Senior Housing and Assisted Living on the South Shore
The South Shore of Long Island is an area bounded by Queens on the West, the Long Island Expressway on the North, and the Atlantic Ocean on the South and East. It includes the mainly resort and summer communities in the Hamptons, also referred to as the East End or, less commonly, South Fork. The towns and villages bordering on the Atlantic have a long history as resorts the beaches at Robert Moses State Park are some of the largest in the country, and the unique ambiance of Fire Island is directly tied to the beaches on the Atlantic side of the island.
The South Shore has many beautiful towns and villages. Some of these are largely bedroom communities for people working in New York City, while others have a character built around other factors, like beaches, fishing, and simple Saturdays in quaint town squares. Some of the towns of the South Shore are Amityville, Babylon, Baldwin, Bay Shore, Bayport, Bellmore, Bethpage, Moriches, Islip, East Meadow, Patchogue, Farmingdale, Five Towns, Freeport, Holbrook, Levittown, Lindenhurst, Long Beach, Fire Island, Lynbrook, Malverne, Massapequa, Mastic, Medford, Rockville Centre, Ronkonkoma, Sayville, Seaford, Wantagh, Woodmere, East Hampton, and Southampton.
The cost of Independent Living on the South Shore of Long Island varies from less than $4,000 to $10,000 per month. This is well above the national median of $2,500. Long Island housing is among the most expensive in the country, and senior living communities are no different. Assisted Living communities, too, have a wide range of monthly costs - from $3,500 to $10,000 or more per month. Memory Care, which is Assisted Living specifically tailored for people with Alzheimers and other types of dementia, starts at around $6,500 per month and can cost $10,000 per month. While there are not great differences in price between the North Shore and the South Shore, generally slightly lower prices are to be found on the South Shore. In the context of the price for senior living, though, the price difference is not great.
Nearby areas: North Shore, Nassau County
Popular Assisted Living Facilities
Maple Pointe at Rockville Centre
260 Maple Avenue
Rockville Centre, New York 11570
The Chelsea at Maple Pointe offers Assisted Living and Memory Care in a caring, homelike environment. Residents are encouraged to exercise both their bodies and minds on a daily basis during our lifestyle activities. This community features several bus trips throughout the week, including two days to run errands to the local post office, library, banks, and doctors offices. Frequent outings allow your loved one to maintain independence in a safe and worry-free setting.
Maple Pointe also takes frequent trips to local restaurants and the bowling alley. When the weather is nice, residents can often be found enjoying the patio and courtyard.
Maple Pointe offers Memory Care in a secure part of the building. Seniors living with dementia receive care from specially trained staff, and all activities are designed to help those with cognitive difficulties be successful and supported.
One additional feature of this community is that they offer a limited number of Medicaid funded beds. The residents using Medicaid to fund some of the costs at Maple Pointe are typically longer term Maple Pointe residents who ‘spend down’ in anticipation of gaining Medicaid eligibility. Gaining direct admission using Medicaid is not the typical method of entry, and Medicaid is not typically used to fund care for people needing specialized dementia related services. But seniors started out in private pay Assisted Living may be able to eventually switch to Medicaid for some costs. Maple Pointe is one of the few facilities on the South Shore that offer this option
Bristal Massapequa
400 County Line Road
Messapequa, New York 11758
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.
The Esplanade Kosher Memory Care
130 Irving Place
Woodmere, New York 11598
The Esplanade in Woodmere is a special place. It is just undergoing finishing touches and will be open in late 2021. It has been designed for seniors who value the Jewish experience in care for people with dementia. The food is kosher, and a synagogue is on site and will be active for all residents. The Community, of course, welcomes all potential residents.
The Esplanade has a powerfully different approach to Memory Care. To quote the Community,” Our Montessori Moments in Time™ program is the cornerstone of Meridian Senior Living's comprehensive approach to memory care and was developed through extensive research and first-hand experience with our residents throughout the years. We strive every day to integrate purpose and meaningful moments into the lives of our memory care residents through a customized program, honoring our residents and their journey with Alzheimer's or other dementia. Our secure, specialized memory care neighborhood offers spacious private suites in a home-like setting, with supervised access to amenities, and care by our highly trained and compassionate staff.”
The Esplanade building is newly and completely renovated. The layout of the building lends itself to small groups (8-10 people), and activities will be organized in small groups. And in keeping with the Montessori ideal, each resident will be encouraged and helped to pursue meaningful activities and lifestyle choices that bring personal fulfillment. Again, to quote the Community, “Our memory care program is based on a platform of respect—respect for everyone as people who are important, with significant life stories, talents and preferences.
We provide our memory care residents with a positive and intentional experience at our community. Our Life Engagement programming seeks to reduce agitation and inspire conversation. Understanding resident preferences and past history—their loves, likes, occupations, family members, and more—can help us identify and troubleshoot why a resident may be upset and redirect behaviors to bring moments of joy into social interactions.”
The Esplanade is a great new option for people with dementia, bringing a Jewish view on care to seniors and families living with dementia.
Village Green
90 Schoolhouse Road
Levittown, New York 11756
The Village Green Assisted Living and Memory Community in Levittown is all about human interaction. The Levittown area in Central Long Island grew after World War II based on thousands of returning GI’s looking for moderately priced houses where they could build their American dream surrounded by friends and family. Village Green has taken some of the themes and history of the area and used it to create a Community based on camaraderie. Each of the three floors has plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces in which to talk with other residents, meet with family, or simply find a quiet place for reading or watching TV.
