New York Medicaid does not pay for Memory Care Facilities within the Medicaid funded Assisted Living communities, although seniors who are relatively early in the Dementia process can sometimes live, for a time, in a Medicaid funded Assisted Living community.
Supportive care in Memory care facilities for a senior with Dementia involves care for their physical needs, plus interacting with them in a specific and supportive manner appropriate to the disease. The cost in a private pay Long Island or Queens Assisted Living community for Dementia Care averages $9,000-$11,000 per month. Some communities charge an All-Inclusive fee for seniors with Dementia, while others charge on a “Rent + Care” basis. There are a couple less expensive options (facilities) appropriate for some seniors.
Other options for seniors with Dementia include supportive care on Long Island – commonly called homecare – and Long-Term Care in a Nursing Facility.
Homecare includes light housekeeping, medication administration, and Alzheimer care like bathing and dressing. On Long Island, homecare is $322-$38/hour. Multiplying out just 8 hours of care for 7 days a week, this comes up to about $100,000/year. Around the clock and Live-In aides are priced differently, but the cost would be more than $100,000 per year. Medicaid can provide some payment for homecare, although in New York it’s rare to receive approval for 24-hour care.
Memory care communities on Long Island may have memory aids throughout the facility, such as visual cues, signs, and memory boxes to help residents find their way around and remember important information.