Best Assisted Living Facilities in Manhattan, NY | A Place for Mom

Assisted living in Manhattan costs $12,100 a month on average, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from 2022-2023.^[01] Manhattan has historically been the most expensive borough in New York City, and this is certainly true for assisted living facilities.

Assisted living in Manhattan is about twice as expensive as it is in other boroughs. It’s also about three times as expensive as the national average. Here’s a look at the average monthly cost of assisted living in each borough:

• $12,100 in Manhattan
• $6,900 in the Bronx
• $6,700 in Staten Island
• $6,300 in Queens
• $4,400 in Brooklyn

What’s included in the monthly rent?

While every facility is different, all of Manhattan’s assisted living facilities offer the following services as part of the monthly rent:^[01]

• Assistance with grooming, bathing, and mobility
• Security features, such as alarm bracelets
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Daily fine dining, drinks, and snacks
• Access to community areas, such as gyms, art studios, and libraries
• Regular on- and off-site activities

Some amenities, such as transportation or pet care, may cost an additional fee.

Seniors living in Manhattan and their families typically pay for assisted living with more than one source of income. Retirement savings accounts, investment returns, pensions, and Social Security benefits are common methods. Some seniors can use public funding assistance, such as veterans benefits or Medicare to cover assisted living costs.

If you’d like a more detailed review of these payment options, click the payment tab on our Assisted Living in NYC page or review A Place for Mom’s guide to paying for long-term care.

You can learn about payment methods and more in the following articles:

Selling a home

Taking out a reverse mortgage

Borrowing from a life insurance policy

Using funds from a health savings account (HSA)

Using long-term care insurance

Using veterans benefits to pay for assisted living in Manhattan

Most veterans are eligible for some compensation depending on their age, health, and other factors related to their service. Consider speaking with a veterans benefits counselor to determine which benefits you or your loved one may be eligible for. One benefit to ask about is the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can be applied directly to assisted living costs.

Approximately 23,443 veterans live in Manhattan and make up around 2% of the population. About 50% of Manhattan’s veterans are over 65.^[02] Both Manhattan and New York City municipal governments support local veterans through programs, such as VA-vetted veterans service organizations (VSOs). You can find more information about veterans services in New York City on A Place for Mom’s NYC Assisted Living page.

These New York veterans resources can connect you to veterans benefits counselors:

• New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS)
  • 250 Schermerhorn St., Room 211, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Phone: 718-613-3735
  • Email: dvsinfo@veterans.ny.gov

• New York Regional Office U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • 201 Varick St., Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10014
  • Phone: 800-827-1000

Medicaid and Medicare

Neither Medicare nor Medicaid will cover the full cost of assisted living in Manhattan. Both are health insurance programs, which may cover some health care costs for seniors living in assisted living communities.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals over 65 years of age. As a health insurance program, it doesn’t cover rent, meals, or the cost of nonmedical care in an assisted living community. Medicare covers short-term and medically necessary health care costs, such as emergency procedures.

The following Medicare resources can offer help or answer questions:

• New York’s Consumer Guide to Community-Based Long Term Care. Use this guide to learn more about which parts of your long-term care that Medicare can and can’t cover.
• NYC Medicare Savings Programs. These programs cover Medicare premiums for low-income individuals. There are two benefit levels and each has a different income eligibility limit.
• Social Security Office Locator. Search by ZIP code or select “I Need Other Services” to find the closest office to you. Using their online services, you can apply for most types of benefits, estimate your future benefits, review your application status, and much more.

Medicaid is a state-run health insurance program for low-income individuals. In general, Medicaid doesn’t cover rent or meals in any assisted living facility. However, New York Medicaid may cover other assisted living costs, such as adult day health care, personal care, physical and occupational therapies, and housekeeping through the Assisted Living Program (ALP). You don’t need to be enrolled in Medicaid to qualify for this program. However, you must require a nursing home level of care, which is determined by a physician and a representative for ALP.

The following Medicaid resources can provide guidance to families and seniors:

• New York State Medicaid. This government website has general information about New York Medicaid coverage and eligibility. Their office can connect you with your local Department of Social Services and can help you apply for Medicaid.
• Assisted Living Program (ALP). This page explains what is and isn’t covered by the ALP. It also highlights eligibility requirements and how to find services in the program.
• Chinatown Medicaid Office. This is the first of two Medicaid offices located in Manhattan. Here, you can find application assistance and answers to your general Medicaid questions. Visit the office at 115 Chrystie St., on the Fifth Floor, or call 212-334-6114 for Medicaid enrollment assistance.
• Dyckman Community Medicaid Office. This is the second Medicaid office located in Manhattan. Visit the office at 4055 10th Ave., on the lower level, or call 929-221-3244 for help related to Medicaid enrollment.

Living in one of A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living facilities in Manhattan feels like living in an upscale Manhattan hotel with additional, senior-specific services. Manhattan’s assisted living facilities are the most luxurious and expensive in the nation. With a price tag that’s about triple the national average at approximately $12,100 a month, these assisted living facilities deliver exceptional service.^[01] All of these facilities are based within the boundaries of Manhattan, and are located within the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Hudson Yards.

What can assisted living do for me?

Assisted living facilities offer nonmedical help, such as mobility assistance, medication management, medical management, and round-the-clock supervision. A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living communities in Manhattan take things to the next level by offering a deluxe lifestyle. Fine dining is prepared by professional chefs in formal dining rooms, although seniors can request in-room meal service at any time. On-staff activity coordinators plan daily events, such as painting classes, language courses, and exercise routines. Spas, salons, and barbershops provide seniors with regular pampering and relaxation. The staff members at these facilities are highly responsive, trained, and professional.

