Rochester, New York, offers an active senior scene and a wellness-oriented community, making it an attractive option for seniors looking for assisted living options. Rochester is known for its low cost of living when compared to other cities in New York. This makes it easier for seniors to enjoy all that the city offers. Plus, Rochester is a city focused on wellness. It has many options for comprehensive geriatric care, with many excellent health care facilities and trained specialists.
This assisted living guide offers information about our partner assisted living communities and what it’s like to retire in Rochester. There are also helpful tips about financing assisted living, local senior health care resources, as well as local assisted living laws and regulations.
10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Rochester, NY
Rochester, New York, offers an active senior scene and a wellness-oriented community, making it an attractive option for seniors looking for assisted living options. Rochester is known for its low cost of living when compared to other cities in New York. This makes it easier for seniors to enjoy all that the city offers. Plus, Rochester is a city focused on wellness. It has many options for comprehensive geriatric care, with many excellent health care facilities and trained specialists.Read more
This assisted living guide offers information about our partner assisted living communities and what it’s like to retire in Rochester. There are also helpful tips about financing assisted living, local senior health care resources, as well as local assisted living laws and regulations.
Rochester Assisted Living Facilities | 503 Reviews
GrandVille is amazing. You can't put a price on knowing that your parent is well cared for. Caring attentive staff, wonderful activities, good food, well maintained rooms. I couldn't be happier that we chose...
They didn't have an opening but it was really nice! It was more money but they don't charge you a level of care fee so it would have been about the same as the community we chose and my parents could have...
Our free advisors can help
- Compare local facilities
- Determine care type
- Schedule tours
- Evaluate pricing
Due to covid we have not been able to see much of the community but from what we have seen it looks to be pretty clean. Once again due to covid the activities are on and off. Given the current circumstances...
- What families are saying about assisted living in Rochester
- Costs of assisted living in the Rochester area
- How people pay for assisted living in Rochester.
- Rochester laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
- Fast facts about assisted living in Rochester
- What assisted living is like in Rochester
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Seniors’ guide to the city of Rochester
What families are saying about assisted living in Rochester
Recent reviews for assisted living in Rochester
Linden House in Rochester, NY
Peregrine Senior Living at Crimson Ridge Meadows in Rochester, NY
Westwood Commons, a DePaul Senior Living Comm in North Chili, NY
Costs of assisted living in the Rochester area
Rochester, New York, boasts a lower cost for assisted living facilities than the rest of the state. The average cost of assisted living is $5,100 per month within our partner network, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This reflects the actual costs that seniors and families paid, which includes chosen add-on services. Accommodations can vary in cost depending on amenities, floor plans, community location, and additional services. Some rates may be subject to additional fees, such as admission fees.
Monthly costs at our partner assisted living facilities typically cover the following:
- A private room or apartment
- Meals and snacks
- Housekeeping and linen services
- Scheduled activities and events
- Transportation services (sometimes with an add-on fee)
- Access to all on-site amenities, like gyms, libraries, business centers, theaters, etc.
The chart below helps families compare baseline costs of communities across the greater Rochester area. Keep in mind, though, that these figures don’t include any additional service fee add-ons like our more localized figure above.
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Rochester, NY vs. nearby cities
Rochester, NY
How people pay for assisted living in Rochester.
Seniors and their families will likely use multiple payment options to pay for assisted living. Retirement plans and pensions are common starting places, but many seniors opt to use federal and state programs, too.
In this section, you’ll find more resources on private-payment methods, veterans benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid resources for seniors.
Many seniors and their families pay for assisted living using investments, savings accounts, life insurance, or a long-term care insurance policy. Additionally, seniors could also use health savings accounts or the sale of a home to help cover the costs of assisted living. These are some of the most common ways families pay for assisted living, but depending on assets and resources, there are many different ways to pay.
The following articles go into detail about each of these private pay options:
Number of veterans who live in Rochester as of 2021
Percentage of Rochester’s veterans who are 75+ as of 2021
Veterans or their surviving spouses might be eligible for benefits that can help reduce assisted living costs. The New York State Division of Veterans Services provides numerous resources and financial options for veterans looking for assisted living.
