10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Buffalo, NY

Though seniors still live independent lives in an assisted living community, residents do receive care services which makes assisted living more expensive that some other types of senior living (such as independent living or senior apartments). As such, seniors and their families will likely find themselves relying on a combination of private and public resources to cover the monthly costs.

Below, you’ll find more details on a variety of payment methods for assisted living, which might include VA benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and private funds.

In New York, businesses that provide care services must be licensed through the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to operate. An assisted living facility in New York is defined as a business providing residential care services and a homelike setting. For any business considered an assisted living community, it must apply for what’s known as an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) license. Upon licensure, the business would then be subject to inspections by New York’s Department of Health every 12 to 18 months to ensure that the residence meets all required regulations. These inspections include but are not limited to maintenance of indoor and outdoor facilities, medication management, dietary regiment plans, and food storage and preparation. You can search inspection reports via the New York State Department of Health’s website by county, provider name, or type of facility.

Types of assisted living licenses and certifications

Adult Care Facilities (ACF) in New York are simply defined as places that offer long-term housing and some level of personal care for residents who need supervision but not medical or nursing care. There are three types of licensed ACFs in New York:

• Adult Homes (AH): These provide housing, housekeeping, and personal care for five or more residents.
• Enriched Housing Programs (EHP): These provide housing, housekeeping, and personal care for five or more residents 65+ in a setting that provides independent living units.
• Residences for Adults: These provide housing, housekeeping, personal care, case management, and activities for five or more residents.

An ACF can then be licensed as an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) and can also get additional certification to provide a higher level of care. To provide memory care, a ALR would also need a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) certificate. To provide a higher level of care for those with consistent mobility issues or more serious needs, an Enhanced Assisted Living Residence (EALR) certificate would be needed.

Required regulations for assisted living

ALRs are required to provide a host of services, including personal care and case management. They also have to manage medication and coordinate any health care services that are provided by a third party. EALRs must do all of that as well as provide nursing care or arrange for it.

One of the main regulations for assisted living communities involves staffing. To operate and market itself as assisted living, the community must employ:

• Administrator to manage day-to-day operations and maintain compliance
• Case manager to help with housing issues, provide information on local services and activities, and coordinate health-related services
• Resident aides to provide daily personal care assistance

If operating an Enhanced Assisted Living Residence, which provides a greater level of care, then the community would also need registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and home health aides in addition to the above team members. Should the assisted living community also offer memory care, further requirements would involve special training in caring for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and different facility parameters  (i.e., window stops, delayed egress system on external doors, enclosed courtyards, etc.).

Here are some additional resources for complete information about assisted living in New York:

• New York Residents Rights in Assisted Living Communities
• New York Consumer Information Guide: Assisted Living Residences

New York Department of Health contact information

New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: 866-881-2809
Email:dohweb@health.ny.gov

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Buffalo assisted living facilities

While there are currently no specific COVID-19 mandates for the Buffalo area, the Erie County Department of Health strongly encourages assisted living communities to follow CDC guidelines and safety measures. However, individual facilities may have their own guidelines.

Assisted living communities in Buffalo offer seniors the opportunity to remain independent in a homelike setting – just with a little assistance in daily activities. You can expect a range of residential options, from those offering more of a no-frills experience to those with a bit more luxury in their accommodations and amenities.

Variety of residential settings

The majority of our partner assisted living communities in the greater Buffalo area are stand-alone assisted living communities, allowing seniors to maintain their independence in an age-friendly environment. However, other residential settings are available. You can find communities that offer a combination of independent living and assisted living, assisted living and memory care, and independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Facilities that offer a combination of care offer a very progressive long-term care option to seniors and their families as elders can begin in their independent or assisted living portion and transition to receive more care, including memory care, if they need it.

