Known for its many culinary contributions, Buffalo is a western New York city with a sizable contingent of elders: Over 12% of Buffalo’s 255,284 residents are seniors 65 years and older. Among their options for health care are the Buffalo General Medical Center and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.

Buffalo’s seniors pay, on average, $12,669 per month for a semiprivate room in a nursing home, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey. That is a markedly higher rate than the corresponding national average, which is $7,756 per month. Nursing homes are typically more expensive than other senior living arrangements because they deliver high levels of assistance. Help is available day and night, and professionals such as licensed nurses, doctors and therapists see to residents’ needs regularly. Seniors who can manage their day-to-day lives without 24/7 oversight may instead wish to consider home health care or assisted living, which usually cost substantially less. 

This guide’s next segment compares the cost of different senior living options. Then, the guide concludes with a list of Buffalo-area senior-focused resources.

Directory of Nursing Homes in Buffalo, NY

Terrace View

462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY, 14215

My mother stayed at Terrace View for 3 weeks for rehab. It was nice. The people, the workers are supportive and they kept me updated, they always called. I did not visit because of Covid and it was a … (read more)
My mother stayed at Terrace View for 3 weeks for rehab. It was nice. The people, the workers are supportive and they kept me updated, they always called. I did not visit because of Covid and it was a … (read more)

Highpointe On Michigan

1031 Michigan Ave, Buffalo, NY, 14203

I placed my father in HighPointe on Michigan. I think it’s a great facility. It’s clean and well kept. I have no problems with HighPointe whatsoever. He went in for subacute rehab and he’s just waitin … (read more)
I placed my father in HighPointe on Michigan. I think it’s a great facility. It’s clean and well kept. I have no problems with HighPointe whatsoever. He went in for subacute rehab and he’s just waitin … (read more)

Emerald North Nursing And Rehabilitation Center

1205 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14209

Hawthorn Health Multicare Center is phenomenal! Everybody there are nice and polite. And I just talked to their physical therapist, they are always positive about everything! Pushing always their pat … (read more)
Hawthorn Health Multicare Center is phenomenal! Everybody there are nice and polite. And I just talked to their physical therapist, they are always positive about everything! Pushing always their pat … (read more)

Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing

1014 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14209

An absolutely HORRIBLE place to send your loved one. The staff sucks, they’re always too busy to attend to any concerns I have regarding my brother. He has scheduled medication and it’s always la … (read more)
An absolutely HORRIBLE place to send your loved one. The staff sucks, they’re always too busy to attend to any concerns I have regarding my brother. He has scheduled medication and it’s always la … (read more)

Humboldt House

64 Hager Street, Buffalo, NY, 14208

I really think that the Humboldt House staff are extremely professional and very kind to my relative who is currently staying at the nursing home.
I really think that the Humboldt House staff are extremely professional and very kind to my relative who is currently staying at the nursing home.

Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing

200 7th Street, Buffalo, NY, 14201

My loved one has been there 4 weeks+ & Developed a stage 3 ulcer on her back. The head LPN has done nothing since I found it at stage 1 while bathing her. The 1st floor is where she is & sta … (read more)
My loved one has been there 4 weeks+ & Developed a stage 3 ulcer on her back. The head LPN has done nothing since I found it at stage 1 while bathing her. The 1st floor is where she is & sta … (read more)

Ridge View Manor, L L C

300 Dorrance Avenue , Buffalo, NY, 14220

This is the most awful place I have ever seen. I went to visit a family member last night and he needed new bandages that he had bled threw and I was told no nurses on duty to help.I asked the one guy … (read more)
This is the most awful place I have ever seen. I went to visit a family member last night and he needed new bandages that he had bled threw and I was told no nurses on duty to help.I asked the one guy … (read more)

Grace Manor Health Care Facility

10 SYMPHONY CIRCLE, Buffalo, NY, 14201




Elderwood at Cheektowaga

225 Bennett Rd, Buffalo, NY, 14227


GreenField Continuing Care Community

5949 BROADWAY, Lancaster, NY, 14086

I went to Greenfield Continuing Care Community for rehab. It had PT and OT, and so I had 2 weeks of both. I’m home and doing well. I had a good experience. They were good to me, and the PT there was … (read more)
I went to Greenfield Continuing Care Community for rehab. It had PT and OT, and so I had 2 weeks of both. I’m home and doing well. I had a good experience. They were good to me, and the PT there was … (read more)

Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV

55 Melroy Ave, Lackawanna, NY, 14218

I would equate Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV to a five star hotel. The staff has been courteous. The food is excellent. It’s made onsite and served on Chinaware, doilies, and cloth napkins. The rooms … (read more)
I would equate Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV to a five star hotel. The staff has been courteous. The food is excellent. It’s made onsite and served on Chinaware, doilies, and cloth napkins. The rooms … (read more)

Fox Run at Oak Park

ONE FOX RUN LANE, Orchard Park, NY, 14127

My mom moved to Fox Run at Orchard Park. It’s been a very good experience, and the nursing staff is very attentive and compassionate. The food is good. She’s in a semi-private and large room that acco … (read more)
My mom moved to Fox Run at Orchard Park. It’s been a very good experience, and the nursing staff is very attentive and compassionate. The food is good. She’s in a semi-private and large room that acco … (read more)

Harris Hill Nursing Facility L L C

2699 Wehrle Drive , Williamsville, NY, 14221

Disgusted by the care my brother received at this facility. Shared bathrooms are not kept clean, looks like virtually no staff most days call bells ring for hours, he wasn’t able to sleep most night … (read more)
Disgusted by the care my brother received at this facility. Shared bathrooms are not kept clean, looks like virtually no staff most days call bells ring for hours, he wasn’t able to sleep most night … (read more)

