10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Brooklyn, NY

On average, the cost of an assisted living community in Brooklyn is $4,447 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.^[02] This may be due, in part, to some assisted living communities offering other, less care-intensive senior living options on the same campus, such as independent living.

Brooklyn is the most affordable borough, saving seniors over a thousand dollars when compared to the second most affordable borough of Queens. It’s also slightly more affordable than assisted living across the nation by approximately $600. Below we outline estimates of the monthly costs of assisted living in NYC:

• $1,700 in Queens
• $2,400 in Bronx
• $2,800 in Staten Island
• $7,700 in Manhattan

Our Brooklyn cost average includes rent, the cost of care, and access to on-site amenities. The cost is calculated based on what families actually paid at our partner assisted living facilities in Brooklyn. However, costs may vary depending on the exact neighborhood, floor plan, your loved one’s required level of care, and amenities.
Families can typically expect the following services to be included in their monthly cost:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs – bathing, grooming, dressing, etc.)
• Daily meals and snacks
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• General maintenance and landscaping
• Community-organized activities
• Access to on-site amenities
• Computer and internet access

Seniors and families have their typical private pay options, including savings accounts, Social Security benefits, retirement pensions, and investment returns. Other private pay options may include potential income from options like the following:

• Selling a home
• Taking out a reverse mortgage
• Borrowing from a life insurance policy
• Using funds from a health savings accounts (HSA)
• Using long-term care insurance

For a detailed overview of these payment options, you can check out the payment section on our NYC page or view our guide to paying for long-term care. Families can also turn to public payment methods like VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid to cover some assisted living expenses in Brooklyn. You’ll find a detailed summary of the three options below.

Can VA benefits pay for assisted living in Brooklyn?

Approximately 31,000 veterans live in Brooklyn and more than half of them are 65+.^[03] To accommodate this large veteran population, Brooklyn and New York City offer several resources to help veterans and their surviving spouses cover living and aging costs.

Seniors can reach out to local veterans service organizations (VSOs) in Brooklyn to receive benefits counseling, which can help veterans learn about benefits they may not know about. The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services recommends the following offices to seniors searching for VSOs in Brooklyn:

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

Brooklyn Veteran Resource Center

25 Chapel St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

These organizations house some popular VSOs — like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and American Legion. The organizations listed above can also help connect you with other suitable VSOs in Brooklyn to help you receive and maximize your entitled benefits.

Can Medicare or Medicaid pay for assisted living in Brooklyn?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65+. It doesn’t cover room and board costs of assisted living in Brooklyn. However, it can be used to cover medical costs associated with long-term care. Seniors can visit New York State’s consumer guide to community-based long term care to learn more about the city’s Medicare Savings Programs and the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program.

To access Medicare services in Brooklyn, you can contact your nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office by using this Social Security Office Locator. Type in the ZIP code and click on “I Need Other Services” to find a local office.

Medicaid is federally and state-funded. New York Medicaid doesn’t cover room and board costs, but it can cover some assisted living expenses for seniors who apply and qualify for the New York Assisted Living Program (ALP). Your loved one does not need to be on Medicaid to qualify for this program, but recipients must require a nursing home level of care.

The Assisted Living Program covers long-term care in assisted living facilities. Covered care services include the following:

• Adult day health care
• Case management services for registered professional nurses
• Emergency response services
• Home health aides and services
• Housekeeping
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Nursing and supervision
• Personal care
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
• Room and board

To access Medicaid benefits in Brooklyn, seniors can reach out to the following offices:

Coney Island
1912 Mermaid Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: 929-221-3790
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

East New York
404 Pine St.
2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Phone: 929-221-8204
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kings County Hospital
441 Clarkson Ave., “T” Building, Nurses’ Residence, 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-2300. Extension #2301.
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Brooklyn South
785 Atlantic Ave., 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 929-221-3502
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: Some of these offices may be temporarily closed, so be sure to call before your visit. Some may offer online appointments.

Assisted living communities in Brooklyn are typically multistory properties offering views of the city. They’re spread out throughout the borough — some overlook the stunning bay while others are situated in lively neighborhoods. Many of them offer luxurious services and amenities to enhance the quality of life for seniors as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.

Brooklyn boasts many distinct neighborhoods and it offers a unique charm with brownstone-lined streets. It exudes a more laid-back environment than Manhattan’s high-end vibe, but it’s still comes across as more luxurious than the Bronx. Brooklyn is one of NYC’s boroughs that offers the best access to beaches and waterfront activities. Residents immensely admire the unique entertainment provided at Coney Island. Explore the historic boardwalk filled with shops and restaurants, or enjoy the fun rides, museum, and aquarium.

