The Best Memory Care Communities in Onondaga County, NY

Onondaga County is home to 462,000 people, 16.6% of them are aged 65 and over, and there are more than 20 senior centers that provide resources to seniors and their loved ones. About 400,000 seniors in New York, including some that live in Onondaga County, suffer from Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia.

There are six memory care facilities in Onondaga County for those seniors who need memory care services. The state Department of Health licenses assisted living residences, as they are called, across New York, including Onondaga County, 

• The cost of living in Onondaga County is 91, compared to the national average of 100, and the state average of 129. The low cost of living is driven by housing costs of 73 compared to the national average of 100. Seniors in memory care facilities may be indirectly impacted as lower housing costs may cause operating costs to be lower allowing for lower monthly fees.
• Onondaga County's violent crime rate is 12, compared to the U.S. average of 22.7, and the property crime is 29.4, lower than the U.S. average of 35.4. Although memory care facilities are typically secure, family members may appreciate the relative safety of the surrounding area.
• About 43 inches of rain and 112 inches of snow fall in Onondaga County each year, compared to national averages of 39 inches of rain and 26 inches of snow per year. The temperature range here is 15 to 81 degrees, so family members may want to ask what precautions are taken to keep residents comfortable in extreme temperatures. There are just 161 sunny days per year in Onondaga County, compared to the U.S. average of 205 sunny days.
• Onondaga County's air quality is 70, compared to the U.S. average of 58, according to the EPA. Seniors with respiratory disorders may breathe a little easier in the county's relatively clean air.

Note: Data reported on this page was updated in 2019 and based on the latest 2018 figures. 

Memory Care costs in Onondaga County start around $5,957 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Onondaga County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in New York page.

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in New York page.

Onondaga County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in New York are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in New York page for more information about these laws.