Memory Care in New York

New York State’s variety of lifestyle options makes it an ideal retirement destination. While the hustle and bustle of New York City may be the first thing that comes to mind, the Empire State has much more to offer. From the beaches of Long Island, to Niagara Falls and the Finger Lakes out west, to the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains in the north, New York is filled with natural wonders and smaller, quieter towns.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 390 senior living communities in New York that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in New York is about $6,700.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) licenses memory care communities in New York. They are referred to as Special Needs Assisted Living Residences (SNALRs).^[01]

Every memory care community must meet specific criteria to remain licensed in New York, including:^[02]

• Show proof of ability to provide safe, clean and healthy living accommodations.
• Maintain a supportive staff that can supervise and deliver personal care.
• Adequate case management and a protective environment for residents.
• Self-contained leisure and dining spaces with a safe space to wander.
• Provide memory care condition-appropriate daily activities and food service.

Resident and staff requirements for memory care facilities

All memory care communities in New York must abide by specific rules including, but not limited to, the following:^[02,03]

• Be sure to conduct pre-admission assessments and evaluations for all incoming residents.
• Commit to providing an explicit residency agreement with detailed information that discloses necessary information.
• Comply and be prepared to respond promptly to urgent or emergency needs at any time of day or night, seven days a week.
• Have twenty-four-hour, on-site staffing available and qualified to serve the residents.
• Provide an appropriate medical professional to be in charge of medication assistance.
• Implement a mandatory disaster plan and show evidence that it is in place and effective, including monthly fire drills.
• Establish a process for re-evaluating residents after they’ve been admitted to ensure they’re still a fit for the program.
• Prepare an individualized service plan (ISP) for each memory care resident.

New York State Department of Health contact information

New York State Department of Health
875 Central Ave.
Albany, NY 12206-1309

Phone: 518-408-5300

How to find New York memory care facility inspections

The New York State Department of Health inspects each memory care community every 12 to 18 months and requires license renewal every two years.^[03] To search for inspection reports, you can use the NYS Health Profiles list to search the details of recent inspections for all licensed facilities using the following instructions:

• Search the alphabetical list for the facility by name.
• Click on the facility name you are searching
• View inspection reports and details on any citations

Each inspection report includes the following information:

• A total number of citations per number of inspections
• Dates of the inspections and any violations
• Details of the regulations violated
• The status of the correction plan
• A history of any enforcement actions
• Overall capacity
• Details and contact information for an advocacy program