Here’s a breakdown of care options available at our partner assisted living communities in Brooklyn:^[02]

• 25% of assisted living communities only offer assisted living.
• 75% of assisted living communities offer independent living and/or memory care.

When compared to NYC’s other boroughs, Brooklyn has the most assisted living options and the most communities offering all three care options — independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Common on-site amenities and services offered at our partner Brooklyn assisted living facilities include:^[02]

• Concierge services
• Art centers and/or game rooms
• Libraries and/or business centers
• Fitness centers
• Cafes and/or pubs
• Salons, barbershops, and spas
• Common living spaces
• Gardens and/or courtyards

Some communities offer a wellness or lifestyle program filled with activities designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul. On-site activities offered at our partner assisted living communities in Brooklyn typically include:^[02]

• Group games
• Fitness classes
• Art classes
• Lifelong learning lectures or classes
• Interest clubs
• Group outings
• Devotional services

In Brooklyn and New York City, assisted living facilities are regulated by the New York State Department of Health as adult care facilities that provide housing to five or more adults at a time. The department’s Adult Care Facilities division performs inspections on a yearly basis to help ensure quality and resident safety. You can access inspection reports using this adult care facilities search.

Inspection reports include details on the following:^[04]

• Inspection dates
• Violations found
• Status of corrections for any violations
• Any enforcement actions taken against the facility

In New York, assisted living facilities must provide the following to residents:^[04]

• Housing
• Daily meals and snacks
• 24-hour on-site monitoring
• Personal care and/or home care services
• Case management services
• Individualized care plans

Brooklyn is known for its rich culture and exquisite entertainment. Therefore, seniors have tons to do. Some of our assisted living facilities take seniors on outings to Brooklyn’s most famous attractions. Seniors are also free to explore Brooklyn on their own or with visiting loved ones. Here are some senior-favored attractions in Brooklyn:

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This spectacular 52-acre garden allows seniors to immerse themselves in nature for a day. View a variety of unique gardens including a Japanese garden, rock garden, herb garden, fragrance garden, and much more, the garden is also accessible to individuals with disabilities. It offers guided tours and wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, seniors are offered a discounted rate.
• Brooklyn Museum. As one of the largest, most stunning museums in New York City, this museum displays over 500,000 artworks in a variety of mediums. From contemporary art and American art to indigenous artworks and photography, visitors get to have a truly unique experience every time they visit. It’s also accessible for seniors with disabilities. The museum offers a senior discount, wheelchairs for free, ASL tours for those with hearing impairments, and verbal description tours for those with visual impairments.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park. This stunning 85-acre park overlooks the famous Brooklyn Bridge and offers incredible views of NYC. Seniors have access to a variety of activities at the park. Seniors can relax by participating in calming activities like birdwatching, fishing, or picnicking. Seniors more on the active side can stroll the walking paths, kayak, or play some pickleball. Visitors can also grab a bite at one of the waterfront cafes or restaurants. The park is also easily accessible for wheelchair users.
• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). BAM is a multi-arts center offering all types of performances. Seniors can enjoy theater, dance, music, opera, film, and so much more. It’s over 150 years old and has become a prime spot for the performing arts in Brooklyn. BAM even goes above and beyond for seniors by offering senior-specific, accessible events.

Brooklyn is home to several medical centers to meet the health care needs of its aging population. Here’s a brief overview of the borough’s top-rated hospitals:^[05]

• NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. This hospital is ranked No. 9 in New York and is nationally ranked in five specialties — cardiology, diabetes and endocrinology, neurology, urology, and geriatrics.
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. This hospital houses a world-renowned Level 1 trauma center. It’s high-performing for diabetes care, heart failure treatment, stroke care, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care.
• University Hospital at Downstate. This hospital is high ranking in four specialties — heart failure treatment, diabetes care, stroke care, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care.

Many Brooklyn residents don’t own a car due to ample public transportation. Most of our assisted living partners in Brooklyn make it easy for seniors to get around by offering their own transportation services on-site. In fact, about 88% of our assisted living partners offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services.^[02]

Active seniors or those traveling with loved ones can also utilize the city’s subways, buses, and more. To receive a discount on NYC transportation, seniors must be 65 years of age or older. Seniors can show their Medicare card or call 3-1-1 to obtain a Reduced Fare Metro Card from the New York City Department of Aging. To learn more about local senior transportation options in Brooklyn, visit the NYC311 website.