case an adult care home may be ideal, or they may be much more dependent on care and services, where a nursing home may be a better fit. The comfort and peace of mind of your loved one is the most important thing so ask each location you look at for their specific licenses and policies.
Considerations When Looking for Care in Buffalo
Buffalo summers are characterized by abundant sunshine, with moderate humidity and temperatures the city benefits from cool, southwestern Lake Erie summer breezes which temper warmer temperatures. Lake Erie affects the snow in buffalo giving it unique winter characteristics, but it is rarely the snowiest city in New York. With a population of 276,807 and an abundance of care, these features and more have led to Buffalo becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire. Please note that adult care homes are not separated from assisted living in this state. The main difference is the capacity so be sure to ask each community.
Cities Near Buffalo
- Niagara Falls – 19 miles north
- West Seneca – 10 miles east
- Williamsville – 14 miles east
- East Aurora – 20 miles south
It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers
Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
565 Abbott Rd
Sisters of Charity Hospital
2157 Main St
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
2950 Elmwood Ave
ECMC – Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider St
Sisters Hospital Foundation
2157 Main St
Resources and Links- New York
Adult Protective Services The New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA’s) home and community-based programs provide older adults with access to a well-planned, coordinated package of in-home and other supportive services designed to support and supplement informal care. NYSOFA’s overall goal is to improve access to, and availability of, appropriate and cost-effective non-medical support services for older individuals to maximize their ability to age in their community and avoid higher levels of care and publicly financed care. NYSOFA achieves this through our network of 59 area agencies on aging. This network provides the following core services in coordination with local partners
New York State Office of Children and Family Services Bureau of Adult Services We accomplish these goals by partnering with hundreds of community-based organizations to provide services through older adult centers, naturally occurring retirement communities, case-management and home-care agencies, home-delivered meal programs, mental health and friendly visiting programs, and much more in each borough.
Legal Services NYC Legal Services NYC fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers.
Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) HIICAP counselors help seniors and their caregivers to understand Medicare and other health insurance options and benefits.
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
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