Memory care and skilled nursing care in Manhattan’s assisted living

All of A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living facilities in Manhattan offer at least one additional service, such as memory care or skilled nursing care. Nurses and physicians regularly offer appointments at the facilities. Each facility also employs on-site nurses to assist with non-emergent medical needs. Plus, the rooms and common areas in each facility are equipped with emergency response systems to promote safety.

Manhattan’s facilities are world-class

Manhattan is New York City’s densest borough, and its assisted living facilities are all housed within high-rises as a result. The buildings were either built or have been highly renovated since 2015. At least two were designed by world-famous architects, and the majority of communities showcase massive windows, expansive living areas, beautifully decorated interiors, and outdoor spaces. Many of these facilities take advantage of being in the artistic heartbeat of New York City and have fine art rotating throughout the facility.

All assisted living facilities in Manhattan provide the very best nonmedical care. The New York State Department of Health regulates and licenses assisted living facilities to maintain high ethics and safety standards. The department conducts annual unannounced inspections, and all results are publicly reported on the Adult Care Facilities search tool. You can read the full Consumer and Resident Protections on Section 1001.8 of the New York Code.

Assisted living facilities in Manhattan and across New York must provide the following to residents:

• A high standard of living
• The ability to choose their own health care provider
• Updates about cost and care changes
• Safe housing
• Daily meals and regular snacks
• Individualized care plans

Manhattan has some of New York City’s best hospitals, including one of the top hospitals in the United States — The Mount Sinai Hospital. Both of Manhattan’s best hospitals are on the Upper East Side.

• The Mount Sinai Hospital. As a general hospital, Mount Sinai offers care across all specialties. The geriatrics department is housed in the Martha Stewart Center for Living, and has both inpatient and outpatient settings. The center is an excellent place for seniors to seek treatment because of the center’s focus on preventing common hospital-spread diseases. Some additional services include neurology, urology, geriatric care, and cancer care.
• Lenox Hill Hospital. The Lenox Hill Hospital specializes in inpatient and surgical care for people of all ages. It’s one of the best places to receive heart and lung care, as well as neurology and orthopedic care. It has an emergency department and is one of the largest hospitals in New York City.

Most seniors living in one of Manhattan’s beautiful assisted living facilities receive transportation assistance from their community, either as a complimentary service or for a fee. About 80% of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living facilities offer complimentary transportation services.^[01]

Seniors who wish to handle their own transportation may consider using New York City’s taxi service instead of the New York City Subway, as the subway system is not uniformly accessible to those with limited mobility. In New York City, only yellow taxicabs have the legal right to pick up signaling pedestrians. There is a standard $3 charge for every taxi ride, with metered additions and increases for certain hours. Seniors don’t get discounted taxi rides and most customers pay by credit card or cash. You can hail a taxi by raising your arm in view of the road and the next available taxi will pull over for you. Some taxis are not wheelchair accessible.

Residents of Manhattan’s assisted living facilities will find plenty to do in their own community. All of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living facilities offer daily activities, and many focus on fine art and educational courses. At least one of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living facilities doubles as its own fine art gallery.

These are many engaging activities offered by Manhattan’s assisted living facilities. Some commonly enjoyed options include:

• Visiting opera singers, comedians, and bands
• Finance classes
• Language classes
• Pottery classes
• Painting tutorials
• Movie nights
• Cocktail parties
• Yoga and tai chi classes

Best activities for seniors in Manhattan

Senior Manhattanites are among some of the most privileged in the world because they have access to luxurious amenities and unique cultural opportunities. The following senior-friendly activities are within a 25-minute walk or 15-minute taxi ride from all of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living facilities in Manhattan:

• Central Park. Arguably one of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is located in the middle of Manhattan and encompasses over 843 acres. Seniors can enjoy a leisurely walk through the shaded and paved paths, or enjoy a Shakespeare in the Park performance in the summer. It’s also near one of the oldest zoos in the country — Central Park Zoo — which opened in 1861 and is located on seven acres.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Seniors can spend a day — or even weeks — exploring The Met, as it’s often called. This world-class museum features masterpieces from Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rodin, as well as ancient artifacts. The museum is free to New York residents and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wheelchairs are also free to use.
• The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Famous for its early-modern art collection and architecture, the Guggenheim Museum was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is a centerpiece of New York City’s artistic community. Seniors don’t receive a discount to this iconic museum on the Upper East Side. Instead, advance timed tickets are encouraged for visitors. The Guggenheim is open from Sunday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but the hours are subject to change.
• Broadway. Midtown Manhattan’s Broadway showcases exceptional musical theater performances. Get your tickets in advance — preferably months in advance — to get the best seating options for popular shows like Wicked, Aladdin, or The Lion King.
• The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Located where the World Trade Center once stood, the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a testament to the courage and dignity of those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. Admission is free to both the museum and the memorial, but the museum requires advance ticketing. Wheelchairs, service animals, and other mobility devices are also accommodated at the memorial.
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The Lincoln Center is home to the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, The New York City Ballet, The Juilliard School, and more. You can find upcoming performances on their website. You can request wheelchairs before your arrival and ushers can also help you navigate the center.
• The Museum of Modern Art. Also known as the MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art is a world-class museum highlighting pieces by artists such as Dali, Warhol, Liechtenstein, Picasso, and Wyeth, just to name a few. Seniors receive discounted admission, and more discounts are available if tickets are purchased online.