New York offers seniors, about 16% of the population, a wide range of supportive programs and benefits through its Department of Health and the New York State Office for the Aging. The state’s average cost of in-home care is approximately $477 more per month than the nation’s $4,290 average, and its in-home care providers are regulated through New York Medicaid to ensure they provide seniors with the high-quality care they need.

Below, we’ve put together a detailed guide explaining the cost of in-home care in New York, some of the state-wide financial assistance programs available and other affordable resources offered throughout the state to help seniors age in place.

The Cost of In-Home Care in New York

In-Home Care Costs in Nearby States

Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2019 shows that at $4,767, the cost of in-home care in New York is $477 more per month than the $4,290 United States average. However, the price of in-home care in New York is significantly lower than average rates in the neighboring New England states of Massachusetts and Vermont. Seniors in New Jersey pay the same amount as New Yorkers for in-home care, and while still higher than the national average, costs in Pennsylvania are the lowest among New York and the other bordering states.

$4767

New York

$4290

United States Average

$4767

New Jersey

$4385

Pennsylvania

$5186

Massachusetts

$5196

Vermont

Cost of Other Types of Care in New York

In New York, in-home care costs just under $140 more per month than assisted living facility care but allows seniors to remain in the comfort of their own home or private residence. Additionally, in-home care is approximately $190 less per month than the more extensive services of home health care. Adult day health care is the least expensive senior care type at an average cost of $1,842 per month, and around-the-clock skilled nursing care is the most expensive with an average monthly price tag of $11,613.

$4767

In-Home Care

$4957

Home Health Care

$1842

Adult Day Care

$4630

Assisted Living Facility

$11613

Nursing Home Care

The Cost of In-Home Care in New York’s Top Cities

Comparing Costs Across New York

The four most populous cities in New York have average costs of in-home care that closely reflect the state’s overall average. In fact, in Rochester, Yonkers and New York City (the most populous city in the state and the country), average in-home care costs are exactly the same as the state’s $4,767 median. Rates in Buffalo are only slightly higher at $4,791 per month. In the state’s fifth most populous city, the upstate university town of Syracuse, seniors pay approximately $191 less per month for in-home care than the New York average.

$4767

New York City

$4791

Buffalo

$4767

Rochester

$4767

Yonkers

$4576

Syracuse

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care in New York

Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly

Administered by the Department of Health, New York’s Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly program provides recipients with non-medical in-home care and case management. The intent of EISEP is to ensure clients receive any needed assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. ADLs include necessary activities such as dressing, bathing and eating, and IADLs include more complex tasks such as cooking, shopping and managing transportation. Services are supplemental to any care clients already receive from loved ones, and case managers work closely with seniors and their families to assess their unique needs.

Along with case management and personal care services, some clients may be eligible to receive respite care and ancillary services such as emergency response systems. Clients share program costs through a sliding scale, with individual rates determined by a client’s income and price of services received.

Who is Eligible?
To qualify for EISEP, applicants must want to remain in their home, be at least 60 years old and need assistance with at least one ADL or two IADLs. They must be ineligible for Medicaid and willing to contribute to the cost of services. Some local providers may also offer consumer-directed in-home services to individuals with the capacity to direct and manage their services or authorize a preferred individual to direct their care.

How to Apply
New York residents interested in applying for EISEP should contact their local Area Agency on Aging or call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871.

Community First Choice State Plan Option

The Community First Choice State Plan Option is a Medicaid program authorized by the Affordable Care Act that provides eligible New York residents with in-home, long-term care services. Through the program, aides or care workers can visit seniors’ homes to assist them with ADLs and IADLs.

Who is Eligible?
To qualify for CFCO, individuals must be eligible to receive New York Medicaid, require an institutional level of care and live in a private, residential home.

How to Apply
CFCO participants must be enrolled in Medicaid. If not yet enrolled, they should contact their local Department of Social Services to apply. If already enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care Program, interested individuals should contact their care provider to discuss their needs.

Medicaid Managed Long Term Care Plans

The New York State Department of Health created three Medicaid Managed Long Term Care plans that provide support and services to individuals with chronic or long-term health issues or disabilities. These include the MLTC Medicaid Plan, the Medicaid Advantage Plan and the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Services can be provided in participants’ homes and may include assistance with ADLs, home-delivered meals, transportation services and physical therapy.

Who is Eligible?
Participants must be at least 65 years old to enroll in the MLTC Medicaid Plan and Medicaid Advantage Plus and at least 55 years old to enroll in PACE. They must require a nursing home level of care and fall within the state Medicaid plan’s financial requirements. Individuals can earn no more than $875 per month and have a maximum of $15,750 in assets, and married couples can earn no more than $1,284 per month and have a maximum of $23,100 in assets.

