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...
Hidden Gem
Senior living in Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk 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 nearbyAddress11 Wittridge Rd, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
ServicesMemory care
Beds18
Google rating4.1 stars from 9 reviews
Licensed byNew York State Department of Health as Hidden Gem Home for Adults
Operator on the licenseGolden Homes Operating, Inc.
Overview
Hidden Gem is a small memory-care community in Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County, offering memory care servicesmemory care services and joining senior living on the South Shore of Long Islandsenior living on the South Shore.
With a 4.1 rating from nine Google reviewers, families often look for four things to look for in a Long Island assisted living communityfour things to look for in a Long Island assisted living community and wonder what to expect when moving into a senior living communitywhat to expect when moving into a senior living community. The community sits just 0.8 miles from the Ronkonkoma LIRR station and is close to Stony Brook University Hospital (6.2 miles).
Care levels
Hidden Gem offers memory care only. The state registry shows it is licensed for 18 total beds, all of which are memory-care bedsmemory care in Suffolk County. This size means a close-knit environment where staff can focus on each resident. Because the community is not an ALP, Medicaid is not accepted for the costways to pay for assisted living.
Apartments, dining and daily life
The community provides memory-care apartments for its residents. The website does not list specific dining options or activity programs, so families should ask during tours8 tips for touring a senior living community and consider factors often overlooked when searching for a senior communityfactors often overlooked when searching for a senior community.
Apartments
- 18 memory-care beds
- Licensed for 18 total beds
Dining
- Dining options not listed on the website
- Ask staff for meal plans during a tour
Lifestyle
- Waltess Estates Park - 0.2 mi
- Raynor Beach County Park - 0.3 mi
- ALDI grocery - 0.3 mi
Safety and security
Hidden Gem is licensed by the New York State Department of Health as a 'Hidden Gem Home for Adults'senior housing that accepts Medicaid in Suffolk County. Mike notes that the staff are trained to handle memory-care needs and to keep residents safevalue a senior living advisor brings.
Cost
The community does not publish a fixed price. Pricing is typically based on the level of care each resident needs and is discussed privately with familieshow to prepare to work with a senior home advisor and detailed in the frequently asked questionsfrequently asked questions.
Location and what is nearby
Hidden Gem is 6.2 miles from Stony Brook University Hospital, 6.7 miles from St Catherine of Siena Hospital, and 7.4 miles from NYU Langone Hospital - Suffolk. It is 0.8 miles from Ronkonkoma LIRR station and 4.8 miles from Central Islip station. Nearby parks include Waltess Estates Park (0.2 mi), Raynor Beach County Park (0.3 mi), and Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park (0.5 mi). Shopping is close, with ALDI (0.3 mi), Giunta's Meat Farms (0.7 mi) and Stop & Shop (1.0 mi).
Hospitals and train stations
Hospitals
- 0Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook6.2 mi
- 0St Catherine of Siena Hospital, Smithtown6.7 mi
- 0NYU Langone Hospital - Suffolk, Patchogue7.4 mi
LIRR stations
- 0Ronkonkoma0.8 mi
- 0Central Islip4.8 mi
- 0Central Islip4.9 mi
Parks, shops and places of worship close by
Parks
- 0Waltess Estates Park0.2 mi
- 0Raynor Beach County Park0.3 mi
- 0Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park0.5 mi
Groceries
- 0ALDI0.3 mi
- 0Giunta's Meat Farms0.7 mi
- 0Stop & Shop1.0 mi
Pharmacies
- 0Stop & Shop Pharmacy1.0 mi
- 0Lakeland Pharmacy1.1 mi
Places of worship
- 0Holy Cross Lutheran Church0.1 mi
- 0Suffolk Islamic Center (Lake Ronkonkoma Masjid)0.2 mi
- 0St. Joseph's Catholic Church0.4 mi
Mike explains: choosing and paying for care
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Common questions
What type of care does Hidden Gem provide?
Hidden Gem offers memory care only, designed for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
How many residents can the community hold?
The state registry shows the community is licensed for 18 total beds, all of which are memory-care beds.
Is there independent living available?
No independent living apartments are listed for Hidden Gem.
What are the staff qualifications for memory care?
Staff are trained to support memory-care residents, focusing on safety and personal care.
How close is public transportation?
The Ronkonkoma LIRR station is 0.8 mi away, and Central Islip station is about 4.8 mi away.
How can I get free help from Mike McClernon?
Mike McClernon offers free, no-obligation placement assistance. You can learn more through the Senior Living Advisor Long Island pageSenior Living Advisor Long Island.
Compare nearby communities
Atria Hertlin PlaceLake Ronkonkoma, about 1.6 miles away: independent living
Amber Court of Smithtown, ALPNesconset, about 3.4 miles away: assisted living (ALP)
Sunrise of HolbrookHolbrook, about 4.2 miles away: assisted living, memory care
Brightview Senior Living - SayvilleSayville, about 4.3 miles away: assisted living, memory care, independent living
Part of Mike’s guide to Assisted Living on Long Island.
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