Health-related care services

Most assisted living communities provide residents with private living quarters, maintenance services, assistance with activities of daily living, and snacks and dining plans to accommodate almost any dietary need. But they’ll also offer health-related care services – some of which will be included in the monthly fee, while others will come at an additional cost. The most common of care-related services will be medication management which all Buffalo assisted living facilities in A Place for Mom’s network provide. The same can be said for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and even podiatry, all of which would be provided by visiting practitioners. Some of our partner communities also make available hospice care, on-site nursing, and some level of memory care. Communities that offer these additional levels of care are often combination facilities that offer assisted living along with memory care.^[02]

Amenities and activities

Residents at assisted living facilities have access to shared common areas, and depending on the community, these areas may include the likes of an arts and crafts center, movie room, billiards lounge, library, TV lounge, dining room, or enclosed courtyard. And with all our partner communities in Buffalo employing an activity director, expect an array of activities to participate in. Day trips are far from uncommon. You may find yourself visiting a local attraction, like the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens or Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Trivia games are also regular occurrences, as are picnics, happy hours, and live musical performances. At some of our partner communities in Buffalo, you can take part in yoga, chair yoga, brain fitness, art classes, or on-site devotional activities.^[02]

Health care for seniors in Buffalo

The Buffalo area has no shortage of health care options for seniors, some of which are ranked as high performing in care services most often used by the senior population

Transportation for seniors in Buffalo

Seniors in our partner assisted living facilities can get where they need to go easily because 70% of our partner facilities offer complimentary transportation while the rest provide it at cost. Otherwise, residents of Buffalo generally get around by car.

The public transit score for Buffalo sits right at 47. Transit scores are based on the transportation infrastructure of cities and their neighborhoods in comparison to other cities, and these scores are based on a scale from 0-100. For a score of 47, there are a few travel options nearby, but traveling can be difficult or time-consuming as travel options may be infrequent — such as bus stops not being close together.^[07]

However, don’t mistake the rating as meaning there are no public transit options available for seniors. On the contrary, seniors can readily use the Metro Rail or Metro Bus system. All Metro buses have wheelchair ramps or lifts and a kneeling feature to lower the bus. Service animals are also allowed on the bus and the rail. The Metro Rail stations and trains are also wheelchair accessible. A paratransit option is also available called PAL Direct.

The Going Places Transportation System, a senior-specific, curb-to-curb van service is also available in Erie County. You or your loved one will need to schedule a ride in advance.

Buffalo has an overall walkability score of 67, meaning that walking from place to place in Buffalo is possible but accomplishing some errands by walking may be too arduous and require a car or other transportation. Though active seniors can still get around by bike or foot, especially when living in the neighborhoods of Allen, Grant Ferry, Bryant, Front Park, and the Central Business District.^[07] These neighborhoods range anywhere between 85 and 94 in walk scores. Bikeability for the area is almost as good, coming in at 63.^[07]

Senior activities in Buffalo

With its rich history, thriving art scene, and extensive park system, Buffalo offers a diverse range of activities for the young and young-at-heart alike. Honestly, it’s just a matter of deciding what you want to do that day – and the area will offer plenty of options.

Just take Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, for instance. With regularly scheduled one- and two-hour tours, you can roam the halls of this 15,000-square-foot complex of six interconnected buildings: including the Martin House itself, as well as a conservatory, carriage house-stable, and a smaller residence. A day trip can also take you to another of Wright’s constructions: Graycliff, the summer residence of the Martin family.

Buffalo is also home to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Historic Site, where visitors can tour historically restored rooms and experience a number of interactive exhibits. Make a day of it, and visit the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park as well, where visitors have a variety of tour options that include a museum, the grounds, and four decommissioned Naval vessels.

As far as parks go, there’s no shortage of options. The entire park system was designed by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.^[01] Of his creations, Delaware Park gets much of the attention, and for good reason. It’s one of the top 10 parks in the world.^[01] But there’s also Front Park, Cazenovia Park, and the 22-acre Riverside Park, which has a rain garden, meandering pool, lighthouse, World War I memorial, and Niagara River outlook…and speaking of Niagara, you should never forget Niagara Falls State Park.

For a game of chance, head over the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino for table games, slots, and dining options.  You can also tee off at the Seneca Hickory Stick golf course.