This Community has a separate, secure section for those with cognitive difficulties such as Alzheimer’s disease. Seniors with dementia living at Village Green have a full day of activities for each day. The goal in this part of the community is to give these residents, “Good Days” each day, and they use proven techniques such as redirection, reminiscence, and sensory stimulation to help each resident enjoy each day and each other.
Island Assisted Living
820 Front Street
Hempstead, New York 11550
This community is a participant in the Assisted Living Program for New York State. Residents who have qualified for Community Medicaid can use Medicaid to pay a portion of the costs of care at Island. The use of Medicaid for Assisted is uncommon on Long Island - only about 10 communities on the entire Island have qualified for participation in this program.
This community offers a library, computer access, full medication management, fully furnished rooms, a fitness center with associated PT and OT therapists on site, and full laundry and housekeeping services. Island Assisted Living also offers an Emergency Alert system for residents, three meals plus snacks each day, individually controlled heating and cooling systems, trips and excursions, and a full calendar of recreational events and entertainment.
This is a great community for more active seniors. Seniors at this community must be able to self ambulate, feed themselves, and interact with staff about needs. Island Assisted Living, like all facilities that participate in the NY Assisted Living Program, does not accept seniors with consequential dementia.
Right at Home Nassau Suffolk
754 Old Country Rd
Plainview, NY 11803
Right at Home Nassau Suffolk has received the esteemed Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission. In addition, they have received the Caring Super Star Award from Caring.com for five years in a row. The award is presented to homecare offices that have outstanding ratings and reviews from their clients and families.
Some of the services provided include:
- Companion Care – lite housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation
- Personal Care – physical assistance, hygiene, mobility assistance
- Specialty Care – support for individuals with complex conditions such as Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Sara Home Companions
201 East Merrick Rd
Valley Stream, NY 11580
Sara Companion HomeCare Services is a New York State Licensed Home Care Agency dedicated to providing client and family centered home care services. Our goal is to provide quality continuity of care.
Our SARAs make us different
Imagine a home care agency that takes the time to sit down with you to understand your needs. A company dedicated to giving personal attention at every level. At Sara Companion HomeCare Services, that is our goal. We meet with each client to understand their needs and make sure our caregivers deliver the best medical and non-medical services.
We understand the enormous trust and confidence you place in us, and we are committed to providing you with the best, most experienced, compassionate caregivers. Our caregivers go through an intensive screening process.
All of our caregivers are screened for honesty and integrity. We also research previous employment and do criminal background checks. Our trained interviewers conduct comprehensive assessments of prospective caregivers, ranking each person on personality traits that are critical for caring. We employ only the most responsible and qualified people—caregivers who are dedicated to playing a positive role in the lives of our clients. Case Managers monitor our caregivers to be sure they deliver the best care.
In addition to our caregivers, our Concierge Care Coordinators ensure that the needs of our clients are ensured. They are available to discuss any additional services or concerns that our clients may have. Your Concierge Care Coordinator is there for you from your first conversation and will still be there for you during your time with SARA.
Alzheimer's Association, Long Island Branch
300 Broadhollow Rd
Melville, NY 11747
Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center
45 Park Ave
Bay Shore, 11706
Emics Elder Care
626 RXR Plaza
Uniondale, NY 11556
Nassau County Dept of Human Services for the Aging
60 Charles Lindberg Blvd
Uniondale, NY 11553
Friedberg JCC
15 Neil Court
Oceanside, NY 11572
Alzheimer's Senior Day Program
1355 Noel Ave
Hewlett, NY 11557
Hempstead Senior Center
40 Washington Street
Hempstead, NY 11550
Uniondale Senior Center
840 Uniondale Drive
Uniondale, NY 11553
North Merrick Senior Service Center
1260 Meadowlands Rd
Merrick, NY 11566
FAQs
Who qualifies for assisted living?
Generally, people qualify for assisted living facilities if they require a bit of extra assistance with daily tasks, are able to walk or wheel unassisted, do not require round-the-clock care, and have stable health. For those who require more or less care, there are other options we can discuss. Contact us for more information.
Who is responsible for care in assisted living?
Each assisted living community has a wonderful administrator in charge of overseeing all the operations of the facility. They work with the facility's staff, residents, and families to ensure things run efficiently and effectively.
What should I do if my parent is resistant to moving to an assisted living facility?
If your parent is resistant to such a big change, suggest a trial run. Many assisted living facilities have a guest suite or an option to try the home out for a night or two. Discuss all the positive options with the move, such as laundry and housekeeping services, dining options, social functions and outings, and security features. Explain your reasons for wanting them to be somewhere safe and happy. Ask them why they would like to stay where they are, there may be a simple solution.
Whatever the reason, we can assist you and your family in finding the perfect option. Get in touch today to set up an appointment for all of us to meet and discuss what they are looking for in a new home.
What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
Assisted living communities offer residents some help with activities of daily living (meal service, light housekeeping, etc.) but still afford residents lots of independent living options. Whereas, skilled nursing communities offer residents consistent 24-hour nursing care as well as most or all assistance with activities of daily living. Some communities offer each level of care in the same location. If you are unsure what level of care is best for them, give us a call and we can talk it through.
