Location & Cost: The Two Decisions That Make or Break Senior Living
Get location and cost right and everything else gets easier. Get either wrong and even a beautiful community becomes a problem. Mike McClernon explains...
Bristal Massapequa
Senior living in Massapequa, Nassau County. The public facts, the state license, and what is nearby, from a local advisor who helps Long Island families for free.
Call Mike: (516) 254-9481 See what is nearbyAddress400 County Line Rd, Massapequa, NY 11758
ServicesAssisted living, Memory care
Beds153 (39 memory care)
Google rating4.4 stars from 58 reviews
Licensed byNew York State Department of Health as The Bristal at Massapequa
PetsOur communities welcome small pets, provided the resident is able to care for the pet themselves.
Photos from the community’s own website.
Overview
Bristal at Massapequa offers a welcoming setting on Long Island’s South Shore. Families often read about the transition in guides like What to Expect when Moving into a Senior Living Community. Senior Placement Services Benefit Seniors and Their Families can help you explore this community.
The community has a relaxed, active "South Shore vibe" with regular outings, boat trips, and pet-therapy activities. Learn more about the memory-focused environment in Memory Care on Long Island and how to start the process in How to Successfully Place in Assisted Living and Memory Care.
From Mike’s Long Island guide
Mike’s first-hand notes
This Bristal Community is continually active! There is always a lecture, trip, or other fun activity at this Community. I was there once when a choir from another Bristal came and performed for the residents – and stayed for a cocktail social hour. Importantly, the leadership of the Memory Care section of this Community, realizing that a fun and loud social event would not be appropriate for some of the residents with cognitive difficulties, had arranged a quiet pet interaction activity for them, featuring two small, quiet dogs who were happy to be touched and petted. Those of us who love animals love them on a very deep level, and even cognitive difficulties cannot change our love for them.
This Community has a “South Shore Vibe” – friendly, laid back, and active. They take regular trips, including boat trips and excursions to the shore, to local restaurants, theaters, and local stores. This group also has a higher number of men than is typical in Assisted Living. This is a Community that is physically a little bigger than some, and residents use the hallways and outside trails for exercise. This Community also has an exceptionally large interior courtyard, one that is beautifully landscaped and equipped with seating areas for conversation and quiet reflection.
Published in Mike McClernon’s guide: Senior Living South Shore of Long Island
The Bristal in Massapequa, like all Bristal communities, features a dedicated, secure area specifically for seniors with Dementia. This area is called Reflections. The Reflections unit at The Bristal in Massapequa features every amenity offered for Bristal’s Assisted Living residents. These amenities include a cinema, hair salon, arts and crafts, music, pet therapy, and a variety of group and individual games. The core approach is to simplify activities so that seniors with dementia have an opportunity to succeed, reinforcing self-worth and day to day satisfaction. At this community there is also a dedicated, safe outdoor space.
Published in Mike McClernon’s guide: Senior Living Nassau County
Care levels
Bristal provides assisted living and a dedicated memory care unit. The community has 153 beds total, which shows it is a mid-size residence, and 39 of those are memory care beds for residents with dementia. No Medicaid program is offered here. For families thinking about payment options, see Ways to Pay for Assisted Living and Discussing Placement into Assisted Living with Your Parents.
Apartments, dining and daily life
Residents can choose an apartment layout that includes a kitchenette and private bathroom. All utilities, heating, air-conditioning, and electricity are covered, and the staff handles apartment and common-area maintenance. A fitness suite, wellness center, beauty salon, and scheduled transportation keep life active. Daily programming offers social, cultural, and pet-therapy events. Meals are chef-prepared, with three servings daily in a country-club style dining room and a bistro for snacks. Enjoy Supportive Services in Independent Living Communities and Fall Sure Beats Winter When Moving! give a sense of how vibrant life can be.
Dining
- Country Club-Style Dining Room
- Bistro
- Three chef-prepared meals
- Specialized diet accommodations
- Refreshments available throughout the day
Apartments
- Apartment layout with kitchenette
- All utilities included
- Apartment maintenance
Community spaces
- Creative Arts Studio
- Fitness Center
- Outdoor Terrace
- Private Dining Room
- Cinema and Library
- Fitness Suite & Wellness Center
Activities
- Daily programming calendar
- Social and cultural programs
- Live entertainment
- Music and mindfulness sessions
- Gentle fitness groups
- Creative arts workshops
Services and care
- 24-hour security
- On-site management team
- Expertly trained staff
- Emergency response system
- Foresight Health Monitoring
- Concierge Services
- Daily housekeeping services
- Weekly linen laundering
- Personal laundry service
Transportation and parking
- Scheduled transportation
- Ample resident parking
As listed on the community’s own website. Ask Mike what is included in the rent.
