Discover CCRCs in New York

Continuing care retirement communities are retirement communities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care, offering residents a continuum of care. The communities ensure a dignified place for your or your senior to stay. Depending on your location and specific needs your options may vary. Since many sponsors of CCRCs include religious, fraternal and community organizations, and other companies involved with developing these retirement communities, they often imbue their philosophies and ideals within the communities. 

Although there is no overarching federal agency that regulates retirement communities, the private non-profit organization CARF-CCAC provides a voluntary process for individual CCRCs to become accredited.  

Find CONTINUING CARE Facilities In NEW YORK

Find Senior Caring Options by County

Recreation and Attractions in New York

New York can be a spectrum of experience. Outdoor enthusiasts rejoice at the sight of the Catskills Mountains as The Big Apple bustles with endless industry, top-notch restaurants, shows, and international prestige. Hidden gems like Corning, New York and its Museum of Glass or Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame can be found throughout the state. Even if your continuing care community provides plenty of activities, there’s always something new to discover right outside your door!

New York's Climate, Geography, and Culture

New York receives about 46 inches of rainfall and snowfall can range between 2 and 4 feet depending on your location. January is the coldest month, July is the hottest month, April is the wettest month, and October is the driest month. Despite the uncomfortable heat, summer is the most visited time of year thanks to a variety of outdoor activities. 

New York City is a place with many distinct cultures co-existing to form a most interesting amalgam. Ethnic cultures flourish in places like Chinatown, Little Italy, Little India, and in Queens which has the largest indigenously Greek population next to Athens. Elsewhere in the state, you can find plenty of outdoors lovers and hard working people just the same. 

New York's CCRC Laws and Regulations

New York has rules and regulations that are put in place to ensure that CCRC's are abiding by U.S. federal laws and are not taking advantage of patients. A full list of laws can be found on the New York Department of Health website. It will detail the quality of care required, the payment methods, and estimated cost among other things. If something seems unclear, feel free to contact a legal aid to explain any confusion.

Crime and Safety in New York 

Official reports show that New York State reached an all-time low of crime in 2014, declining 18 percent over the past decade. Of course, it must be understood that New York City accounts for nearly 68.4 percent of crime reported statewide. Other places with heavy tourism like Niagara Falls will experience heightened rates as well. To assist your search for a CCRC in New York, we have listed some of the safest cities in the state below.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Malverne Village.472.46
New Castle Town.114.31
Cornwall Town.14.4

(source: safewise.com)

Payment and Costs for CCRCs in New York

The payment plans will differ at each CCRC, however, large entrance fees are to be expected and can range anywhere from $30,000 to $500,000 and even up to $1 million at a single time depending on your contract and location. The national average cost of an entrance fee based on the most recent data is $248,000, and this price is expected to continue to fluctuate based on local housing prices. 

The type of contract entered into by the resident will include a monthly maintenance fee costing between $300 and $4,500 or more depending on which services are utilized. Some residents may choose a buy-in option, meaning they join the community through buying an actual property. Whether you buy a property or not, it’s still necessary to look out for any additional maintenance or service fees before signing a contract. 

The difference in prices is largely a result of the type of contract residents enter into, as well as their individual health care costs and possible Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

  1. Extensive Contracts – Guarantee a lifetime of housing and care at any and all levels provided by the community. These include monthly fees in exchange for a wide range of services. Because there is a relatively lower degree of risk, the upfront costs are much higher.
    1. Entry Fee: $160,000 - $600,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $2,500 - $5,400
  2. Modified Contracts – Modified contracts only extend to a set number of days. After exceeding this limit, services are paid for out of pocket by the resident. Monthly fees are also still charged at an ongoing rate.
    1. Entry Fee: $80,000 - $750,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $1,500 - $2,500
  3. Fee-For-Service Contracts – Residents only pay for the services they currently use, however, are not safeguarded from any future changes in pricing or service availability. Most of the financial burden is borne by the resident, depending on Medicare or Medicaid eligibility. These are considered to be the contracts with the highest risk, even though their upfront costs are the lowest.
    1. Entry Fee: $100,000 - $500,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $1,300 - $4,300
  4. Rental Agreements – Allow residents the ability to rent a housing unit on a monthly or annual basis. This type of contract does not guarantee access to health care on a fee-for-service basis, unlike other agreements.
    1. Entry Fee: $1,800 - $30,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $900 - $10,700
  5. Equity Agreements – Shares of the community or association are afforded to individuals by the transferal of actual home, condominium, or townhome ownership within the CCRC. Healthcare services can still be purchased for additional fees. Through an equity agreement, the property’s appreciation benefits the individual or their estate as specified by the terms of the contract. This type of agreement relies heavily on the fluctuations of real estate in the area. 

From a Report by The U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Senior and Elderly Rights For Continuing Care in NY

Entering a New York CCRC doesn’t mean your rights as a United States citizen are left behind. Residents have the right to manage their personal and financial affairs and air grievances. Additionally, all services provided and a description of your rights within each particular CCRC are to be displayed and understood upon entering into your continuing care contract. Coupled with New York’s diverse attractions and high-quality communities, your move to a CCRC can be the perfect chance to retire comfortably.

New York CCCRC: Medical Record Rules and Regulations

New York CCRCs will require many applicants to provide medical records and health screenings upon applying. These records are important when you're applying for residence in a CCRC. Unfortunately, it is common for applicants with frailties and those older than 80 years of age to be denied admission, especially if their pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from the health care coverage to be provided. Residents receiving nursing home care or any other type of medical attention in New York are entitled to a comprehensive and accurate record of their diagnosis and treatment. State and federal laws provide that residents have access to their records and health information, as well as the right to know when disclosures have been made. Otherwise, these records are to remain confidential for up to 6 years and can be accessed by submitting a request and providing a small fee.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.