Nursing homes and assisted living in New York

New York has many care options: residences, adult day centers and home care agencies. Here we explain the names you'll hear, how Medicaid helps and who to call.

What care settings are called here

The state Department of Health (DOH) licenses nursing homes and adult care facilities. The most common names are:

• Nursing home: nursing care 24 hours a day, therapy and personal care.
• Adult Home: a residence for five or more adults, with housing, meals, housekeeping, personal care and supervision.
• Enriched Housing Program: similar, but in more independent apartments, mainly for people 65 and older.
• Assisted Living Residence (ALR): licensed assisted living. Some have Enhanced (EALR) certification for people who need more help walking or getting around, and others have Special Needs (SNALR) certification for people with dementia or Alzheimer's.
• Assisted Living Program (ALP): a program inside some Adult Homes or Enriched Housing for people whose health needs could take them to a nursing home, but who can live in a less intensive setting.
• Adult day health care: your loved one spends the day with care and activities and sleeps at home.

How Medicaid helps in New York

New York Medicaid pays for a nursing home for people who qualify based on income, assets and care needs. For long-term help at home, the main program is Managed Long Term Care (MLTC): a plan that coordinates personal care, nursing, therapy and other services so the person can stay in their community.

• Since September 1, 2025, to join MLTC you must need community services for more than 120 days and meet minimum need requirements (needing help with several daily activities, like bathing or dressing).
• First, you need an assessment from the New York Independent Assessor (NYIA): 855-222-8350 (TTY: 1-888-329-1541).
• In assisted living, Medicaid can pay for care services only through the Assisted Living Program (ALP). Room and board are almost always paid separately.
• You apply for Medicaid at your county's Department of Social Services (in New York City, at the Human Resources Administration, or HRA). For questions, call the NYS Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831.

Rules change often, so check your situation with the agency or a professional.

How much care costs in New York

According to CareScout's Cost of Care 2025 survey (data collected from July to November 2025 and published in March 2026), these are the median costs in the state:

• In-home caregiver (non-medical): $35 an hour.
• Adult day center: $144 a day.
• Assisted living: $7,110 a month.
• Nursing home, semi-private room: $15,528 a month.
• Nursing home, private room: $16,729 a month.

Prices vary by area and by place. Always ask for the rates in writing.

Who to call

• NY Connects (statewide information): 1-800-342-9871.
• NYC Aging Connect (New York City): 212-244-6469.
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (an advocate for residents of nursing homes, adult homes and assisted living): 1-855-582-6769.
• DOH nursing home complaint line: 1-888-201-4563.
• DOH complaint line for Adult Care Facilities and ALPs: 1-866-893-6772.
• Eldercare Locator (national service): 1-800-677-1116.

Tips for your family

• Compare before you visit. The DOH has public profiles of nursing homes and adult care facilities, with inspections and quality data. They help you choose with peace of mind.
• Ask about language. In New York City and other areas with many Latino families, some places have bilingual staff. Ask whether there are nurses, caregivers or social workers who speak Spanish.
• Assisted living with Medicaid: ask whether the place has an Assisted Living Program (ALP). Not every residence offers one.
• Start the assessment early. The NYIA assessment and the Medicaid application take time. Gather your papers on income, assets and identity.
• On hogaresparamayores.com, you can see the licensed care facilities in New York and compare options near your family.