The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Beacon, NY for 2024

Beacon is a city of nearly 14,000 residents, about 14% of whom are aged 65 and over. The city offers a reliable public transportation system, comfortable weather and easy access to health care, and its low crime provides peace of mind for seniors seeking local residential care options.

Assisted living is a prime option for those who need personal care services but don’t require medical monitoring. Residents enjoy services and amenities, such as daily meals, local transportation, recreational activities and housekeeping. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in the Beacon region pay $5,154 per month for this type of care, which is higher than state and national averages. 

This guide highlights the benefits and drawbacks of living in this city. It also outlines local senior care costs and compares assisted living fees with rates in other cities, and it includes a list of local resources that serve seniors. 

New York’s Department of Health regulates assisted living facilities in Beacon and the rest of the state. This department conducts regular inspections to ensure a high standard of care and cleanliness for residents, and it makes its results available to the public. It also enforces regulations regarding the scope of care, intake and discharge procedures and services. 

• Beacon’s overall cost of living is 20% higher than the national average but on par with the state as a whole. Transportation costs, utilities, groceries and housing are all more expensive here than in the typical U.S. city, but seniors may be able to control these living expenses by moving to assisted living.  
• In New York, retirement income sources, such as pensions and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts, are deductible up to $20,000, and Social Security benefits aren’t taxed at the state level. This may help older adults afford care expenses in Beacon.   
• The Dutchess County Division of Transportation operates six fixed bus routes throughout Beacon, making various stops along the city’s main stretch and other points of destination, and the local train station is part of the Metro-North Hudson Line and connects to locations in New York and Connecticut. 
• Crime has been on the decline in Beacon for over two decades. The city reports some of the lowest violent crime rates in the state, with this type of crime occurring at a rate of about 165 incidents per 100,000 people versus the national rate of 379 and the state rate of 359. Property crime is similarly low at 1,034 compared to the respective state and national rates of 1,373 and 2,110.  
• Beacon is one of the warmest places in New York, with summer highs reaching in to the mid-80s. July can be muggy, but humidity levels tend to be low the rest of the year. Winters are chilly with lows in the teens, and residents see about 37 inches of annual snowfall.  
• There aren’t any hospitals in Beacon proper, but Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall is situated about 2 miles away in Newburgh, providing easy access to high-quality health care. Health care costs tend to be slightly higher here than in the typical U.S. city, but there are more doctors per capita than the national average, which may reduce waiting times to see specialists. 

Seniors in Beacon pay $5,154 per month for assisted living. By comparison, seniors nationwide pay $4,300 per month for this level of care, and in New York, the monthly rate is a little higher at $4,800.  

Assisted living rates vary throughout New York depending on location. Watertown is among the pricier cities in the state, with assisted living facilities charging approximately $6,034 per month for care. In the New York area, seniors pay $5,991. Beacon is an affordable alternative to these cities, with assisted living residents paying $5,154 for care. Those seeking more cost-effective options may consider the Buffalo area, where facilities charge $4,565 monthly, or Glens Falls, where rates are the cheapest in the state at $4,235. 

Compared to other senior care options in Beacon, assisted living is moderately priced at $5,154 monthly. Older adults who live in their own homes may pay slightly less, with agencies charging $4,957 for homemaker services and specialized home health aide services. Local adult day care rates aren’t available for this region, but statewide, seniors pay $1,945 per month for this type of care. Nursing homes provide a higher level of care than assisted living and are costlier at $13,748 for shared rooms and $14,228 for private accommodations. 

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in New York page.