The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Breezy Point, NY for 2024

Located on southern Queens’ famous Rockaway Peninsula, Breezy Point is home to approximately 3,538 people. With 23% of its residents at least 65 years of age, Breezy Point has a senior population considerably larger than the national average of 16.8%. Rockaway residents are served by St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, which is located on the eastern side of the peninsula, roughly 30 minutes from Breezy Point. Both of New York City’s major airports, JFK and LaGuardia, are also conveniently located in Queens, with JFK roughly 30 minutes away from Breezy Point and LaGuardia roughly 50 minutes.  According to the 2021 Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey, which counts Breezy Point as part of the general New York City area, seniors here pay an average of $5,529 a month for home care. Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Breezy Point– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service.

According to Genworth, the average monthly price for home care throughout the state of New York ranges from $6,101 in Ithaca to $4,814 in Binghamton. The state’s average monthly price for such care is $5,339, roughly $200 lower than Breezy Point. However, the national average monthly price is much lower at $4,957. Rochester, located in the western part of the state, reports prices roughly $200 higher than those found in Breezy Point, while Buffalo, which is in the northern part of the state, is nearly $600 cheaper than Breezy Point. 

Seniors who wish to age at home but need medical support often choose home health care over in-home care. In Breezy Point, home health care adds about $200 per month to in-home care’s cost, similar to the cost of staying in an assisted living community. Adult day health care is much cheaper at $1,950 per month, though it’s primarily intended as respite for primary caregivers. Nursing home care is over twice as expensive as all other options.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.