OLV Senior Neighborhood

55 Melroy Ave, Lackawanna, NY, 14218

I believe that this facility offers everything possible in human comforts that is available in a senior nursing home. They offer individual, private rooms with a fllatscreen TV and half doors for res … (read more)
I believe that this facility offers everything possible in human comforts that is available in a senior nursing home. They offer individual, private rooms with a fllatscreen TV and half doors for res … (read more)

Elderwood at Cheektowaga

225 Bennet Road, Cheektowaga, NY, 14227

My mother-in-law is in rehab at Elderwood at Cheektowaga. She has been there for a couple of days now. So far, our experience is very positive. It’s very clean. They’re very understaffed, unfortunatel … (read more)
My mother-in-law is in rehab at Elderwood at Cheektowaga. She has been there for a couple of days now. So far, our experience is very positive. It’s very clean. They’re very understaffed, unfortunatel … (read more)

Canterbury Woods

725 Renaissance Drive, Williamsville, NY, 14221

Independent living is fine until your family member needs help then they don’t get help, unless you pay more. Skilled nursing is understaffed. Food is terrible. Nurses don’t answer call button … (read more)
Independent living is fine until your family member needs help then they don’t get help, unless you pay more. Skilled nursing is understaffed. Food is terrible. Nurses don’t answer call button … (read more)

Elderwood at Lancaster

1818 Como Park Blvd, Lancaster, NY, 14086

I toured Elderwood at Lancaster. I found the place to be more updated than the other facility. It was very clean, very nicely laid out, and very welcoming. The staff who accommodated me was very frien … (read more)
I toured Elderwood at Lancaster. I found the place to be more updated than the other facility. It was very clean, very nicely laid out, and very welcoming. The staff who accommodated me was very frien … (read more)

Autumn View Health Care Facility

4650 Southwestern Blvd, Hamburg, NY, 14075

Pay close attention when you bring your loved one here. A lot of ignorance and sheer lack of care. Cold food and cold nurses and staff. Severely over looking health issues with their patients that lea … (read more)
Pay close attention when you bring your loved one here. A lot of ignorance and sheer lack of care. Cold food and cold nurses and staff. Severely over looking health issues with their patients that lea … (read more)

Nursing Home Costs in Buffalo, New York

On a monthly basis, Buffalo’s nursing homes charge an average of $12,669 for semiprivate rooms and $13,231 for private rooms.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities

Sticking with monthly average semiprivate room rates, Buffalo is nearly $5,000 more expensive than the average American city. It is also $350 more expensive than its home state of New York on average.

Turning to nearby cities, Ithaca, with its average of $9,913, is a somewhat more affordable option than Buffalo. Elmira, meanwhile, is $882 cheaper than Buffalo, while Rochester is $289 less expensive. Finally, Syracuse, at $12,890 per month, is pricier than Buffalo.

$12669

Buffalo

$12319

New York

$7756

The United States

$12380

Rochester

$11787

Elmira

$9913

Ithaca

$12890

Syracuse

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors and their loved ones may also find data on the costs of other living setups helpful. In Buffalo, the least expensive arrangement is adult day care, which has a median price of $1,192 per month. Next are assisted living facilities and their $4,565 average rate. Home care and home health care providers typically charge around $4,767 and $4,957 per month, respectively. Finally, to reside in a nursing home, the average Buffalo resident pays $12,669 per month for a semiprivate room and $13,231 for a private one.

$4767

Home care

$4957

Home health care

$1192

Adult day care

$4565

Assisted living

$12669

Nursing home (semiprivate room)

$13231

Nursing home (private room)

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Buffalo, New York

Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.

  • Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
  • Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.

If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.

Free Resources for Seniors in Buffalo, New York

As seniors grow older, they can tap into resources such as those shown below. Some of their services focus on extending the period of time during which living at home is viable for older adults, thereby delaying or preventing transitions to more intensive levels of care. For those who do need to transition, other services are of use.

ResourceContact Service
Department of Senior Services of Erie County(716) 858-8526
Among other offerings, the Department of Senior Services runs the Going Places transportation program, which takes seniors to non-emergency medical appointments and destinations such as banks, grocery stores and social outings. It also conducts the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program, whose counselors answer seniors’ questions on Medicare and related topics, including long-term care insurance.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program(855) 582-6769
The Ombudsman Program supports long-term care residents by advocating on their behalf and conducting investigations to resolve complaints. Mediation is also available from the program, as is education on long-term care topics. Additionally, when the situation calls for it, the Ombudsman Program’s representatives refer clients to additional organizations for help.
FeedMore WNY(716) 822-2002
FeedMore WNY runs a home-delivered meals service, which provides both nutrition and companionship. It delivers two meals per day, covering lunch and dinner. A contribution of $7 per day is requested but is not required. For eligibility, individuals must be 60 years of age or older and unable to meet their nutritional needs on their own. Terminally ill or severely disabled individuals younger than 60 may also be eligible.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo(716) 856-4494Catholic Charities’ senior-focused services include the Telephone Assurance Program, whose volunteers make wellness-checkup calls to homebound adults otherwise at risk of isolation. It also runs Project HOPE, which helps seniors with mental health diagnoses gain access to entitlements. Additionally, Project HOPE provides guidance for their family members and caregivers. Seniors must be 60 years of age or older to qualify.
People Inc.(716) 817-7400
People Inc. assists seniors and caregivers with varying needs. Its respite services are free for certain applicants. Additionally, its volunteer Senior Companions provide help with household tasks and errands. For long-term care residents, People Inc. provides no-charge problem resolution and advocacy services.