In Rochester, veterans may be eligible for assisted living financial benefits to help with the costs. Rochester-area veterans and their families may be eligible for the following programs:
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension: This benefit is one of the most generous since it can be added to an existing VA Pension. It can be used to pay for care in an assisted living facility.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program: This program provides in-home medical care to eligible veterans who cannot travel to a VA medical center. The program can be helpful for veterans who are living in an assisted living facility and require medical care.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) program: This extended-care program provides a range of health care services and support to eligible veterans, including those with long-term care needs. The program can help veterans access assisted living services in an assisted living facility.
Please note that eligibility for veterans’ benefits is dependent on a variety of factors. In addition to Rochester’s local VA offices, veterans service organizations (VSOs) can help seniors through the application process. Plus, they can help your loved one apply for every benefit they may be eligible for as well as any necessary appeals. In Rochester alone, there is the regional benefit office as well as the local veterans service agencies and county veterans service offices. Rochester’s VSOs include the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Monroe County Veterans Service Agency. All of these offices have accredited staff and representatives who can help file claims, discuss available options, and walk veterans and their families through the process of accessing VA benefits.
Resources for Rochester’s veterans
433 Westfall Road, Suite 211
Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: 1-888-442-4551
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
VA Regional Benefit Satellite Office at Rochester Calkins VA Clinic
260 Calkins Road
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, Rochester
Veterans Resource Center
447 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620
Monroe County Veterans Service Agency
125 Westfall Road
Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: 585-753-6040
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
412 Ballantyne Road
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: 716-889-4120
Meetings: 7 p.m. 2nd Monday
933 University Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: 585-461-5880
Email: mccnyal@gmail.com
Low-income seniors may qualify for Medicaid, a health insurance program offered by each state under federal guidelines. New York’s Medicaid program is run by the NY State of Health’s health plan marketplace, which has a nearby office called the Monroe County Department of Human Services Financial Assistance Division.
In Rochester, seniors may be eligible for the assisted living program through the Home Care Services Unit of the Financial Assistance Division. This program makes it possible for seniors to live in their chosen community instead of moving to a nursing home.
Rochester has several resources that seniors and families can take advantage of for application assistance and advocacy. The Monroe County Office for the Aging provides advocacy and caregiver resources in addition to help with Medicaid applications. Another advocacy resource for Medicaid is the ombudsman coordinator for Monroe County. NY State of Health also provides information and can help with applying with its Enrollment Assisters.
Additional resources
Monroe County Office for the Aging
435 East Henrietta Road, 3rd Floor, Faith-East
Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: 585-753-6280
Email: mcofa@monroecounty.gov
Region 13, LIFESPAN
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
1900 S. Clinton Ave., Suite 13
Rochester, NY 14618
Phone: 585-287-6414
Email: dleach@lifespan-roch.org
Medicare is the federal health care program for seniors. It does not cover assisted living rent costs but may cover some medical care costs that seniors may have. These may include things like prescription costs, physical therapy, nursing care, and hospital stays.
Rochester seniors may also qualify for ElderONE. ElderONE is an affiliate of Rochester Regional Health and a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Serving Monroe County, ElderONE is an alternative to long-term nursing home placement by providing medical care and support services to seniors with chronic care needs. These geriatric health care specialists create health care plans that allow seniors to remain independent and at home for as long as possible.
New York also offers the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program to help low-income seniors with their out-of-pocket drug plan costs. Seniors can apply by requesting an EPIC application online.
Seniors with Medicare questions can reach out to several resources in the Rochester area. The Long-term care ombudsman provides advocacy resources. Rochester’s Social Security Office can also help with Medicare questions. New York’s Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Programs (HIICAP) offers information and assistance for Medicare-related questions through the Area Agencies on Aging office.
Rochester resident Medicare resources
Region 13, LIFESPAN
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
1900 S. Clinton Ave., Suite 13
Rochester, NY 14618
Phone: 585-287-6414
Email: dleach@lifespan-roch.org
Monroe County Office for the Aging
435 East Henrietta Road, 3rd Floor, Faith-East
Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: 585-753-6280
Email: mcofa@monroecounty.gov
Social Security Administration Rochester
200 E. Main St., second floor
Rochester, NY
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Rochester laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
In Rochester, assisted living facilities must be licensed, supervised, and inspected by the New York State Department of Health. They’re licensed as assisted living residences. Some of these residences may gain an additional certification through the Enriched Housing Program to offer special needs assisted living or enhanced assisted living. Special needs assisted living offers dementia care as well as assistance for other cognitive impairments. Enhanced assisted living supports seniors who wish to age in place rather than transition to a nursing home.[03]
Assisted living residences in Rochester must provide the following:[03]
- Meals
- 24-hour on-site monitoring
- Case management services
- Individual service plan for each resident
Treating residents with respect, patience, and dignity is integral to ensuring continued licensing by the Department of Health.