How to Apply
New York seniors interested in applying for Medicaid should contact their local Department of Social Services. If they qualify for long-term services, once enrolled in Medicaid, they’ll receive a letter in the mail informing them to select one of the three plans.

More Ways to Pay for In-Home Care

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost In-Home Care Resources in New York

Throughout New York, numerous organizations provide affordable resources to help seniors meet their needs and receive in-home care. Among others, these resources include home modifications, transportation services and home-delivered meals.

ContactArea ServedServices Provided
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)1-800-342-9871Entire StateNORCs help seniors remain in their homes and receive facilitated health and social services available within the community.
Home-Delivered MealsContact your local Area Agency on AgingEntire StateThis program delivers free meals directly to the homes of eligible adults aged 60 and over.
The New York State Coalition on Elder AbuseEmail info@lifespanrochester.org

Entire StateThis coalition is a network of nearly 2,000 entities that collaborate to protect seniors from abuse.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman212-812-2901New York CityThe ombudsman program recruits volunteers to advocate for seniors living in care facilities and family homes to protect their rights and ensure their needs are met.
NY Connects1-800-342-9871Entire StateNY Connects is an agency that provides a comprehensive resource directory for seniors and people of any age with a disability. Residents can receive help completing applications for services and information on non-medical and medical resources throughout the state.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in New York

The New York State Department of Health oversees and regulates licensed home care service agencies throughout the state. These agencies can contract with Medicaid and Medicare to provide care to recipients or work with clients who self-pay or use private insurance companies. Below, we provide a brief synopsis of the primary laws regulating in-home care in New York.

Scope of CareHome care service agencies licensed with the New York DOH may provide nursing, home health aide and personal care services within a client’s home. Services should aim to maintain or improve clients’ health or reduce the impact of disabilities or illness.
Care Plan RequirementsFor individuals receiving Medicaid Managed Care, a care plan should be developed following a thorough assessment that determines whether a client requires scheduled or unscheduled personal care services, identifies their varying day and nighttime needs and considers any informal supports already in place.
Medication Management requirementsHome care workers who assist clients with activities of daily living (Level II personal care services as defined by Medicaid) may help clients self-administer medications. This can include bringing the client their medications and any related supplies at the recommended administration times.
Staff Screening RequirementsAgencies must request criminal history checks and statements disclosing any history of abuse toward patients or residents from all prospective employees.
Staff Training RequirementsThe DOH requires home care workers to complete a state-approved training and provides a list of education and training programs here.
Medicaid CoverageMembers of Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plans will receive full or partial coverage toward in-home care services.
Reporting AbuseIndividuals may issue complaints about home care agencies directly to the DOH by calling the Home Health Hotline at 1-800-628-5972 or emailing homecare@health.ny.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does In-Home Care Cost in New York?

As shown in Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2019, in-home care in New York costs an average of $4,767 per month. Through in-home care, aging adults can remain in their private residences and receive help with certain household tasks such as cleaning, cooking and running errands as well as assistance with activities of daily living.

Are There Transportation Assistance Programs in New York?

Multiple transportation assistance programs are offered throughout the state of New York through local community centers and local offices for the aging. Programs include transportation to and from medical appointments and transportation discounts for public transportation services such as subway systems and buses. Additionally, the Older Driver Family Assistance Project provides assistance to family members and loved ones of seniors no longer able to safely drive.

Does New York Medicaid Pay for In-Home Care?

New York Medicaid pays for in-home care through its three Managed Long Term Care plans. For eligible seniors enrolled in Medicaid, these plans provide services at little or no cost that can include personal care, assistance with activities of daily living, transportation assistance, therapies and more. Seniors can receive these services in the comfort of their own homes, enabling them to peacefully age in place if they choose.

What are “Activities of Daily Living?”

Activities of daily living, or ADLs, are basic tasks that humans often learn at a young age as they’re developing. They include activities such as walking, getting dressed, bathing and toileting and are tasks that are often completed daily to maintain one’s personal hygiene and health. ADLs are different from instrumental ADLs, which are more advanced tasks that require organization skills such as cooking, shopping and paying bills.

What Types of Services Does a Home Care Aide Provide?

A home care aide provides non-medical services within a client’s home to help them sustain or improve their daily functioning. For less mobile seniors or those with an illness or disability, services may include assistance with activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing and grooming. Home care aides may also help clients with instrumental activities of daily living such as shopping, cooking, paying bills and performing or coordinating light home maintenance.

Home Care Services in New York (687)