In this guide, you’ll find information about the costs associated with senior care in Queens, New York, and surrounding areas. There is contact information for state resources as well as local non-profit organizations that help residents pay for costs. We have also created a guide to paying for senior care in New York with more extensive coverage of social service programs and aging agencies in the state.

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Queens

The cost of assisted living in Queens is much higher than in other areas of the state, according to the 2018 2018 Genworth Cost of Long Term Care Study, at an average of $5,916 a month for assisted living. Nursing home care is over $300 on average in Queens. However, costs for other types of senior care are similar or lower than the state average, such as is the case with home care.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Queens?

Queens is almost $2,000 more expensive than the state average for assisted living costs, at $5,916. Much more affordable areas include Glen Falls and Utica who both average around $2,600 a month. Buffalo is also more affordable, at $3,895 a month. The most expensive areas for assisted living costs are Queens, NYC, and the Watertown area.  

How much does Home Care Cost in Queens?

The cost of home care in Queens is $4,576, which is similar to the monthly average for the state of New York, $4,690. There are a few places that are more expensive like Ithaca and Syracuse who both average at over $5,000 a month. The most affordable areas in New York state include Watertown at only $4,242, as well as Binghampton and Rochester where home care averages $4,385 monthly.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Queens?

Adult day services in Queens are about $300 less a month on average than the New York state average. Much more affordable areas include Albany to the north, Buffalo to the west and the Watertown area to the far north – these areas all average at only $1,083 monthly. The most expensive areas for adult day health services include Kington at $2,600 and Elmira at $2,015 on average.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Queens?

A semi-private room in a nursing facility in Queens is, on average, $300 more costly per month than the state average. Central cities in New York such as Ithica are dramatically less expensive, at $9,581 a month, and Utica at $9,582 on average.

Many popular cities are as expensive or more expensive than Queens. Albany and Kingston both average at over $12,500 a month. The entire state is at least $2,000 more expensive than average in the nation. We have compiled research on New York state to show you more affordable areas in the region for assisted living and nursing home care.

Financial Assistance Programs in Queens

Queens Medicaid Managed Long Term Care Program

In Queens County, qualified elders can apply for assistance paying for services like a personal nurse and long-term care in a facility. The managed long-term care (MLTC) program helps elders who are:

• 65 or older and/or disabled

• Have income no greater than $842 a month for one person ($10,100 annually) or $1,233 a month for couples ($14,800 annually)

• In need of assistance with at least one personal care service for a minimum of 120 days

• Eligible for Medicaid and/or Medicare

Call (718) 557-1399 or visit NYC Access to see what programs you qualify for, including Medicaid and the MLTC program.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

Assisted Living Program (ALP)

The Assisted Living Program was designed to help eligible seniors pay for the costs associated with assisted living care. In 2018, this program has been phased into the Medicaid Long-Term Care program.

Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program

Eligible New Yorkers over the age of 65 can receive assistance paying for help with activities of daily living (ADLs) while remaining in their homes through the consumer-directed personal assistance program (CDPAP). Seniors are able to choose a caretaker (other than their spouse) who will receive payment for assistance with personal care. To qualify for this program, the participant must be able to direct care or have a legal representative that can direct care.

Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly

The Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly (EISEP) program provides non-Medicaid eligible elders above the age of 60 with in-home care services. Clients are provided with a case manager and pay a sliding-fee-scale share of cost for the services they receive.

If you’re interested in this program, you can call (212) 639-9675 to apply.

More Senior Living Resources in Queens

NYC Housing Connect Lottery Program

Many residencies for low-income seniors in all five boroughs of New York, including Queens, take in new residents on a lottery basis. The NYC Connect lottery program re-opens periodically as vacancies occur in buildings.

Subsidized apartments typically have income requirements in order to qualify for housing. Queens has at least 27,000 subsidized apartments for elder citizens.

See the list below for organizations that provide subsidized housing in Queens, usually on a waitlist or lottery basis. Waitlists can be extremely long, it is advised to apply for housing as early as possible.