Seniors with higher care needs can still enjoy living in their community, as long as the assisted living residence has been licensed to provide enhanced assisted living. Seniors may want to look for enhanced facilities if they need the following:[04]
- Assistance to walk
- Assistance to climb or descend stairs
- More than just occasional medical assistance
- Dependency on medical equipment
- Have chronic incontinence
Seniors needing round-the-clock, 24-hour care may want to look at our Rochester nursing homes page.
New York Department of Health contact information
New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: 800-663-6114
Phone: 518-402-0836
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for Rochester assisted living facilities
Currently, New York still has masking laws for high-risk individuals and encourages everyone to stay up-to-date with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended vaccinations and boosters. As of March 2022, social distancing practices have lessened, and assisted living residents and visitors may resume close contact. You can find more information on COVID-19 New York regulations on the NY State COVID-19 response page.
Vaccinations. Staff, residents, and visitors are encouraged to stay up-to-date with all COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.
Masking. Staff and visitors must adhere to all current mask regulations.
Facility cleanliness. Facility cleanliness and sterilization should occur regularly, with hand-washing and sanitization procedures in place.
Staff safety. Staff with positive COVID-19 tests will not return to work for at least five days.
Social distancing. Staff, residents, and visitors are able to have close contact.
Quarantining. Visitors with COVID-19 should delay non-urgent contact and take extra caution with immunocompromised and high-risk residents.
Fast facts about assisted living in Rochester
Number of people we referred to Rochester assisted living facilities
Average age of residents we referred to Rochester assisted living facilities
Gender split: 69% female
What assisted living is like in Rochester
The Rochester area is home to 18 partner assisted living facilities. These include the following types of layouts:
- Standalone assisted living facilities
- Combination assisted living and memory care facilities
- Combination independent living and assisted living facilities
- Combination assisted living, memory care, and independent living
The broader area, within a 25-mile radius of Rochester, is home to eight additional assisted living facilities.
Having so many communities that offer a combination of care types on the same campus offers Rochester seniors an advantage. Families who are concerned about a parent’s changing care needs can have peace of mind knowing that their loved one won’t necessarily need to move if their care needs change.
Care services in Rochester also encompass a range of concerns. The majority of our partner communities offer the following:[01]
- Diabetic care
- On-site nursing
- 24-hour awake staff
- Injection administration
- Incontinence care
- Visiting occupational, physical, and speech therapists
Rochester’s assisted living communities are active, with a wide range of social events, activities, and special interest clubs. The majority of our partner assisted living communities offer the following activities:[01]
- Devotional activities on-site
- Day trips and outings
- Live musical performances
- Stretching classes
- Holiday parties
- Trivia games
- BBQs or picnics
- Birthday parties
- Art classes
- Yoga or chair yoga
With busy activity schedules, Rochester’s assisted living communities offer several areas where residents can rest, relax, or enjoy their hobbies. These common areas often include the following:[01]
- Meeting room
- Movie or theater room
- Library
- Game room
- Arts and crafts center
- Outdoor areas with raised gardening beds
Explore senior care with confidence
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Seniors’ guide to the city of Rochester
Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Rochester as of 2021
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Rochester population
Median annual income for Rochester seniors 65 and older
Best hospitals for seniors in Rochester
Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester
U.S. News and World Report ranked this as the best hospital in Rochester, New York. Seniors can expect excellent care for a range of conditions, including heart attack and heart failure, diabetic care, and several types of cancer surgeries.
Rochester General Hospital-Rochester Regional Health
Seniors can expect a high level of care from this hospital, which is ranked as the second-best hospital in Rochester by U.S. News and World Report. It’s rated as high-performing for stroke, heart failure, and diabetes care.
