The Best Nursing Home Communities in Suffolk County, NY

Nursing homes in Suffolk County charge $12,395 per month for semiprivate rooms and $13,357 per month for private rooms, which is significantly higher than the national average.

Seniors in Suffolk County pay a substantial premium for nursing home care when compared to residents in other parts of the country. Average rates of $12,395 per month are just $76 higher than the state median, but they’re 60% higher than the national average of $7,756. However, rates are typical for the region. Seniors in New York City pay $11,771 per month, a savings of $624. Rates climb to $13,748 in Poughkeepsie, followed by Bridgeport, Connecticut, at $14,113. Just a few hours away, seniors in Kingston pay $14,797, about $2,400 more.

Skilled nursing is the most intensive form of long-term care, and consequently, it’s the most expensive with a median cost of $12,395-$13,357. Assisted living in Suffolk County costs almost half as much at $6,445. Prices for in-home care drop to $4,767 per month or $4,948 with added medical services. Adult day health care programs that include meals, recreational activities and personal care cost $1,110 per month, which is lower than the national average.

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.