Safety and security
The community is secured 24 hours a day with on-site management and a trained staff team. Every apartment has an emergency response system, and the Foresite health-monitoring platform provides fall detection and health alerts. For more on how care teams support residents, see Redirection: A Communication Technique Used in Memory Care and Assisted Living: Forward-Thinking Care for Your Elderly Loved One.
Apartments and pricing
| Apartment | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Friendship suite | $5,700 per month |
Starting prices as published by the community. Care charges are extra. Mike can tell you the current rates and what is included.
The Bristal’s website lists a starting rate of $5,700 per month for a Friendship Suite. Pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and any additional services, so families should discuss exact costs with the community. Financial options such as VA Aid & Attendance can help, as explained in VA Aid & Attendance: Financial Support for Senior Veterans.
Location and what is nearby
The community sits 3.9 mi from St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage, 6.8 mi from Plainview Hospital, and 6.9 mi from Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip. LIRR stations are close: Amityville (0.5 mi), Copiague (1.5 mi), and Massapequa Park (1.6 mi). Nearby parks include Town of Oyster Bay Dog Park (0.1 mi), Field of Dreams Park (0.4 mi), and Peterkin Park (0.8 mi). Pharmacies are within half a mile, such as Victoria Specialty Pharmacy (0.5 mi) and Walgreens (0.6 mi). For a broader view of Long Island senior housing, see Senior Housing Long Island.
Hospitals and train stations
Hospitals
- 0St. Joseph Hospital, Bethpage3.9 mi
- 0Plainview Hospital, Plainview6.8 mi
- 0Good Samaritan University Hospital, West Islip6.9 mi
LIRR stations
- 0Amityville0.5 mi
- 0Copiague1.5 mi
- 0Massapequa Park1.6 mi
Parks, shops and places of worship close by
Parks
- 0Town of Oyster Bay Dog Park0.1 mi
- 0Field of Dreams Park0.4 mi
- 0Peterkin Park0.8 mi
Pharmacies
- 0VICTORIA SPECIALTY PHARMACY0.5 mi
- 0Walgreens Pharmacy0.6 mi
Places of worship
- 0Simpson United Methodist Church0.3 mi
- 0Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses0.5 mi
- 0Bethel Christian Church0.5 mi
Mike explains: choosing and paying for care
How Long-Term Care Insurance Pays for Assisted Living & Memory Care
Paying for assisted living or memory care can feel overwhelming — on Long Island, costs often exceed $10,000 per month. In this video, Mike...
Common questions
What services does Bristal Massapequa provide?
The community offers assisted living and a secure memory care unit. Residents also enjoy on-site dining, fitness, and transportation services. Learn more about memory care options in Memory Care on Long Island.
How many memory care beds are available?
There are 39 memory care beds, which are part of the total 153 beds in the community.
Is transportation provided for residents?
Yes, scheduled transportation is available for trips to local shops, parks, cultural outings, and restaurants.
What dining options are included?
Three chef-prepared meals are served daily in a country-club style dining room, with additional bistro refreshments and special diet accommodations.
How does the community keep residents safe?
Safety features include 24-hour security, emergency response systems in each apartment, and the Foresite health-monitoring platform for fall detection.
How can I get free help from Mike McClernon?
Mike McClernon offers free, no-obligation placement assistance. Contact him through the Get Answers page to start the conversation.
Compare nearby communities
The Bristal at West BabylonWest Babylon, about 4.5 miles away: assisted living, memory care
The Bristal at BethpageBethpage, about 6.2 miles away: assisted living, memory care
Atria LevittownLevittown, about 6.3 miles away: assisted living, memory care
Sunrise of PlainviewPlainview, about 6.5 miles away: assisted living, memory care
Part of Mike’s guide to Senior Living in Nassau County.
Sources: New York State Department of Health facility registries, Google Maps, and the community’s own website. Assisted Living Locators of Long Island is an independent advisor and is not the operator of this community.
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Mike McClernon has helped Long Island families choose senior living for years. His help is free to families.
Call Mike: (516) 254-9481 Send Mike a message