Highland Hospital — University of Rochester Medical Center
This hospital is known for its quality of care with orthopedic concerns. It’s ranked as high performing in both knee and hip replacements by U.S. News and World report. Seniors can also expect excellent care for pneumonia, kidney failure, and stroke.
Transportation for seniors in Rochester
Seniors who live in Rochester’s assisted living communities usually don’t need to worry about transportation. Rochester is a mostly car-dependent city, and A Place for Mom’s partner communities offer transportation options for residents.
Across our partner communities, seniors can find the following options:
- Complimentary transportation offered by 72% of communities
- Transportation at cost offered by 50% of communities
- Resident parking provided by 94% of communities
Additionally, many communities can help schedule transportation for residents when they have upcoming medical appointments.
For seniors who want to explore Rochester without using community transportation, or for visiting family, Monroe County has several bus routes. These are operated by Regional Transit Service (RTS). RTS On Demand is a ride-sharing option available for seniors who would have difficulty using a traditional bus route. Rochester Medical Transport (RMT) is another option for seniors who need non-emergency medical transportation.
While driving is the most common mode of transportation, seniors can also find places to enjoy a walk. The most walkable neighborhoods are Pearl-Meigs-Monroe, Central Business District, and Park Avenue. The following scores can give you an idea of how easy it is to walk, bike, or take public transit in Rochester. These scores are based on population, available bus routes, and bike trails. The higher the score, the easier it is to use these types of transportation.[07]
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Things to do in Rochester for seniors and their families
Seniors can typically find many activities within their own assisted living communities. Many communities offer a range of options to appeal to many interests, including exercise classes, trivia, happy hours, and more. Rochester has several senior-friendly options to enjoy, and many communities can even plan day trips to these attractions for residents.
Museums
Rochester is home to a diverse selection of museums that cover history, science, and the arts.
- The George Eastman Museum has one of the country’s oldest film archives. Visitors can enjoy daily film screenings as well as photography exhibits. The museum offers a discounted admission for seniors over 65. Seniors may request a cane or wheelchair to use in the museum, which are available on a first come, first served basis.
- The National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House offers tours of Anthony’s home, including the front parlor where she was arrested for voting. Wheelchairs are welcome on the first floor of the home and in the carriage house where lectures and other programs are offered. Seniors over 62 are eligible for a discounted admission of $15.
- The Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) offers programming that will appeal to seniors and any visiting family members. Adult activities include Science on the Edge lectures and Behind the Scenes Tours that showcase the collection vaults. RMSC offers a discounted admission of $19 for seniors over 62.
Free Activities
For those seniors looking for an active lifestyle on a budget, Rochester is an excellent choice.
- Penfield Amphitheater hosts free concerts and film screenings during the summer as well as seasonal events throughout the year.
- Rochester’s High Falls district is a must-see location in downtown Rochester. The pedestrian bridge allows seniors to enjoy views of the falls or take pictures at their own pace.
Nights Out
Rochester has a vibrant dining scene with several fine dining options, with no shortage of wheelchair-accessible eateries nearby.
- The Del Lago Resort and Casino is the place to be for seniors who enjoy a night at the casino.
- With its family friendly atmosphere, Rochester also hosts festivals throughout the year, including the Rochester International Jazz Festival and the Rochester Fringe Festival. There’s even a few holiday festivals and markets that happen around the holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Westwood Commons, a DePaul Senior Living Comm, Heathwood Assisted Living at Penfield and Legacy at Grande Vie are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Rochester, NY. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Rochester is 4852.19 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Rochester City [Data set]. American Community Survey.
New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations. (2008, March 26). Title: Section 1001.10 – Resident Services. Regs.health.ny.gov.
New York State Department of Health. Adult care facility services.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Rochester City [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Median household income in the past 12 months by age of householder (B19049): Rochester City [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. Living in Rochester.
More questions?
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
- Greece, New York
- Fairport, New York
- North Chili, New York
- Victor, New York
- Gates, New York
- Brockport, New York
- Macedon, New York
- Webster, New York
- Spencerport, New York
- Churchville, New York
- Penfield, New York
- Lima, New York
- Le Roy, New York
- Palmyra, New York
- Avon, New York
- East Rochester, New York
- Pittsford, New York
- Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
- Coldwater, New York
- Marion, New York